Catching Up!

Well, it's been a while since I've written anything, but I've been working hard on a few upcoming weddings.  Pictures and more details will follow.....

In the mean time, I've been remodeling the bg designs headquarters (yes, the old guest room).  I'm quite pleased with the progress and I promise to post photographs very soon.  I still have some finishing touches to add, and I can't wait to share.

I also recently finished a homecoming dress for a beautiful young lady, who is enjoying her festivities as I write this.  Her mom graciously sent me some preliminary photos, so I will share one of my favorites, and yes, there will be more to follow:)  It was a fun dress to make - and I know that Margaret will wear it again!  She looked amazing it it.  We had such fun sketching the design, shopping for fabric and dreaming of what it would look like.  I love my job!

Chelsea's Wedding

July 2 was a busy day for weddings!  Chelsea and Alex were married in Malibu, California.  It was such fun to work with this bride and her family.  We created the bride's veil, going away hat and crinoline to wear with her grandmother's wedding dress, the mother-of-the-bride gown, flower girl dresses, and ring bearer neck ties, and the rehearsal dinner gown.  The wedding was "magazine worthy"!  I can't wait to see all of the photos, but I'm sharing a few with you now.

It's amazing to me how God has orchestrated my little business venture......I took a leap of faith to fulfill my lifelong dream and He has had His hand all over it!!! (Did I expect anything less?)  I am continually amazed at the people that I have had "divine appointments" with.  God scheduled them for me before I was born!  The Espegren family is nothing less than that! I am so blessed that God placed me in their path to be a part of this sweet marriage.  I love my job and am thankful everyday that I get to use the gifts that God has given to me!  I continue to trust Him in everything!  I'm reminded of Matthew 6:25-34 which Jesus talks to us about worry.  "And why do you worry about clothes?  See how the lilies of the field grow.  They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all of his splendor was dressed like one of these." (v.28,29)  God cares about every detail of our lives (yes, even what we wear on our wedding day), so think of how much He cares about us.....awesome!

Laine and Justin's wedding

What a joy to see the work of your hands fulfill it's purpose!  Today Laine Echols became the wife of Justin Hixson.  It was a beautiful, simple ceremony, filled with family and friends.  It was such an honor to be part of this sweet couple's wedding, and to have such a special job to do for Laine.  Getting to know her through creating her wedding gown was such fun, and just being able to be around her family was amazing.  Her mom, Donna, is a dear friend who has raised four amazing young women.  I hope Laine is just the first of the four that I get to design gowns for!!!

It was fun to put special touches in Laine's gown.  We used pieces of her mom's dress to make a rosette on the inside of her gown's lining.  Donna brought me a bonnet that was a baby gift when Laine was born that we embroidered her new monogram and wedding date on and stitched it into the dress.  Each detail was thought out and reviewed and agreed upon by us all.  It was truly a team effort!

The dress was made of off white silk dupioni with a rusched bodice accented at the empire waist with ribbon and crystal detail, embellished with a crystal broach in the center front.  The skirt was overlaid with silk tulle with hand applied lace motifs, encrusted with pearls and crystals.  The double layer veil featured hand applied Swarovski crystals, extending beyond the train of the gown.

The wedding took place in a beautiful venue, surrounded by trees and green.  It was like being in an outdoor chapel, only cooler!!!  My wish is that Laine and Justin live a long and happy life together!  May God bless their marriage and their home.  Laine, it was an honor!  Love you!!!!

And they lived........

happily ever after!

Tessa's Week

What a fun week we have had since Tessa has been here!  Saturday we began the process of making this wedding gown - just for fun.  Tess is 18 and is not getting married (not until she's about 30, I think), but I wanted to use her for a fit model to make a gown just for fun.  So after the style of the gown was decided on, Monday morning I put scissors to fabric and began the creation.  The first fitting was Monday afternoon and I finished it this morning!!!  I think this may be a record....it's a simple dress, but timeless in style.  The belt is removable, so you could put a sash with a bow, or a belt with different embellishments to change the look.  At a later date I have plans to make a lace shrug to wear with this dress for another alternative.

Every gown is not this quick to make, but I had a limited amount of time to get this one finished while my model was here.  I know her parents are so proud of the beautiful young woman she is (as am I), but I'm sure that when they see this post, they may shed a tear.  I got a little choked up myself.   I promised Tess that I would make her the dress of her dreams once she has graduated from college and has found the man of her dreams.  Dream big, Tess!  I love you!!!!!

Fitting Number Two!

Here is fit number two.  I still have to add all of the structure to the gown, but you can see that it's starting to take shape.  Yes, the Dallas Maverics are playing basketball in the background - a replay of last week's games - just had to watch again:)

So, I have some work to do today, including finishing the sewing for two July 2 weddings.  I can't wait to share the photos from those two weddings.  It's such a joy to work with these sweet brides and their families.  God has blessed me with the most incredible job ever!!!!! To God be the glory!

Tessa's Week

This week my niece Tessa has come to The Woodlands to stay with me.  We have done all of the fun things there are to do in The Woodlands......shop, go to the pool, shop, movies, shop, spa day, shop....oh, did I mention we were going shopping?  (I'm really not that materialistic, but I do love to shop).

While Tess is here, I am using her as a fit model to make a wedding gown, just for the fun of it.  I wanted to include the process on my blog, just so the reader knows what goes into a custom wedding gown.  It's a fun process, and I wish I could have every bride move in with me while her gown is being made, so I could do a fitting anytime I pleased.  It makes the process go so much faster.

The first meeting is a brainstorming session.  If I know the bride, I tend to know what style she gravitates to.  We share pictures of gowns and information about the wedding itself.  I will take the necessary measurements and formulate a preliminary design.  Then the fun begins!

The next step is to shop for fabric.  Depending on the design of the gown,  this could be a one-trip experience, or possibly take two or more trips to the fabric shop to make the final selections.  When lace is involved, it takes longer.  Once the fabric is determined, the next step is the fit muslin.  I craft the gown out of muslin fabric (like a sheet) to get the perfect fit.  This can take one to two fittings, depending on any adjustments that may be necessary.  Since Tess was here and I had fabric already, we skipped the muslin fitting and went straight to the fabric.  The gown is simple and the muslin step just wasn't necessary.  We first tried the bodice of the gown to get the perfect fit (see photo).

From here, we added the skirt and did fitting number two.  This process took one day.  (Remember, Tess is in the house with me all day - much faster).

 Today will be putting the zipper in and building the undergarment.  I should finish this gown today or tomorrow.  The embellishment is actually a separate belt that is only pinned together in the photo, just to get an idea of the finished product.

More photos from the past!

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:  If one falls down, his friend can help him up.  But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!  Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.  But how can one keep warm alone?  Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."  Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

June 1, 1991

Twenty years ago today, I married my best friend.  Yes, it was 1991 (that explains the "Jade Green" decor).  We had a simple wedding, but included all of the elements that were meaningful to us.  Attended by our close friends and family, it was an intimate, spiritual occasion.  It's funny how it seems like only yesterday the event took place, and yet we've had so much "living" since that time.  I look at how young we were, although we were older than the average bride and groom, and sometimes wish for that naturally dark hair and wrinkle-free face.  But one thing I've learned these past twenty years is that the gray hair and wrinkles and flabby skin is a mark of life - lived!  Each line, each gray hair is a tribute to an event or milestone we've shared.  There have been many sad times.....loss of pregnancies, job disappointments, the loss of a parent.  But the happy times have overshadowed the sadness.  The birth of children, watching them grow into beautiful, loving, productive young women.  Seeing our oldest daughter marry her high school sweetheart and witnessing them becoming parents (and us grandparents).  Living through our youngest daughter learn to drive (still working on that one).....the graceful aging we achieve is earned - through each day of living and loving in the wonderful gift God has given us.  Each other - the most precious commodity we possess.  Let us not take this gift for granted.  I have been guilty of doing that very thing many times.  So on this day that we celebrate our marriage, let me just say that I love my husband, Richard Williams, with all of my heart.  I am so glad that he asked me to go to the New Kids On The Block concert..........that story is for another day.

"Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.......Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."   Ephesians 5:22, 25

Babies to Brides

One of the fun things about designing a wedding gown, is to look at the past and toward the future.  I love to incorporate sentimental items into the gown (see previous post), but I like brides to think about the future of their gown.  Not every daughter is going to want to wear her mom's dress (like we all think they will).  It's very fitting to use a portion of the wedding gown, or re-style the wedding gown into a design appropriate for the trend at the time of use.  Many gowns are timeless in style (i.e. Grace Kelly, Princess Kate), but they must fit the personality of the bride to be perfect for her day. 

Think about other ways to make your dress an heirloom.....perhaps someday you'll want a beautiful Christening gown for your child (or grandchild).  A wedding gown is the perfect way to get heirloom quality to pass down from generation to generation.  Styling a Christening gown from a wedding dress is a creative way to recycle, reuse and re-purpose. 

The picture I've posted today is a new dress made for a dear friend and her first baby girl.  The fabric and lace are all new, but I'm hoping someday she'll ask me to use some of this little baby dress in the design of her wedding gown.  It may just be a bow or embellishment somewhere on the dress, or maybe the lace and fabric will be used to make the garter.  Regardless, it is a keepsake that she can use as it is, or re-create it into something else to be passed along in her family.  I can't wait to see photos of this sweet baby in her dress.

Even though neither one of my daughters will wear my wedding gown, I think that we will be sharing pieces of our weddings with each other - sister to sister, mom to daughter, aunt to child.  It's giving tangible evidence to the love that we share for each other.  Something to touch, hold, see, and most of all, feel.

Something Old, Something New.....

As the tradition goes, every bride should have "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue".  Many brides gather these items for their wedding day without knowing the origin of this saying.  It is believed to be an old English saying, probably from the Victorian era.  The items are meant to be good luck tokens for the bride.  Something old represents continuity with the brides' family and her past.  Something new represents optimism and hope for a new life ahead.  The borrowed item, usually from a happily married friend or family member, symbolizes her good fortunes carrying over to the bride.  It can also be a reminder that the couple can depend on friends and family members.

The color blue has been connected to weddings for centuries.  It can symbolize love, modesty, fidelity and purity.  Often ignored is the last line to this quaint saying "and a sixpence in her shoe".  I would have had a major blister had I put a coin in my shoe!  This represents wealth and financial security.  Many companies sell keepsake sixpence coins for weddings.

When I design a gown, I love to incorporate some of these items into the dress.  When my daughter Emily was married, I sewed pieces from her prom dresses into her gown.  Blue tulle from her freshman year, an antique buckle from her sophomore year, a piece of silk from her junior year with her new married monogram and the wedding date stitched into the gown (see photo).  Each of these items had special meaning for Emily and made her dress even more personalized.  Maybe for you it's using lace from  a baby bonnet you wore, or a grandmother's handkerchief that can be put into the gown somewhere.  Maybe it's a part of your mom's dress that can be used in the design of your new gown.  Let your creativity go wild.....it makes for an heirloom to be passed from generation to generation, and traditions for your new family to start.

The Royal Wedding

What a lovely day! I was among the billions of people up before dawn to watch two people joined in marriage in what has been termed "the wedding of the century".  I've been glued to the television all day, watching every angle and opinion of the "royal couple".  I admit, it was a beautiful ceremony and the bride was radiant, but I have to say that I am very grateful that we Americans don't embrace hat wearing like the Brits do.  Some were similar to what I've seen in some Dr. Seuss literature.......

The commentary that I listened to was quite entertaining!  Everyone has an opinion, and depending on the network being watched, some were more opinionated than others.  One comment referred to the maid of honor wearing white and "upstaging" the bride.  I will weigh in on that one!  The photo below is a gown and bridesmaids dresses I designed from 1997.  It was one of the most beautiful weddings I've seen, and the dresses were timeless.  To me, it was very elegant, tasteful, and the only one that stood out was the bride (who was gorgeous)!  Times have changes, etiquette rules have changed, and weddings have become a personal style statement involving both the bride and groom.  I say if the bride chooses white or off-white for her bridal party, it is exactly that:  her choice.  I love monochromatic color schemes - they photograph beautifully and what you see are the features that are truely unique to us; hair color, eyes, expressions.  Close your eyes and imagine your photographs with the color scheme you are dreaming of.  Do you want to see those colors 20, 30 or 50 years from now?  (I'll refer to an earlier blog that mentioned my wedding color scheme - jade green....hmmmmm.....)

Have fun planning!  I'll be happy to give you my opinion, but remember it's your wedding day.  When I say "your", I mean you and your future spouse.  Let him be in on the planning, too.

Destination Weddings

This was last summer in Costa Rica......what a lovely bride and wedding party!  This was such a fun gown to create because it was non-traditional, yet so classy and elegant.  I would loved to have attended this one!  Molly looked beautiful and the backdrop was simply gorgeous!

The Wedding Ceremony

As weddings are planned, most of the attention is placed on the visual aspects of the day.  The dress, the flowers, food, decorations.......it's so easy to get caught up in the things that are not as important as the "why" of the day. 

Nearly twenty years ago, I married my best friend.  We had a simple, yet elegant wedding and I did most everything there was to do.  Made the dresses, shopped for the food, chopped celery and carrots.....I remember getting bogged down in the long list of things to be done and feeling overwhelmed.  My good friend (and wife of the pastor who married us) gave me some sage advice that I have repeatedly passed along to any bride who will listen to me.  Sheila said to me, ( in her most beautiful southern accent) "Becky, on Saturday morning, you and Richard and David are gonna be at that church, and you are gonna be married, and nothing else matters."
How right she was.  It didn't matter what color my nails were, or if the bows on the pews were the right shade of jade green (yes, it was the color of the season).  The fact was that on Saturday, June 1, 1991, Richard and I made vows to each other and to God in the presence of our friends and family.  The little things that I worried about getting done then are not even a memory to me now. 

So if you are a bride-to-be reading this, or even a seasoned marriage veteran, remember not to get bogged down with the unimportant.  Focus on the love of your spouse, the blessings God has bestowed upon you, and the life you share together.  Somehow everything else seems a lot less important.

Two are better than one!

My dream job has finally come true!  Designing wedding gowns has been my dream for almost a lifetime.  After designing and making over 15 gowns, I am officially doing it as a career.  How rewarding it is to see the radiance of a bride on her wedding day!


Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

I think that all marriages should use this verse as a guideline for success.  Without God as the third strand in the marriage cord, all would seem hopeless by human standards.  Without the solid foundation of Christ in marriage, you have just a wedding with some beautiful photographs.  My job starts after the committment of two hearts inviting Christ to share in their future together.   Now we can have some fun!  I hope you will join me on the journey of little girls' dreams  of their wedding day turning into reality.