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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#weddingdress #dipdyeweddingdress #seamstress #pinkweddingdress #princessweddingdress #balloonsleeves
"I cannot begin to put into words how thankful I am that I found you to make my wedding dress of my dreams. The dress was perfect in every way and the colours looked glorious in the Cornish sunshine. Everyone fell in love with the dress and I even got likened to the Porthleven mermaid! It even stood up to rambling down cliffs. You truly are a genius and I can never thank you enough."⁠

Nicola wanted an elegant and figure-hugging mermaid wedding dress made in pale ivory lace. To add colour to her look, she chose a vibrant yellow, orange, red and purple dip dye skirt. 

If you want to see how the dress looked on the day of Nicola's wedding, have a look at my previous post. I love how the colours of the dress really stand out against the dramatic setting of the Cornish coast.⁠
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If you're also looking for a completely unique wedding dress, then you've come to the right place. Starting with your ideas and working together during the entire process, I'll design and make your dream wedding dress. Drop me and DM and let's have a chat!
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Photography - Thomas Frost - @t.frost.photography⁠
Venue - Beacon Crag B&B, Porthleven - @beaconcragweddingvenue⁠
Flowers - Fullers Flowers - @fullersflowers⁠
Hair & Makeup - Amy Needham @amyellenhairandmakeup
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