Emily Kotarski Bespoke Bridal Design

Emily Kotarski is the most amazing wedding dress designer you will find! I asked if she could create a complicated dress reveal and she did it with pure magic. From beginning to end, she helped find the perfect fabrics and made sure the shape and fit was exactly what I wanted. Besides my husband, my dress was the absolute best part of my wedding and all of my guests agreed too! You will not go wrong with picking EKB

I couldn’t have asked for a better experience getting my custom wedding dress designed for me by Emily Kotarski Bridal! Emily designed my dream dress for me and made it even better than I could have imagined. From consultations with her, where she added details to the design that I loved but never could have thought of, to fittings in which she made the dress fit me perfectly, the whole experience was so smooth! I received so many compliments on my dress and felt like my best version of myself in it! So thankful for Emily Kotarski Bridal for making my wedding dress exactly what I wanted!

Emily Kotarski made the dress of my dreams. After trying on a few dresses with insane price tags and only half liked I knew I was meant to be a custom bride. Living in PA I was able to visit Emily’s salon, meet her team, help with the design process without a worry in the world. EKB was such a great support system for me and my mom throughout the nightmare of Covid rescheduling, the week before my wedding my moms dress was too big and the team even was able to do a quick tailor, overall best experience of my wedding. My dress was perfect, elegant, classy, and classic. I am so proud to be an EKB bride!

EKB was amazing start to finish!!! She made my dreams a reality, even when I couldn't put into words exactly what I wanted, somehow she knew and made me my dream dresses!! I had the best of both worlds--a big custom ballgown and then also a fun party dress to dance the night away!! Emily was professional and creative and I recommend her to anyone who will listen!!!

Wow what a great experience! They altered my mother's dress from the 80s to create such a perfect sentimental dress for my wedding day. They walked me through the whole process and were very patient with any concerns I had. My mother was thrilled with the results and I received so many compliments. Made the day just that much better.

You guys..... this salon literally made my dream dress come alive! I'm 5'0 tall so my dress was super long on me. Emily and her team made my dream dress perfect in every way! They know exactly what they are doing and I would trust them with anything, especially my wedding dress!

Emily made the wedding dress of my dreams! I met with her about 10 months before my wedding and described the type of dress I wanted and she made it completely from scratch. The dress was exactly as I imagined and she was receptive to my idea and offered up complementary suggestions that ended up making the dress a beautiful fit for me. She was able to custom make my dress that fit within my budget and timeline. I was completely at ease and trusted her 100% throughout the process, it couldn't have been a better experience.

I cannot recommend Emily enough. I bought my dress off the rack a few sizes too big but was reassured by the boutique I bought my dress at that Emily could make it fit perfectly. I bought my dress early so I spent months worried I had made the wrong decision. Once I finally met with Emily, I felt at ease. She reassured me it wouldn’t be difficult to get my dress to fit and I left the first appointment feeling confident in the outcome. Due to covid I had to reschedule my second and final fitting with her numerous times. At no point did she make it feel like it was a bother. I left every appointment feeling more and more excited about my dress and was blown away on the final fitting. I cannot imagine and more perfect dress for my wedding day and Emily made that dream come true!

Emily is amazing! I took recommendations from two friends who had both used Emily to create and altar their wedding gowns. She made my dress fit me 100% perfectly. Emily also completely re-designed my mom's dress which was a ton of work. My mom and I both were so happy with Emily's professionalism and attention to detail. Thank you for making us feel so beautiful on my wedding day!!

Emily Kotarski, bespoke bridal designer, is so talented. She is fantastic to work with and we would highly recommend her because: 1) My daughter bought her wedding dress from a couture designer in London but it needed significant alternations because the dress was a size 10 and my daughter is a size 4. Emily was recommended by a wedding planner in Charleston. We were concerned about how much alterations the dress might need, but Emily quickly put our minds at ease. Emily did a magnificent job fitting the wedding dress to my daughter, and it fits her like a glove. It was a complicated process with miles of tulle and French lace and a complicated corset but the dress fits perfectly! It could not be any better if the original designer altered it herself. 2) After early positive experiences with Emily, we decided to have her re-make my wedding dress for my daughter to wear to the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Emily removed the collar, changed the neckline, and took off the sleeves so it was a major redo and it looks fantastic! In addition, she designed and made a gorgeous silk skirt for my daughter to wear with her/my RD blouse. 3) Using left over lace from both my dress and my daughter’s dress, Emily custom made 3 purses, a wristlet for the bride and 2 clutches for the MOB and MOG. 4) Emily made embroidered handkerchiefs for 5 women, using silk from my dress, during the remake process. 5) Emily also made my daughter’s veil by altering mine, and the result is stunning with her wedding dress. 6) After unsuccessfully shopping for the perfect MOB dress, Emily worked with me and a friend who is a wardrobe consultant to source and design my MOB dress. Emily sourced the fabric which is Swiss embroidered silk with glass beads. And she made 3D beaded flower embellishments for the neckline, and pins for my hair. It’s incredible, and I am so happy with it. 7) Emily was very flexible in working on our time table. My daughter lived in Germany during most of the alterations and Emily always made herself available for appointments, the few weeks my daughter was in town. 8) Emily got married herself recently and the fact that she was planning her own wedding, and making her own dresses of course (she had 3 wedding dresses for her day) did not negatively impact our appointments or the work she was doing for us at all. 9) And finally, Emily’s prices are fair, based on the detailed work and special laces and fabrics used.

Emily helped to reconstruct my mother's wedding dress from 1980, which was a TASK. Emily was simply the best to work with throughout the entire process, drawing up a rendering of my dress on our first visit, and guiding me through several fittings throughout the process. Beyond the incredible dress creator that she is, Emily is warm, easy-going, and made me feel so comfortable during appointments. We are so grateful for Emily's beautiful work, and highly recommend to anyone interested in a one-of-a-kind dress to remember.

Emily was a dream to work with. She took the time to explain the difference between fabrics, and styles and knew what would work best for my petite body type. She was patient and listened to my ideas which turned into a beautiful custom made wedding dress, that I adore! She was timely and professional, and made me feel comfortable with her and her team from day one! I'd highly recommend others to meet with her and consult on a custom made dress.

Emily brought my bridal vision to life! She created a custom embroidered cape and over-skirt to accompany my wedding gown. She has such a great eye for details and was so patient with me and my indecisiveness. Emily's custom work truly made me feel special on my wedding day!

I could not of had a more wonderful experience working with Emily in the custom design of my daughters wedding gown! My daughter loved bits and pieces of many other gowns she had tried on and she was hoping to put these ideas together and create her dream dress. Well, that certainly did happen! Emily was able to conceptualize and perfect these ideas and the final creation was exceptional. Her passion for design is obvious and she made the process painless and exciting. Along with her calming personality, she is truly a master of her craft. Emily we can’t thank you enough!

Emily and Sarah were the seamstresses that helped altar my dress and they made it perfect! My dress was fairly big on me for my first appointment and I was worried the lace on top would not look good when it needed to be brought in several inches. They made it look seamless and made sure it fit exactly the way I wanted before my big day. They also have the cutest studio on Kings Street!

Cannot say enough good things about Emily. She brought my dream dress to life and was such a pleasure to work with through every step. She was always available via text, quick to respond and more than willing to make every little tweak and adjustment to make my dress perfect. She is the absolute sweetest person and a perfectionist (which you definitely want when it comes to your wedding dress) would recommend her to any and every one!

Emily is amazing! She took an already beautiful gown sample and made it perfectly what I wanted. Her attention to detail and dedication to her craft make her the perfect person to transform your gown! She even makes gorgeous gowns from scratch. Highly recommend.

I can’t say enough good things about Emily and her staff! She is exceptionally talented, very professional, and makes every bride feel like a top priority. Emily’s style and design skills, combined with her warm personality, make her the top choice for Charleston brides!

Emily did an amazing job creating my custom wedding gown. I made an appointment at her studio with a vague idea of what I wanted, and she walked me through the process of designing my perfect dress, from fabrics and shapes down to the most intricate details. The result of our consultation was a gorgeous gown that not only perfectly fit my measurements but also my personality and style. Many guests at my wedding complimented my dress and said it was so "me." I felt beautiful and elegant on my wedding day, and knowing the dress was made for me gave me a confidence boost and made the day that much more special. Emily was perceptive and professional throughout the entire process & I highly recommend her work.

I could not be happier with both the experience working with Emily and the dress she created for me. Emily has a beautiful way integrating her design expertise with the vision of her client. She made me feel deeply involved in the process of the design so I was getting everything that I could have dreamed of in a wedding dress. She also offered creative solutions to make my vision come true in a way that I could have never found in a dress off the rack. I recommend her custom wedding dresses to all of my friends getting engaged. From start to finish the experience working with Emily was nothing short of spectacular.

Emily designed both my MOB gown and my daughter’s wedding gown. I can’t say enough how perfectly she captured our personalities, the feel we wanted for the wedding and our best physical features. Our wedding guests were wowed by both gowns and how great we looked wearing them. The whole design experience was easy and at the same time, very special. Emily’s ability to translate what we said (and what we didn’t say) and create something beautiful is truly amazing. We recommend her to everyone.

Oh Emily. From the second my aunt and I walked into your charming shop in Charleston, I knew I’d found my perfect spot. My dress was one of a kind, the perfect shade for my skin, and had a matching veil. You listened to my seemingly impossible dreams and sewed them into the most beautiful gown I’ve ever seen. My husband balled his eyes out when I walked down the aisle- thanks to your gorgeous work. Not only are you the best at what you do, but also an awesome person. Thanks for all the support and patience. I’ll be back in 20 years for an update on my dress ;)

Emily was the best to work with. She helped modify my dress and had many great suggestions, including different appliques that she felt would fit my vision. We were able to transform my dress into the one of my dreams, even after I had lost a ton of weight and the dress essentially had to be deconstructed and rebuilt! She was always available and remained involved with any questions or concerns I had even when she was out of town. I cannot thank her enough for all of her help!

Where do I begin?! I had such an amazing experience working with Emily to create the dress and veil of my dreams. After obsessing over Emilys' stunning collections for months I contacted her. However, I am located in the Philly area so seeing that Emily was located in Charleston, I wasn't quite sure if we could make it work, but she did!! Emily went to great lengths to accommodate me not only in the planning process, but fittings as well. Emily did an in home appointment with me for my first appointment (unheard of!!!). This was so nice to be in the comfort of my home with my ladies with me! I honestly had no idea what style or type of dress I was looking for, but I knew I was in good hands when Emily brought several styles of dresses for my to try on. As I tried on each dress, we went through likes and dislikes, and at the conclusion of the appointment Emily had sketched me my dream dress! In addition to my dress, Emily also designed me a custom veil with vintage lace passed down from my husbands grandmother. The veil was absolutely stunning. Throughout the entire process I continued to be in awe over Emilys' professionalism, expertise, knowledge and pure talent. This designer is a true artist.

Emily is a master of design! After trying on too many dresses and not falling in love with any I felt discouraged about finding 'the perfect dress'. I decided to try the custom route and never looked back. From our first conversation to each appointment Emily listened compassionately and asked every question to make sure that she completely understood my vision. Emily worked her magic and created two perfect outfits for my wedding weekend- a two piece jumpsuit for the rehearsal and my bridal gown- both absolutely impeccable in every way. Emily made my mom a shawl (a very last minute request!) to match her dress. Emily listened to every single detail and created my dream outfits more beautifully than I imagined possible- she made me feel like a real life princess. Emily even came on site on my wedding day to steam the dress to perfection! I recommend Emily over and over again and am already looking forward to the next event that she can design for me.

I can’t begin to describe how instrumental Emily was in my gown process. After trying on dresses at several boutiques with no success, I turned to Emily with an idea for a dress that I had in my head but couldn’t find anywhere. From day one, Emily was supportive, excited and a total pro. My expectations were high, but she far surpassed them. Not only is Emily a technical mastermind, she’s professional and just a wonderful human being. Would recommend to anyone looking to design or customize a gown.

Working with Emily was hands down the easiest part about wedding planning. From the start Emily made the experience absolutely wonderful and so easy. I had no clue what to expect but she was so confident with every aspect of the designing process. I loved how Emily took control when I was unsure about something. She was confident, knowledgable, and 100% the professional the whole time which put me completely at ease. The best part was that Emily made my dress even better than I could have ever even imagined. She exceeded my expectations.

Emily 's talent and vision for our dream wedding looks was beyond anything we could have imagined. The entire process from start to finish was everything two brides could hope for. She took our wants and desires for a custom gown , cape, as well as my wife's coordinating suit jacket and made our vision into the perfect reality. Emily is just as much as amazing person as she is a designer. We would recommend her to any bride looking for a custom gown or jacket for her big day.

Emily is amazing!!! I would recommend her to absolutely anyone. She made my wedding day dream dress a reality, and I could not be more pleased with the final product of what she created custom for me!

Emily truly has a gift - she is able to guide and cultivate your dream wedding dress even if you have no idea what that looks like. By working with her, I received a personally made, one-of-a-kind dress that was redesigned from my mom's dress - it's everything I wanted!!! (and I actually spent less money working with her than had I gone to another boutique.) It made my wedding experience so unique, memorable and special - what more could a girl ask for during her wedding preparations.

Emily was absolutely amazing to work with. I went into this process not entirely sure what I wanted, and she helped me figure out my likes/dislikes and craft the perfect dress. She is professional, sweet, and timely, and she did a wonderful job!

Emily created my dream wedding dress. Creating my dress with her was my favorite part of the whole wedding planning process. Emily has created such a unique and special process for brides to be able to customize their dress and be a part of the design. My dress was comfortable, exactly what I wanted and completely one of a kind! She was thoughtful and timely and fun to work with through the entire process. There is no question she is the BEST bridal studio in Charleston!! My mom also had a stunning mother of the bride dress maid by Emily.

Emily was so wonderful! She did all the alterations for my wedding gown (taking in the bodice, sleeves, and hips, and adding a bustle), and did such a wonderful job! I highly recommend her for your alteration needs!

I had such a great experience working with Emily to design my wedding gown. The whole process was smooth and so much fun! Emily is incredibly talented, and she was able to take my vision and turn it into reality. She was always there to answer questions or offer advice, and she even made some last-minute alterations on my gown two days before our wedding. I can't recommend Emily enough!

Emily was nothing short of professional when helping me with my wedding day gown. I originally purchased it from a boutique, but I started second guessing my choice after the purchase, so I immediately contacted Emily for her expertise. She not only assisted me with a new vision, but also executed it flawlessly. She then made my custom cathedral veil, which couldn't have complimented my dress more. Thank you for your swift and beautiful work, Emily!

I have had the pleasure of working with Emily Kotarski Bridal on numerous shoots and weddings and cannot sing her praises loud enough. Not only is she incredibly talented, but also professional in every sense of the word. She is a true delight to have onsite and her gowns are absolutely stunning. She takes pride in every gown she creates and I know all of her clients adore working with her. She is the best wedding dress designer EVER!

When walking into Emily’s studio, you are washed with a priceless sense of calm. You think it’s the warm tones and natural light of the studio until you meet and work with Emily. Throughout the experience, you have her undivided attention, sweet smile and unabridged patience. Her craftsmanship is flawless and every inch is created with a head full of premier training and a heart full with love.

From start to finish, every part of my experience with a Emily was top notch. She was able to incorporate my mother's veil (from 1983!) into my bridal look. She updated it flawlessly to incorporate custom pearls and beading to match my dress while still preserving some of my mom's original lace. It was so special to wear a family piece as I walked down the aisle! Emily also added some gorgeous pearl straps to the side of my gown. They looked as if they were part of the dress from the very beginning and I got so many compliments on them. The best part was that Emily had the foresight to attach them with snaps so that they could be removed for full range of motion when it came time for dancing. I loved the unique, personal experience, high quality work, and attention to detail I received when working with Emily!!!

Emily was absolutely amazing. She altered and customized my wedding dress, transforming it from a too-big sample dress to the perfectly fitted, elegant wedding gown of my dreams. She added delicate, long lace sleeves to the strapless beaded bodice and made the addition look seamless. Her technique and style is beautiful and I could not have felt more reassured and excited during the entire experience. She was very attentive to every detail and did a lot of incredible work in a relatively short time period. I can't recommend her services highly enough, whether you are looking for dress alterations or a completely unique wedding gown design!

Emily made my daughter's wedding gown shopping nothing short of a dream! My daughter brought Emily a series of photos showing which neckline she loved in a gown, the shape and the type of lace but couldn't seem to find the perfect gown anywhere. Here she was able to create the perfect gown and when Emily pinned together my daughter's idea right before our eyes, we knew we had come to the right place. It was clear throughout the entire process of creating the gown that Emily was the one to trust when it comes to looking for a custom gown. Every last detail of the gown was simply perfect on the big day and my daughter was so comfortable in her gown all night! If you are looking for your dream dress, Emily will make it happen!

Emily is absolutely brilliant! I am so lucky I basically "fell into" her shop and services. I already had my dress, but was in desperate need of someone who I trusted to alter my precious gown. Emily did, and honestly for such a FAIR price. I completely the amazing work and dedication. Everything was done in a timely manner, and with total attention to detail. Emily also did a custom veil for me, that I absolutely fell in love with. I didn't even know I wanted a veil until I got mine, and now I wish I could wear it EVERY SINGLE DAY. I thought I could maybe purchase a cheap one online - no...color matching, fabric quality, length of veil were all crucial aspects. We so enjoyed every meeting with Emily and having her as a part of the experience. Maybe one day she can make me a special gown for another occasion!

Emily helped me create a custom veil for my wedding, and it was a perfect experience from start to finish. She is so incredibly talented; a true artist. She provided personalized creative guidance in selecting my lace, the design of the lace trim, veil length, and color. She was nothing short of perfectly professional and punctual throughout the entire process. She has an impeccable attention to detail, evident in her business and her designs. Having a custom-made veil was the ideal way to add a truly specialized touch to my attire, and I wouldn't have trusted this to anyone but a real expert: Emily Kotarski. Charleston is lucky to have her!

Working with Emily was a dream come true. I came to her frantic in the weeks before my daughter’s wedding, and Emily went above and beyond, creating a stunning lace overlay for my daughter’s wedding dress. She is extraordinarily talented, efficient, and responsive, and created the most beautiful bodice that my daughter (and everyone else!) loved. We are so grateful for Emily’s help, especially under the tight time constraints, and we could not recommend working with her highly enough.

Every part of my wedding gown process with Emily Kotarski Bridal was fantastic! I contacted Emily with an idea to re-design my mother's wedding dress from 1981, to create a dress that was perfect for me. I shared with Emily my vague ideas of what I had envisioned. She listened and within minutes began pinning and designing my dream dress. I immediately knew I had found the best person to customize my gown. I cannot wait to unveil the newly designed dress at my wedding in a couple of weeks. I am forever grateful for everything Emily did for me, and will continue to refer her to my friends and clients.

Emily's impeccable customer service combined with her phenomenal creativity and designs made for a dream as a client! Emily listened to what I wanted and provided me with several designs to chose from so that I could feel in control of the design process. Her creative vision and exquisite design abilities were evident from the very start. Emily made a stunning belt for my matron of honor dress so that I could have some "bling" on my simple lace dress. She also provided perfect tailoring and hemming to my dress so that my dress fit like a glove! The custom belt she made was the perfect pop to my dress and provided for a very flattering silhouette. I received so many compliments on my belt! Emily was a pleasure t work with and I wish I could get married again so she could make my wedding dress! If you want a unique, chic, elegant, and modern dress combined with outstanding client service, Emily Kotarski Bridal is for you! Thank you for everything, Em!

Emily designed a custom dress for me for a black tie event. I gave her a vague idea of what I wanted, and she turned it into a vision. I received compliments on my look all night and was told several times that I was the best dressed person at the party! Emily is talented, skilled, and so professional. I could not have been happier with the outcome. I highly recommend her work!

Emily is not only sweet and beautiful, she is extremely talented at her craft! I've entrusted a bridesmaid dress, my husbands wedding attire and my wedding dress to her. She is professional and knows how to listen to what you are looking for in a dress/alteration. You will get nothing less than the best from her!

Emily made a dress for me for my godson's wedding. Not only did I get to design the look with her, I got to pick out every one of the most beautiful Swarovski crystals for the belt! She's fabulously talented.

Emily Kotarski is beyond amazing! I didn’t shop at any other bridal stores because I knew what I wanted in a dress would not be found in stores. Emily was able to take every idea I had and turn it into a reality. The dress she created for me out did all of my expectations and it was the most beautiful dress I had ever seen! She also made me the most amazing custom white romper for my rehearsal dinner and a custom garter! If you are looking for the ultimate dress shopping experience you need to make an appointment with this amazing designer. I am so thankful I chose Emily to design my own, one of a kind custom wedding dress for my special day!

I had the best experience with Emily Kotarski Bridal! I knew exactly what I wanted in an evening gown for a black tie event coming up and I wanted my exact vision to come to life. Working with Emily allowed me to pick out the lace and fabric that I wanted in the exact color that I had in mind. The gown fit perfectly and got so many compliments at my event! I couldn't have been happier with the whole experience! Highly recommend.

When I first started looking for wedding gowns, there was always something about a gown that I wished I could change. If I liked the silhouette, I wanted a different fabric/lace, etc. If the lace was gorgeous, I wished I could change the style. I quickly realized that to get the dress of my dreams, I needed a custom gown. If you want a gorgeous, one-of-a-kind wedding gown that will surpass all of your expectations and fit you like a glove, an Emily Kotarski gown is for you. From the moment you meet Emily, you will feel confident that your dress will be exactly how you want it. The process of helping to design your own dress is a blast, and you will get to say yes to an exquisite dress that is made just for you. Thank you, Emily!

Emily worked with me to design and create a one-of-a-kind evening gown for a very special black tie occasion. The gown arrived yesterday and I felt like I was opening a treasure chest! The gown sparkled out of the box, and when I put it on, it fit like a glove! (Not surprising because it was made with my precise measurements!) The whole process, from design to fabric selection to measurements to finished product, was handled with such professionalism and attention to detail! I cannot imagine ever buying a special occasion dress any other way! Thank you, Emily! I'll be back...

Emily made me the most beautiful sash to go with my wedding gown. Although the size wasn't quite right, Emily went out of her way to fix it and mail it back quickly and efficiently! I was so impressed. Everyone who sees the belt says how beautiful it is. I can't wait to wear it!