Rachel Lamb Bridal Design

Here's Nisha, the summer bride in the title. Nisha is very petite and didn't want a dress to swamp her; she knew she would have a bespoke design and have it made for her. We went for quite a simple slim silk Dupion dress in ivory, with a pretty, twinkly lace overlay. The dress has a seam under the bust (empire line) which is really useful if you're petite, as it draws the eye upward and gives the impression of a longer waist and legs. The lace is an ivory base with 'latte' high-lights within it. Nisha's pictures were taken by photographer John Harris . I've mentioned him before - he really is very good. As I was looking at the photos I realised I was welling up; he really knows how to capture emotional moments perfectly. If you're a sentimental sort, best get some tissues handy for the next couple of shots! . . . . . . . . Aahhh :)

I've started to make some accessories. I'll start by showing you the bags I've recently made. These are great for carrying the essentials - purse, keys, phone, tissues, small umbrella - that type of thing! They are what I always think of as 'bucket' shape. The bags are made in silk Dupion, some with lace trims and/or beading, and can be made to order, or in different shades. What do you think? The actual bag section is approximately 20cm tall and including the handle approximately 33cm. Great for brides, bridesmaids, and in darker colours, as evening bags. They will be for sale soon, I'll post where and when.

...or is it early autumn? No matter. It's that transition phase. Do you fancy a walk? Come for a gentle ramble with me and him. I like to walk around my neighbourhood and village, every day if time allows. I love just looking .        I had intended to take pictures of hay bales - the rolled up type, because I love how they look.  They're such an unnatural shape. Like alien life-forms, or as if some large hand had just rolled them there.   Inevitably we got side tracked by other stuff too.   I love looking at wild stuff randomly growing. I like looking at the textural mass of tangle - I see it as a whole...       ...and the individuals that make up the tangle. Both are inspirational to me. I wonder if we would find the nettles above prettier if they didn't sting, and the umbel shaped things less attractive if they did?   More a...

  Really excited about this dress. It's currently being made as a new collection dress and I can't wait to show you when it's finished.

I recently made myself an A-line skirt. I made it using pink corduroy that I found in John Lewis fabric department. When I was in the shop it looked more red than it actually is, at home and in daylight I find it's a fairly dazzling pink! But that's OK. I'm often asked if I make my own clothes and I wish I could say 'Why yes, all of them!' but sadly, lack of (non wedding dress making, relaxing) time is the issue. I drafted the pattern myself and made it using the simplest methods I could, as speed is of the essence for me when making anything for myself, otherwise it runs the risk of being consigned to 'a cupboard' and forgotten, not unlike my knitting ;) I'm 5' nothing, so I often find getting skirts and trousers a trial because: a) I don't want to take them up. b) There is often a decorative trim at the hem that, although lovely, I would have to either cut off or unpick somehow and move, and that's not likely to happen. c) T...

Here's Dawn. She knew what she wanted and that was a red wedding dress, with some pleats and beading on it! So I set to and made it for her :) It was good to make Dawn's dress for her because apart from the pleasure of making it, it was nice to have a change of colour in my studio. Ivory is always lovely for wedding dresses, but this was a gorgeous rich red, which made a change for me and made Dawn happy! Dawn married her chap on a summer day in Ely (you can see the Cathedral in one of the images above) on one of the days when it wasn't raining, and the vibrant green of the well rained-on grass contrasts really well with her dress colour, I think. The pictures were taken by photographer John Wolfe, who very kindly sent these to me. You can visit his site here .