Dressing Up with Sarah Kolis

What happens when you take floral design to the next level? Kevin Miller, president of Stem Event Design in Metro Detroit, has built a business turning weddings, showers, birthdays, and corporate events into fully immersive works of art!
From hanging lamps and French country fringe to refined garden parties and themed dinners, Kevin shares how he creates atmosphere from floor to ceiling, and why your next event should be as personal as your favorite outfit.
We cover how to work seamlessly with planners, where to splurge for maximum impact, and why trends are overrated when you’re designing from the heart!

In this episode:

• The best time to bring in a designer for your wedding or special event
• How to make birthdays, showers, and intimate dinners unforgettable
• Why fashion trends often show up in florals and event styling
• Behind-the-scenes “save the day” stories from high-pressure installs

Connect with Kevin:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stemeventdesign
Website: stemeventdesign.com

If you have questions for Sarah to answer, send an email to [email protected]
Connect with Sarah:
Website: https://sarahkolis.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahkolisdesigns/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ

My sister, Angela, just got married recently, and I thought it would be the perfect time to show you everything about how to preserve your wedding dress! Preserving your gown essentially means cleaning and boxing up your gown nicely after the wedding!
In this episode, I walk you through the full process of using a wedding dress preservation kit—what it is, how it works, and why it matters. If you're unsure how to properly store your gown after your wedding, or you're helping a friend or family member do it while they're on their honeymoon, this is a great resource to pass along!
I demonstrate the step-by-step process using my sister Angela’s wedding dress, including how to assemble the kit, prep the gown, and safely ship it to the Wedding Gown Preservation Company. I also share tips on proper long-term storage and why ordering your kit sooner rather than later makes a difference.
Whether you're a bride, a family member, or a vendor helping with post-wedding logistics, this episode is your go-to guide.

Mentioned:

• Preservation kits available at sarahkolis.com/shop (or purchase at a discount at your alterations fitting before the wedding!)
• See the full process from start to finish, including the final result from my sister Melissa’s gown (Episode 37)

Need help or have questions? Send me a DM or reach out via my website!


If you have questions for Sarah to answer, send an email to [email protected]

Connect with Sarah:
Website: https://sarahkolis.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahkolisdesigns/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ

In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of creating my sister Angela’s custom couture wedding gown—from our initial mock dress in December to the final fittings and bridal photo shoot in May! You'll hear about the design decisions, unexpected fabric challenges, and emotional breakthroughs that brought her dream dress to life. Plus, I share details about bridesmaid dresses, our New York fabric hunt, and the purse artistry that went into the veil. This episode captures the full journey of creating a truly personal wedding gown!
 
This is a great one to watch on YouTube! https://youtu.be/__rXzNERdm0
 
Completed gown video from photoshoot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ufmUwXkrHA
 
Connect with the Photoshoot Vendors:
Lead Photographer: Penny Ralene Photography
2nd Photographer: Astrid Cordier Photography
Videography: Ten Thirty Films
Makeup: DN Artistry
Hair: Hairpins & Happiness
Florist: The Flower Alley

If you have questions for Sarah to answer, send an email to [email protected]

Connect with Sarah:
Website: https://sarahkolis.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahkolisdesigns/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Griselda Mucollari (Ella), Metro Detroit’s go-to wedding and event content creator. With a background in international advertising and a passion for storytelling, Ella captures the candid, emotional, and joy-filled moments to fill the gaps that traditional vendors often miss. We talk about her unique path from corporate America to content creation, how she built a business that blends iPhone footage with intentionality, and why wedding content creators are becoming a highly desired want-to-have vendor for modern couples!

In this episode:

• What a wedding content creator actually does—and how it’s different from formal videography
• Ella’s journey from global ad campaigns to documenting local love stories
• The rise of iPhone-quality behind-the-scenes content—and why couples love it
• A full walkthrough of a wedding day from her lens (literally!)
• Tips for hosting unforgettable events and being the “host with the most”
• Why thoughtful planning, small details, and genuine moments matter more than perfection
• Emerging trends in weddings—from intimate guest lists to restaurant venues
• Emotional stories, from first looks to surprise moments with parents
• Real talk about pricing, the value of vendor services, and misconceptions around cost

Connect with Ella:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/detroit_content_creator/

If you have questions for Sarah to answer, send an email to [email protected]

Connect with Sarah:
Website: https://sarahkolis.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahkolisdesigns/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ

In this episode, I'm joined by Gray Ellender of Go With Gray Travel, a luxury travel advisor and honeymoon specialist who helps couples plan seamless, stress-free trips! Gray shares her unique journey from healthcare to launching her own travel brand and breaks down what it's really like to work with a travel advisor—hint: it's not as expensive as you might think!

In this episode:

• The surprising perks of using a travel advisor (even if you already booked!)
• The three types of travel planning Gray offers
• Why the honeymoon isn’t the time to DIY logistics
• How Gray built a personal brand that connects on a deeper level
• Her favorite destinations and most memorable client trips
• Whether you’re engaged and planning a honeymoon, or just dreaming of your next getaway, Gray’s insight will open your eyes to what’s possible (and how much easier it can be when you don’t do it alone).

Connect with Gray:
Website: www.gowithgraytravel.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gowithgraytravel/
Email: [email protected]

If you have questions for Sarah to answer, send an email to [email protected]

Connect with Sarah:
Website: https://sarahkolis.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahkolisdesigns/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ

You asked - we answered! In this episode, I sit down with my youngest sister, Melissa, for a fun and lighthearted conversation about her wedding journey, life updates, and all things fashion. We answer listener-submitted questions covering everything from how she met her husband Cam to the special moments on her wedding day, including her first dance song, favorite wedding details, and what it was like being the youngest of four sisters! In this episode:

• How Melissa and Cam met and their dating journey
• Choosing a first dance song and special wedding details
• The reality of wedding day stress vs. excitement
• Fashion trends, wardrobe favorites, and growing up with sisters
• Life after the wedding, new hobbies, and future plans

If you have questions for Sarah to answer, send an email to [email protected]

Connect with Sarah:
Website: https://sarahkolis.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahkolisdesigns/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ

In this episode, Mimi Rubin joins us to share all the details of her wedding day—from planning the perfect celebration with all their close friends and family, to unexpected moments that made the day even more memorable! We dive into her unique bridal style, including a stunning David’s Bridal gown with custom alterations by Sarah Kolis herself, and the special touches that made her wedding one-of-a-kind—like a live wedding guest painting experience and a sweet wedding favor nod to their dog Charlie!

Plus, we bring in her husband, Chad, for a groom’s perspective on wedding planning, the big day jitters, and his best advice for future grooms. We also chat about wedding budgeting, what’s worth the splurge, and what you can skip without regret!

Mentioned vendors:
Wedding painter: Jenny Paints by Hand @jennypaintsbyhand
DJ: Motor City HDj - Brett Cummins
Photographer: Elle Musall from Ellis & Indigo Photography

If you have questions for Sarah and her team to answer, send an email to [email protected]

Connect with Sarah:
Website: https://sarahkolis.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahkolisdesigns/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ