Erica Angeline: Designing Your Dream Gown
Choosing a wedding dress is one of the most exciting and stressful decisions a woman will ever make. Many brides have been dreaming about their wedding day since they were little girls. How do you even begin to decide on just ONE dress? Should you go custom or store bought? Creating a custom dress is a longer process, but the options are endless when it comes to fit, fabric selection, color selection and details. The final product is a one-of-a-kind look that’s well worth the wait. Erica Angeline, an Atlanta-based designer of luxury bridal gowns, shares her thoughts on going the custom route.
What's your process with working with a bride-to-be?
I begin with an informal session that consists of hearing the brides vision for the wedding, details and of course, her favorite dresses and designers. We may pour over the bride’s Pinterest and any inspiration books she may have. From there, I consider the brides personality and her body type before sketching and presenting fabric choices. Typically, I give three variations of the best silhouette for my brides that choose custom, or I pull 3-5 styles from our collection that will suit them best.
What’s one question a bride-to-be should ask potential gown designers?
They should ask what looks best for their body type.
Photo Credit: Calvin Evans
Is it best if the bride has a clear idea of what she wants or should she be more flexible?
It is always best to shop for the gown with an open mind and trusting the professionals that will create your look. I advise brides to have an idea of what direction they would like to go in in terms of style keeping in mind changes will happen to accentuate their individual body type.
How much time and money should a bride-to-be budget for a custom Erica Angeline gown?
Depending on the style and detailing generally 6-12 months. We provide quotes for custom gowns based on style, fabric, embellishment and labor. Although we do not have set pricing, our custom gowns have ranged from $3,500 to $12,000.
