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
5-Time 'Best of Weddings'
2026.2025.2024.+2 more.
Best of Weddings
The Knot independently assesses vendors for this award—it’s never self-reported. We base it on firsthand experiences from real couples and guests, and they must have a 4.5-star average across 7+ reviews in the qualifying year.
Hall of Fame
Earned by winning 'Best of Weddings' four or more times.
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Reviews
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5
out of 5.0229 reviews
Review photos
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Sarah did such an incredible job altering my mom's wedding dress from 1994 for my rehearsal dinner dress that I came back to her for my own wedding dress alterations! She is quick ...
and so knowledgeable in wedding-specific alterations. She was also super easy and fun to talk to and has a gorgeous studio. I would highly recommend working with Sarah!!
I'm SO thankful I found Sarah for my wedding dress! I had my mother's wedding dress transformed into my wedding dress- and Sarah was the perfect person!! Just walking into her work...
shop area is jaw-dropping. Her work is stunning and so fun to appreciate. She is so kind, sweet and wicked smart! She made me feel so welcomed, and she brought so much positivity and excitement to the project. It was a very special experience for my mom and I, and I wouldn't have wanted anyone else to do this for us than Sarah. She was so comfortable and extremely experienced in vintage redesign, and was so helpful with the design process. She's located in the Novi area, and it was a bit of a drive for me, but absolutely worth it. She also organized a professional cleaning service to have my dress sent to and graciously covered the cost of the extra fee since it was a "vintage dress". Again- she went well over the top for us to make it an incredible experience. I will cherish this memory forever and so glad we found Sarah!! ♥
Sarah did an incredible job on my dress. She handled the intricate lace and details perfectly which was a huge concern. She didn’t just make small sizing adjustments she helped me ...
take a ball gown to a regular a-line dress without sacrificing any of the details or overall design. She was attentive and listened to all of my ideas/concerns. She took the time to ask questions about me, my husband, the wedding planning etc. Also her studio is gorgeous and welcoming. I am so glad I found Sarah, I can’t imagine anyone else doing as good of a job.
I cannot say enough wonderful things about Sarah! She made my wedding dress absolutely perfect and an absolute dream. 🤩 From the very beginning, she made the entire alteration pro...
cess so simple and easy. Every time I came into her beautiful studio, she made me feel so comfortable, welcomed, and completely at ease. Sarah altered my dress exactly how I envisioned it, and it fit perfectly on my wedding day! She truly brought my vision to life and made me feel so beautiful and confident walking down the aisle! Not to mention, Sarah also has an incredible team who is very responsive when you reach out with questions! Thank you so much, Sarah, for everything you did to make my dress perfect. My wedding dress truly wouldn’t have been the same without you! I’m so grateful I found you and would recommend you to any bride looking for someone who is talented, kind, and so passionate about making brides dreams come true! THANK YOU! 🤍
I came to Sarah for some customization on a store-purchased gown for a 25th wedding anniversary vow renewal on the beach in Hawaii. She understood exactly what I was envisioning a...
nd made the gown look perfect! She has an amazing eye and is very talented!
She tailored my dress PERFECTLY. I literally couldn’t have asked for a more perfect dress and she made it even better! She was so knowledgeable and relaxing to work with! I would r...
ecommend her to literally anyone!
Sarah is incredibly talented and has an amazing eye for detail. She is friendly, and highly professional, making the entire alterations process such a wonderful experience. From t...
he very first appointment, she took the time to truly listen to what I wanted and carefully explained every adjustment she recommended and why. Her patience, expertise, and attention to detail gave me complete confidence that my dress was in the best hands. My dress required delicate alterations, and she worked absolute magic while preserving every bit of the delicate embroidery. The bustle was beautiful, secure, and held up through an entire night of dancing. My gown fit like it was made just for me. Sarah genuinely cares about her brides and I can't recommend her highly enough!
Sarah Kolis is the absolute best seamstress that I have ever worked with. I was extra nervous to get alteration work done on my gown because of all of the beading, and Sarah was ve...
ry quick to make me feel at ease and confident in her abilities. For my dress, Sarah shortened the straps, took in the sides, added a bustle, and cut out a keyhole in the back. She did all of the alterations so quickly, her work on my wedding gown was simply phenomenal, and I was beyond happy with the results!
The best of the best! I couldn’t be happier with my experience! From my very first fitting to my final appointment, Sarah was incredibly talented, detail-oriented, and so kind thro...
ughout the entire process. She made my dress fit like it was custom-made just for me and made sure every little detail was perfect. Sarah also made me the most beautiful ornaments from fabric from my dress & I absolutely love them!
I felt completely confident knowing my gown was in such capable hands. She was professional, patient, and truly cared about making me feel beautiful on my wedding day. I highly recommend her to any bride looking for exceptional alterations and outstanding service!
Sarah Kohlis of Sarah Kolis Designs helped make our daughter’s dream wedding day look come true. Her skills helped fit the dream dress to perfection. Every inch fit as if it was cu...
stom made just for her. In addition, Sarah calmly created a plan of rescue when a family pet chewed a hole in our heirloom veil. Sarah reassured us it would be taken care of quickly and she helped melt our stress away with her bubbly, sweet demeanor. Sarah is a listener, and passionate professional. She came highly recommended from a boutique in NYC. Her studio is as charming as she and her entire staff works together for each client. They are communicative, organized which is helpful during stressful wedding times. We will always turn to Sarah Kohlis for anything related to gowns.
Sarah altered my dress to fit perfectly. I was comfortable and mobile all night long in a strapless gown. I didn’t do a second look and I really gave it a run for its money on the ...
dance floor, but I don’t remember adjusting a single time. Sarah and her team went ABOVE and beyond to make the dress perfect before I left with it. Along the way she was thoughtful, kind, and fun. I recommend her to all brides I know!
i came to Sarah thinking there was no saving my dress after a custom alteration went wrong elsewhere. However Sarah helped create my dream wedding dress and was so helpful/understa...
nding no matter how many design tweaks or changes I asked for. 100% recommend wish I would have used her from the start
Sarah is amazing at what she does. Her attention to detail and precision is like jo other. She will make sure your dress fits you perfectly and you look your best on your importa...
nt day. I also had her on my wedding day for day of styling. All I can say is, do it. It will be one of your best investments. Sarah saved the day in more than one way. She is that extra hand you did not know you needed. She is there to help in any way she can. I appreciate everything she has done. She is the sweetest person as well. I cannot recommend her enough.
Sarah is absolutely amazing at what she does! I had people at my wedding saying that my dress looked like it was made for me, and that is all due to Sarah. My dress was quite big o...
n me, needing hemming, a bustle, and adjustments to the boning in the cups. Sarah made all of these alterations perfectly (I've attached photos from before the alterations, when I picked my dress up from Sarah, and my wedding day), and I felt so confident in my dress on my wedding day! I also added a keepsake Christmas ornament onto my order that she crafted from the leftover fabric from the alterations, and I'm so excited to hang it on the tree every year and be reminded of this special time in my life. Sarah is not only incredibly talented, she's also the sweetest person! I would highly recommend her to any bride-to-be looking to make the dress of their dreams even more perfect!
Sarah did my wedding dress alterations for my October 2025 elopement and it turned out perfectly! She took it in several sizes, hemmed, and added boning to the top finishing my dre...
am dress. Her shop is the cutest and she has the biggest heart and passion for what she does!
Sarah’s work is amazing! She did both my wedding dress and also custom created a jumpsuit out of my mom’s wedding dress. Her studio is so cute and makes the alterations process an ...
experience versus a just a box to check for wedding planning. She’s worth the drive, even if you live far from her studio!! Hire Sarah!!
Sarah did an amazing job on my dress as well as my bridesmaids. She was friendly and professional and was able to put my mind at ease when it came to the dress. She was able to cus...
tomize and alter my dress in order to bring my vision to life. Everyone was talking about how beautiful it looked. I highly recommend her and cannot thank her enough for the work she has done.
Sarah altered my daughter’s wedding dress and my Mother of the Bride dress. Besides being a delightful breath of fresh air and multi-talented seamstress/dress designer, she has an...
interesting career history, which she details in her podcast episodes. Her studio is adorable, her personality is warm and friendly, and her skills are the epitome of perfection.
Sarah is truly a miracle worker! I was in a wedding and spent months getting a dress, only to end up with an ill-fitting, poorly-made one 3 weeks before the event. Sarah not only f...
it me in, but somehow made fixed it so I felt beautiful in this dress that caused me so much stress! I may have called her a witch (complimentary) because I couldn't understand how she fixed the travesty, and in such a short amount of time. Thank you so much for all you did for me. I got so many compliments at the wedding!
Sarah was so easy and such a delight to work with for my dress alterations. I didn't need much, just some simple repairs, a lift in the shoulders, a bustle, and a ton of hemming, b...
ut she was worth every penny. I highly recommend setting up an appointment with her if you're in need of any bridal alterations!
We were blown away with the wonderful service and beautiful work from Sarah! As mother of the bride, she exceeded our expectations on my daughter’s wedding gown alterations and mad...
e the whole process hassle free!
Sarah reconstructed the bodice of my gown from a sweetheart neckline into a vneck. She was wonderful to work with. Very knowledgeable on the wedding and bridal industry. Even dealt...
with a panic attack from me when I last minute wanted something adjusted and was worried because of timing. Cannot recommend her enough! Studio is super cute also.
I worked with Sarah for my wedding dress alterations and had such a great experience. She did beautiful work and the dress fit perfectly on my wedding day. I felt so comfortable an...
d confident wearing it, which meant a lot to me. I also got so many compliments, especially on how nicely the bustle was done.
Sarah was thoughtful, detail oriented, and easy to work with throughout the whole process. I’m really grateful for the role she played in helping everything come together for such an important day. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone looking for high quality alterations.
Sarah was truly such a special part of my wedding experience. I had been following her work for a long time and always knew that when the time came, I wanted her to be the one to h...
andle my alterations because her talent is just incredible. She altered my wedding dress beautifully — it fit absolutely perfectly — and her attention to detail is amazing.
What made it even more meaningful was that she helped add straps to my mom’s wedding dress from over 20 years ago so I could wear it. Being able to include such a sentimental piece meant the world to me, and Sarah approached it with so much thoughtfulness and creativity.
Her studio is absolutely gorgeous and the whole experience felt calm, welcoming, and genuinely exciting during such a busy time. Sarah is not only unbelievably talented, but also so kind and wonderful to work with. I’m so grateful for her and couldn’t recommend her more highly.
Sarah is the best! She’s so welcoming yet professional. Even when I messed up my appointment time she was still extremely kind and accommodating. She seemed genuinely excited to wo...
rk on my dress and the outcome was absolutely stunning. I have never received more compliments in my life. I wouldn’t look anywhere else for a seamstress, I said it once but I’ll say it again and again, she’s the best!
Sarah is phenomenal to work with! She is kind and very passionate about her work. She has a fantastic vision and sees the beauty in everything. Sarah was able to work with my short...
timeline and willing to make more adjustments if needed a week before our wedding. She was a blessing in making the alteration process so smooth!
I couldn’t have asked for a better experience with my wedding dress alterations. Sarah is incredibly friendly and professional, and it’s clear she truly knows her craft and is pass...
ionate about what she does. My dress turned out beautifully, and the bustling video she provided was so helpful for my wedding day. The location is also great—easy to get to and very welcoming. Overall, it was a very positive and stress-free experience, and I’m so grateful for her work. Highly recommend!
Sarah was incredible to work with! Her studio is absolutely gorgeous and welcoming, she is kind of attentive to questions and detail, and she did an amazing job on my wedding gown!...
I have since taken a bridesmaid dress to her for alterations. I know I can trust her services and would recommend her to any brides in the area!
I can't recommend Sarah enough! Not only is she kind, and thoughtful, she is the very best at her craft. She does such beautiful work and made me feel so beautiful in my dress! She...
is welcoming and makes you feel comfortable! Her studio is gorgeous and she is just an overall amazing person! Highly recommend Sarah for all your alteration needs, also highly recommend getting the Christmas ornament made from your dress, such a beautiful keepsake! Thank you, Sarah!
Could not be more happy working with Sarah and with the alterations she did for me. I was obsessed with my dress! I felt beautiful, comfortable, romantic and sexy. I loved my dres...
s when I bought it, but after Sarah’s magic, that’s what made it absolutely perfect for me!! Her studio is stunning, which added to the overall special experience I had. She also offers lots of extras to take care of any need you can imagine! I purchased the gown preservation kit from Sarah as well and it was such an easy process! Could not recommend her more!
My daughter (bride) and I were referred to Sarah by Becker’s Bridal in Fowler, MI. Sarah is wonderful! Her alterations were spot on and very professional. I have recently referr...
ed a neighbor to Sarah. I highly recommend her. Loved her, so friendly and caring. 12/10
Not only did I have the pleasure of working with Sarah on my alterations, I also had her on-site day of to help with all things styling!! Having known Sarah for years I knew she di...
d great work but she went WAY past above and beyond. My dress fit me so perfectly, the bustle was flawless, and she added a sense of calm to our day. Could not be more grateful ❤️
Sara Kolis is a miracle worker! I was on a weight loss journey when I purchased my wedding dress and by the time it arrived it was a few sizes too big. I have heard horror stories ...
about brides who purchase a dress, they either lose or gain weight, and cannot get it resized. This was my dream dress so I would have been devastated if I was told it couldn’t be done. Luckily, I found Sara, she was able to take in my dress without any issue. She is so nice, caring and professional and her studio is absolutely gorgeous. She did amazing work, and I highly recommend using her for any of your dress needs!!
I would give Sarah 100 stars if I could! My fiancé and I decided to elope, which left us with 45 days until the ceremony. I found my dress “off the rack” and reached out to Sarah ...
for alterations. She was able to fit me in and alter my dress within a month! She is an absolute gem of a human, her studio is absolutely stunning and her work is flawless! Sarah explained everything, gave me different options and made the whole process so easy. She even recorded a video of how to button up the bustle when I picked my dress up! I will be recommending her to EVERYONE I know, such an amazing experience. Thank you, Sarah!!
Sarah is a genius designer and seamstress. But, beyond that, she’s a truly kind and caring individual. Sarah custom designered my dress, tailored my daughters wedding dress and wel...
come dinner dress AND redesigned my mothers wedding dress (that I also wore for my wedding) into a reception dress! Everyone commented on my dress asking where I had purchased it. She turned my mother’s wedding dress into a picture perfect, fun dancing dress. What can I say? She’s amazing!
Sarah does impeccable work! I felt confident and comfortable all day to move and dance and do all the things, knowing my dress would behave all day! Her studio is charming and welc...
oming, which perfectly complements her engaging and gracious personality! Her joy bubbles over and is very contagious! Thank you, Sarah, for giving me the gift of freely enjoying every moment of my son’s wedding, since I didn’t worry a single second about my dress! It was absolutely perfect all day! 💕
Sarah was a life saver for the alterations of my dress! My dress was full beaded and it needed a lot of process and work in order to look like I always dreamed of, I felt her help ...
and understanding every step on the way and I had my dress ready 2 weeks before my wedding and IT WAS PERFECTION! 😍thank you so much.
-Allison berry 2025 bride
Before I was even engaged, I had Sarah’s website bookmarked on my phone because I knew that one day when I was planning my wedding, I wanted HER to do my alterations and BOY did sh...
e live up to my expectations! From our very first appointment, she made me feel so comfortable and at ease with where we were taking the dress. My wedding dress was really structured and I was extremely worried that alterations could affect the overall look, but it looked even better than when I tried it on at the bridal shop! Sarah is truly so incredible at her craft. Thank you for making my dress fit so perfectly for my special day ❤️ I highly recommend!
I simply can’t say enough good things about my experience. From my very first fitting, Sarah made me feel comfortable and confident. She is passionate, kind, timely, and beyond tal...
ented at her craft. The entire process was stress free and fun! I felt like a beautiful princess in my wedding dress. I would recommend Sarah over and over again to any bride!
Sarah did such a wonderful job on my two wedding looks! She’s friendly, efficient, and provides helpful feedback/suggestions. From the moment I walked into her studio, I knew I was...
in good hands. Highly recommend for your alterations!
My wife and I can’t say enough good things about Sarah Kolis! She’s incredibly professional, easy to work with, meticulous, and her craftsmanship is outstanding. From simple hems t...
o major dress alterations, Sarah does it all and we were happy to have her be part of such a special time for us.
Sarah is amazing! I was so nervous about getting my dress altered, but her confidence put me at ease! Her studio is gorgeous and it makes the whole experience that much more fun an...
d enjoyable. The dress turned out perfect!
I had three vintage gowns (my great Aunt's, Mom's, and MIL's) altered by Sarah for all my wedding festivities. She did an absolutely amazing job with all three of them! I also had ...
her take the extra material from each dress and make ornaments so I could give them as gifts to the special ladies in my life. Sarah was a joy to work with. Highly recommend!!
I am obsessed with the ornament Sarah made me and she did an incredible job on my dress! I am petite and my hips are significantly wider than my waist, but Sarah was able to work h...
er magic on my form-fitting gown. Sarah also added a very intricate bustle and the video she filmed on how to do the bustle is super helpful for my bridesmaids to review.
Sarah is the best! She transformed my dress and made it fit just like how I imagined. My dress was very detailed and intricate, but this did not intimidate her at all. She removed ...
the straps, added boning to my corset, made a bustle, shortened the length, and took the dress in to make it more fitted. It was perfect! She was easy to communicate with and very accommodating. I had to have last minute surgery and had to reschedule my first fitting the night before. She did not charge me for canceling and moved me without an issue. After my second fitting, I realized there was one seam that was digging in my back. I emailed her and she got me in the next morning to fix it and have me on my way! She is so sweet and wants to make sure her brides are happy. I am very happy to have worked with her. Thank you so much for making me feel like a princess Sarah!
I had the absolute pleasure of wearing a custom couture dress by Sarah Kolis for my son’s wedding, and I cannot say enough wonderful things about it. The dress was not only stunnin...
gly beautiful, but also incredibly comfortable—a rare combination in formalwear. Designed with a light, flowy silhouette, it was perfect for a summer wedding in Michigan, allowing me to move and celebrate with ease all day long.
From the moment I put it on, I felt elegant and confident. The craftsmanship was impeccable, and the attention to detail was evident in every stitch. I received countless compliments throughout the day—many guests asked who the designer was!
Sarah truly has a gift for creating pieces that are both timeless and tailored to the individual. I’m so grateful for her artistry and professionalism. This dress will forever hold a special place in my heart and memories.
Sarah did a wonderful job altering my wedding dress. She ensured it was exactly what I dreamed of, and even was flexible when I needed to come back for a second alteration. I highl...
y recommend Sarah for her reliability, kindness, and talent! She even recommended a shawl that I ended up using at my wedding! Thank you, Sarah!
Sarah is professional, kind, quick, and accommodating. Her work is amazing and I wouldn't recommend anyone else for your big day!
Sarah has an amazing studio showcasing all of her beautiful designs, and she was just a joy to work with. Sarah altered my bridal gown, but also my after party dress. Everything tu...
rned out just as I expected, and I felt extremely cared for and looked after. She is lovely and so talented! Highly recommend
Sarah is absolutely amazing. I went in for my first fitting and due to the size that my bridal shop insisted I buy, it made things a little more tricky to alter, while keeping the ...
original dress design that I fell in love with. Sarah walked me through numerous options and we chose the one that I felt most comfortable with. Later that day, things just didn't sit right with me (nothing to do with Sarah), so I reached back out and asked to come back in to try a couple more options. She was more than accomodating and at my second fitting we changed a couple more minor things that made me so much more comfortable with the alterations! I just went to pick my dress up today for my final fitting and it is absolutely perfect! I could not be more happy with Sarah and her work!
Contact
Novi, MI
Custom Gowns & Alterations by Sarah Kolis