For her October wedding at Meadow Brook Hall, Kelsey Beard dreamed up something truly extraordinary: two custom Sarah Kolis couture gowns inspired by dark fairytales, intricate craftsmanship, and a little Dolly Parton glamour.

Among the bridal alterations, vintage redesigns, and creative projects that filled the Sarah Kolis studio in 2026, one project stood out above the rest: Kelsey Beard’s custom couture wedding gowns.

Kelsey approached Sarah in late winter with a vision for her October wedding at Meadow Brook Hall. From their very first consultation, it was clear that this would be a collaboration unlike any other. Kelsey wasn’t looking for an ordinary wedding dress. She wanted something dramatic, personal, and entirely her own. By the time the final stitches were in place, Kelsey’s gowns had become one of the most memorable projects in Sarah Kolis couture history—and perhaps the beginning of something new for the studio.

The Vision: What Would Maleficent Wear for Her Happy Ending?

Sarah had never designed a custom black wedding gown before. But when Kelsey arrived with her inspiration, she knew they had the opportunity to create something remarkable. Kelsey’s direction for her ceremony gown was wonderfully specific: “Sarah, design a gown that Maleficent would have worn at the end of the movie had she gotten her happy ending.”

Naturally, a little research was in order. And if that meant watching Maleficent on Disney+ over and over again, well, that was hardly a bad way to begin a design process. The goal was to translate the dark, dramatic elegance of a fairytale villain into a gown worthy of a real-life happy ending. Black bridalwear offered a fresh creative direction for Sarah, and Kelsey’s vision gave her the perfect opportunity to explore it. The result was a ceremony gown that pushed beyond traditional bridal expectations while remaining unmistakably couture. It was bold, intricate, and entirely individual—a reminder that a wedding dress doesn’t have to follow convention to feel meaningful.

And who knows? Kelsey’s gown may be the beginning of a future collection of black formalwear and bridal designs for Sarah Kolis brides. Watch the Youtube video of the dresses here!

Couture Is in the Details

Creating a gown with such a distinctive vision takes more than choosing a beautiful silhouette. Every design decision, fabric choice, and embellishment must work together to bring the original idea to life. Kelsey’s gowns also showcased one of the things Sarah loves most about couture: the opportunity to keep refining a design until it feels just right. Rather than selecting a finished garment from a rack, Kelsey worked directly with Sarah throughout the process. They could discuss ideas, evaluate fabrics, adjust details, and make thoughtful changes as the gowns evolved. That kind of collaboration is at the heart of custom dressmaking. The final piece isn’t simply made to fit the bride; it is created around her vision, personality, and priorities. And for Kelsey, the second gown would require just as much imagination as the first.

The Reception Gown: Glamour, Movement, and the Perfect Fit

After the drama of the ceremony gown, Kelsey wanted a reception look that would let her celebrate comfortably all night long. Her wish list sounded simple enough: a long-sleeved gown that looked elegant and elevated but allowed her to lift her arms completely overhead without restriction. She wanted to dance, move, and enjoy her reception without feeling confined by her dress.

The challenge? Achieving that kind of movement without making the gown look like a dance costume. Sarah knew she had her work cut out for her. After approximately four iterations, she developed the perfect underarm gusset—the carefully shaped piece of fabric that allows the arms to move freely without pulling against the rest of the garment. It was a small detail with a big impact. The right construction meant Kelsey could raise her arms, hit the dance floor, and fully enjoy her wedding reception while still looking every bit the couture bride.

Now, let’s see that YMCA, Kelsey!

A Change of Heart—and the Fabric That Changed Everything

The reception gown’s design journey didn’t end with the perfect fit.

Kelsey and Sarah initially selected a four-layer fabric combination that created a beautiful black-and-gold sheen. Several fittings into the process, however, Kelsey began to realize that something wasn’t quite right. Everything else felt perfect. But the fabric wasn’t giving her the look she had imagined.

This is one of the beautiful things about couture: when time allows, the process can evolve alongside the bride’s vision. Design decisions don’t always have to be permanent simply because the work is already underway. Instead of settling for a gown that was almost right, Kelsey and Sarah took a few minutes to brainstorm a solution. Together, they scoured the internet for a new fabric that could capture the look Kelsey wanted.

Then they found it: a stunning black floral lace. Sarah immediately saw the possibility. As the two talked through the new direction, they began imagining something with a little Dolly Parton energy—if Dolly were dressed in black. Think chic country glamour, a hint of sensuality, and plenty of personality. It was unexpected, fierce, and completely Kelsey.

Sarah completed the redesigned gown in time for Kelsey’s next fitting on the very night Dolly Parton passed away. The timing felt almost poetic. We can only imagine Dolly would have appreciated the look. And Kelsey absolutely rocked it.

Beading, beading, and more beading!

The reception gown may have offered a different aesthetic from the ceremony look, but it was no less deserving of careful craftsmanship. As the design evolved, Sarah knew the intricate embellishment work would benefit from an extra set of expert hands. She called on her friend Jennifer Stumpf, a talented tambour beading artist, to help bring the final vision to life. Jennifer created a collection of gorgeous, small tambour-appliqué motifs and mailed them to Sarah, who then carefully sewed each one onto the gown. The collaboration allowed every detail to receive the attention it deserved while keeping the project moving toward the wedding day.

A huge thank-you to Jennifer for her creativity, flexibility, and impeccable timing. Custom couture is often a collaborative art, and the right people make all the difference.

Made in Michigan, Made Just for Kelsey

One of the things Sarah is most proud of is that her couture gowns are designed and made right here in Michigan, USA.

The fashion world can make couture feel distant or inaccessible, as though creating a truly custom gown requires traveling to Paris or navigating a rigid timeline with an overseas manufacturer. But Sarah’s studio offers another option: personal, hands-on design and dressmaking close to home.

Kelsey’s gowns were created in Northville, Michigan, through a process shaped by conversation, fittings, experimentation, and an unwavering commitment to the finished look.

That local, personal approach also makes room for the unexpected. Bodies change. Ideas develop. Sometimes a fabric that looked perfect at the beginning no longer feels right a few months later. And sometimes the best design decision is the one you couldn’t have anticipated at the first consultation. With couture, those moments can become part of the creative process rather than obstacles to it. Every fitting offers an opportunity to refine the fit, reconsider a detail, and make sure the gown continues to serve the woman wearing it.

A Wedding Look That Could Only Belong to Kelsey

Kelsey Beard’s wedding gowns were never about following a trend or checking the usual bridal boxes. They were about translating a very specific imagination into something she could wear, move in, and remember for the rest of her life. From a Maleficent-inspired black ceremony gown to a floral-lace reception look with Dolly-worthy glamour, each piece reflected a different side of Kelsey’s vision. The process included experimentation, unexpected turns, technical problem-solving, and collaboration—but that’s exactly what makes custom couture so special.

At Sarah Kolis, a bride doesn’t have to fit into a predetermined idea of what a wedding dress should be. She can bring her inspiration, her personality, and even her most unconventional ideas to the table.

Sometimes, that means designing a gown for a fairytale villain’s happy ending!

Interested in a custom couture wedding gown of your own?

Sarah Kolis works with brides to create one-of-a-kind designs shaped around their vision, personal style, and wedding day. Your dream dress doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s—and that’s the beauty of couture. Learn more about our couture services here! Let’s start your journey today!

>> Watch the Youtube video of the dresses here!

Photographer in Sarahk Kolis Studio @Pennyralenephotography

Follow along on social media to see the latest creations! @sarahkolisdesigns