Custom Bridal Couture

Busy Wedding Season with New Gowns, Jewelry and Invitations

bridalblog — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 23:52:39 +0000

It’s been a while since I have posted a blog but it’s been a very busy Spring and now Summer with wedding season in full bloom.

Since my last post, I have created a wonderfully fun 50′s Marilyn Style Wedding Dress for Amanda with an adorable kiwi green petticoat and tie accenting the dress. I am anxiously awaiting wedding photos to share and will get them posted as soon as they are available. For now, I am attaching a photo from one of the fittings so you can get a flavor for the dress.

Next came some very fun wedding invitations for Camille. She had an outdoor wedding and wanted something lighthearted for their personalities and location. I have attached a photo of the final product.

Then I started creating some fabulous new bridal jewelry and a birdcage that ended up very beautiful. Many more items to come when I have time to create between booked weddings.

Finally, the most beautiful gown yet is in production for Kristin in North Carolina. It is a stunning trumpet style with a sweetheart strapless shantung silk undergown and then topped with a full overlay using the finest Italian lace. I don’t have photos of this one yet, but be prepared to want one for yourself. This gown would easily sell for $4,-5000+ in a designer bridal salon. The finished gown will sell for a little over $1,600. This is where my specialty lye’s. I can’t compete with a $300-$500 David’s Bridal gown, nor do I want to. When a bride is looking at designer gowns selling in the thousands, many times I can create a similar gown to fit their style and personality for less than half of the designer price.

Following Kristin will be a very pretty halter gown for Jessica made from silk 3-ply silk and full chiffon overlay for an end of August wedding.

Keep checking back and I’ll keep you posted on my progress.

Bridal Gown, Birdcage Veil and Jewelry “For Sale”

bridalblog — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 13:46:46 +0000

I am excited to offer custom items for immediate purchase at one of two new store locations: Etsy or Bravo Bride (click on either link to go to site). Currently I have a beautiful 30′s inspired wedding gown and birdcage veil as well as a variety of jewelry and ring bearer pillows. All items will be packaged in specialty boxes for protection or gift giving.

If you find something you like and would be interested in a similar item in a different color/style, please let me know and I would be happy to create it for you. Please check back often for new additions.

Custom Letterpress Wedding Invitations

bridalblog — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:47:19 +0000

I am happy to report that I have recently contracted with a printing company to be able to offer custom letterpress invitations. In addition to the current variety of options I am able to provide, this is an exciting option I can offer my clients.

The reason I am so excited about this is because I will be able to completely design and customize your invitation to your style and the choices are virtually endless. This option is not available through most invitation companies where you have to select one of their templates.

Letterpress is fast becoming a very popular style for inviations with the text and graphics embossed into the cardstock for an elegant and unique look. Clients will be able to pick from four paper weights in either white or ivory. Text and graphics are available in one, two, or three colors.

Custom Wedding Gown Photo Shoot

bridalblog — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:43:47 +0000

I recently had a photo shoot for a custom wedding dress sample I wanted to showcase. Since I love the vintage styles for their glamour and elegance, my inspiration was from a 30′s mermaid fit gown with full skirt starting below the hips and extending into a chapel length train. The bodice feathers a slight halter with modern bust pleats instead of darts, satin ribbon trim and ribbons creating the straps to the back. The silk shantung gown is finished with a beautiful pearl button and loop closure and accented with a vintage rhinestone brooch and earrings. Also featured is the birdcage veil with feathers, pearls and rhinestone center.

I was very fortunate to have Gavin Seim of Seim Studios, Ephrata, WA as the photographer and Leslie as my beautiful model. We chose the Ivy Wild Inn, Wenatchee, WA, a beautiful historic mansion for the location. The day after Thanksgiving was a chilly but sunny day so Gavin got some amazing shots. Leslie was absolutely stunning in the gown and was a real trooper even with the cold weather. My favorite photo is the first photo with Leslie lying on the sofa. It really reminds me of the vintage era movie star glamour.

The gown and veil are available for sale and can be viewed at Signatures Flowers in Quincy. Please contact me for more information if you are interested. I look forward to hearing from you. Chris. www.bridalcreationsbychris.com

Wedding on the Hololulu Beach

bridalblog — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:31:26 +0000

What a beautiful bride! Deanna and Nick were married November 2 on the beach in Hawaii. Deanna’s strapless gown was created with an embroidered lace overlay bodice and banded with flower pearl beading around the top. The bodice is fitted to the waist flowing into a full skirt with a slight sweep train and built-in crinolin. The gown is finished with large ties (shown with a bow) that extend into the train.

Deanna was another one of my brides that I was not able to personally meet, but I enjoyed corresponding with her and was extremely happy to be a part of her day.

Wedding in the Fields of Quincy

bridalblog — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:19:55 +0000

Dana’s dress was a beautiful silk crepe drop waist halter style with a matching bolero jacket. It was perfect for an October pre-wedding party at Gerald’s farm. As you can see, they had some great photos with Gerald’s 68′ GTX.

Dana wanted a style that was elegant and yet simple for the party and then fitting for their hot air balloon ceremony in Arizona the following month.

Welcome Brides! | Custom Bridal

bridalblog — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:56:52 +0000

Hello everyone and welcome to my new blog! First, let me start by introducing myself. My name is Chris Martin and I am located in Washington State. I have been sewing since I was a little girl and in 2002 designed and created a wedding gown. After selling it quickly on ebay to a bride in the UK, I decided to start my home-based business officially. Since then, I have had the pleasure of working with brides all over the United States and to other countries. In the last few years, I have also added custom wedding invitations and jewelry so that your theme/color scheme can match perfectly. I would love to be part of your special day!

This year provided a variety of styles and colors from beautiful wedding gowns to invitations for amazing brides. I truly enjoyed working with each and every one to create something that represented their unique personality and style. 2009 started with a stunning silk satin mermaid gown with a bolero jacket for Maria, then to a classic silk strapless for Kristen, on to a high fashion heavy shantung for Roxanne, an amazing renaissance gown for Jessie and finally to short sassy set for Dana. The brides were located across the State of Washington and to North Carolina. It was a great year and I look forward to next season. Here are a few of my favorite photos.

Please visit my website for more information and photos at www.bridalcreationsbychris.com

Attendants are also an important part of my business. This year’s colors were a wide range from butter yellow to a rich red and from bridesmaids to flower girls to mother-of-the-groom. Wedding locations included a golf course, beautiful churches, outdoor gardens and to a sandy beach in Hawaii. Take a look!

Attendants!