About this vendor
Custom Gowns & Alterations by Sarah Kolis is a Novi, MI-based boutique serving nearly-wed couples planning their wedding attire. Sarah is a passionate creative with an innate talent for all things fashion. She is dedicated to helping couples look and feel their best when the time finally comes to take to the aisle.
The call to fashion design came at an early age for Sarah. From hobby to a full-time flourishing career, this expert beams with excitement as she eloquently creates detailed dresses and garments. Graduating from Michigan State University with a BFA, as well as an MBA/MSM from Walsh College, Sarah is well versed in her profession.
Custom Gowns & Alterations by Sarah Kolis strives to exceed all expectations. Whether clients require an item designed from scratch or that final modification to make a dress perfect, this expert does it all. Sarah is happy to meet with couples in person, allowing them to express their vision and establish what they’re looking for.
Details
Accessories
- Sashes & Belts
- Veils
Business Attributes
- Woman-owned Business
Dresses
- Bridesmaid Dresses
- Flower Girl Dresses
- Mother of the Bride Dresses
- Shower & Party Dresses
- Wedding Dresses
Fashion Services
- Alterations
- Custom Designs
- Plus Size Available
- Private Appointments Available
Awards and Affiliations
Reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
5
out of 5.0167 reviews
Review photos
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Sarah is completely professional, an artist, and joy to work with. I’d recommend her to anyone who asks. She made a wedding dress that was too big, fit me like a glove.
I was so nervous about who to take my wedding gown to for alterations and had extremely high expectations set, but Sarah met them all with ease! Sarah was recommended to me by a friend who also had her wedding dress altered by Sarah. I was a bit hesitant since I live in Lansing and Sarah works out of her office in Novi... but her work was absolutely worth the drive!
I had lost about 20lbs since I bought my Made With Love Crepe & very fitted wedding dress and was worried about how it would look once it was altered, but Sarah did a fantastic job explaining every step, how it would flow once she was done, and helped make me a part of the decision making process as well.
She also offers gown preservation kits and can make scrunchies or ornament keepsakes from the extra fabric of your dress! I did 4 ornaments and am excited to give them to our moms as gifts this mothers day.
Thank you for everything, Sarah!
Sarah was so amazing and made my dressing fitting quick and so so easy! My dress looks even better and that is because of Sarah. Highly recommend!!!
Sarah was an absolute dream to work with!! My body changed pretty drastically between purchasing my wedding dress and the initial fitting so I was very nervous about how it would all go. My first consultation with Sarah immediately put my mind at ease when she reassured me she could make my wedding dress dreams come true. She truly did make it happen because my wedding dress ended up fitting me like a glove. It was a strapless dress and it didn't budge or slip at all throughout the night even with nonstop dancing. It was super super easy to communicate with Sarah and she truly listens to what's important to the bride and makes it come to life her wedding dress. Thank you so so much for being a part of my big day and making my dress perfection!
Highly recommend Sarah, her service is not only high quality but she provides a unique experience with her friendliness and beautiful studio. Loved working with her.
I cannot express how great working with Sarah was. Not only did my dress fit like a glove, but she built me a custom belt that turned out exactly how I envisioned. She made me fall in love with my dress all over again! I highly recommend Sarah to all future brides!
Sarah was recommended to me from the shop where I purchased my wedding dress, and I could not be happier with our decision to use Sarah's skills! I was invited to her private studio at her home, and the initial fitting was quick, easy, and Sarah was able to answer any questions I may have had about the fit. We had only one other (final) fitting after that, and the dress fit PERFECTLY! Zero issues day of, and I had so many compliments about how the dress had been tailored to fit me. If I ever have another reason to have a gown altered, I will absolutely be visiting Sarah again!
I'm not even sure where to start! Sarah is INCREDIBLE and helped make all of my wedding dress dreams come true. I ordered a dress that arrived much larger than expected, and I didn't find the top as flattering as when I first tried it on at the bridal shop.
Before I met Sarah, I thought I would have to settle for just feeling okay about my dress. During the process, Sarah was calm, kind, and collaborative. She truly listened to what I wanted and, in the end, recreated the top of my dress using the extra fabric I had ordered.
Sarah is a true expert and exceptionally talented. If you're looking for someone to bring your vision to life and make you feel amazing, I cannot recommend Sarah enough.
When you put on your dress and look in the mirror and ugly cry out of happiness…you know your seamstress nailed it!! I went from stressed bride, why did I buy this dress to THIS IS WHY I BOUGHT THIS DRESS in a week’s time. Sarah was kind, patient and eager to make my dress just how I wanted it. Thank you, Sarah Kolis Designs it fit like a glove.
Sarah is a genius!!!! She provides such a comfortable and welcoming environment and presence, and she made me fall in love with my dress a million times more. I was so nervous about handing my dress over, I was pretty close to my wedding date, and I had lost a lot of weight since I initially bought the gown. Sarah had my dress fitting me like a glove. I cannot
Recommend her enough. She is amazing !!!!
Need alterations for your wedding gown? Sarah is your expert! I couldn't believe how quick and easy the first appointment was and then how amazing the results were! I was initially very worried about what the alterations process would look like, but Sarah made my first appointment so customized but also so expedited that I knew I was in the right place. Very happy with my experience and results. Thank you Sarah!
What a wonderful experience working with Sarah! Her wedding knowledge and experience with dress design and alterations is unmatched. She fit my dress perfectly, and I loved the bustle she designed.
Sarah is INCREDIBLE!! My experience in her studio was truly one of my favorite parts of wedding prep. She has created such a beautiful & inspiring space that was so inviting & comfortable as a bride. I knew I was in the best hands the moment I met her, and getting to see some of her iconic projects on display in her studio too was an added bonus. I had bought a dress off the rack that wasn’t originally sized to me and needed some very specific tweaking. Sarah’s work exceeded my expectations and felt absolutely couture. The bustle was a showstopper too, and I felt even more at peace as she clearly showed my MOH exactly how to do it with pro-tips and troubleshooting techniques. 100/10 recommend - it was an honor to have the chance to work with her!
Sarah was a delight to work with and my dress fit beautifully! I needed the sleeves attached and they were comfortable, fit well, and gave me enough range of motion for my first dance. She made the train and the lining more manageable as well. My bridal party were all able to bustle my dress with the assistance of the how-to video Sarah had us film beforehand. Great experience, couldn't have been better!
I can’t say enough good words about Sarah. She was so welcoming and sweet from the very first time I met her. She made me feel so comfortable. She absolutely understood what I wanted to do with my dress even if I didn’t quite make any sense. My dress turned out perfect and I was so happy I went with Sarah. I can’t recommend her enough.
I absolutely loved working with Sarah! From the first appointment to the final fitting, she made me feel comfortable, beautiful, and in great hands! We had a unique situation with my dress / body type combo and she patiently worked though the solution with me, taking my concerns and thoughts into consideration. She was honest and communicated the outcome of our decision (my chest didn't fill out the bust) and I appreciated her transparency! Picking up my dress... it was a dream! THANK YOU, Sarah and company!
Sarah was absolutely amazing! She helped me with both of my dresses for my wedding and I couldn’t be happier. She took length off and took it in perfectly. She also added some padding in both of my dresses, which helped create the most gorgeous shape! She also added a bustle! Highly recommend Sarah :)
I had the best experience with Sarah. She made sure my dress fit PERFECTLY. I had a strapless dress and I was so nervous about lifting my arms up and it falling down, but Sarah made sure I was 100% comfortable with her alterations. Sarah is so professional and fun to work with. She makes every bride feel special! I highly recommend Sarah for any alterations!
Sarah Kolis not only did alterations for my wedding dress, my mothers dress for the wedding but also did custom alterations on my mothers wedding dress from 1991 that i wore for my rehearsal dinner!
My wedding dress had minimal alternations (hem, bustle and a little bit taken in on the waist) and turned out perfectly. It is so sad to think I only get to wear it once! I wish I had more occasions to wear it on!
My rehearsal dinner dress also turned out stunning! Although it was not my normal style of dress it was very sentimental to my mom and she loved it! There were stains on the dress that never got cleaned but Sarah did a great job doing what she could to style the dress to distract from the minor imperfections!
Sarah has a beautiful studio, super talented and personable and is just a pleasure to work with! THANK YOU!
We had a wonderful experience working with Sarah. The whole process was very organized, communication was great, and Sarah was very thorough from her emails and website to the hands-on service she provided at our alteration fittings. Highly recommend Sarah Kolis for wedding gown alterations!
I had the most amazing experience with Sarah. She was extremely flexible with my situation of having limited availability since I lived in Texas but was having my wedding in Michigan. Sarah's alterations made my dress fit my figure perfectly. I was nervous before the first appointment because the dress was tight in certain areas but I left the appointment feeling confident that it could be fixed. The bustle she added kept the elegance of the dress while giving me the movement I needed to dance all night long. The veil she made looked like it came out of a fairytale.
Wow!!! Where do I even begin!? I went to pick up my dress yesterday at 8am. Unfortunately, my dress was a bit tricky and we needed to adjust my straps just a bit more, so Sarah asked me if I could come back later that day to pick it up. Her willingness to take care of it the same day was so amazing and I was so appreciative! So, I went back later in the day and we still couldn’t get them quite right (I will admit, I can be a little picky). I was feeling stressed and emotional due to all of the wedding stress, but Sarah was patient and kind and I couldn’t have asked for anyone better to help me through the process. Anyone else would’ve told me I was crazy and sent me home, but Sarah kept making any adjustment she could in order to make sure I left with a smile on my face. She is so incredible at what she does!! Thank you for being so amazing, Sarah!!!
Sarah is fantastic! I brought her my grandmother’s wedding dress from the 1950s, and it was in rough shape to say the least. She was able to repair all the torn and tattered lace and tulle, and she altered it to fit me as well—she was so quick, too! I can’t wait to wear this dress and am just so impressed by the care and attention that Sarah put into her work. The whole experience was 10/10!
Sarah was a pleasure to work with - extremely professional, talented, and you can tell she loves what she does. In addition to the typical alterations I was expecting (taking dress in/bustle/etc.), she also recommend a slight modification to the back of my dress that I didn't know was possible but made a world of difference in the fit and look of my dress. Everything was done impeccably - I couldn't recommend her more!
There was a decent amount that needed altered on my dress and she did a fantastic job! It definitely fits me beautifully and looks like it was custom made. Highly recommend
Sarah altered my wedding dress and also my mom’s wedding dress into my the dress I wore to my rehearsal dinner. She is incredibly talented and made the experience so special and seamless!
Sarah was fantastic to work with. She's immensely talented and friendly, and her studio is beautiful! I could not have asked for better service or care from a wedding vendor. From taking in my dress, adding extra straps, and including the bustle on my dress and cape, I would recommend her to any bride! Thank you again for everything, Sarah!
Sarah is the absolute best. She creates a comforting, inviting atmosphere for her brides and is there to offer guidance. Her confidence and love for what she does shines brightly and is showcased in every detail. I couldn’t be happier with my dress. It feels like it was made for me from scratch!
Sarah was amazing to work with and truly an expert at what she does! She made the entire process very comfortable, enjoyable, and fun. I had the idea to add some of my moms wedding dress into a custom bow and she definitely exceeded all of my expectations. I cannot recommend her enough!
Sarah did wedding dress alterations for me and my spouse, and did an absolutely INCREDIBLE job! Sarah's attention to detail, welcoming spirit, and commitment to top-tier quality made us both feel so well taken care of. She is so talented and a joy to work with - we highly recommend using her as a trusted vendor for your special day.
Sarah altered my dress for my wedding in July, and she did an INCREDIBLE job! I have known her for many years and she is beyond talented. She made the process so seamless and my dress fit like a glove. She even added a bow to the back of my dress! Not only is she a wonderful seamstress, but is incredibly knowledgeable when it comes to weddings. She can provide great advice as well as recommendations as you plan your big day. I couldn't recommended her enough and I don't know what I would've done without her. 10/10!!!!
I was really excited to work with Sarah because I heard great things and my bridal shop recommended her. Communication wise everything was great but wedding day everything fell apart with the dress. I brought my shoes to the fittings thinking it would be hemmed enough for me to walk without tripping on the dress. I tripped on it every two seconds (this was prior to the ceremony and during the ceremony). It distracted me from the entire experience.
After the ceremony I had my mom bustle the dress (she had been there for the fittings). The dress was so long the bustle broke 5 times throughout pictures. I had to remove myself twice upstairs with my bridesmaids as they stitched the dress up. It took at least an hour and a half away from pictures and makes me sad to this day and got me out of the fun mood of the day many times. If you get your dress done here I would recommend getting it shorter than you think you need it/ might be recommended.
I have never felt safer leaving my wedding dress with someone! Sarah altered my wedding dress (that was heavily beaded and detailed) and my mom’s dress and we couldn’t have had a better experience. Sarah was so welcoming and incredibly kind. She did an outstanding job with my dress and paid attention to detail, and really made sure we left satisfied. Highly recommend having your dress worked by Sarah!
Sarah was so amazing to work with and knew exactly what needed to be done for my dress to fit perfectly! The bustle was beautiful and so easy for my matrons of honor to do. I felt SO comfortable in my dress all day on 8/24 and cannot thank Sarah enough for that!! Would recommend Sarah 100 times over!!
Sarah was an absolute DREAM to work with. She is so talented and detail oriented. She was friendly and professional and made me feel so comfortable during my fittings. She even helped me with one last fix the week of my wedding! I would have not trusted anyone else with my dress- she knows her stuff! Thank you again for all of your hard work on my dress, Sarah. We loved working with you and I just love how my dress looks in every single photo!
-Mimi & Chad Rubin
8/24/24
Sarah did such a wonderful job with my wedding dress alterations! She has a great eye for detail and is quick and efficient at her job. When I picked up my dress, I accidentally pulled on one of the bustle strings a little too hard after showing a bridesmaid, causing it to fall out. I reached out to Sarah right away and she was able to squeeze me in and fix it that same day. She made my bustle even stronger, allowing me to dance the night away and run around all day at my wedding. It was perfect! Thank you again, Sarah, for taking my dress and making it wedding day ready! - Rachel & Adam June 8, 2024
Sarah is so unbelievably talented and made my visions a reality for both my wedding dress and my rehearsal dinner dress! For my rehearsal dinner dress, Sarah transformed my mom’s 40-year-old wedding dress into a stunning midi-length sleeveless dress that was still classy but with a modern twist. For my wedding dress was able to make all the changes I hoped for and it fit perfectly on the first fitting after alterations. Sarah completed both of these dresses in such a short time period I was so impressed and especially excited when she agreed to take on my rehearsal dinner dress on a last minute notice! I wouldn’t trust my dresses in the hands of any other seamstress! Also, her studio is so gorgeous, spacious, and beautifully decorated. Truly a vision out of a magazine. I cannot recommend Sarah enough for all your alterations and custom couture needs!
Sarah made all my dreams come true with my wedding dress! She basically turned my dress into an entirely new dress and it was truly beautiful. Sarah is talented, honest, and so kind. When I went for my final fitting, I didn't want to take the dress off!
Incredible service!! She’s talented and super friendly. Would recommend to anyone!
Wouldn't trust anyone else with a wedding dress! Sarah is MORE than worth the drive to Northville. She is kind and really know what she's doing. Sarah just has an eye for design unlike any other! She was very helpful with recommendations on how to bustle so the dress looked it's best. Thank you Sarah for making my dress so beautiful and well-fitted for our special day!
Sarah is very talented and did a great job altering my dress to fit me perfectly. She also found a creative way to make my dress less revealing on the sides by adding fabric from the bottom to it and the ballroom bustle she made looked perfect!
Sarah also steamed my veil, gown, and sells preservation kits for your gown and accessories.
My sister and I went to Sarah for alterations on my bridal gown and her bridesmaid dress. Not only is Sarah warm and kind, but her she is so professional and her work is flawless! I had a concern with my gown and Sarah was able to come up with a solution quickly that put my mind at ease! I cannot recommend her enough for bridal alterations
Sarah did a beautiful job with my alterations. The experience was wonderful from start to finish. I was able to book a consult with her to get a quote and talk about different bustle options, as I was unsure what I wanted to do. Not surprisingly, she had a few different ideas and we landed on something that was perfect for me and for my dress. She made me feel confident and happy with my dress choice and it looked amazing on my wedding day. I would absolutely recommend Sarah for your alterations or your dream gown!
I purchased a dress knowing that I would need alterations to make it fit correctly as it was slightly too small. Sarah gave me multiple options and listened to me and my vision for my wedding and was able to come up with an idea that allowed me to LOVE my dress.The bustle she created was perfect as well. I had so many compliments on my dress and I couldn’t have felt more beautiful! I could not recommend Sarah enough!
Purchased my gown from Becker's bridal and was recommended Sarah for alterations. I ended up needing something adjusted after I picked up my dress from the final fitting and Sarah could not have been nicer about the whole thing and I was extremely pleased with the final product. Felt so comfortable and happy with the fit of my dress. Pricing is somewhat expensive but her work is done quickly and professionally.
The minute I saw what Sarah could do, I just knew she would alter my dress to perfection. My dress was ordered a size too small (hello wide rib cage) and Sarah made a change to the back that not only opened it up, but made me love my dress even better. I went from worried to excited within 2 minutes of Sarah working her magic. One of the best wedding decisions I’ve made. Thank you so much Sarah. Can’t wait to send you photos.
Sarah was so sweet and her work was phenomenal! She was recommended to me by the place I got my dress, and I'm so glad I brought my dress to her. I needed some basic alterations done and for the empty parts of the invisible neckline (much of the back, sleeves, and front) to be filled with lace. I was unable to get the same lace as the dress, just something similar, but Sarah was able to seamlessly incorporate it throughout the gown. I have gotten so many compliments since then. I highly recommend her!
Sarah is wonderful! I was recommended to her by Becker’s Bridal after wanting to find someone who could make custom pieces. Not only did she alter my gown in a way that was flattering for my body shape, but she made me sleeves and an overskirt! I received SO many compliments on my sleeves and they turned out so unique and complimentary to my dress. Thank you, Sarah!
Sarah was AMAZING to work with and so much fun to be around during the whole alteration process! Her attention to detail and design is unmatched! I was recommended to her by Ivory Loft Bridal when I got my dress, and I am SO GLAD I was. Every bride needs Sarah in their life!
I was referred to Sarah by Becker’s Bridal which is where I purchased my dress. During my first fitting, I explained that I ordered my dress one-to-two sizes up to accommodate the desire to close up some of the plunging neckline. She did an incredible job with the neckline modification, my bustle, hemming the lining and all the other tweaks we agreed on! My dress fit like a glove on my wedding day and I could not have been more thrilled, if only I could wear it everyday :) Sarah was fantastic to work with and I highly recommend her - thank you so much!
I do not know what I would have done without Sarah! She is amazing at what she does and makes you feel so comfortable and at ease. She did a bachelorette outfit for me first that I was a little uncertain about coming out of the box based on the fit when I received it. But she made it amazing and I knew the wedding would be the same. I got a strapless dress and one of my main concerns was it falling down or gaping. It was absolutely perfect and I know I would not have that experience with anyone else. Sarah is in my opinion the best and only option for your wedding day!
Sarah was wonderful to work with from start to finish! I bought a dress and wanted some custom work done to it. I didn't really know what I wanted, but Sarah was patient and worked with me until I felt excited about my dress and it was exactly what I wanted. Sarah is so knowledgable and can answer any questions you can think of.
Hiring Sarah to make custom alterations to my wedding dress was a great decision. Her craftsmanship was excellent, and I now have a truly one of a kind wedding dress. The whole process was fun too! Highly recommend Sarah for any bride whether its for alterations or a completely custom gown. 10/10 :)
I was referred to Sarah by Becker’s Bridal & I had already seen her work as I followed her on Instagram. Sarah altered my dress to accommodate a bustle, to bring in the cups of my dress so there wasn’t a large gap & also fixed the back of my dress to accentuate my curves a bit more. Sarah is truly amazing at what she does & she does is SO quickly! She also altered my rehearsal dinner dress & did a great job on that. Sarah was so awesome to work with & I felt so comfortable leaving my dresses in her hands. She is extremely professional & knows what she is doing. Thank you so so much Sarah!
Sarah was so sweet and helpful in the process of altering my gown from Beckers Bridal. She made me feel beautiful and her work was exquisite and fit like a glove. She also showed us in detail how to bustle which turned out wonderful the day of and I would highly recommend Sarah for quality and overall great service when looking for wedding dress alterations. She is very knowledgeable and put me at ease for the big day. Thank you Sarah!
I was referred to Sarah by my bridal shop because of her great work. I needed only a few alterations, but they 100% improved the the dress for my body (large bust). Sarah is talented and professional, which made the alteration process easy and stress free. I would 100% recommend her services.
My dress fit perfectly! I was a bit nervous about all of the loose fabric on my dress when I picked it up front the shop and Sarah assured me that it would fit perfectly upon pick up and she certainly delivered. Process was fun and seamlessly. Sarah was super accommodating to my schedule as an out of state bride with limited availability.
I was referred to Sarah by my bridal shop, Becker's Bridal.
Sarah is a true professional and the absolute sweetest!! Because of my weight fluctuations the months leading up to my wedding, I had to go back for alterations 3-4 times, and my dress ended up fitting just perfectly. Sarah exactly what I wanted and did everything possible to ensure I felt and looked my best in my wedding dress.
She also altered a second dress for me last-minute and also two dresses for my mom, which she also looked beautiful in--thanks to Sarah.
Personally, I would recommend Sarah to any friend looking for wedding or formalwear alterations. She is by far the best and an expert at her craft!!
Cannot recommend Sarah enough! I went to a different alterations person first, and was not very happy with the result. There were weird ripples across my torso in places where the dress was bunching, and the bustle was way too long for a beach wedding. That first person told me nothing more could be done, but thankfully I found Sarah, who immediately agreed with the issues I was seeing, and assured me that no job was too difficult for her. I think she truly had to rip my dress apart and rebuild it for it to fit perfectly, but she worked her magic and the end result was truly perfect!
I was referred to Sarah by a bridal shop, because I had a great experience with the shop I trusted their referral. I am so happy I did, usually I would do my research and ask for more information, but she is one where you don’t have to because she is just simply amazing! Professional, very talented and just so easy to work with. She did such an amazing job with getting my dress to fit me perfectly, she knew exactly what to do it as soon as she saw it on. Which made it easy for since I wasn’t sure what it really needed done to it besides bringing it down a few sizes. She saved my wedding! So if you want a stress free, on time and professionally done alteration look no further because Sarah is it!!!
Sarah absolutely SAVED my dress! I had gotten some major and minor alterations done at a different tailor and it was totally botched. The front of the dress sagged, there were ripped pieces of lace and beading, and the straps were falling off my shoulders and sitting so awkwardly…. A friend recommended me to Sarah and she made my dress seem brand new! She took in my emergency fix just a month before my wedding, and went above and beyond to make sure everything was how I wanted it! I went from feeling so stressed and defeated to being so excited with how beautiful it was. I would HIGHLY recommend her to anyone; her work is incredible and she’s so nice!
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Novi, MI
Custom Gowns & Alterations by Sarah Kolis
Custom Gowns & Alterations by Sarah Kolis's photos