Real Bride: Tiana’s Modern Fairytale Custom Made Wedding Dress
For Tiana, the search for her dream wedding dress meant visiting store after store, only to find beautiful gowns—but never quite right. Like many other brides, she wanted more than "almost perfect." A wedding dress is a once-in-a-lifetime gown and settling for anything less than what you truly love just doesn't feel right.
That's where the magic of a custom-made wedding dress comes in. By working with us, Tiana was able to bring her vision to life—a gown designed with every detail she had dreamed of, perfectly capturing her style and personality.
Join us as we share Tiana's journey and the story of her modern, fairytale dress, created for a breathtaking destination wedding in Greece.
How It Started
Tiana's search for the perfect wedding dress began with high hopes but quickly turned into disappointment. After visiting four bridal boutiques in Perth, she found that while many gowns were beautiful, none truly reflected her vision. For a once-in-a-lifetime dress, "almost right" wasn't enough.
Determined to find the gown, Tiana even flew interstate in the hope that a wider selection would bring her closer to her dream. But after investing time, effort, and money, returned to Perth feeling disheartened.
Tiana reflected on her wedding dress shopping to date - "I wanted a dress that I was completely in love with and would feel confident in."
Her vision was clear, yet off-the-rack designs just didn't exist in the way she imagined. Sharing her frustration with her mum and friends, Tiana confided that she wished she could simply create the dress herself. It was her mum who encouraged her to explore the idea of having a gown designed and made to capture her exact vision.
Though nervous about not being able to see the finished gown before it was created, Tiana decided to take a leap of faith.
The risk soon turned into reassurance:
"After the first design appointment [at Envious Bridal], I knew I made the right choice as I felt confident in the custom-made process." - Tiana
The Inspirations
Tiana had always carried a clear vision of her dream wedding dress— one that truly reflected her style, personality, and the fairytale feeling she wanted on her wedding day. She wasn't willing to settle for a gown that that was simply "close enough." Her journey wasn't just about finding any dress; it was about creating the dress that felt perfect for the most important day of her life.
During the design process, Tiana worked closely with our team to bring her ideas to life. From the silhouette and neckline to the fabrics and intricate detailing, every element was thoughtfully chosen to capture her vision. With each design discussion, her inspiration transformed into a tangible design, giving her confidence that her once-distant dream was becoming a reality.
Tiana's inspiration elements for her custom gown.
The Design Details
The Top
From the very beginning, Tiana knew her gown had to feature lace. "I've always loved lace!" she shared, explaining that she wanted it to be the defining feature of her dress. However, after searching through countless bridal stores, she struggled to find the exact style she had envisioned. Most designs were heavily embellished with beads or sparkles, whereas Tiana wanted the lace itself—delicate, sheer Chantilly lace—to make a statement.
Tiana's dream design centered around a strapless, semi-sheer lace bodice with exposed boning, a modern yet romantic detail that gave the gown structure and elegance. To accentuate her silhouette, she was particularly drawn to the elongated basque waistline, which she requested be incorporated into her gown design. This touch added a timeless sophistication while perfectly complementing her love for detail and femininity.
The Skirt
For the skirt, Tiana envisioned a structured A-line design that would combine both grace and comfort. She wanted movement and lightness without sacrificing elegance, which led her to the idea of an alluring thigh-high split paired with a sweeping train. The split not only created a striking visual but also gave her the ease and confidence she was looking for. "The A-line bottom with a split came to me as I was trying on dresses in stores—it felt the most flattering and comfortable." Tiana recalled.
Bringing It Together
The combination of these elements—the statement lace bodice, the basque waistline, the elegant A-line skirt, and the daring split—perfectly captured Tiana's vision. The design reflected her personality: romantic, modern, confident, and uniquely her own.
At her first design consultation, Tiana's enthusiasm was contagious. Sitting alongside her mum, she described every detail of her vision with such excitement that it immediately inspired us. From that moment, we were just as eager as she was to bring her modern fairytale gown to life.
The Fabric
When it came to fabrics, Tiana knew exactly what she wanted: something romantic, elegant, and timeless. For her, lace was non-negotiable, but it had to be the right lace. She envisioned a soft Chantilly lace—delicate and refined, without the heavy embellishments or overly bold floral patterns.
During the pre-production design consultation stage, we presented Tiana with several lace options, each offering its own unique character. After careful consideration, she chose a beautifully soft, semi-stretch Chantilly lace featuring a subtle floral design. It struck the perfect balance—feminine and intricate, yet understated enough to let the lace itself remain the star of the bodice. This choice aligned seamlessly with Tiana's vision: a gown that was romantic and sophisticated.
For the skirt, we turned to glass organza, which closely mirrored the inspiration photos Tiana had saved. The organza, a semi-sheer, mid-weight fabric, was ideal for creating the structured A-line silhouette she desired, while also allowing for movement. It's a lightness beautifully balanced by the gown's dramatic leg split and flowing train, ensuring that the skirt carries both elegance and ease.
Another important consideration was Tiana's destination wedding in Greece, set during the warmer months.
Another important consideration was Tiana's destination wedding in Greece, set during the warmer months. We were mindful that her gown not only had to look breathtaking but also feel comfortable in the Mediterranean climate. The choice of glass organza allowed the skirt to remain airy and breathable, whilst still providing enough structure to achieve the grand yet effortless look Tiana dreamed of.
Together, the Chantilly lace and glass organza became the foundation of a gown that was every bit as practical as it was stunning—designed not only for beauty but also for comfort and confidence on her special day.
In Production Photos
Every custom-made wedding dress has a story, and part of that story lies in how it comes to life behind the scenes. Once Tiana's design and fabric selections were finalized, our team began carefully bring her vision to reality.
From the first cut of lace to the delicate handwork on the finishing details, each stage of the production process reflects hours of skilled craftsmanship, precision, and care. These behind-the-scenes moments capture not only the technical work but also the artistry and dedication that go into creating a gown that is uniquely hers.
Through these photos, you'll see the transformation unfold—from fabric and sketches into a beautifully structured gown. It's a glimpse into the craftsmanship, attention to detail, and love poured into every stitch of Tiana's custom wedding dress.
The Finished Production Photos
After months of careful planning, design consultations and production, Tiana's dream wedding dress finally came to life—and it was nothing short of breathtaking. Every detail she had envisioned was beautifully brought together: the soft Chantilly lace, the semi-sheer corset bodice with exposed boning, the romantic basque waistline, and the structured A-line skirt with its daring leg split and sweeping train.
The lace bodice became the true statement of the gown—delicate yet bold, romantic yet modern. Its semi-sheer finish created an ethereal effect, while the exposed boning added structure and sophistication. The basque waistline elongated her silhouette gracefully, giving the gown a timeless elegance that balanced perfectly with its contemporary detail.
The glass organza skirt completed the look with effortless movement. Light and breathable, it gave the gown a sense of grandeur without feeling heavy—perfect for Tiana's destination wedding in Greece.
When Tiana finally tried on her completed gown, the emotion was undeniable. This wasn't just a dress—it was her vision, her personality, and her love story, stitched into every seam. It reflected her unwavering commitment not to settle and her courage to trust the custom-made process. The moment she slipped into the gown, she knew it was everything she had hope for and more.
Bride's First Fitting
The first fitting is always a truly special milestone in the journey to create a custom-made wedding dress. For Tiana, it was the very first moment she could step into her wedding gown and see her vision taking shape on her own body.
The first fitting is an exciting opportunity for Tiana to try on her dress for the very first time and for us to begin making any necessary alterations to ensure the gown fits her body perfectly.
When Tiana slipped into her gown, her excitement was instantly visible. The soft Chantilly lace she had chosen looked even better in real life than the photos she was sent during the pre-production stages, while the glass organza skirt flowed beautifully with her every step. IT was also the perfect moment to assess proportions, neckline placement and how the gown moved naturally as she walked.
During the fitting, our expert tailors carefully pinned and marked areas for refinement, ensuring that every adjustment would bring us closer to that flawless, second-skin fit. These small tweaks are what make a custom gown feel not beautiful, but effortless to wear.
Beyond the technical side, the first fitting carries so much emotion. For many brides like Tiana, it's the moment when the dream transforms into reality—when the dress shifts from being an idea and sketches to something tangible and...a dress vision comes true!
The Bride's Big Day
On her wedding day in Greece, against the backdrop of sunlit skies and breathtaking scenery, Tian's gown was nothing short of magical. It was the perfect harmony of romance, elegance, and individuality—a true modern fairytale.
How absolutely STUNNING is the bride!
So picturesque...
This is what dreams are made of!
Our beautiful bride...with her beautiful custom-made wedding dress. Every angle is perfection.
Destination wedding vibes.
Absolutely stunning picture. Congratulations to the newlywed couple!
The Bride's Feedback
The risk soon turned into reassurance:
"The process of a custom made wedding dress through Envious Bridal was amazing!! I had an image in my mind but tried on so many dresses at other boutiques and couldn't find the "perfect" dress. I'm so extremely happy to say I now have the perfect dress, thanks Envious Bridal. The dress is so beautiful as well as their customer service!! Highly recommend!!" - Tiana Lenzo.
On Getting A Custom-Made Wedding Dress...
One of the most common—and completely natural—feelings many brides experience during the custom-made dress journey is a sense of anxiety. Unlike purchasing a ready-made gown, a bespoke dress doesn't exist in its final form until the very end. This means brides must place their trust in the process, in the production and the experience of the dressmakers.
Understandably, it can feel daunting not being able to see the completed gown straight away, especially when this is the most important dress they will ever wear. Yet, this leap of faith is also what makes the experience so unique—each fitting reveals another step forward, building anticipation and excitement as the gown slowly transforms into the masterpiece envisioned from the very beginning.
Tiana shares her thoughts on her experience with us.
Were you nervous at all during the production process that your dress wouldn't turn out the way you wanted?
Tiana: Honestly, the dress process was so easy, I wasn't nervous at all, especially with all the updates along the way. If anything, I was so excited for those updates and seeing it all come together.
What's your favourite feature of your custom wedding dress?
Tiana: Definitely the lace corset! The structure of the corset was so flattering and the lace was perfect! Getting my dress custom-made by Envious Bridal was the best decision I made! It was so easy and stress-free, and I'm so glad I just didn't settle on a dress. My dress made me feel beautiful and confident on such a special day.
Ready To Start Your Journey?
At Envious Bridal & Formal, we specialise in creating custom-made wedding dresses in Perth that are as unique as the brides who wear them. A custom gown gives you the freedom to move beyond off-the-rack limitations and bring your dream dress to life — whether you imagine a timeless silhouette, modern elegance, or something entirely original.
Our process is deeply personal and collaborative. From selecting fabrics to perfecting the fit, every detail is carefully designed to reflect your individuality and vision for your special day. The result is more than just a dress — it’s a one-of-a-kind masterpiece made exclusively for you.
If you’re a Perth bride, we invite you to book a consultation at our studio in Subiaco. For interstate and international brides, we’re proud to offer the same personalised service online, ensuring that distance is never a barrier to your perfect wedding dress!
Contact us today to begin designing your custom-made wedding dress and let us transform your vision into reality.