CUSTOM WEDDING & SPECIAL OCCASION DRESSES

Thoughtfully designed, beautifully constructed, made just for you.

I create custom dresses for weddings, formal events, and milestone moments — pieces that reflect your personality, your aesthetic, and your body’s unique proportions. Each dress is shaped and refined through multiple fittings to achieve a clean, intentional silhouette that feels like you.

Whether you want something architectural, minimal, romantic, or bold, you’ll receive a garment designed from the ground up to match your vision.

Serving Raleigh, Durham & Chapel Hill.

What I Offer

  • Custom wedding dresses

  • Dresses for wedding guests (mother of the bride/groom, bridesmaids)

  • Gowns for anniversaries, galas and other special events

  • Sculptural, modern silhouettes

  • Interior architecture that gives the dress the structure it needs to look impeccable on the body (e.g., boning, waist stays, horsehair braid for full skirts, bust cups/padding)

  • Collaborative design process

Case Study: A Sunflower Anniversary Dress for Florence

Val came to me wanting something meaningful for her 20th wedding anniversary celebration in Florence, Italy. Sunflowers are an important part of her life — she has them throughout her home — and she wanted the dress to reflect that personal connection.

We began with a simple, elegant silhouette and created a muslin version of the design to refine the proportions and ensure the dress fit beautifully around her curves before cutting into the final fabric. One of her few firm requests was that the dress include pockets, which we integrated cleanly into the final design without interrupting the lines of the skirt.

The design incorporated dozens of embroidered sunflower motifs, arranged to drift organically across the bodice and skirt. I cut and hand-appliquéd each sunflower individually, allowing complete control over placement and the way the forms flowed across the body. It was meticulous, slow work — but hand-appliqué gives a dimensionality and intentionality that can’t be achieved any other way.

To finish the skirt, I added horsehair braid to the hem, giving it subtle structure and fullness. This allowed the dress to hold its shape and sway beautifully when she walked.

The final dress brought together everything we had focused on — a precise fit, carefully placed sunflowers, discreet pockets, and a skirt with subtle structure and movement. It was a distinctive, highly personal piece for an important occasion, and it suited her perfectly.

Ready to Begin?

If you want a dress designed exclusively for you, schedule a consultation or send me a message with your ideas.

Contact me

learn more

  • My dresses are made through a fully personalized design process. Instead of altering an existing gown or working from standard sizing, I:

    • take detailed measurements

    • shape the bodice, waist, skirt, and neckline specifically for your proportions

    • prepare an initial muslin/prototype first and then fit it to your body to refine the proportions

    • guide you through fabric, color, and styling choices

    • build the dress using couture-quality methods

    Unlike most off-the-rack dresses — which often look beautiful online but sit awkwardly on the body due to minimal interior structure — I engineer the inside of each dress as carefully as the outside. This can include boning, waist stays, strategic padding or other forms of structural support, all of which help the dress flow smoothly over curves, feel secure, and maintain its silhouette throughout the event.

  • Clients typically come to me saying:

    • “I can’t find a dress that fits my proportions without major alterations.”

    • “I want something modern and minimal — not the standard wedding gowns in stores.”

    • “I want a unique silhouette that no one else will be wearing.”

    • “I’m searching for something a bit different that reflects something personal to me.”

    If any of these resonate, a custom dress may be the right choice.

  • 1. Consultation
    We discuss the silhouette, fabric, and overall aesthetic you want. Inspiration images welcome.

    2. Measurements & Design Refinement
    I take detailed measurements, sketch design options or review inspiration photos from you, and create a plan for the dress.

    3. Muslin Fitting
    I create a muslin (test version) of the dress to refine the fit, proportions, and design details.

    4. Construction
    I cut the dress from the final fabric and construct it using couture techniques — interior structure such as boning and padding, and hand-sewing where needed.

    5. Final Fitting
    You try on the completed dress, and we make subtle refinements to perfect the fit.

  • Most custom wedding or event dresses fall between $800 and $1,800, depending on the silhouette, fabric choice, and complexity of construction. After your consultation, I’ll provide a personalized estimate based on your design.

  • “Do you work with nontraditional or minimalist wedding gowns?”
    Absolutely. Many clients come to me specifically for modern, architectural, or understated silhouettes that aren’t available in traditional bridal boutiques. My designs also tend to resonate with LGBT clients seeking androgynous, gender-fluid, or nontraditional styles, whether that means a clean, structured dress, a sculptural gown, or a look that blends masculine and feminine elements.

    What if I don’t know exactly what I want?”
    That’s very common. I can guide you through silhouette, neckline, sleeve, fabric, and design decisions to clarify what feels right for your body and style.

    “Do you make dresses for events other than weddings?”
    Yes. I create dresses for galas, evening events, performances, photo shoots, and personal milestones.

    “How long does the process take?”
    Most dresses take 4–8 weeks, depending on complexity and fittings.

    “Can you incorporate sentimental textiles or lace?”
    Yes — as long as the material’s condition is appropriate for the design.