Sarah Shepherd Dressmaker

Sarah Shepherd Dressmaker By appointment only. Bridal & special occasion wear specialist in made to measure bespoke and alters. Also happy to give advice and guidance on your garment.

Specialising in made to measure bespoke bridalwear, womens occasion wear alters & custom/upcycling.

When it's that nice why not do it twice! ❤️Dora and Cristian late last year in Vegas for their pre wedding intimate cere...
16/08/2026

When it's that nice why not do it twice! ❤️

Dora and Cristian late last year in Vegas for their pre wedding intimate ceremony and what fun it looks too. Again beautifully captured.

Bride's one thing in the budget never to cut corners on are your tailor/bridal seamstress and your photographer. It will be best money well spent.

I love a mini dress don't you. This gorgeous number I tailored to add a support inner strap and take it in to give it a better fit.

Makes me want to renew vows in Vegas 🎊


https://www.instagram.com/p/DcGyzbUjKRK/?igsh=MW1hdHV2aGRlNGI2OA==&igsi=MW1hdHV2aGRlNGI2OA==

Let's add some colour to my wall!What better than Dora and Cristian displaying my 3/4 length cascade soft full gather ve...
16/08/2026

Let's add some colour to my wall!

What better than Dora and Cristian displaying my 3/4 length cascade soft full gather veil along with special touches made to complete her look.

Dora tried on a sample scarf here to see if it was definitely what she wanted and quickly knew she wanted to remove her dress train to be able to swish swish. With its fabulous deep horsehair braid inside it's hem edge it helps it do it to its best.

And with the hem waste I create her matching fabric neck scarf ❤️

She tried on my sample veils here too and instantly fell for this one to complete her look and to me it was simply the perfect choice.

As I say to all new brides to be I meet here my veils are soft and delicate allowing you to see through to let everyone enjoy your dress and as seen here over her face too. At your fitting just ask to try any on.

Along with getting the perfect fit and split height Dora was a dream bride to work with. And lucky me got to meet her and her husband twice as they enjoyed attending appointments together, a super friendly sweet couple, they wed months before at Vegas in a cute mini number. I'll add in another inspiration post.

Dora and Cristian, many congratulations to you both 🥂

I can see you've a wonderful future together 🫶 Italy was lucky to host you both. Booking an incredible photographer too to capture it all, chiarapugliesi_fotografia.

Thank you for choosing me and sharing your special occasion with us all.

Love Sarah ❤️


https://www.instagram.com/p/DcGw5aADOEB/?igsh=d3FsYTF6ZXRncHB6&igsi=d3FsYTF6ZXRncHB6

What's possible with a sprinkle of 🪄 Ideally you want to buy a dress as close to your body fit as possible but sadly thi...
04/08/2026

What's possible with a sprinkle of 🪄

Ideally you want to buy a dress as close to your body fit as possible but sadly this was purchased months ago and wasn't able to return it. It's pushing its boundaries requiring to unpick and remake to blend with lace like new but with a sprinkle of my experience in bridal alterations it was achievable to make fit. It does then mean extra costs compared to needing regular alterations such as hems raising and a side bodice take in but I'm here for a challenge 😁

Gemma is the sweetest lass and took word and trust from the shop that all her dress needed was it's back dignity shield moving over to make it lace up fully. That sadly wasn't enough. Please ladies do get a shop to fully do your lacing up to check it's fit on you along with signs like does the cups shape sit right on my body. If the skirt fabric wants to ride up it's also too small for you. Many want to aim to cleanse for their wedding but I say be you, you are you and loved for you by all your friends and family at your wedding. Don't give yourself the extra stress and pressures.

Most of all you want to enjoy your bridal journey stress free and remember to book your bridal seamstress as soon as you purchase your beautiful wedding dress 🙌

Many congratulations Gemma. You looked picture perfect on your big day. I'm so pleased I was able to help and give you peace of mind it was all in hand 🫶

Much love

Sarah ♥️

Thank you Dora for choosing me to help perfect your dresses for you two special events.Feb in Vegas for a small intimate...
02/08/2026

Thank you Dora for choosing me to help perfect your dresses for you two special events.

Feb in Vegas for a small intimate fun ceremony
July in Italy for a gorgeous bigger celebration

Both dresses I had the pleasure of perfecting the fit and customising the look. The main dress I took the hem waste to create the matching neck scarf and Dora choose my new 3/4 cascade full gather soft veil to complete it's look.

Wow. It looks like the dream wedding. Perfectly captured.

Congratulations to you both 🫶

What gorgeous captures, Linzi you look amazing, love the new hair colour too ❤️ was an absolute pleasure to meet you and...
29/07/2026

What gorgeous captures, Linzi you look amazing, love the new hair colour too ❤️ was an absolute pleasure to meet you and to help with your dress redesign work.

Many congratulations to you both 🎉

Linzi dress I gave it a better fit and changed it's hem length to the cut out shape with added matching lace her wonderful mum supplied me with, the back had no support either so new straps created from thin to thick and the lace centre front too to close up the gap. I love Linzi's boho vibes and those boots!

Lovely Lowena ❤️(open the Instagram link to see more) Dream bride Low was such a pleasure to meet and get to know. Right...
17/07/2026

Lovely Lowena ❤️

(open the Instagram link to see more)

Dream bride Low was such a pleasure to meet and get to know. Right back at ya, Thank you too for making each fitting so lovely.

Lowena's dress was purchased on for a fabulous price for a bridal gown. She knew this was the one for her except the back needed more to bring it alive. She showed me some pinInterest inspirations and I showed her this gorgeous lace and 100% silk chiffon I had in stock here at my studio and after a quick pin together she said yes that's it! I completed it by adding more buttons to the row too to finish off the lower bottom look and extending buttons up into the lower back for extra loveliness ❤️

Her dress also required side take ins, side boning added, strap lifts and strap inner arm reduction. Hems not needed it was her perfect height to shoes!

Many congratulations to you on your wedding day 🍾

Love
Sarah ❤️


https://www.instagram.com/p/Da44e87jGpC/?igsh=MWR6b2pmNXVvMzZrZg==

I'm back from the most wonderful Italian trip. I've now replied to all messages so please do check your inbox and junk/s...
15/07/2026

I'm back from the most wonderful Italian trip. I've now replied to all messages so please do check your inbox and junk/spam folders as they often end up on first contact there. If I've missed you please do drop me a new message today and I'll get back to you same day as usual.

Italy had my ❤️

But now it's back to brides fun and helping many get that perfect fit and look for your special day.

Here's me in a new me made top with a Florence print fabric, tho I'm not a fan of polyester it's the only part that let's it down for me but I lined the inside with a green linen so inside against my skin feels breathable and nice. Especially nice on such a hot exploring day.

Here's to hopefully soon seeing some of your pics from your wedding day. Please do know I adore seeing a surprise inbox pic of you in the work I helped with, seeing it in real life at its best. Any reviews welcome too, by message or Google x

Out of office Activated! Pisa by night then day completed and onto Tuscany for a rural adventure. Celebrating my parents...
09/07/2026

Out of office Activated!

Pisa by night then day completed and onto Tuscany for a rural adventure. Celebrating my parents joint 70th birthdays 😍

Such a gorgeous Airbnb we found too and was given a guided tour on arrival of the grounds and house and hearing of its history and of the area was such a nice touch, being invited to the local celebrations this week too. But for now I'm happy to soak up this amazing place and family time which has been well needed in peak bridal season.

So please bare with. I'm powering down digital after this post and replies will be made to any enquiries on all platforms next week.

Much love

Sarah ❤️


https://www.instagram.com/p/DakLTNoDE-W/?igsh=MWV2cXU0ZXBjeHZ6ag==

Let's talk making of a bespoke dress.A bespoke gown custom made to suit you isn't anything like off the peg shop mass pr...
05/07/2026

Let's talk making of a bespoke dress.

A bespoke gown custom made to suit you isn't anything like off the peg shop mass produced garments. Firstly it's made with love, time and thought and care into every element to suit you.

Yes we can all click and drop clothes into our basket and have them the next day if wish and walk around all looking and feeling quite similar. But tailor made is unique, it's that feeling once being worn of loving it so much more knowing it's been made specially for you and to fit you perfectly too.

Bespoke takes months and hours as seen in snippets here, from pattern making to cutting out a toile in calico to first and second dress fittings full of pins, like a human manniquin at times, to fine tuning things like how much gather or fullness, seam lines, the inner support & fit, to this drop waist dress on how to attach an overpiece skirt train to become detachable but for it to stay in place and look complete when worn. See the ickle loops added to the dress and many hooks on the train. To listening to your wants and creating the vision you have in mind. Working together in unison. Bonding along the way.

Just know it's made with you in mind and with every ounce of love and care ❤️

I only made a prom dress as it's my daughter but bridal gowns of any type welcome here.

Drop me a dm to enquire. It's not as expensive as you'd think compared to shop bought bridal gowns which inc alterations on top. All in one place here.

You'll hear 'Oooo I love your dress. Where did you get it... Erm I had it made for me' ❤️

It's truly yours!
https://www.instagram.com/p/DaaQHbaDF3K/?igsh=MTEya20wZDJnN3c5Mg==

'When the power of love wins the love of power the world knows peace'Congratulations to these two daredevils for climbin...
04/07/2026

'When the power of love wins the love of power the world knows peace'

Congratulations to these two daredevils for climbing the Empire State building to propose.

I love they were captured bickering on the way down, true real couple right there. May there love last a lifetime!

Here's my cheeky banner signs, hopping on to this trend ha ha.

Link in bio to enquire for a quotation or to book in.
Www.sarahshepherddressmaker.co.uk

Much love

Sarah ❤️
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaX5qaAsQPV/?igsh=MWs0OGVkaDg3YW0xOA==

Address

Brislington
Bristol
BS44PE

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 6pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 6pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 6pm

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