Bridal Designer Sarah Kolis Creates Looks for Every Wedding Moment

Modern Trousseau

For her sister’s wedding, couture bridal designer Sarah Kolis created a collection of looks that are unabashedly feminine

By Mickey Lyons   |   Photography by Penny Ralene Photography

It’s not often that a bridal designer gets the chance to create a full, old-fashioned trousseau for a client. Especially in the U.S., it’s no longer commonplace for a new bride to have separate, bespoke outfits for her shower, rehearsal dinner, wedding day and next-day honeymoon departure.

Don’t tell that to Sarah Kolis and her sister, Melissa Schreiber, though. When Schreiber got engaged in September 2023, Kolis — not only her sister but a bridal designer as well — wasted no time sketching and designing a full range of outfits for the upcoming nuptials. Luckily, the two share an aesthetic sensibility that veers toward classic lines and femininity.

That sensibility is not overwhelmingly delicate or ethereal in a wispy sort of way. What it is, is unabashedly feminine, a celebration of vitality and girly-ness — in a girl-boss kind of way. All shades of white, of course, but also pale pinks and eyelet lace and scalloped edges on strong-lined jackets, a blend of ultra-feminine style and a retro vibe.

As a graduate of Michigan State University’s textile and apparel program and a veteran of New York Fashion Week, Kolis knew all about combining creativity, hard deadlines and customer relations to showstopping effect. She’s also a seasoned pro at scouting unique fabrics and adding vintage touches from studios around the world, including her favorite shop in London, where the dressmakers of the late Queen Elizabeth II frequently gathered inspiration.

From her design studio in Novi, Kolis masterminded an entire wardrobe custom-made for each occasion. As with any designer-client relationship, the process was a partnership, but Schreiber wasn’t afraid to allow Kolis to surprise her. “Melissa, as many brides do, got decision fatigue,” Kolis says. “So a couple of weeks in, she said, ‘I am done making decisions.’ ”

Since she knew her sister so well, Kolis felt comfortable surprising Schreiber with the first of her eight outfits — the engagement pictures dress, a sweet rose-colored cocktail dress with lace and appliques that caught the autumn light beautifully.

The full trousseau included a bridal shower dress, two bachelorette party dresses, rehearsal dinner dress, a robe, and a bridal brunch ensemble. Kolis also designed and made the mother-of-the-bride dress and jacket as well as her own looks for the shower and rehearsal dinner.

But the star of the show was the fairytale princess wedding gown — with pockets. When the two sat down to talk through the design, Schreiber did have a very strong sense of the romance she wanted, plus one specific detail.

“Poof sleeves,” Schreiber says.

“And then poofier, and then even more poofy,” Kolis adds.

The final gown, in ivory silk with French alençon lace appliques, is a sweeping statement of grand romance and sweetness.

And those sleeves — poofy and more poofy — signal for both sisters that sweetness can make a bold statement in the right designer’s hands.

To learn more visit sarahkolis.com.