By Sarah Kolis

Designing a wedding dress is always a deeply personal experience—for the bride, of course, but also for me as the designer. But when the bride is your sister? It takes on an entirely new level of meaning! And this is not my first rodeo, in fact, I experienced a similar journey only a year ago with my sister Melissa- talk about the best kind of whiplash!! I knew going into this just how special this journey would be, and what an honor it was! Thank you Angela for entrusting me with your dream dress!

Angela’s wedding dress wasn’t just a gown. It was a reflection of her heart, her personality, her love story… and our bond as sisters. From the very first sketch to the final fitting, every moment of this process felt like both a creative challenge and a privilege I’ll never forget!

From Vision to Fabric

Angela always imagined herself in a “simple” wedding dress. But let’s be honest: when your sister is a couture gown designer, simple is a relative term. We all knew her gown would be clean, classic, and elegant—but with subtle, elevated details that made it special.

From the beginning, Mom (Cynthia), Angela, and I shared a vision: timeless beauty with just enough detail to make it personal. The challenge? Finding a fabric that felt simple yet special. We went through dozens of swatches, but I held onto one in particular—a 100% silk embroidered organza I had tucked away to show her last.

I knew it was the one.

One of my favorite things about designing for my sisters is how deeply I know them. I’ve seen their style evolve over the years, I understand their personalities, and I can usually tell what they’ll love before they even say it out loud. Angela wanted elegance, but she also wanted movement. We played with a combination of volume and simplicity. The fabric selection was crucial—we needed structure, but not stiffness. Softness, but not too flowy. Every element had to feel balanced.

Sure enough, the moment Angela laid eyes on it, she said yes immediately. Then came the panic: the Etsy seller only had four yards left! After a desperate message, the seller was able to order more from their supplier—and we all held our breath until that precious silk was safely in our hands at the studio.

The final fabric story included:

• 100% silk embroidered organza
• 100% silk crepe underlining
• 100% silk lining

Yes—luxury through and through.

Inspiration from The Parent Trap

Angela’s favorite movie has always been The Parent Trap (the Lindsay Lohan version, of course!), and its soft, elegant, late-90s aesthetic influenced many of her wedding details—including the gown. Think timeless silhouettes, clean lines, and a soft sophistication that never feels overdone.

She has always gravitated toward high necklines, so the boat neck was a given. We paired it with a soft criss-cross back detail for just the right amount of interest. As for the skirt? I gently (okay, persistently) persuaded her to consider a detachable overskirt. Her one request? “Make sure those ruffles don’t show too much from the front.”

In the end? She fell in love with it.

The overskirt added that little extra—a touch of drama! What a complete and unique look!

Designing for My Sister

There’s a lot of pressure designing a gown for someone you love so deeply. Not because I don’t trust the process, but because I care so much. Every fitting is more than a pin or a hem—it’s a memory. A step closer to the day she’s been dreaming about.

Angela was graceful, patient, and joyful through every part of the process. She trusted me, even when the vision was still forming. And seeing her in that dress—really seeing her—on the day of her photoshoot… it made every late night and every tiny detail worth it.

No Project is Complete Without a Bow

If you know our mom, you know: “No project is complete without a bow.”
From school projects to Girl Scout crafts, Mom’s signature phrase echoed through our childhood. She’s the original bow queen.

So even though Angela might not have originally wanted a bow on her gown… she did want to surprise Mom with one.

She told me early on that she wanted to add a bow in secret, just for the photoshoot. So, the night before, I stayed up until 2:00am sewing four different bow options for her to choose from. We had a quiet, meaningful moment in the Tulip Fitting Room of the studio, where Angela revealed the bow to Mom and invited her to help choose “the one.” It was emotional, personal, and perfectly us. Penny and Gabe captured it all—just one more beautiful memory in this journey.

The Final Fitting

The final fitting was surreal. The way the dress moved with her, the way it fit like a glove, the way her face lit up—it was everything. There was peace in that moment. I wasn’t just proud of the craftsmanship. I was proud of her. Of us. Of what we created together.

This dress was made with intention, with laughter, and with love in every stitch. I’ll never forget the joy on Angela’s face, the tear in Mom’s eye, or the quiet “thank you” that said more than words ever could.

A Dress and Day to Remember

Angela’s wedding gown will always hold a special place in my heart—not just because of the design itself, but because of the journey we took to get there. It was a celebration of style, of sisterhood, and of the once-in-a-lifetime kind of love that only family can give.

Angela, thank you for trusting me. I’ll treasure this forever 🤍

With all my love,
Sarah Kolis

Interested in a Couture Wedding Dress?

Reach out to hello@sarahkolis.com or visit our website to inquire! We would LOVE to make your wedding dress dreams come true!!

Vendor Credit:

Photography: Penny Ralene Photography

Bride: Angela Kolis

Hair for photoshoot: Hairpins & Happiness

Makeup for photoshoot: DN Artistry

Florist for Photoshoot: The Flower Alley