Traditional lace wedding dress

classic bride wearing a corded lace wedding dress bodice and fingertip veil

I made a traditional lace wedding dress for Sofia’s wedding day. My design echoes the classic lines of Grace Kelly’s famous 1956 wedding dress, designed by Helen Rose.

The simple boned bodice with sweetheart neckline and bold lace over-lay extending up to a higher boat neck. The lace had a wide scalloped edge which we placed carefully to make sure it lay symmetrically around the neckline. And also so the pattern further down curved around the sweet heart neckline. I cut the romantic skirt in three full circles ivory tulle. Underneath I added a nett petticoat for more fullness and lining to create ethereal shape and floaty look. The skirt joined the bodice at the natural waistline, highlighting Sofia’s tiny waist with a very simple duchess satin sash. The lining of the skirt finished at floor level all round, while the tulle flowed out into a shear train.

Here the train is hooked up behind to keep it off the floor, all my dresses come with bustle buttons for the train.

blusher veil and traditional lace wedding dress

I also made Sofia’s simple two tier veil. The part that comes over your face is called the ‘blusher’ and should traditionally always be put back before the ceremony begins.

ethereal tulle and lace bespoke wedding dress countryside setting with apple trees

Sofia wrote: “Hi Felicity,  I have to say that I absolutely loved my dress and got lovely comments about it all day and am still getting comments from people in the office about how beautiful it looked so thank you so very much for creating a perfect dress for a perfect day 🙂 Thank you so much again! “

original design sketch by Felicity Westmacott

Orignal Design Sketch

bridal couple with bride in handmade wedding dress surrey

fairytale tulle skirt wedding dress by the lake

I left Sofia’s train unlined for an unusual shear look. The skirt lining beneath was floor length all round.

hair style large bun with scallop lace edged and button back wedding dress

We made the back of Sofia’s dress with a completely hidden fastening. The satin bodice did up with a zip underneath and then the lace design poppered shut over the top, for a seamless finish.

bride wearing traditional lace wedding dress tulle skirt

1950's style wedding dress family picture

cutting the cake in a grace kelly style wedding dress

lace and tulle bespoke wedding dress country estate picture

bridal couple elegant wedding dress with boned bodice

Making Sofia’s traditional lace wedding dress

toile fittings for a bespoke wedding dress

Pictures from the toile (practice run) fitting

fitting picture while making a traditional wedding dress

Picture from the final fitting, just the hem length to finish. From the back, showing the shear (unlined) train, which came with a hook up for the evening.

final fitting picture of corded lace detail bespoke dress

Picture from the final fitting showing the beautiful lace of the bodice and sash detail at the waist.

To see another traditional lace wedding dress see Issie’s dress

Or book a appointment to talk to me about having a traditional lace wedding dress made.

 

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Felicity Westmacott

I write about all aspects of weddings, dressmaking, fashion history, and the human relation to clothing. I welcome comments and debate.

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One final little sneak peek before I show the fabulous photos from this fabulous day!

1 sewing machine
2 bride outfits
3 bridesmaid dresses
21 talented wedding suppliers
and lots of stage smoke!

Make sure you're following me to see what I'm so excited to share. Photos coming this weekend!

~
Dresses @felicitywestmacott
Photography @jessicajillphoto
Video/content @weddingstorytellerco
Venues @theoldtimberstore_se1 @malt.maltby
Florals @jemimainthewoods
Event Equipment Hire @cohire
Bride Models @michele_and_graziella
Bridesmaid models @Lisaeggy3 @Boobzylou @oleksanacoaching
Choreography @oleksanacoaching
Hair and Make-up lead @melindabridal @melinda_grant
Hair and Make-up @beccibrushes

Celebrant dave_the_celebrant
Guitar @shanetheojoseph
Stationery @theinkmoth
Jewellery @CatherineMarche
Cake @gwynethjohnsoncakedesign
Neon Sign @thisisasignuk
Headdress @Creationsbylivfree
Millinery @beverleyedmondsonmillinery
Shoes @shoesbylarisa
Confetti @proper.confetti

#bespokeweddingdress #weddingshoot #weddingdress #ukwedding #ukbride #ukweddingsupplier #londonwedding
“My detachable skirt was the best. So many people were very impressed with your work. Thank you so very much, I LOVE MY SKIRT!”⁠
⁠
For real bride Christina, I created one of my iconic dip dye overskirts. Christina went for a beautiful monochromatic ombre, going from bright sky blue, all the way down to a deep, rich navy.⁠
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Whether it's matching your bouquet, your groom's pocket square or your bridesmaids, having an overskirt really helps tie the colour palette of wedding together.⁠
⁠
If you want to add some colour to your wedding, but don't quite feel brave enough to dye directly onto your wedding dress, then a dip dye overskirt is the perfect solution. Have a look at my Etsy (link in the bio) to find out more.⁠
⁠
What colours would you pick?
Sometimes dressmaking lingo can feel a bit overwhelming, so I like to spend time breaking down various elements of a wedding dress I've made in... Anatomy of a Dress!⁠
⁠
▫️for the fabric I used a beautiful, ivory floral lace (layered on top of silk dupion)⁠
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▫️the back of dress has a keyhole opening, secured with covered buttons at the top⁠
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▫️the corset bodice is fully boned with visible boning channels⁠
⁠
▫️the dress fastens with a lace-up back, with ribbon and eyelets, and a modesty panel behind (so no skin shows through beneath the lacing)⁠
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▫️the skirt is cut straight with a very slight flare near the hem and scalloped edging used all around, including onto the small train⁠
⁠
Did you find this little breakdown helpful? Hopefully it means that when it comes to your bridal outfit, you have a better idea of how to talk about what you want 🥰⁠
⁠
If you want to see what this dress looked like on the day of the wedding, have a look at this week's earlier post.
emailme@felicitywestmacott.co.ukTEL 07762 543230TOUCHGet in
from design to completionbespoke wedding dressesFelicity Westmacott
Dorking, RH4 1RT241 High Street• Visit the Studio •
Dorking, RH4 1RT241 High Street• Visit the Studio •
emailme@felicitywestmacott.co.ukTEL 07762 543230TOUCHGet in