Long sleeve lace wedding dress and veil

Bespoke ivory lace wedding dress by Felicity Westmacott


Whether for a small an intimate elopement or a traditional country wedding with a marquee and hundreds of guests, a traditional long sleeve lace wedding dress ticks all the boxes.

Issie’s dress was made with a boned satin bodice with pretty lace overlay. Long sleeves and a boat neckline were trimmed with a pretty scalloped edging. A simple silk dupion sash highlighted her tiny waist and the back fastened with buttons and loops. The full skirt was three layers of silk organza over linings and netting flowing out behind in a wide train.

I also made Issie’s very two tier long veil. The train part was trimmed in matching lace edging to her dress and the blusher (comes over the face) was edged with simple cording.

Official photographs by Monty Steedman Photography

Classic corded lace bodice and silk skirt wedding dress

original design sketch by Felicity Westmacott
Original design skirt for Issie’s dress
Traditional military wedding dress with full skirt and veil

Military Wedding

Issie’s traditional long sleeve lace wedding dress was a perfect foil for her groom’s military uniform. Other dress styles could work too. I have made a very modern and understated dress for a military wedding before. Mixing up traditions and new ideas can work really well in all aspects of wedding planning.

Ball dress style wedding gown custom made to order

corded lace sleeve detail on custom wedding gown

Bespoke wedding veil and dress for English wedding lace and silk

Making Issie’s Traditional Long Sleeve Lace Wedding Dress

Pictures from the fittings showing her dress at various stage of the making process. Every bespoke dress I make starts with a ‘toile’ or practice run in cheaper materials. We can check the fit and style are just right before working with more costly fabrics. Then a series of fittings enables me to check everything is progressing at it should as the dress comes together.

I also made a long, two tier veil for Issie to match her wedding dress. It had a ‘blusher’ which is the extra layer that can be worn over your face when entering your ceremony space. I hand sewed lace edging to the long train of Issie’s veil and edged the blusher with matching narrow soutache cord.

final fitting picture of bespoke wedding dress and veil

Sweetheart boned bodice and lace wedding dress

Fitting picture hand made wedding dress

Fitting picture of custom wedding dress and veil

bespoke corded lace bodice and corded edge veil made to order

To see another wedding dress with a lace bodice and sleeves see Sofia’s dress on my blog

If you’d like to speak to me about your ideas for a bespoke commission, be that a traditional long sleeve lace wedding dress or another idea just head over to my contact page to get in touch.

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felicity westmacott wearing a hat

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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I can't wait to show you the photos from this wedding 😍 Mollie ordered a version of my black Morticia wedding dress and then proceeded to get married in Transylvania!

Can you get more gothic than that?? 

This was from our final fitting together. Follow along to see just how drop dead gorgeous Mollie looked on the day 🦇

#gothicwedding #gothbride #gothbridal #alternativebride #morticiaaddams
One of the pleasures of having my own shop, is I also get some alone time.
If you have a busy life you know the rare joy of getting to hang out with just yourself sometimes.

Which isn't to say I don't love welcoming brides into my shop - I absolutely do.
But I don't think I could ever have a colleague in the shop with me (not full time, anyway). 
Not after working for myself for 25 years, and being used to how I like to to do things. 

Isn't that the difference between being alone and lonely. I am alone, but very much not lonely.

Hands up all my introverts! 🙌🏻
"I am so grateful for your contribution to my dress. Everybody loved it."⁠
⁠
This custom dip dye overskirt was the perfect pop of colour for Tanja's wedding dress. ⁠And with autumn well and truly here, I wanted to celebrate those beautiful colours.⁠
⁠
Her floor length skirt included:⁠
💛a graduated hi-low hem to match the dress underneath⁠
🧡two layers of soft tulle⁠
🩷hand dyed with four vibrant colours; yellow, orange, red and burgundy⁠
❤️snaps along the waist for easy attachment and removal to the wedding dress⁠
⁠
My bespoke ombre overskirts have so many other customisation options as well. From extra layers of tulle or lining fabric, to finishing off the waistband with ribbon or a pretty beaded belt. And I have over 30 colours to choose from, so there are almost limitless options.⁠
⁠
There are so many other customisation options as well. From extra layers of tulle or lining fabric, to finishing off the waistband with ribbon or a pretty beaded belt. And I have over 30 colours to choose from, so there are almost limitless options!⁠
⁠
You can find more examples of my dip dye work on my website.⁠
Or drop me a DM, and let's talk colour!
l've always wanted to see inside this chapel, ever since I was a child. So getting to be on set for this gothic romance wedding shoot and seeing my dress amongst the old stonework was a dream come true 🖤 

Planner/stylist @the_luxury_wedding_co⁠
Photographer ⁠
@sarah.lauren.photography⁠
Photographer @forrestwildejpg 
Content Creators @thesocialsocketweddings⁠
Table draping @foldandflowstudio⁠
Table decor @sparkleeventstyling⁠
Glassware @milliemileseventhire⁠
Ribbon @norfolksilk⁠
Stationary @two.hearts.club⁠
Florists @baileyandblossom ⁠
MUA and Hair stylist @abbigailrichardsstudio⁠
Wedding dress designer @felicitywestmacott⁠
Celebrant @pitchperfectceremonies⁠
Wedding cake designer @gwynethjohnsoncakedesign⁠
Models @allie.and.max⁠
Jewellery @coralie.jewellery⁠
Venue @maverickprojects⁠

#alternativebride #weddingdress
#bespokeweddingdress #wutheringheights
#gothicwedding
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