The Grand Finale: Melissa’s Custom Couture Wedding Gown by Sarah Kolis

When it comes to weddings, every detail matters, but nothing quite captures the essence of the day like the wedding dress. For Melissa, this was especially true. As her sister and designer, I was tasked with creating a gown that would fulfill her lifelong dream of being Cinderella for a day! I’m thrilled to finally share the much-anticipated story of how this dream dress came to life.

Melissa has always had a flair for fashion and a clear vision of what she wanted. From the beginning, it was clear that this wouldn’t be just any gown—it was going to be a full couture experience, crafted with love and meticulous attention to detail. The journey began over a casual coffee date in November. We sat down, simply intending to brainstorm, with no pressure to make decisions. But as soon as Melissa mentioned her non-negotiable detail—short poof sleeves—we couldn’t stop the ideas from flowing. In what felt like just 15 seconds, we had a fully formed design. We were both bursting with excitement and knew we had hit the nail on the head.

The Design: A Fairytale Come to Life

The final design was nothing short of a modern-day fairytale. Melissa’s gown featured a soft V-neckline, both in the front and back, complemented by those signature short poof sleeves she insisted on. We added hidden shoulder facings for that extra touch of refinement that created an ‘invisible’ shoulder strap. The dress flowed into a full ballgown skirt, complete with pockets (because what modern princess doesn’t need them?), and a long, wide train that trailed elegantly behind her. To top it all off, we added a signature Kolis bow that struck the perfect balance between making a statement and being just the right amount of understated elegance.

The gown was crafted from a luxurious light ivory silk and wool mikado, underlined with 100% silk satin organza. But the true showstopper was the lace—authentic French Alençon lace, sourced from Haberman Fabrics in Clawson. We used two different styles of lace, appliquéd by hand, stitch by stitch, to create a unique and intricate design. Each piece was placed with care to achieve a perfectly imperfect look that felt organic and true to Melissa’s vision. The cathedral-length veil with a micro solid trim on the entire edge added the finishing touch, making Melissa look every bit the princess she had always dreamed of!

The Process: A Sisterly Collaboration

Being both the designer and sister was a unique challenge and a dream come true. On one hand, I wanted to approach the project with the professionalism and precision of a couture designer. On the other, the intimate bond we shared meant that this process was filled with sisterly banter, inside jokes, and a lot of lighthearted bickering. It was a blend of professionalism and personal connection that made this project unlike any other.

Throughout the process, tiny decisions were made, sometimes by me alone, other times in collaboration with our mother, Cynthia, and occasionally with input from Melissa herself. One of the most memorable aspects of the design process was Melissa’s insistence on getting the sleeves just right. She kept saying, “shorter, poofier, shorter!” much to my surprise. But in the end, her vision was spot-on.

The bow was another point of discussion. To get the right size, we even tried on the bow from my own bridal gown. Melissa wanted something more understated, and after a few adjustments, we achieved the perfect balance.

The Final Fitting: A Cinderella Moment

When the dress was finally complete, it was everything we had imagined and more. Melissa’s reaction was priceless. “AHHH, I’M SO OBSESSED!!!” she exclaimed. For someone who had been nervous about the dress from the start, worrying that she might change her mind halfway through, seeing the final product was a relief and a joy.

We had gone dress shopping together earlier in the process (shoutout to L’Amour Bridal! (now Hana Abboud)), which helped Melissa figure out what she liked. But in the end, the gown we created was entirely unique—nothing like what she had tried on, but something she fell in love with at first sketch. The poof sleeves were a bold choice, not exactly on-trend, but maybe this will change people’s minds. Every time she put on the gown, she felt like the princess she always dreamed of. She finally got her Cinderella moment, and it was everything she hoped for and more!

A Dream Come True

Designing Melissa’s wedding gown was more than just a professional achievement—it was a deeply personal experience that I’ll treasure forever. To see my sister walk down the aisle in a gown made with so much love and care was a moment I’ll never forget. This gown was not just a dress; it was a celebration of love, family, and the bond we share.

And with that, we close the chapter on Melissa’s wedding couture experience. From the engagement photoshoot dress to the final bridal gown, every piece was a labor of love, crafted to make her feel like the princess she is. Here’s to Melissa and her Prince Charming—may they live happily ever after!

Amazing vendor team:
Photographer @pennyralenephotography
Couture gown and veil @sarahkolisdesigns
Videographer @tenthirtyfilms
Hair @carleanadlc @hairpinsandhappiness
Makeup @dn_artistry
Florals @thebeautifulbloomdetroit