The Long-Awaited Grand Opening of Sarah Kolis Studio: A Dream Come True

There are moments in life when dreams, long held and carefully nurtured, finally come to fruition. For me, the grand opening of my very own studio was one of those moments. This studio is more than just a workspace—it’s a symbol of years of hard work, passion, and the unwavering support of the people I love. This journey has been nothing short of magical!

Looking back, this entire journey—finding the perfect house with the perfect space, enduring the long renovation and design process, and finally reaching the grand opening—has been more than worth it. Every moment, from the late nights spent sketching designs to the early mornings making trips to hardware stores, has led to this. There were challenges along the way, of course, but the sense of accomplishment I feel now is indescribable.

This studio isn’t just a building; it’s the realization of a dream I’ve carried with me for as long as I can remember. It’s a place where creativity thrives, where every detail has been thoughtfully considered, and where I can continue to do what I love most—creating beautiful gowns for my brides!

Lighting Up the Dream: A Family Effort

One of the most crucial aspects of creating the perfect studio was getting the lighting just right. As a couture designer, lighting is everything—it affects how I see the intricate details of my work and how my brides see their gowns. That’s why the electrical work was so important. I had the pleasure of working with my dad on this project, and let me tell you, he went above and beyond to ensure everything was nothing shy of perfect, even if it meant sacrificing our sanity to make sure no wire is even slightly twisted or out of place, critical or not.

My dad is a certified electrician, so I knew I was in good hands. But this project wasn’t just about getting the job done; it was about spending quality time together, working side by side. I quickly became his assistant, learning to predict what tools he needed next. His attention to detail was almost TOO good—every light, outlet, switch, and wire was meticulously placed, all to create the perfect atmosphere in the studio. Late nights, after long days at work, my dad was there, making sure everything was just right. I just couldn’t wait to finally see these lights turned on and the space come to life!

Designing the Perfect Space: Polished Brass and Glass

When it came to decorating the studio, I knew exactly what I wanted. The theme? Polished brass and glass—two of my absolute favorite things! My Etsy favorites has been filled with these items for years, and I’ve been collecting physical pieces whenever I found something that caught my eye. It’s been so exciting to finally gather everything together and prep for the studio’s big day.

Decision fatigue is real, and I sooo understand what my brides go through when planning their weddings! But despite the overload, I’ve had so much fun bringing my vision to life. Some of the brass items I’ve picked out were actually popular in the ’80s and ’90s—after some digging, I found that many are still sold today at estate sales or modern copies! I’m choosing to find the perfect furniture pieces over time, when I find ones that are *just* right! A light blue velvet couch is on it’s way!

A Special Dedication: The Room for Mom

Hands up if you love your mom!!! 🙋🏼‍♀️

When I was designing the studio, I knew I had to dedicate something special to my mom. She’s the most caring, kind, generous, and beautiful woman you will ever meet, and her creativity and artistry have always inspired me. So, I created a space in the studio just for her, decorated with her favorite yellow tulips.

A huge shoutout to @hinamirza.art.design for designing the beautiful print that now hangs in my fitting room. My mom’s reaction to seeing it was priceless—check out the video of her seeing it for the first time here. For anyone who knows my mom, you’ll understand why this was such an important moment for me.

The Grand Opening Party: A Dream Realized

The grand opening of the Sarah Kolis Studio was not just a party—it was the culmination of a lifelong dream. You may not believe this, but I’ve been dreaming about this studio since kindergarten! To see it finally come to life, surrounded by the people who have supported me every step of the way, was one of the best days of my life.

For this special occasion, I created a dress that was 100% me— of course! The dress was made from light blue silk shantung, the same color as my business branding and the bridesmaid dresses from my own wedding. It checked all the boxes: fashionable, modest, elegant, vintage-y, with pockets (of course!), and all the pretty things I love.

The party itself was a blast! We started with drinks at the top of the driveway, followed by a studio tour, food (thanks Katerine’s Catering!), and desserts (thank you Sweet Details GR!) inside. Guests then made their way out the back door to another bar, with tables and chairs set up in the yard. We even had a caricature artist and a live band! More food was served in the back barn, with plenty of seating throughout. The Flower Alley provided the most beautiful flowers throughout the party! The weather was perfect, and we all enjoyed the day together, celebrating the start of something new for my business.

Thank You for the Support

I am beyond grateful for the support of my family, friends, and community. This studio represents so much more than just a space to work—it’s the fulfillment of a dream I’ve held close to my heart for so many years. Thank you all for making this possible.

Brides, we can’t wait to welcome you into the studio! We hope you love it just as much as we do. Photographers, if you’re interested in having a photoshoot at the studio, or if any couples want to do engagement or bridal portraits here (we also have large paper backdrop), reach out to us at hello@sarahkolis.com. We created the studio with you in mind!

Thank you to @PennyRalenePhotography and @EmilyEngler for capturing the day and space so beautifully!

And for anyone who wants to hear more about the journey to opening the studio, check out episodes #32 and #40 of the Dressing Up Podcast.

Here’s to chasing dreams and making them come true! 💕