We were delighted to receive the professional photos of Marielle Volz's 2011 wedding.  You may remember that Marielle and her then fiencee had to travel to Vancouver the week before the wedding.  The dress was carefully packed for the trip here in our studio in preparation for the long plane ride.  It earned many air miles before finally arriving at the wedding destination in Massachusetts.

Marielle, we loved your pictures.  And we loved your black chantilly lace over silk taffeta.  Marielle told us she picked up the little headpiece in an out-of-the-way shop.

We had two weddings to celebrate in early October this year; one in Florida and the other in Michigan.

Kelly loved two Monique Lhullier gowns that she saw when conducting her search; and wanted to combine her favorite elements of each.  We took inspiration from the front of one, and created a keyhole opening in back from another.  The gown incorporated two different French laces; a wonderful ivory alencon reembroidered lace for the overlay, and a reembroidered chantilly was sewn under the overlay; thereby creating a shadow effect.  The dramatic background for the two laces was an ecru charmeuse that made the two laces "pop."  There were a lot of refinements that Kelly wanted in her gown for the beach wedding.  The skirt of the dress was open from just above the knee to the ground which displayed the romantic scalloped edges of the two laces working together.

We're waiting for the professional photos from Kelly's wedding.  But in the meantime, we thought you'd like a preview.



The second wedding took place in upper Michigan.  Paige also wanted an all-lace gown with a dramatic ecru background.  However, for Paige's gown, we used a dutchess satin underneath the ivory alencon lace. Paige was wonderful to work with.  She and her mom shared many memorable moments during the dressmaking process.


We loved both brides, and think they look amazing.

We love the combination of lace and taffeta.  When Suzan was planning her September wedding, she needed two gowns; one for her Indian ceremony and another for the reception.  She wore a traditional Indian sari that her future mother-in-law brought from India; and for her reception she wanted something more typical of the current western culture.  We created a fit and flare gown of ivory silk taffeta with rouched bodice, sweetheart neckline and added wonderful reembroidered chantilly sleeves.  The result was amazingly feminine.

Photos by Harper Grace Photography loated in Lansing.

We loved the photos that Vicki's photographer, Shanna Newburg of Harper Grace Photography took of Vicki as she prepared for her ceremony.  Details of the Alencon lace were captured beautifully.  Vicki wanted to use the "red" accents throughout her wedding theme.  What a great contrast to her silk white gown.

Vicki was one of those brides that we look back on and remember with a happy heart.  She was amazing to work with.

Check out Harper Grace Photography's website at   harpergracephotography.com
They do some neat and creative work.

Looking for a great location for your wedding and reception?  We spent the weekend at The Henry Ford in Dearborn to visit the Titanic Exhibition.  It was outstanding.  It reminded us of the photo session we did with Sam Sarkis [what a great photographer] last fall.

Sam can make magic with the lens.  We created a composite of some that we particularly liked.

There were so many!

NOTE:  Click once on the collage to enlarge; click again to enlarge to the max.

Kelly, our Irish lassie, was a dream to work with.  Always smiling and laughing she was a bright spot in an otherwise stressful time for this custom bridal dressmaker.  We looked forward to her visits with her future mother-in-law, Roseanne, for each fitting.

Kelly chose a luxe fabric of champagne Duchesse satin with a bodice of beaded net that sparkled with light accents of gold threads and sequins.  We trimmed the neckline and floor-length veil with the same fine gold and ivory edging. 

For a headpiece, Kelly wore a jeweled platinum crown.  The look was perfect for a perfect lady. 

Thank you so much Kelly for allowing us to share in your joy.

Vicki loved the look of Alencon lace and silk organza so we combined the two to give her the look of summer.  The bodice was elongated to show the scalloped lace at the bottom once we added the burgandy satin sash at the waist.  The burgandy ribbon was intended to tie in with the bridesmaids' color. 

We also sent Custom Fabric Flowers [in New York] a piece of burgandy oranza so they could create a duet of flowers for her hair.

We loved Vicki's look.  Stay tuned to see how her wedding photographers worked their magic.

Melanie and her mom travelled from Ohio to have her bridal gown created for her September 8th wedding.  She chose a beautiful ivory Duchesse Satin with a bodice accent of Alencon lace.  Although the process began with a full A-line shape skirt, part way through her fittings, Melanie thought she'd prefer a trumpet skirt.  This is one of the advantages of having a gown custom made.  Although we don't recommend drastic shape changes, it worked out for Melanie because there was enough fabric there to make it happen. 

Melanie had the dress of her dreams.

All brides should be aware that a fitted dress shouldn't be altered so much that it's putting excessive stress on the zipper.

Note Sophia Vergera's wardrobe malfunction at last Sunday's Emmy Awards.  Twenty minutes before Sophia was to appear onstage to accept her award, her zipper popped [exposing her lovely thong underthing] because the dress was "too tight" at the hips.  Modern zippers, made of plastic, can't withstand as much stress as a sewn seam.  When fitted too tight, a zipper will "pop."  It doesn't mean that the zipper was defective or that the seamstress did something wrong.  It only means that the lady wearing the dress insisted on a dress that was too tight.

Give it a little "wiggle room," ladies!

P.S.

Today Katic Couric interviewed Sophia Vergara on her show.  When asked about the wardrobe malfunction on Sunday night, Sophia said, "Yes and it happened again today before your show in the Green Room."  Katic asked, "what do you think is happening?"  To which Sophia replied, "I don't know, I think perhaps they were made too tight!"

2012 has been an extremely busy wedding season that began in April.  It's been so intense that we haven't had time to post all the weddings and all the beautiful bridal gowns we'd like to share.  Once things slow down, we hope to show everyone some of the unique dresses that we've created.

Stay tuned.

Laura and Gabriel Soto were married this summer at a romantic getaway in Hocking Hills State Park [Ash Cave] in South Bloomingville, Ohio.  It's worth investigating for any couple who wants to get away from all  of the normal wedding day frenzy.


Laura's gown was a unique combination dress and jacket created of a beautiful embroidered net over satin.. We loved the idea of the versatility of the dress that could be worn afterword without the jacket by adding a ribbon and flower at the waist, thereby giving it an entirely different look. She planned to wear the dress on their honeymoon cruise and again at a formal reception later in the year.



They had two photographers, Patrick Morgan [left] www.hockinghillsweddingmoons.com     and Carol McCann [right] www.carolmccannphotography.com   Both photographers reside in Logan, Ohio.

Earlier this year Hilary and her mom spent numerous hours trying to find the "perfect dress."  When they found it, the salon told them that there wasn't enough time to order it for their July wedding.

Hilary came to us to see if we could create the dress with a few modifications.  We paired a satin underdress with a beautiful embroidered net highlighted with a generous  sprinkles of beading.  The main pattern in the net was used on the bodice and again on the hem of her skirt.  The embroidered pattern gave us inspiration for the neckline.  We thought the end product was perfect.

We're waiting for a few of Hilary and Dan's wedding photos promised by their photographer, Silver Thumb Photograhy.   When they arrive, we'll post them for you to enjoy.

We had no sooner posted our own photo [left] when we received the wonderful images from Tamara Wade of Silver thumb Photography in Plymouth.  Tamara did a fantastic job of capturing the details of the dress. 

Chelsea Archibald spend the winter and early spring searching for the "perfect dress" for her June 16 wedding.  She knew she wanted lace, and she knew she wanted white.  The keyhole back was also a must.  Because she just started her first job she didn't want the dress to "break the bank" either.  We had the perfect solution with a newly acquired lace that is just perfect for the bride who wants a beautiful dress at an affordable price.

Her mom said that Chelsea's comment to her was, "this dress Rocks!"  We were glad she thought so.


Chelsea promised us some professional photographs once she gets back from her honeymoon.  We were so glad that the weather cooperated on the 16th.

Tamara Wade Morris wedding photos.  Her photographer Abby Rose Photography  www.abbyrose.com  of Ann Arbor did an amazing job of capturing the uniqueness of Tamara and Steve's big day.

We think you'll agree that Abby outdid herself on this one.

Best wishes to the happy couple

Carine Elmasri wanted a very unique wedding gown for her May 6 wedding to Dr. Rashad Saleh.

As with many brides, trips to area bridal salons proved unsuccessful in meeting her idea of the dream dress.  Strapless wasn't what Carine wanted, and neither were the typical fit-and-flair styles that were in profusion in the stores she visited.

We blended just the right combination of Alencon lace, silk taffeta and silk organza.  The dress was created out of the French imported lace all the way down to the very full flounce skirt.  The organza skirt was completed with almost a hundred lace appliques.  The result was very romantic.

Abby Rose Photo

Our good friend and colleague Tamara Wade became the bride of her best friend Steve Morris on April 23.  We were proud to be a part of her special day in making the dress of her dreams.

Tamara and I first met when she was launching her website for Silver Thumb Photography, and needed to borrow a wedding gown to photograph.  We agreed that we could begin a joint effort with my gowns and Tamara's wonderful photography.  We've enjoyed a long friendship ever since.

Tamara came to me a couple of months before her big day and wanted to have something simple designed and made for her informal wedding ceremony in Ann Arbor.  Her dress featured a beautiful Chantilly lace bodice and a charmeuse skirt with a georgette overskirt; all in ivory.

She engaged her friend Abby Rose of  www.abbyrosephoto.com   to photograph her day.  We especially loved the photo Abby presented as a preview of more to come.  We'll share them as soon as the are available.

April 21 was a magical day for our friend and colleague Tamara Wade.  That's the day she became Tamara Wade Morris and married her best friend Steve.  Tamara and I met a few years ago when she was getting ready to go out on her own as a wedding photographer.  Although she had many years of experience working for other photographers, Tamara wanted to do this for herself and by herself.  We became friends when she was looking for a wedding gown to use to shoot some images for her new website.  Realizing that this was a joint opportunity for both of us, we formed a bond that has lasted for about five years.

Tamara photographer not only models in my gowns, but also real brides in gowns designed and created in our Plymouth studio.  She always envisioned coming here for a wedding gown of her own when the time came.

Tamara and I began designing her unique dress about two months ago.  She wanted something more informal rather than the typical bridal gown with its yards of fabric and bouffant skirt and train.  She also liked the idea of Chantilly lace.  We got started by looking through our large inventory of fabrics and laces, and finally settled on the combination that became Tamara's "dress." 

Tamara's wedding Photographer Abby Rose of  www.abbyrosephoto.com  is still working on the complete collection of photos, but we thought you'd like to take a peek.

Gretchen Menard looked at wedding gowns extensively before finding a few designs on the internet created by the Internationally acclaimed designer Zac Posen.  Not having any success in finding any of his designs for sale, she contacted us to see if we could help.  There were four dresses that caught her eye.   We put together her favorite features of two of his designs to create the perfect gown for Gretchen's day on April 21st.

We're waiting for some professional images from her photographer.  But in the meantime, here is the gown that Gretchen walked down the aisle in.  We loved the look.  She wore two veils; one fingertip length for the ceremony, and the other a whimsical flyaway veil for the reception.

Gretchen was beautiful in her white silk taffeta gown.  The gown used approximately 15 yards of fabric.

Here is what the dress looked like during the construction phase.  It presents a better idea of how many yards of fabric we used for the enormous skirts.

 Gretchen Menard looked at wedding gowns extensively before finding a few designs on the internet created by the Internationally acclaimed designer Zac Posen.  Not having any success in finding any of his designs for sale, she contacted us to see if we could help.  There were four dresses that caught her eye.   We put together her favorite features of two of his designs to create the perfect gown for Gretchen's day on April 21st.

We're waiting for some professional images from her photographer.  But in the meantime, here is the gown that Gretchen walked down the aisle in.  We loved the look.  She wore two veils; one fingertip length for the ceremony, and the other a whimsical flyaway veil for the reception.

Gretchen was beautiful in her white silk taffeta gown.  The gown used approximately 15 yards of fabric.

Last Saturday, April 21, was the beginning of our 2012 season.  We had two beautiful brides who were married on that day.

Karen Coogan purchased a dress, and then had second thoughts about several of its features.  She thought the skirt might be a bit too frilly and, although she loved the pleating in the top, she has misgivings about the fact that it was strapless.

My partner Pat designed and constructed a beautiful shrug top of silk organza with beaded trim that gave it just the right amount of "bling."  Then I removed the skirt, and added one that was more to Karen's liking.  Preliminary photos are shown below.

Once we get professional images from her photographer, we'll post them here. 

We have four brides who will be wearing georgeous gowns that were created here this season. Three are being married the weekend of April 21, and the fourth who will be married on May 6. Stay tuned for the photos and details.

We have a very busy and exciting wedding season this year, and can't wait to reveal the stories.

For all you newly engaged brides-to-be, I'd like to caution you about ordering a wedding gown from an internet site. One of my brides recently had a really unhappy experience before coming to me. She ordered a gown for $215. When the gown arrived, it was not what was pictured. She lost her $215, and had to begin again.

Upon investigating, we discovered that there are unscrupulous gown manufacturers [mostly in China] who lift imagery from American and European designers' websites, and post them on their own site. They add a price that appears extremely reasonable [usually between $150-$500] and invite a bride to place an order.

Our clue as to the legitimacy of this was when we spotted an actual photograph of Kate Middleton, entering the cathedral on her wedding day to Price William, on one of these sites. The site owner posted a price of $500 under the original photo, and assigned it a number from which to place an order.

If it seems too good to be true; it probably is. To be safe from unscrupulous business practices such as these, a good rule is to order online only from known retailers [Neiman Marcus, Macy's, Bloomingdales, etc]. If you do this, returning an item is easy if it doesn't meet your expectations.