There are several amazing designers in Michigan – and we will start with Bonnie Daws. Bonnie has been designing and creating unique haute couture bridal gowns and evening wear for over 25 years. Bonnie purchases the same bridal silks that are used by high-end designers and works with New York lace importers to obtain the most fabulous laces from around the world. Her designs range from the hard-to-find traditional to the most contemporary, high fashion styles as seen in some of the country’s finest bridal salons and on international runways.

Jules Joyner is another great Michigan gown designer, boasting 21 years in the industry. Her base price starts at $1000, and of course you can get as elaborate as your heart desires from there! She loves custom work because it allows brides to be a part of the creative process with their wedding attire. “I draft my own patterns so my girls can come in with their pictures of their perfect vision...top half of this one and the bottom half of that one”.

Next on the list is Peggendott Originals Inc., a small custom design studio located in Berkley, Michigan. They have been around for over 18 years, operating mainly as a mother/daughter team. One of her past brides describes the experience best: “Thank you for making my vision of a dream gown come to life! I was thrilled with the outcome of my dress- it looked completely different than the day I brought it to you. You could not have done a more beautiful job. I had hundreds of compliments on my gown- still to this day!”

Finally, if you are looking for something completely different, Forest Creek Renaissance Shoppe offers high quality, reasonably priced Victorian, Renaissance and Tudor wedding gowns handcrafted here in Michigan. Susan Sherry, the founder, enjoys dressing up in period costumes and doing research into what people wore during the medieval, renaissance, and victorian eras. If this describes the theme for your wedding, she should be next on your contact list!