Recommended Suppliers
Choosing wedding suppliers can be daunting, so as I always value recommendations myself, I thought I'd share some with you.
Here are a few colleagues I have worked with over the years who might be useful to you when researching who to book for your own wedding
The Cotswold Hat Club
Exquisite hats for hire, delivered to your door
Hand crafted by British and Irish milliners Available UK wide with express delivery
Hat hire: how it works
Mention finding Cotswold Hat Club via my website to receive 10% off your hire cost.
thecotswoldhatclub.co.uk
This is a sign
Whether for an event space or at home, there's one addition that stands out as a beacon of personality, style, and sheer fun: custom neon signs.
Illuminate your space with custom neon signs
Whether it’s your favourite quote, a symbol that resonates with you, or even names in brilliant neon hues, these signs are a personalised expression of who you are and what you love.
this-is-a-sign.co.uk
With Akilah and co
We're a boutique wedding planning team based in London, led by Akilah—the adventure-seeking, detail-obsessed mastermind behind unforgettable weddings.
modern multicultural wedding planning
We specialise in crafting bespoke elopements and intimate celebrations that reflect you—your love, your vibe, and your story.
withakilahandco.com
Teresa Weller hair art
Teresa can travel to your venue no matter how far, and provide hair for as many in your party as you need. She is known for her professionalism and calming nature on the day to keep everything running smoothly.
Her huge wealth of knowledge and years of experience goes a long way on your special day, the best day of your life to look the most amazing that you ever have! That includes you grooms too!
Dorking High Street
teresaweller.com/bridal
Westdaw menswear
Established in Dorking in 2016 Westdaw are an independent Menswear retailer owned and run by husband-and-wife team Ian and Sarah.
Independent Premium Menswear Shop
With Ian’s 30 years' experience in premium retail, Westdaw Menswear will help make sure you look your best at every occasion, from business casual to date night and all points in between.
westdawmenswear.co.uk
bride by aster
Hannah runs her bridal shop in dorking too, just a few doors down from my shop. They offer a collection of wedding dresses from a range of designers.
multi award winning bridal boutique
Hannah runs a small but mighty female powerhouse here to deliver you a glorious wedding dress journey.
bridebyaster.com
Dapper formal hire
Wedding suit hire is a practical way of dressing wedding parties large or small for modern or traditional wedding.
Suit Etiquette experts
Dapper holds a vast selection of style, sizes and colours in stock for you to see, touch feel and try on.
dapper.co.uk
Putty Cakes…
Whether you want something completely traditional or utterly off-the-wall – or anything in between for that matter – Putty Cakes can help
We’ve made more beautiful wedding cakes than we could possibly count, and we’d be delighted to help you create a cake that’s right for you.
We can cater for a range of dietary requirements.
Prices start from £450.
puttycakes.co.uk/wedding
victoria's little bra shop
This sweet little shop has bra's and swimwear for all occasions and I often send a bride down the road to find the right bra for her wedding dress.
They stock a wide range of sizes, from 30 - 44 backs and B - H cups with prices starting from £30
FREE Bra Fitting
service in store
Bra not fitting quite right? Or just fancy something new? Why not pop in and see Victoria for a full fitting in their boudoir and check out the range of gorgeous lingerie.
66 West Street, Dorking
victoriaslittlebrashop.com
flowers by elaine
These highly experienced florists on Dorking high street provide a professional and personal service for weddings and more.
wedding flowers
We are proud to be the appointed florist for Wotton House, Denbies Wine Estate and The Burford Bridge. We work closely with their wedding teams and recommended suppliers to ensure that your wedding day is the day of your dreams.
flowersbyelaine.co.uk/wedding
si salon
Whether you're attending a wedding,
party, prom, or the races let your talented
team leave you feeling extra special
for any occasion
mobile or salon bridal hair and makeup
Colour, hair extensions, beauty and waxing. Si Salon is right next door to my studio and from personal experience they are a lovely team.
sisalon.co.uk
mayflower
Experience exceptional treatments delivered by outstanding therapists in a peaceful, luxurious environment using the purest products.
spa and beauty
Prepare for your wedding day close to home in Dorking, luxury and convenience.
mayflowerspadorking.com
This dove grey satin and tulle wedding dress was originally made for a Dungeons and Dragons wedding shoot. I took inspiration from the Tudor era (since high fantasy often has an `olden times` vibe to it), with the billowing tulle giving extra drama.
When the dress was borrowed for another photoshoot, the aim was to give it an alternative feel - modern hair, dark make-up and more of a couture edge. Almost the opposite of the first!
I absolutely love non-traditional wedding dresses, and choosing a colour other than white is such a fun way of being subversive. I don`t think grey would be considered an obvious choice, but it definitely is a beautifully unusual one.
Which of the two ways of styling this dress is your favourite?
Both wedding dresses in this post are part of my sample sale, so claim them whilst you can (link in bio)!
1st photoshoot:
Planner: @x_planit.pixie_x
Photographer: @doodahphotography
Hair & Makeup @derbyshire_bride
Stylist, ceremony & table flowers: @foxgloveandblack
Bouquet and floral hoop: @maddison.rocks.floral
Models: @carousel_hart and @luxdelioux
Rings: @bespokeweddingrings
Venue @dunwoodhallestate
2nd photoshoot:
Photography - @robert_christopher_photography
Hair - @hair.styledbydanielle
Makeup - @alexjaggermua and @emz_makeup_artist
HMUA Team - @glitzandglamsquad.kent
Model: @ambersu1
Floristry - @foreverbloomsofkent
It`s Two-style Tuesday!
(but really it`s just a post where I show you one bridal outfit I`ve made, styled in two different ways)
I made this wide leg jumpsuit in a gorgeous ivory duchess satin. I just think there`s just something really understated and sexy about a jumpsuit.
On top of that, I added this dip dye tulle overskirt in a full rainbow. Usually for my ombre skirts the colour gradients go up in layers, but this time I tried something different, with the colours going around instead.
In the first shoot, this look was styled in a very contemporary way - a wet-look hair style, pearl netted veil and a dramatic dark eye, means that even though the skirt has a rainbow, there`s still something moody and alternative about this bride.
The second look is about using rainbows in a more subtle way - the bouquet, the outfit, the décor, it`s all about colour, but with the brightness gently turned down. It`s rainbows, but rustic.
There`s so much to like about both approaches, but which outfit styling is your favourite?
This outfit is part of my sample sale, so claim it whilst you can (link in bio).
1st shoot:
Photography - @robert_christopher_photography
Hair - @hair.styledbydanielle
Makeup - @alexjaggermua and @emz_makeup_artist
HMUA Team - @glitzandglamsquad.kent
Model: disabled.life.with.lauren
Floristry - @foreverbloomsofkent
2nd shoot:
Venue - @skitbyhouse
Photographer - @lucyalexandra_photography
Dresses - @felicitywestmacott
Hair & Makeup - @Clairealexandrahairandmakeup
Celebrant & Organiser - @ribeiroceremonies
Hair accessories - @nujewellery_byemma
Butterflies - @flutter2me
Shoes - @becciboosshoes
Florals - @fioredoratoflowers
Ribbons - @_lkdesigns
Model - @missjenaroo
Story time!
Remember the Swan Lake themed wedding photoshoot I featured a few days` ago?
When the day came for the shoot, we were blessed with one of the sunniest days of the year so far (and this was March), but the ground was still very wet. We really wanted to get some photos amongst the trees for that real fairy tale feeling, but our beautiful bride, @alicia.modelling_x didn`t want to risk ruining the outfit.
And that`s when I stepped in!
You may think that a seamstress is only on set to help with the dress. But I`m here to do anything that might be useful to the shoot, and if that means carrying Alicia across the boggy ground, then that`s what I`ll do! 😂
(I was quite pleased that all my work on strength with @mybodyrocksstudio is paying off!)
If you want a seamstress who will not only make the perfect bespoke wedding dress for you, but will also go the extra mile for you, I think you know who to call 😉
(shout to @hair_by_tel for capturing this moment)
Today is my birthday, so I wanted to share something I`ve been grateful for almost every year of my life.
I started ballet lessons when I was four, moving on to the Lewiston School of Dance until 18 (I even won the Pointe Work cup with them once). My grandmother had been a professional dancer and my mum also took ballet lessons (and still does, at over 70!), so there has always been a lot of ballet in my family.
When I went to uni, I stopped dancing, then came back to it in the form of adult ballet lessons with my mum, and then got pregnant. After that I found aerial hoop, which replaced dancing as my active hobby. However, my ballet training has really helped my progress in hoop, and I`m very grateful for the skills I continue to draw upon for both hoop and acting.
What`s a hobby you`re grateful to have started, no matter what stage in life?
(and shout out to @hair_by_tel for capturing this video of me playing around during a recent bridal photoshoot)
#ballet #passion #dancing
"Felicity was amazing to work with. I can`t express into words how much I loved my overskirt. We had a unique theme and I knew exactly what I wanted but not how to make it work. She understood the look and colour theme I wanted and absolutely nailed it. From start to finish Felicity was supportive and informative on what would work best to make my vision come to life. Her knowledge and quality of work shines through her pieces. I would absolutely recommend her to everyone!"
It fills me with so much joy to read such kind words and know that I was a small part of making such a special day happen.
Bride Ashley chose to have the colours of her dip dye overskirt arranged in vertical stripes rather then my usual horizontal. I think the effect is really striking, where every angle of the skirt reveals a different blend of colours. And it match her hair!
Photography - @copper_squirrel_photography
"Dearest Fliss, I`m not sure I have the adequate words to express how thankful I am, or how talented and wonderful I think you are, but I`ll give it a go. My hopes and dreams for my dress were actualised by your amazing hands. My dress was so beautiful and different - just what I wanted. You made me shine on our special day."
I made this dress over 10 years ago now but it still makes me feel emotional reading this, so many years after.
As part of making Claire`s gorgeous blue and white 1800s-inspired wedding dress was creating this bespoke corset from scratch. The dress was made with an 18th century `flat-fronted` boned bodice, and once we fitted it, I played with shape, flow and texture to create this completely unique and opulent peplum corset, featuring beads, pearls, sequins, cord and lace.
I was lucky enough to become friends with Claire during the making process of her dress and as a result she invited to her wedding day. I was 9 months at the time and my waters broke at her wedding breakfast. My son was born 3 days later!
If you are looking for something beautiful and different for your special day, drop me a message - I would love to make your bridal dreams a reality.
