When Julie Hollyday came to see us from Cincinnati last year, her mom Susan was extremely enthusiastic to have her daughter come north to Michigan to have her wedding gown made. Susan, who lives in Toledo, knew that not only would this be a good bonding experience, but also a way for her to share in the wedding planning process.

Julie's idea for a wedding gown was a composite of many ideas that she saw in bridal magazines. Our impression was that it was yet another take of the formal "little back dress" that Princess Diana wore when she made her first public appearance as the future bride of Prince Charles.

Julie and Susan graced our studio several times in the process of bringing the dress from its simple beginnings to its elegant finish.

We suggested adding a few silk flowers to the ruffles, but Julie loved the simplicity of the dress as it was. Instead she opted for having us make up the wedding flowers from her bridal silk and a red silk shantung for her attendants and mothers' corsages. Instead of a veil, Julie wore three small silk roses in her hair.

Photography by Bonnie Daws