Custom Wedding Dress
“A dream is a wish that your heart makes.”
Before I tried on wedding dresses, I had an idea in my head of what I wanted or thought I wanted, but once I saw myself in them, I quickly realized that the reflection in the mirror is nothing that I had envisioned. I went to a couple of different bridal shops, and after many, many dresses were tried on, I left with a dissatisfied taste. That’s when I decided to explore the idea of a custom-designed and made wedding dress even though I was weary due to being on a budget.
Thankfully I didn’t have to look too far; a girl I had worked with back in my retails days went to school to become a Designer and had interned with Linda Asaf, a local wedding dress designer in Austin, Texas.
I reached out to Kalli Ferris and scheduled a time to meet up.
Having a custom wedding dress made is such a personal and creative experience that allows you to express your unique personality and individual style. It not only comes to life with every step but evolves as well. Staying as open-minded as possible will help as things evolve throughout your experience. Maybe your first vision will be “the dress” or maybe throughout the process you find a different silhouette or pattern that you end up liking more than your original idea. That being said, it is so important that you not only love the work of the designer but that you also have a good connection, communication, and trust with who you are using.
It was such a fun, smooth and stress-free process (for me anyway!).
First Meet-Up:
I’m a funny person; I can definitely have strong likes and dislikes, but I can also very open-minded. I think coming from the artistic industry (I’ve had my cosmetology license since I was 17!) I full-heartedly believe that the artist doing the work needs to “feel” it as well. With whatever information I gave Kalli Ferris, my designer, I told her that I also wanted her to give me ideas, suggestions, etc.
During our sit down, we went over budget, the color of fabric options, ideas I had, my likes and dislikes - soft, flowy, movement, feminine, no lace, slightly lower back, etc.
Being mindful that I was on a budget, Kalli explained pricing on different types of fabric - what would be costly and what options would work better in order for me to stay within my limits as well as work to achieve the end result we were going for. She also suggested a crumb catcher neckline as well as hand-stitching flowers.
Second Meet-Up:
Kalli had sketched up a few designs so that I could have a visual, and from there, we could mix, match and help get a better idea of what the end result would be. Measurements were taken, and she also had fabric sample cards for me to look at. The fabrics we decided to use were a cream-colored silk charmeuse and silk chiffon that was ordered from fabrics stores in New York.
From there, she began doing her magic.
From her perspective, as a designer, this is when she drapes a pattern onto her but form, drafts the pattern to paper, then adjust the pattern to my custom size from the bust form size. (This is where the measurements come in)
At some point between the second and third meet up we went to high fashion fabrics to look at and pick out lace. Kalli found a pre-made lace with the flowers, which she then cut up the lace according to the flower pattern and hand appliqued the flowers to my dress along the neckline, hip and train.
Third Meet Up:
I got to try on the mock up of the dress, which is usually made from muslin, an inexpensive cotton fabric. For this fitting Kalli asked that I bring my wedding undergarments and shoes to make sure there were no size variation and to check the hem length. She pinned and took new measurements as needed.
Fourth Meet Up:
The dress was close to being completed by this time. I did another fitting to see what needed to be tweaked, Kalli pinned the hem and we talked about adding in boning.
Fifth Meet Up:
We did one last final fitting to make sure everything was good and then the dress was in my hands and I couldn’t have been happier.
I still love it to this day, so much so that I haven’t and can’t bring myself to “preserved” it - I’ve made it a tradition to put it back on every year on our anniversary. (whether it zips or not)
One reason why having a custom wedding dress made may make you hesitant…
You won’t have the whole dress trying on experience with your loved ones and the tears when they see you in “the one”. However, don’t let that be a deal-breaker for you if you have been contemplating taking the custom design route, because you can still get part of that if they come to your fittings/final fitting with you. It will still a special moment you get to share with whom you choose.
xo,
Alison
Designer: Kalli Ferris
Photographers:
Wedding Day: Daniel Colvin Photography
Updated Bridals: We The Romantics
