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Dressing Up with Sarah Kolis
Dressing Up with Sarah Kolis episodes
- 49. Real Brides Series: Darby, Madison, and Natalie tell it all!Welcome to the third episode of the Real Brides Series! In this episode, I sit down with three incredible brides—Darby, Madison, and Natalie—to hear their unique and heartwarming wedding stories, each filled with creativity, personal touches, and valuable lessons!
Darby Lorimer talks about her dreamy destination wedding, her two-piece gown, and some unique wedding planning tips!
Madison Henzi shares how last-minute dress alterations saved her dream gown and gave her the perfect fit just days before the wedding!
Natalie Conti reflects on her Detroit rooftop wedding, a hilarious vow interruption during the ceremony, and how her simple sheath dress made her feel truly special!
Are you a bride who Sarah has worked with and wants to share your story on the podcast? I’d love to chat with you! Check your email for booking details or reach out via email or DM to get scheduled!
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/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ52 min - 48. Meet Lead Seamstress, Erin ConnerIn this special episode, Sarah introduces Erin Conner, her lead seamstress! They share their story of friendship, career paths, and the evolution of their bridal business. From their early days at David’s Bridal to the Sarah Kolis brand today, they talk about their love for sewing, the challenges and joys of bridal alterations, and their favorite wedding dress projects.In this episode:Â
- How Sarah and Erin met and their decade-long journey to working together
- The demand for custom bridal services like vintage redesigns and heirloom pieces
- The importance of proper dress fittings, hem lengths, and undergarments for bridal gowns
- Why they love working with both structured and creative gown designs
- Funny behind-the-scenes moments (like babies napping nearby and sewing machine nostalgia!)
- Their tips on dress fittings, including "letting out" dresses and managing pre-wedding body changes
Connect with Sarah:
Website: https://sarahkolis.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahkolisdesigns/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ58 min - 47. Real Brides Series: Alexa, Emily, and Stephanie Share Their Big Day StoriesWelcome back to The Dressing Up Podcast! Today, I’m diving into the stories of three incredible brides I’ve had the honor of working with: Alexa, Emily, and Stephanie. We’ll chat about their wedding days, the moments they’ll cherish forever, and the lessons they learned along the way. If you’re a bride-to-be or just love hearing about wedding experiences, you won’t want to miss this episode!
- Bride Alexa Ayyash shares her secret to staying calm while wedding planning and relives a magical first dance moment she’ll never forget! She says, “I have never felt as beautiful as I did when walking down the aisle and my husband saw me in my dress for the first time.“
- Bride Emily Spencer  reveals her favorite wedding-day moment—a heartfelt first look—and how planning ahead made a world of difference when life threw unexpected challenges her way. We also discuss her unique bridal style, including a vintage redesign of her mom’s wedding dress! She says, “Our wedding day was the best day of our lives! Standing up there with Daniel, it only felt like just the two of us.”
- Bride Stephanie Spencer says, “my wedding was full of joy and love” and reminisces about her emotional vow exchange and overcoming challenges like planning a wedding while in school and managing a cross-country move. She also shares her experience working with close family and friends to create a memorable day and gives advice to brides on embracing imperfection.
Are you a bride who Sarah has worked with and wants to share your story on the podcast? I’d love to have you! Check your email for booking details or reach out via email or DM to get scheduled.I
f you have questions for Sarah to answer, send an email to [email protected]
Connect with Sarah:Website: https://sarahkolis.com/
Instagram:Â https://instagram.com/sarahkolisdesigns/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ41 min - 46. Behind the Seams: Creating Melissa’s Dream Wedding DressIn this episode, I am taking you on a behind-the-scenes journey into one of the most meaningful projects I’ve ever undertaken: creating my youngest sister Melissa’s wedding dress! From the initial sketches to the final fitting, I share every detail of the process, including designing her entire wedding wardrobe, working with luxurious fabrics, and collaborating with family members to bring Melissa’s Cinderella-inspired dream to life.Melissa joins me to reflect on the process, the fittings, and her favorite elements of her gown. I also talked to my mom about her involvement in the dress, and what she thought of her daughter all dressed up!Whether you're a bride-to-be, a couture sewing enthusiast, or someone who just loves a good wedding story, this episode is for you.What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
- The creative process behind making Melissa’s wedding dress.
- Why luxurious fabrics and couture techniques make a difference.
- The importance of personalization, including pockets in the gown and Melissa's one-of-a-kind poof sleeves.
- Family collaboration and the funny (and sweet) moments that shaped the experience.
- A look into Melissa’s entire wedding wardrobe and the unforgettable photo shoot that captured it all.
- Reflections on the big day and how Melissa feels post-wedding.
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/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ1 hr 16 min - 45. Real Brides Series: Reliving Wedding Magic with brides Alexa, Tara, and RachelWelcome to a brand-new series on The Dressing Up Podcast! In this special Real Brides series, I’m inviting past brides I’ve worked with to reminisce about their big day, share insights, and relive those unforgettable moments. If you’re planning your own wedding, or simply love hearing about all things bridal, you’re in for a treat!In today’s episode, I chat with three incredible women who each have unique and beautiful stories to tell:
- Alexa Starnes (2021 Bride): Alexa shares her post-wedding journey, her favorite wedding moments, and how planning her wedding led her into the world of event coordination. She also talks about the importance of giving yourself time to order your dress and we reminisce on our alterations experience together 3 years ago!
- Tara Freni-Kenbeek (The Fashionista Bride): Tara talks about her stunning, classic bridal look, her incredible Prada shoes (yes, you heard that right!), and how she and her husband anchored their planning decisions on staying connected and present!
- Rachel Rossini-Rhoades (The Nostalgic Bride): Rachel wore her mother’s 90s wedding dress, honoring its original style while making it her own! From a custom corset to preserving her wedding flowers, Rachel’s creativity shines through!
Connect with Sarah:Website: https://sarahkolis.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahkolisdesigns/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ47 min - 44. Threads of Memory: My Crafting Childhood Journey Through Mom’s EyesThis week, my mom Cynthia Kolis joins the Dressing Up Podcast to walk down memory lane with me! Ever since I was a child, I knew that this was the path I wanted to go down with my career - so in this episode my mom shares her side of the story seeing me grow up!
From sewing doll clothes and entering competitions to creating custom wardrobes and bridal gowns, my mom and I share the evolution of my craft, childhood milestones, and the occasional crafting mishap.Â
Whether you’re a lifelong crafter, a fan of family stories, or simply curious about the journey of a dedicated fashion entrepreneur, this episode is sure to inspire and entertain.
In this episode:- How my childhood obsession with sewing, knitting, and crafting shaped her career.
- The importance of parental support in nurturing a child’s creative talent.
- Behind-the-scenes stories of my sewing competitions, handmade wardrobes, and unique creations.
- The influence of mentors like Aunt Dian and Vicki in fostering my skills.
- Sewing Expo memories and the joy of connecting with the sewing community.
If you have questions for Sarah Kolis 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/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ54 min - 43. Planning Weddings, Fashion Trends, and Growing a Business with Loren Taylor of LDT EventsToday’s guest is Loren Taylor, the founder of LDT Events, a thriving event and wedding planning business in Metro Detroit, and the wedding coordinator of my sister Melissa’s wedding this past May! From design to execution, Loren is the founder and event planning expert of LDT Events, she strives to tailor the event to the client’s unique vision, style & personality!
Loren shares her inspiring journey of starting her own business, her experiences in the wedding industry, and how her personal style and creativity influence her work. We also talk about coordinating dozens of weddings a year, the importance of a wedding planner in helping to create a low-stress engagement experience, and her exciting plans for rebranding and growing her team!
Whether you’re planning your big day, running a business, or just love a good story about following your passion, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice!
In this episode:- How Loren transitioned from bridal styling to creating LDT Events.
- The role personal style plays in her business and her love for timeless neutrals.
- Tips for planning a low-stress wedding and why hiring a planner is a game-changer.
- Why smaller bridal parties (or no bridal parties!) are becoming more popular.
- Loren’s plans for growing her business while balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship.
Connect with Loren:
Website: https://www.ldtevents.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ldtevents/
If you have questions for Sarah Kolis 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/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ40 min - 42. Engagement Stories and Wedding Insights: A Chat with My Soon-to-Be Brother-in-Law KevinIn this episode, Sarah speaks with a very special guest, Kevin Dombek, who is her soon-to-be brother-in-law! They dive into the fun details of Kevin’s engagement to Sarah’s sister Angela, from their engagement photos to the proposal itself. Kevin shares his thoughts on wedding planning, the process of choosing engagement rings, natural vs. lab-grown diamonds, and even planning a wedding day wardrobe. This episode is perfect for anyone planning a wedding or just wanting to hear about love and laughter along the way!In this episode:Â
- Kevin’s thoughts on engagement photos and how he enjoyed it more than he thought he would!
- A look into the ring-buying process and why Kevin chose a natural diamond.
- The 6:45 a.m. proposal story, Angela’s reaction, and the importance of having your nails done!
- Kevin’s role in wedding planning and the family tradition of a candy bar at the reception.
- Rapid-fire Q&A: Weddings, wardrobes, and hilarious "what if" scenarios.
Connect with Sarah:
Website: https://sarahkolis.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahkolisdesigns/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ1 hr 12 min - 41. Bridesmaid 101: What You Need To Know To Be The Very Best Bride Tribe!Are you a bridesmaid for an upcoming wedding? Well, you are in luck because in this episode I am joined by my sister, Angela, and we’re chatting all about bridesmaids, from funny stories to helpful tips you don’t want to miss. Whether you’ve been a bridesmaid 27 times or it’s your first go, this episode is packed with advice, laughs, and our experiences!
In This Episode:- Bridesmaid dos and don’ts for the wedding day and before!
- Things to avoid doing, such as drinking non-clear liquids around the bride, or being late to the wedding!
- Advice for bridesmaids planning bridal showers, bachelorette parties, and other events!
- Ideas and etiquette for wedding gifts.Â
- Details on Angela’s upcoming wedding on June 14th, 2025 and the reality of wedding planning during the fall, AKA the busiest season for vendors!
If you have questions for Sarah Kolis 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/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ30 min - 40. The Studio Grand Opening Party RecapIt’s official, I have moved into the new and improved Sarah Kolis Studio!
In this special episode, I recap the exciting journey of transforming a raw garage into my dream studio and celebrating its grand opening in style! You may have heard me share information about this before, but this episode gives you a thorough re-cap of this fabulous event!
From beautiful flowers and delicious food to live music and over 165 amazing guests, this grand opening party was a day filled with love, laughter, and lots of celebration! I share details on what went into this big studio transformation, details from the party, and what is next for me and the business!
If you are watching on YouTube, I am showing you the outfits and accessories that I wore to the party as well as some bonus dresses!
Thank you so much for your support on this incredible journey. If you were at the party, a big thank you for making it so special! And if you couldn’t make it, don’t worry—I’ll fill you in on all the fun details!
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/UCbh7HlVmyj9N5VsleuySxcQ36 min
About Dressing Up with Sarah Kolis
From the publisher's feed
Welcome to the Dressing Up podcast! Join Sarah Kolis as she shares engaging 💍 tips about all things bridal dresses, wedding/event day advice, a little bit of sewing content, and all the tips and…
tricks of dressing up.
Sarah talks about lots of bridal and general wedding day content, but not exclusively. Oftentimes, she finds that your wedding day is one of the few days in your life where you truly dress up and feel your most beautiful, and she hopes to encourage women to dress up more and confidently outside their wedding day.
Sarah Kolis is a couture gown designer based in Detroit who serves the whole Midwest area and beyond specializing in complete custom couture bridal gowns, veils, and alterations. Sarah has a meticulous approach to quality service and will shape your garment to fit properly and match your personal shape and style. Working with such special gowns and dresses is truly an honor!
Join Sarah as she interviews experts in this field, learn about her opinion on certain topics, and take a moment to show and enhance our own personal style through the clothes we wear.
Visit https://sarahkolis.com/ to learn more, book of fitting, or inquire about designing the custom couture bridal gown of your dreams.
Connect with Sarah:
Website: https://sarahkolis.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahkolisdesigns/
Sarah talks about lots of bridal and general wedding day content, but not exclusively. Oftentimes, she finds that your wedding day is one of the few days in your life where you truly dress up and feel your most beautiful, and she hopes to encourage women to dress up more and confidently outside their wedding day.
Sarah Kolis is a couture gown designer based in Detroit who serves the whole Midwest area and beyond specializing in complete custom couture bridal gowns, veils, and alterations. Sarah has a meticulous approach to quality service and will shape your garment to fit properly and match your personal shape and style. Working with such special gowns and dresses is truly an honor!
Join Sarah as she interviews experts in this field, learn about her opinion on certain topics, and take a moment to show and enhance our own personal style through the clothes we wear.
Visit https://sarahkolis.com/ to learn more, book of fitting, or inquire about designing the custom couture bridal gown of your dreams.
Connect with Sarah:
Website: https://sarahkolis.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahkolisdesigns/