Brides (and their guests) often assume that every wedding vendor simply knows how to handle the countless details that come up on a wedding day—from bustling a gown and tying a bow tie to steaming dresses and fixing last-minute mishaps.
But the truth is, most vendors were never formally taught these behind-the-scenes essentials.
That’s where it all changes.
Introducing The Dressing Up Workshop with Sarah Kolis—an intentional, hands-on experience designed to equip wedding professionals with the practical skills and confidence needed to serve their clients exceptionally well on one of the most important days of their lives. Master essential Wedding Day Skills essential for a seamless experience.
Tuesday, March 24th we did just that! We got all the most incredible wedding vendors in the same room to deep dive on all things dressing on a wedding day! If you are interested in attending the next one, dm or email us! hello@sarahkolis.com
What an incredible evening it was! Wedding vendors from all over came for an evening filled with connection, learning, and truly just enjoying the last quiet moments before the big boom of the 2026 wedding season officially kicks off!
We began with small bites and drinks, a little mingling and studio tour-ing. Then, dove right into bow tie tying lessons! I always use a dress form as the neck part is a perfect height to simulate actually tying a bow tie on a person. This can be a little tricky, but all attendees were quick learners and got hands-on experience right away! Go team!
^ for reference, check this how to video here! https://www.instagram.com/reel/DU1eXF2EWi5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Next we got right into the official Dressing Up Workshop presentation! Started with asking the crowd what THEY were interested in learning tonight, and sweet Kelly Harper proudly stated that she was interested and excited to learn about SARAH! Oof how flattering! My face was flushed but my goodness that is so nice! Of course I touched on that a lot in the beginning of the presentation but the majority of it was all about dresses in general. I like to begin my presentation with a few slides about the business, as I understand people do get confused because 1) bridal alterations in general is a confusing topic for people and 2) we now offer SO MANY services and products at Sarah Kolis, all of them are unique, and a little explaining is necessary to fully ‘get it’. I have found that many women in general don’t even know what a “hem” is so I start with basics but dive into the details quickly. (…a hem is shortening the bottom of the skirt so you don’t trip on it when you walk!).
The bulk of the presentation was essentially all the things that I want day-of wedding vendors to know about dresses. What to do…and more importantly what NOT to do…a lot of it is things they didn’t know they didn’t know. A big one for me is how to properly zip a wedding dress. How would one know how to do this otherwise? There are SO many things that can go wrong when zipping a wedding dress and if you don’t know these tips, then disaster can strike. Rare, but can happen! I take this all far more seriously than most, but I feel it is my job to ensure all women I come in contact with in my business knows how to care for these expensive garments properly.
Attendees asked many questions throughout and told some of their horror stories from the past and what they could have done differently in such scenarios. Not to scare brides, but it is almost assured that something may go wrong on the wedding day, and that is why as a couple, you should want the best of the best wedding vendors by your side ensuring they can swoop in and help you enjoy your day as best as possible! That is why I designed this event, to ensure people KNOW what to do in any given scenario.
Also, this is exactly why I offer Day-of styling services to brides!! If you’d like me to be present on your big day, I’d love to be of service to you!! Think of this service as the ultimate wedding day insurance! Learn more here or email us hello@sarahkoliscom with inquiries, only a few spots remain this year!
To complete the full experience, attendees received official Dressing Up Workshop Certificates! I encourage them to frame and hang on their wall, add this to their resume! All jokes aside, I just like a full circle experience when working with my brides, and choose to pamper such wedding vendors when at all possible because they deserve it too! Anything to add in a little fun!
100% of the attendee ticket price went directly to donation to Vista Maria, a local girls and young women support system, you can learn more about them here! https://www.vistamaria.org/
^My impact on this world is helping women! My business is helping brides, and that is where the income comes in. So, this workshop is not something I wanted to profit from, and I truly wanted to make an impact to women and young girls beyond the wedding industry. Thank you for your support!
I cannot even begin to tell you about the dream team of wedding vendors we had in the room that night! There were so many rockstars and in true wedding vendor fashion, they were all so nice, kind, and had ultra positive attitudes. Girl power dreams come true! Thank you ladies for being your amazing selves!
Photography you see here is from Penny Ralene Photography. You might recognize her work from photographing my two sisters’ weddings among many other projects! Thank you Penny!
If YOU are a wedding vendor, business owner, bridal shop owner or consultant, or just a fashionista, reach out if you are interested in a private workshop! Will travel! Or, email us to be sure to be on the list to get invited to the next one! hello@sarahkolis.com
Honestly I am also thinking of how I could do such an event for the general public as well, are you a fashionista interested in attending a workshop maybe not quite so wedding-focused? Or, how about a workshop with brides getting married next year??? And/or bachelorette parties?? We will not do one unless we hear there is interest! hello@sarahkolis.com and just say “Hi, I am (name) and I am interested in attending a workshop!” or whatever! Don’t be shy!
Thank you so much to all the attendees! Check out your Dressing Up Workshop certified wedding vendors below!
Caitlin Bailey with Bunny and June Events (Planner)
Website: https://www.bunnyandjuneevents.com/
Instagram: @bunnyandjuneevent
Loren Taylor with LDT Events (Planner)
Website: https://www.ldtevents.com/
Instagram: @ldtevents
Penny Schaaf with Penny Ralene Photography (Photography)
Website: https://pennyralenephotography.com/
Instagram: @pennyralenephotography
Kelly Harper with Harper Photography (Photography)
Website: https://harperphotography.us/#/
Instagram: @harperphotography.us
Ann Owens and Rebecca Bacheldor from Emerald City Designs (Planner, Florals, and more!)
Website: https://emeraldcitydesigns.com/
Instagram: @emeraldcitydesigns
Christina Salmon with Clink and Co. Designs (Planner)
Website: https://clinkandcodesigns.com/
Instagram: @clinkandco_designs
Beth Anderson and Madison with Ivory Loft Bridal (Bridal Shop)
Website: https://ivoryloftbridal.com/
Instagram: @Ivoryloftbridal
Also check out the new Ivory Cottage! https://ivoryloftbridal.com/ivory-cottage and @ivorycottagefenton
