Blog - Musings from the mind of a bespoke dressmaker.

Wedding advice, fashion, history, photoshoots and behind the scenes.

 

See lots of pictures of previous clients on my portfolio pages

Read More

Wedding Dress for Justine

Wedding Dress by Felicity Westmacott: Ivory silk chiffon, ruching detail, fishtail and wing train

Slim fitting dress with boned bodice in duchess satin with silk georgette overlay. The bodice has a deep sweet heart neckline and gathered georgette panels from the underbust going over the shoulders to create straps. Two gathered georgette pieces from a criss-cross feature over the front bodice, echoes with gathered panels on the back bodice. The floor length skirt is a gentle fish tail shape with small train at the back.

The really distinctive part of this dress was the ‘wings’. Made from georgette flowed from just below the shoulders and extended beyond the dress into a longer train. The wings were detachable for the evening part of the wedding and the dress’s train also hooked up for dancing.

Wedding Dress by Felicity Westmacott: Ivory silk chiffon, ruching detail, fishtail and wing train Wedding Dress by Felicity Westmacott: Ivory silk chiffon, ruching detail, fishtail and wing train

Original design sketch

Wedding Dress by Felicity Westmacott: Ivory silk chiffon, ruching detail, fishtail and wing train

Wedding Dress by Felicity Westmacott: Ivory silk chiffon, ruching detail, fishtail and wing train

Making Justine’s Dress

Wedding Dress by Felicity Westmacott: Ivory silk chiffon, ruching detail, fishtail and wing train

The underlying structure of the dress is fitted. Right: Justine’s final fitting with detail of the bodice.

Wedding Dress by Felicity Westmacott: Ivory silk chiffon, ruching detail, fishtail and wing train

Two views of the dress during the making process. Left: Just the duchess-satin ‘shell’ of the dress. Right: The georgette layer of the skirt is added (side seams still only pinned)

Wedding Dress by Felicity Westmacott: Ivory silk chiffon, ruching detail, fishtail and wing train

Views of the back of the dress showing the wings and the train, in the centre the train has been hooked up for dancing.

follow me on instagram@felicitywestmacott

When I signed up to do this Surrey based wedding photoshoot, I wasn't expecting to find two of my dear theatre friends there as well! In fact, we had been having dinner together a few weeks before, and they mentioned they were modelling for a photoshoot, and I mentioned I was supplying a wedding dress for a shoot, and neither of us realised it was the same one! So it was extra lovely to spend some unexpected time with them.

It was also lovely to connect with other local wedding suppliers. Working in this industry as a wedding dress maker can be quite a solitary existence, so part of the reason I do shoots like these is to network with others, and also to revel in their creativity! There were so many gorgeous little details from this shoot, but those will be in my next post...

Follow along for more pretty wedding dress content!

Photography: @isobelwnphotography⁠
Stylist: @halo_beautiful.xo⁠
Venue: @chaffordpark⁠
Dress: @felicitywestmacott⁠
Celebrant: @madewithlovecelebrations⁠
Food: @vinedinecatering⁠
Cake & macarons: @bluebellkitchen⁠
Jewellery @oliveandedenvintagejewellery⁠
Stationery @simply.laura.calligraphy⁠
Flowers: @baileyandblossom

#weddingdress #ukwedding #ukbride #bride2025 #bridetobe #bespokeweddingdress #surreyweddingdress #sussexweddingdress #englishwedding #barnwedding #surreybride #surreywedding #customweddingdress
I've been nominated for the 2026 Wedding Industry Awards 🥳⁠
⁠
Recently I was looking through my emails, as you do, when I see one that looks a little bit more exciting than the usual spam. It was from the Wedding Industry Awards letting me know that one of my clients has put me forward for the "Independent Dressmaker/Designer" category. It was such a lovely surprise!⁠
⁠
I previously entered these awards in 2016 and 2018. Both times I made it to the regional finals, but I never came away having won. So I thought this year I'd give it another try, spurred on by the kindness of a client 🥰⁠
⁠
Which leads me to asking you all for a favour. If you used my services between Oct 1st 2024 up until now (all that way until Sept 29th 2025) then you are eligible to vote for me. Unfortunately, anyone I've made a wedding outfit for before this can't vote.⁠
⁠
Winning an award voted for by the people I work for is such a gorgeous feeling, so if you have a few minutes to spare, you can find the voting link in my bio 💜⁠
⁠
If you do vote for me, let me know so I can give you a big virtual hug!
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