Wedding Dress for Military Wedding

bespoke wedding dress with sash for military wedding confetti

This wedding Dress for a military wedding was made from layers of silk satin, chiffon and delicate beaded lace. I added real button and loops to close the back. I made two ribbon sashes for Emily so she could change the colours: ‘sand’ and ‘royal purple’ to wear for different parts of her day.

Official photography by www.jeaphotography.co.uk

A fitted and boned bodice with beaded Parisian lace. I trimmed the sweetheart neckline and straps with scalloped edging. The lace extends over the full skirt in handkerchief points below a silk satin sash. The skirt is made of floaty silk chiffon divided at the front to reveal the shine of the satin below.

bespoke design for military wedding gown sword procession

Emily said: Almost everyone who came to the wedding commented on the dress. I spent a lot of the day telling people about you! People made such lovely comments about how beautiful it was and I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful I felt in it.

original design sketch felicity westmacott

Original design sketch for a wedding dress for military wedding

I sourced this French lace, which was beaded to order, and is known as ‘Chantilly’ lace. I used the matching plain border on the right around the bottom of the train.

classic bespoke bridal gown with lace edge train
button and loop back fastening on lace wedding dress with sash

The back of the bodice dipped low with the sheer beaded lace used above. I created a design all closing with satin covered buttons and loops.

bride with bouquet at military wedding in ivory silk dress

bride in bespoke wedding dress surrey church
ace edge train with confetti

I trimmed the train with pretty scalloped lace edging.

soldier with sword wedding day with bride
choosing a wedding dress for a military wedding seated couple

Emily had two changeable sashes, one in ‘sand’ for the ceremony and this royal purple for later in the day.

purple sash on custom silk wedding dress
cover buttons and loops on lace back wedding dress

Detail of the buttons and loops on the lace at the back of the dress.

Below: Emily danced easily in her wedding dress. The train spread out was spectacular but later she hooked it up in a bustle and was able to move freely.

Making the wedding dress for military wedding

toile fitting for bespoke wedding dress surrey

The making process includes a ‘toile’ or practice run where the dress is made in cheap fabrics to check the fit and design.

Pictures from Emily’s fittings show the dress with both colours of sash and with the train spread out and as hooked up for dancing.

To see another wedding dress delicate lace applique sash head over to Lauren’s wedding dress

Book a consultation appointment to talk about your own design ideas for a wedding dress for a military wedding.

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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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Sure, my usual role is a bespoke wedding dress maker, creating beautiful and unique garments for brides looking for something a little different. 

But sometimes I'm also a lighting assistant, a caterer, a last-minute-rush-to-the-shopper. That's the fun of being a creative, working with other creatives. 

This was from a styled photoshoot I organised, based on the iconic 90s film, Strictly Ballroom. I made these dazzling neon bridesmaids outfits based around the stunning costumes of Latin ballroom dancers. Our photographer really wanted the colours to pop in the atmospheric darkness of our location, so of course I volunteered myself as floor level tripod 😂

The photos turned out amazing, so it was definitely worth it!

Have you ever found yourself doing a job you never expected?

Dresses @felicitywestmacott
Photography @jessicajillphoto
Video/content @weddingstorytellerco
Venues @theoldtimberstore_se1 @malt.maltby
Florals @jemimainthewoods
Event Equipment Hire @cohire
Bridesmaid models @Lisaeggy3 @Boobzylou @oleksanacoaching
Choreography @oleksanacoaching
Hair and Make-up lead @melindabridal @melinda_grant
Hair and Make-up @beccibrushes
Jewellery @CatherineMarche
Neon Sign @thisisasignuk
Shoes @shoesbylarisa
"Just a very quick note from Rome to let you know how very admired your dress was. Lots of people said how beautiful it was. It really was the most beautiful dress I have ever seen. I definitely would like to work out how to potentially wear it again - I can’t bear the thought that I’ll never wear it again!

Thank you again - you truly are an alchemist!"

All the quiet hours designing, cutting, sewing and hand-stitching were all worth it, just to hear a bride so happy with her wedding dress. 

Want to see what this dreamy dress looked like on the day? I'll be posting the official wedding shots later this week. You won't want to miss this one, I promise you. This gown has quickly become a new favourite of mine 💙 

#bespokeweddingdress
What do you do with a wedding dress that's too precious to forget, but too beautiful to leave in a box forever?⁠
⁠
Last year I shared a wedding dress transformation I had done. I upcycled a Victorian-inspired dress I'd made fifteen years earlier - something only suited to a wedding - into something infinitely more wearable.⁠
⁠
And people had feelings about it. Big feelings.⁠
⁠
I understand that when you really love how something looks, it can feel criminal to see it changed into something you wouldn't choose for yourself.⁠
⁠
But this is what Eleanor chose for her wedding dress. And she, of all people, is the most attached to how it looked in the first place. But as she said, if she'd just had a new dress made for her anniversary, it wouldn't have been the same. This fabric gently held her as a young adult, making a life long commitment to someone else. It rested against her chest as her heart beat hard and fast when saying "I do". It swirled around her hips as she took her first dance. It pooled around her feet as she finally sat down, exhilarated and tired. Now a wife.⁠
⁠
And now this new dress can be with her through so many more experiences, holding those old memories, whilst also making new ones.⁠
⁠
This is what I do - I help your dress live a second life. Would you ever have yours transformed?
This gorgeous bespoke bronze wedding dress has gained a bit of attention recently, ever since I shared the secrets of how she fastens at the back, so I thought I'd bring her back for you to see in full. ✨

Making this dress was a dream, but nothing beats seeing how beautiful this bride looked on the day, surrounded by old stone, wild forest, and the people she loves.

Your wedding dress is about you, it's you, showing up in something that tells everyone exactly who you are. And I think this dress tells us this bride is opulent, elegant and regal. Basically? She's a queen. 👑

Getting your dress made specifically for you means you get to be really specific about how you want to look and feel on the day. Bright, modern and playful. Wild, dramatic and daring. Whatever your vibe, working with a maker who prioritises your ideas is a must.

If you're ready to take a step towards a truly bespoke bridal experience, drop me a DM. 💌

Photography @duncanireland

#bespokeweddingdress #uniquebride #colourfulweddingdress #rosegoldweddingdress #maturebride
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