Friday, November 13, 2009
I met Sara Marie at the Franklin Bridal Show. She was one of my favorite wedding finds this year! As you probably know, I am all about making your wedding unique. Designs by Sara Marie takes that to the max with custom bridal gowns and bridal party attire.
When I saw these cute blue/white bridesmaid dresses (below) I was sold. While the bride kept the colors and the length the same, she allowed room for the bridesmaids to select the style that worked for their interest/body type. The result - two great dresses that look great on each girl.
Learn all about Sara and her design philosophy in my interview below. I am sure you’ll love her too!
By the way, Sara Marie is also engaged (yay!!) so she knows exactly what you’re going through:).
My Spotlight on Designs by Sara Marie
Sara Marie, Nashville Bridal Attire Designer
http://designsbysaramarie.blogspot.com/
How did you get started in weddings?
My love for fashion began very early in life. Playing with Barbie dolls, dressing them in the fanciest dress and marrying price charming was my forte. As I entered high school, I started enhancing my sewing abilities, and designed my dresses for formals, dances and proms. I attended fashion school and received a “Textile & Apparel Management: Concentration Fashion” Degree at the College of Textiles at North Carolina State University.
During this time, I was hired at a bridal boutique. Going to the bridal markets and shows was such a great way to learn what brides want and need for their big day! From there, I started designing my own lines, creating one of-a-kind garments for brides who couldn’t find exactly what they were looking for.
With over 12 years of design experience, I have come to realize that designing has become an expression of love. Whether you are dressing up for a night on the town, a formal affair, or your wedding day; you should be wearing the perfect dress, which fits the perfect way!
custom mother of the bride dress
What do you like most about weddings?
The dress of course! Ok, well that’s not the only thing that I like, but I am very partial to wedding attire!
What I love most is seeing the love between the couple. When you look at them, and you can see that they are so much in love that the wedding itself doesn’t matter…but the life that they are starting together and the commitment they are forming in front of God matters…that’s what I love! No matter how hard you plan your wedding, something is bound to happen that doesn’t exactly go the way you envisioned it to. Don’t let it eat you up inside, remember the big picture, you’re getting married and you are going to spend the rest of your life with the person you love, the one of your dreams!
What’s your favorite wedding pic/video and why?
As I have started working in the wedding industry, one wedding gown design that stands out in my mind that I have created was Rebecca’s wedding dress. Her wedding took place outdoors in the fall. She was so fun to work with, and the design we created for her was fun and flirty! The trumpet silhouette flattered her figure and the sweetheart neckline with tulle accents gave her great curves and made her future spouse’s jaw drop!
What is your service philosophy?
I enjoy creating a relationship with the bride and her party. When designing garments for clients, the pinning, marking and fitting of garments can be kind of an intimate experience, so getting to know the client who I am designing for is a great tool in understanding what designs and silhouettes they are looking for. It’s definitely all about service and having unique individual attention you wouldn’t otherwise receive at some other bridal shops.
What are your strengths compared to others in your category? / Why should a bride hire you?
Being a custom couture designer, I have the ability to create any design you imagine! A custom dress is more than a gown fit to your measurements; it should be a reflection of your personality and taste, becoming a physical expression of your desire to be uniquely beautiful and special!! If you have already started your wedding gown search, but have looked and looked and haven’t found the dress that you are looking for, don’t panic or let your wedding jitters get to you. Going custom is the solution! The fact that you can’t find your dress anywhere is actually good news. It means that the dress you will be wearing as you face the important milestone in your life is yet to be made! I will work with you to create what you have imagined, dreamed and fantasized about!
Who are your 5 favorite Nashville wedding vendors – helpfulness, professionalism, style?
Florist: Belles Fleurs is a locally owned and operated Tennessee business specializing in custom wedding floral designs. They are awesome, and are my florist for my upcoming wedding! They will focus on “Your dreams…Your wishes…Your perfect wedding”.
Videographers: 2 Duce 2 Videography. This is a great videography team! They have a true art for capturing different elements of a wedding! I highly recommend them not only for there artistic abilities, but for there awesome personalities, they truly connect with you and make you feel like family!
Wedding Cakes: Cakes By Rebecca. She has had years of experience in the kitchen! She came from a family that ran a bakery and cakes became her passion! Every time I see her, she is such a happy and bubbly person! Whatever your wedding cake dream is, she will bake it!
Photography: Jonathon Campbell Photography. If you want a photographer that will not only capture the day, but truly capture the emotions, Jonathon is your guy! When you look at his pictures, you feel as though you were right there in that very moment! His photos are artistic, classy and timeless. His photos not only capture a memory, but translates to an image that can last forever.
Photography: Wootton Photography. I have had the pleasure in working with Mike during various shoots and he is an awesome photographer! Very easy going, makes you feel very comfortable, and makes you laugh! His creative eye captures very unique shots, ones you wouldn’t have thought of! I believe a great photographer is one that you can create a bond with, one that encompasses himself to feel what you feel, see what you see, and captures that in a photograph! That’s Wootton Photography!
What trend do you love?
Oh my gosh, there are so many trends I love, I could write a novel! I love that weddings are now reflecting the unique personalities of the couple instead of old time traditions, like the weddings below! It’s a lot more acceptable these days to think outside the box and do something interesting and unconventional!
Source: thingsfestive.com
Source: Flickr / Finestationery
Source: Greenweddingshoes.com
What trend do you hate?
Hate? Well what about fondly dislike? There are a few wedding trends that I am not that fond of, but hey everyone has opinions. One is matching bridesmaid dress styles. Chances are your bridal party isn’t all the same shape, color, size or height. So outfitting them all in the exact same dress means there’s a good chance someone in the party is not going to look as good as the other. Instead, try doing different dresses in one color or a colorful array of complementary shades!
Which trend are you glad is gone?
One of the old traditions or trends that I am glad is gone is the “wedding necessity” of having a stark white dress to walk down the isle in! In our culture today, the symbolism of the color “white” has been thrown out the window with the scarlet letter! Be unique, be beautiful, dress in the color you want! Why not? It’s your day!
Which trend are you sad is gone?
Wedding gowns with the “big poofy sleeves!” hahaha, just kidding! The trends that I end up liking have not gone out of style. If in a few years the pick up skirt goes out of style, yes, that will be the day I will become sad…
Advice for brides?
Going custom is the way to go! If you are looking for a unique custom wedding gown that is made to your measurements, I’m your girl! If you’re like most of my clients, you’ve tried on several dresses by now, and nothing is quite right. You desire your dress to be the right design, fabric and color, and for it to fit you flawlessly. Through a combination of talent, dedication and ambition, I can design a flattering and timeless garment that you will adore!
Please contact me to set up your initial consultation to design the dress of your dreams!
