Bride Designs Her Own Dress for New Years Eve Wedding!
Most brides make their own escort cards or favors but today's bride, Emily Kotarski Bridal, is an enormously talented wedding dress designer and not only sketched, designed and stitched her own 3 dresses for the day, but she also hand made all 17 of her bridesmaids as well as her mother’s dresses!! Super woman! To this mere mortal, that is a feat of epic proportions and I stand in awe of the gorgeousness that came from her efforts. Photographed by the lovely, Clay Austin Photography, and styled by The Petal Report, fall head over heels in love with this bride, her cute hubby, and these insane pics...
From the Bride Emily Kotarski Bridal: “After working in the bridal industry for over 5 years and building my own custom bridal gown studio and brand for the past 4, when we got engaged there were a lot of questions regarding my gown. My design process has always been largely inspired by specific laces and embroideries that I find and source from my suppliers. To be honest, I had never really dreamt about what I would wear on my wedding day but instead knew it would have some sort of detailed embellishment. Thinking about looking out at my bridesmaids and mom too, I knew I would want to specially design and produce their gowns as well to really leave a special stamp on the day.
In January 2019 I attended the fabric trade show in New York that most designers and brands attend to find the latest trends in materials and production. Here is when I fell in love with the delicate, beaded lace from France that ended up being used in 2/3 dresses for my day as well as incorporated into my latest collection.
The beaded lace was so delicate and lightly sparkled in the light that I knew it would be perfect for our New Year’s Eve wedding the second that I saw it. Placing each motif of the appliqué onto my ceremony gown was an experience that I will always cherish.
After working with countless brides wearing all shapes and sizes of gowns, I knew I would have to have at least 2 styles because of their silhouettes. A soft, tulle a-line skirt is what came to mind when I thought about walking down the aisle, but didn’t feel practical or comfortable enough to be out on the dance floor in through our midnight countdown! That is when I decided I would make 2 dresses, a regal collared neckline with long sleeves embellished in my French beaded lace and an aline tulle skirt. The second would be fully beaded, but with a little less volume and more fun to dance in!
It wasn’t until the month before my wedding when I was talking with a friend who works in the industry and she told me I absolutely needed a midnight dress! So 3 weeks before the wedding I designed and created the “midnight dress,” a gold floral beaded lace, less formal style with spaghetti straps, nude illusion bodice and cocktail length lining with beaded lace full-length overlay. It was so fun to end the evening in something a little less wintery—since I was working up a sweat on the dance floor!
I absolutely loved all 3 designs and looking back on the night, I loved the amount of time I spent in each for different ways. From 17 bridesmaids dresses, my mother’s dress and my own 3 gowns, I wouldn’t have wanted the most important women in my life wearing anything else than something I personally created special for each one!”
vendor details
Photographer: Clay Austin Photography | Film Lab: Richard Photo Lab | Stylist: The Petal Report | Stylist / Planner: Cescaphe | Floral Designer: We Are Wildflowers | Dress Designer: Emily Kotarski Bridal | Accessories: Emma Katzka | Venue: Water Works | Hair & Make-up Artist: Mack Stylist & Makeup By Jami
