From Sales Rep to Bride: The Making of Bethany's Custom Evelyn Bridal Dress

When one of our very own sales reps becomes a bride, magic happens. We are so excited to share the beautiful story behind Bethany's custom wedding gown, a dress she dreamed up and designed alongside our team. As a passionate advocate for our brides and boutiques, Bethany brought her vision, creativity, and heart into every detail of her gown, resulting in a look that reflects both her personal style and timeless elegance Evelyn Bridal is known for. If you're a bride searching for romantic wedding dress inspiration, behind-the scenes insight, or dreaming of a custom bridal gown of your own, Bethany's story is on you'll love.

Did you have a particular vision for your bridal look, and how did your Evelyn

gown bring it to life?

Honestly, when I first started looking for a gown I had NO idea what I wanted. Because I worked with gowns and brides every day, it was really hard to get into the mindset of being my own client. So eventually I thought about my style and fashion as a whole—what I love, what I feel good in, and what feels like me—and I landed on 70s fashion with a modern vibe. I wanted our wedding as a whole to look like it could have been in 2025 or 1975, so it would feel timeless yet fun and nostalgic. My dress was literally EVERYTHING. A classic 70s wedding dress was typically an a-line silhouette with layers and lots of flow. They had a dreamy quality, and that is exactly what my Evelyn gown captured. I chose to keep my

gown pretty clean as far as details to feel more modern, but I added a touch of Chantilly lace to the bodice for a sense of romance. I loved how the overall look was soft but with a bit of drama, just like me.

What customizations did you make to the gown, and why were those changes

meaningful to you?

So we started with the silhouette of two gorgeous Evelyn gowns—Samantha and London—to build the base. Samantha’s neckline has always been my favorite, and the layers of London were exactly what I envisioned for the 70s nod. From there, I chose my favorite Chantilly lace we use and had it embedded in the three-layered bodice, so it felt like just a whisper of detail. We added two extra feet to the train length because when else in my life am I going to have a train? But the wildest customization was that the entire bottom layer of my gown, including the ridiculously long train, detached via hidden Velcro to make a tea- length party dress. It was so fun to surprise my husband and all our guests at the reception! It was important to me that I feel beautiful but like myself at our wedding, and ultimately that’s why I chose to customize what I wore. I spent every day helping brides find their dream dress, so choosing something was really difficult. Getting the chance to infuse my own creativity into the look is ultimately what made me feel like a bride, and getting to do it with colleagues and friends made it even more special.

How did it feel to wear a gown from the brand you represent on such a personal

and important day?

It honestly makes me emotional just thinking about it. I have loved beauty and fashion my entire life, and it’s such a privilege to work in this industry. But if you told 5 year old me that I would one day wear a custom wedding gown that I helped create with a designer I know, love, and represent, she would not believe it! It was such a fun process, and it made planning our wedding extra special. I was so proud to marry my best friend in a custom Evelyn creation.

As someone who works closely with bridal fashion, what advice would you give

to other brides considering customizing their wedding dress?

Whether you customize or not, my main advice is to wear what YOU want, no matter what. You will feel the most beautiful and comfortable, and that translates into confidence. Your style is yours for a reason, so trust yourself. And what I tell brides about customizing is this: it’s truly not for everyone. If you aren’t visual or genuinely love something as it is, you either don’t need to change it or changing it will add stress you don’t need. But if you are open to it, think of it like the cherry on top. Fall in love with the base of a gown, but if there’s a thing or two that would just make it extra? Do it. In either scenario, know yourself and trust your instincts.

If you could describe your wedding day style in three words, what would they be?

Intimate. Nostalgic. Playful. The way I described the “style” of the wedding in the first meeting with our

wedding planner was through how I wanted it to feel. This was my example: You know the person’s home you go to that is just stunning and photo-worthy but you feel like you can’t touch or sit on anything? I want the opposite of that but still beautiful. “Lived in” but make it wedding.

As we closed our conversation, Bethany offered one last reflection:

One final note to anyone engaged or planning a wedding: you are going to get a lot of opinions and pushback, but the point of this day is to marry your person. So make it what feels best to the two of you, and enjoy the process. No matter what goes wrong or right on wedding day, if you’re married at the end then it was a success! Lean on your vendors—they do this stuff every day, and they want to

help you. And have fun! Being engaged is only a season, so make it a good one. xo

Working with Bethany to bring her custom bridal gown to life was an unforgettable experience, and we're honored to have played a part in her love story. To know Bethany is to love her! She is full of love and light and her dress is a beautiful reminder of what's possible when passion, craftsmanship, and personal vision come together. If you're a 2026 or 2027 bride inspired by Bethany's gown you can find an Evelyn Bridal retailer near you, explore our collections and connect with one of our trusted bridal shops here! We can't wait to help you find, or create, the dress of your dreams!

Vendors:

Planning & Design: @oliviaeliseevents

Photography: @jenna_leigh_photo

Videographer: @everrosecreativeco

Tent & Rentals: @atozrentalswv

Florals: @sarahraedesigns

HMUA: @hairbybaileygraves