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.

We all know that wedding dresses are “supposed” to be white. But what happens if we push boundaries a little bit to make your wedding even more one of a kind? It is common now to see shades of champagne and nude lining in lace gowns. This works to create a background for the lace to pop and be seen in pictures.

The new look for wedding gowns is anything on a scale from bright colors to black and we’re not just talking underlays. Even lace and beading are getting a modern update! We love seeing how these trends are ever evolving in bridal and we love sharing them with you even more. Would you push boundaries and wear a colorful wedding dress down the aisle?

Check out these gorgeous options:

1. PAsTels

Pastels are great for spring and summer weddings as a way to pull together a fun color palette in a more subtle way. This is also great if you know you don’t love yourself in white/ivory!

left to right: Ines Di Santa Edith gown, Ines Di Santo Romina Gown, Monique Lhuillier Petal Gown

2. Colorful florals

Still like the idea of a white gown but want to mix things up a bit? Stick to an ivory base and let the floral lace/print make a statement like the piece of art these wedding gowns are

left to right: Monique Lhuillier Amalia gown, Monique Lhuillier Sicily gown, Natalie Wynn Bridal

3. Bold colors

Make your guests head spin with a dress so bold they will be talking about it for years to come. What color would you choose?

left to right: Maggie Sottero Zander, Sottero & Midgley Alera, Marchesa Resort 2020

As you can see, once you add color to the mix, the possibilities are endless! Make your personality and individual style really shine on your special day by wearing whatever YOU want to wear. At the end of the day, it’s about your comfort and happiness.

So, would you add color to your wedding day look? Let us know in the comments!

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn

Shopping for a wedding dress can be an exciting and also daunting process. There are countless options out there and so many stores in every town, how do you narrow down and pick just one to say yes to? We are here to help with a 5 step plan to help you successfully find your wedding dress with zero stress and all of the fun!

Before that though, it’s important to remember that this is your experience and you need do what’s best for you. That means not letting the blogs (hi!), your family, or what you see on television sway you away from what is right for you. Our only hope is that is you can take these few steps into consideration, your bridal appointment will be one to remember forever.

1. Pick your budget

Before you can begin looking at dresses, you have to know how much you would like to spend on your wedding gown! To have a large assortment of options, a budget somewhere in the realm of $2000-4000 will give you access to many of the main stream designers

Don’t forget: budget INCLUDES alterations, shoes, and accessories so be sure to take all those into account

2. Timing is everything

Wedding dresses are special ordered to your size and can take up to 8 months to make. This means that you should choose your gown about a year before your wedding. On average you should expect 6 months for delivery and 2 months for alterations. It’s never too early to find your dress because will love it for the next 50 years as much as you love it the day you found it! There are also plenty of options available is you have less than 6 months to find the perfect dress, so just work with your store to find exactly what you need

3. Do your research

Choose the store you shop at carefully. Make sure you read the reviews on every store you’re interested in and see what designers they carry. Google the price points of each designer and make sure that the designer you are most interested in is in your price point. Don’t know what designer you like? Make a Pinterest board of dresses that excite you, most of the time you will find a trend. From there you can simply google what their price point is typically (or you can ask the company and/or wedding salon)

4. Location Matters

Be sure to take into account the location and/or time of year you’re getting married. If you’re having a beach wedding, you’ll be much more comfortable in a light and airy dress as opposed to a giant satin ballgown. Or for the colder months, remember to add a jacket or faux fur stole into the budget. We’re all for wearing whatever you want on your special day, but remember that your comfort should definitely be factored in

5. Follow your gut

FOMO is a trickster when it comes to wedding dresses. If you have already picked your budget, and done your research, there is no reason that you shouldn’t find your dress in your first day of shopping. None of this “it’s only my first time shopping” excuse, because deep down you know what you want. But, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, that’s totally normal! Your stylist will help you bring your dream to life by finding out what you like and don’t like in a dress, and pulling you the gown that checks all of your boxes. When you’re twirling in the dress, smiling, and picturing yourself on your wedding day, follow your gut and say yes to the dress!

When it comes to wedding dress shopping you should obviously be trying them on in person, however, there is so much research you can do before even setting foot in a salon! This will save you a ton of time and frustration, plus when you do finally go in for your first appointment you’ll be extra prepared and have a more productive shopping experience.

Samantha Shammas, Author and Owner of SamiaLynn