As a live wedding illustrator, I’ve been fortunate enough to meet hundreds of wonderful wedding vendors around the country and even the world. Most recently, I connected with Kim Stokes, CEO and lead stylist at Gold Leaf Brides, a France-based wedding stylist. I was instantly fascinated by her job – after all, my college degree is in fashion design! We had a lovely chat about Kim’s work, her clientele, and how she can create looks that most people only dream of! Kim primarily works with couples getting married in France or Italy, a lot of her couples are Americans having destination weddings. If you’re planning a destination wedding in Europe or simply want to learn more about what wedding stylists offer, keep reading for my Q&A session with Kim. 

Q&A with Kim Stokes

What is a wedding stylist?

A wedding stylist is there to help a bride define and curate her unique wedding style. A bride’s wedding style should be like her everyday style but amped up! A great wedding stylist will look at your everyday style and see how that can be elevated to a bridal level. A stylist will suggest bridal brands that will work for your style, as well as shoe and accessory options to bring a whole look together.

What does a stylist do on the wedding day itself?

On the wedding day itself a Bridal Stylist will manage your entire wardrobe, all day. We make a Style File, which includes photographs of all your outfits, including shoes and accessories. We start by making sure that all elements of all your outfits are on hand and nothing is missing. Outfits are then collated together, including everything for the rehearsal dinner look, getting ready look, ceremony look, etc. Once we’re happy that every item of clothing is accounted for, we then check all the outfits for damage, make repairs and adjustments as necessary, and steam everything. After laying out all the clothes, we help the very thing run on time by ensuring that the bride and bridal party start getting ready at the right time.

We’re on hand throughout shoots with photographers and videographers to help you move between locations and adjust your look as necessary at every stage to make sure you look fabulous in every photo.

How does it work with a destination wedding?

Having a Bridal Stylist and Day-Of Dresser is even more important for a destination wedding. Transporting wedding gowns, evening dresses, suits, tuxedos, etc, is a tricky business. Items could go missing or get damaged along the way. Having a trusted team on hand at the wedding location, with all the equipment we need, ready to repair or adjust as needed, is a necessary guarantee for complete peace of mind. 

If someone wants a stylist for the whole process, do you offer virtual consultations?

The styling process is so personal that it’s best done in person, but we understand that it’s not always possible. We offer a partial virtual process. We can start off with a virtual meeting to discuss your style influences and what direction you’d like to go in for your bridal style. Then we set up in-person appointments at bridal boutiques to try dresses, where I’ll be on-hand to personally assist the bride. I’m always shocked to hear how many brides go wedding dress shopping by themselves! Take a trusted friend or, even better, your Bridal Stylist with you!!

After you’ve found the dress of your dreams, fitting appointments for alterations and adjustments can be done virtually. Then it’ll all come together for your big day!

When, during the planning process, should someone hire a stylist for a destination wedding?

It’s best to bring your Bridal Stylist into the process as soon as possible. As a bride, you want to make sure that every major element of your wedding blends together seamlessly. The venue, dress, florals, decor – everything should complement each other perfectly. We recommend starting the process of finding your wedding gown at least 8-12 months before your wedding.

Could you shop/buy for the bride locally while they’re in their home country? For the welcome dinner, brunch, after party, etc. 

Yes, absolutely. Once we have your style in mind, I can find pieces for you locally. Wearing pieces by local designers is a great way to incorporate parts of your wedding destination even more into your wedding.

Destination Weddings with Samia Lynn Design 

I truly believe there’s nothing more important than looking and feeling your best on your wedding day. Gold Leaf Brides provides such an incredible service, and I’m hopeful that we’ll see more of these vendors pop up in the US. And if you’re looking for the perfect way to memorialize all your wedding weekend looks as well as guest fashion, don’t forget to hire a live illustrator! Whether you’re getting married here in the US or all the way in France, I’d love to be a part of your big day. 

Although you probably know me for my illustrations, you may not know that I actually have a degree in Fashion Design. Fashion has always been a huge part of my life, but ever since joining the wedding industry, I have developed a true love for wedding gowns, especially vintage gowns. 

My amazing friend Bre is a bridal designer in Boston specializing in custom work and vintage wedding dress reconstruction. I was so interested in her work restoring and modernizing vintage gowns that I knew I had to share it with all of you! Keep reading for all the details about Bremelia’s wedding dress reconstruction services and how she can bring life back into an old dress!

Dress Reconstruction by Bremelia

What dresses or clothing can I transform? 

We can reconstruct mom's and grandmother's dresses and veils. 

How does the process work? 

We start with an in-person consultation to see what kind of condition the dress is in and to see what you are hoping to achieve with the new look. Then, we work in increments in each fitting; the dress will evolve until the design is complete. We like to take the fittings slowly with reconstructions because we are working with such special garments. 

How long does it take? 

Each dress is different, but I would allow 8 - 10 months for a comfortable timeline. We do like to take our time with reconstructions. 

What's the average cost? 

As of the posting of this blog, reconstruction starts at $1,000 and can go to $3,000, depending on how complex the design is. 

What options do I have for a transformation? 

The options are limitless; however, we usually like to keep the integrity of the original design while refreshing the overall look to be more modern. Sometimes, that means removing the old skirt and making a new one, reconstructing the neckline, or removing sleeves.  

What if the original dress doesn't fit? 

Not to worry; we can always tailor it as needed. If it's too small, which happens pretty often, we can build a new back. 

Can I just use pieces/materials and not the dress itself? 

Absolutely.

Can I add embellishment to a simple dress? 

Absolutely.

Can I combine dresses? 

Yes, as long as they work soundly together. 

What if there's not enough material on the original dress? 

We would likely need to source a comparable fabric to achieve the desired look. 

What if the original is SUPER old? Or if there's discoloration? 

If the dress was not properly preserved, discoloration is common, and there is often not too much we can do about it. We usually like to embrace the fact that the dress is old; sometimes, it can look even more special and vintage. If there are any repairs that need to be done, we usually handle that as it evolves.

Bremelia x SamiaLynn Design 

If you’re restoring a vintage gown for your wedding day, what better way to preserve that memory than with an illustration? Whether it’s an illustration of the original dress for your mom or grandma or a sketch of your new gown to hang on your wall - who wouldn’t want an incredible piece of art to memorialize the occasion? Here at SamiaLynn Designs, we offer a variety of illustration options focused on wedding gowns, and it would be such an honor to draw one of Bremelia’s incredible designs. Head over to our Bridal page to shop custom orders.

As a wedding illustrator with a fashion design background, one of my favorite things about weddings is the incredible outfits. From elaborate ballgowns to classic tuxedos and everything in between, I always love seeing the thought and detail that couples put into their fashion choices. I’ve loved the trend of second wedding day looks in recent years. After all, this day only comes once in a lifetime, so why not squeeze in a second dress? If you’re planning a wedding outfit change on your big day, keep reading for everything you need to know!

Second Looks 

Your second wedding day look can be absolutely anything you want it to be! In 2024, we saw a lot of mini dresses and jumpsuits, which are perfect for getting down on the dance floor. Grooms have opted for customized t-shirts or just a vest with no button-down underneath. Or, for those incredibly chill couples, you can even change into matching sweatsuits with customized text to really get comfy. Don’t limit yourself to black and white either - second looks are a great time to bring in color and sparkle to your dance floor! 

And of course, we couldn’t forget to talk about a second pair of shoes. If you’re someone who plans to be on the dance floor all night, you’ll want to make sure your feet are comfortable! We’ve seen couples with matching sneakers or even fun Crocs on their big day. 

When to Change 

There are a few different times throughout the wedding day that make sense for your outfit change. Some couples prefer to change at the end of cocktail hour so they can make their reception entrance in their new looks. This is a great option if you’re still wearing a formal or semi-formal outfit as your second look, and it allows you to have more movement during your first dance. 

If you prefer to do your first dance in your main wedding attire, you can change into your second look at the end of dinner. This allows you to make a grand entrance in your new outfits to open the dance floor. Or, if your outfit change doesn’t involve getting completely undressed (think a mini dress with an overskirt), you can even do a grand reveal right on the dance floor! 

Finally, if you love your wedding attire and aren’t quite ready to change out of it during the main wedding reception, you can change before your after party! After-party changes are a great option for more comfortable and casual looks. 

The Logistics of Wedding Outfit Changes 

Although an outfit change may seem like a minor detail, it’s important that you include it in your wedding day timeline and let your vendors know. First, it’s essential to make sure that nothing important happens when you’re out of the room. Second, your planner or coordinator can help make sure that there is an appropriate space for you to change. Venue bathrooms are often far too small to get in and out of a wedding dress, so you’ll need to use some sort of bridal suite or other private space. 

Additionally, your team will want to ensure you’ve allotted enough time for your change. If your dress has a lot of buttons or you need to change shapewear, you may need more time than you expect. Plus, will you want photos of your partner helping you into your new outfit? What about photos of your second entrance? Having all of your vendors on the same page is key to a smooth transition. 

Weddings with SamiaLynn Designs 

If you and your guests love wedding fashion as much as I do, there’s no better favor than live wedding illustrations! Let me memorialize everyone’s incredible looks with digital or marker illustrations for them to take home at the end of the night. I travel anywhere and would love to be a part of your big day! Head over to my contact form to reach out so I can hear all about your wedding. 

As we are still seeing stars after a week of bridal fashion, we wanted to share some of the trends that will be taking over in 2023. Even if you aren’t planning a wedding, it never gets old to see what bridal designers come up with year after year!

Reminder: bridal collections come out a year in advance, hence “Spring 2023”. It can be confusing, we know.

Just like the traditional fashion week, many of the dresses that you will see coming off of the runway aren’t exactly obtainable for the general public. What you should take from these couture gowns is inspiration for what stands out to you on your wedding day. Trends come and go, but you want to make sure that you will love your dress for years to come. Personally, we like some of this inspiration for outfits like the bridal shower, bachelorette party, and even rehearsal dinner if high fashion isn’t the vibes you are trying to give off in your bridal portraits. 

Here are some of our favorites: 

Sleeves of all types

If your arms are showing on your wedding day, do you even have social media?!? Just kidding, just kidding. (I’m a classic sweetheart neckline girl myself) if you are looking to make a statement, though, we’d recommend looking at all of the many sleeve options that are available right now. You could go with a classic fitted sleeve, a sweet flutter sleeve, or an ‘80s puff sleeve. Just be aware of your future children’s distaste for your dress until another 20 years have come and gone and then they will be asking for your preserved gown!

Colorful dresses

And we don’t just mean a champagne underlay! This season we are seeing colorful floral appliqués and your “something blue” all over. If you are getting married in a garden or just really love flowers, this is the season for you. White (or ivory) is no longer the only color option for you to walk down the aisle proudly in!

Sheer dresses

If you aren’t concerned with your conservative family’s opinions, this is for you! Many designers are skipping the lining of their gowns to really let the details speak for themselves. This blends well with the current bodysuit trend as that is typically the coverage that is available in these gowns. If you are having an outdoor destination or beach wedding where the sun will be shining behind you, a sheer dress will be the perfect way to accentuate your silhouette while still being covered head to toe in lace, beading, and tulle. 

Slits or short dresses

In the same vein as the sheer dresses, we are seeing designers showing a little leg with slits in the skirts or just short skirts in general. Many times this will include an over skirt so you can have the train and drama for the ceremony, but then rip it off and be ready to party in a short flirty dress. 

Which of these trends will you be introducing into your bridal look??

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn