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

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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Destination Vegas. Rockabilly bride. Halloween vibes. 
Sounds like the perfect wedding.

Gorgeous goth Ellie got married in Las Vegas on Halloween. She wanted something alternative, retro and a little spooky. She realised she was never going to find that with an off-the-rack wedding dress. That's where I came in.

I designed and made her white and purple wedding dress with a wonderful blend of 1950’s and 90's shapes, modern styling and subtle Halloween Vixen detail. Harkening back to when Halloween was a little more stylish - perfect for this gothic bombshell. Below the boned bodice, I ruched and layered white satin over sumptuous shot black/purple taffeta and layers and layers of white net. The white satin was spangled all over with hand sewn crystals, ready to sparkle under the Vegas lights. 

My favourite detail? The hand beaded spider web made from Swarovski crystals. Spooky but subtle.
As a seamstress there are certain things that give me the ick. Usually they're pretty specific and unless you're also a dressmaker it might be something you're completely unaware of.

I've always had a ‘thing’ about language generally. I find it really interesting. I've noticed how strong a reaction I can have to people using language differently to what I’m used to. And when I notice that I often go on a bit of a deep dive to understand where that difference stems from. I think coming from a historical costuming background also means I love to know the history of things (and despite my instinctive language-conservative leanings, I do actively work on being accepting and open minded, trying celebrate the differences).

That said, please don’t say your dress has a trail!

Snails have trails - dresses have trains! 🐌
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