Creating a Custom Wedding

Icing on the Cake
Article: Sterling silver tassel earrings with cubic zirconia and pearls, by Penny Larsen of Penny Larsen Jewelry.
Why Go Custom? Whether taking apart and reassembling a family heirloom or creating a specific piece of jewelry for a certain hairstyle or neckline, custom bridal jewelry gives a bride an heirloom-quality creation with modern materials. Jewelry designer Penny Larsen handcrafts all of her designs, and although some are based on a set template, no two styles are ever the same.
Find It:
Penny Larsen Jewelry is available at L’atelier Couture, 493 Selby Ave., St. Paul, 651-602-9492. Custom jewelry starts at $150.

To Have and to Hold
Article: Sixteen-inch-long, handmade silk dupioni clutch with gray, striped silk dupioni and black-silk ribbon and vintage broach detail, by Laura Nelli of Nelle Handbags.
Why Go Custom? With the detail that goes into planning a wedding day and the emphasis placed on the bridal gown, it makes sense to carry a purse that illustrates the bride’s personal tastes and style. A wedding clutch or handbag can be designed to play off the colors and material of a dress, as well as the shoes and jewelry, and can often incorporate a piece of heirloom jewelry or a special fabric. Even better, instead of having your entire wedding party decked out in matching taffeta dresses, give them matching custom clutches. The look is much more subtle and the bridesmaids will be left with a lasting gift that they can actually use.
Find It:
Available through Laura Nelli at or at Clutch Boutique, 5005 France Ave. S., Mpls., 612-455-0606. Custom wedding clutches start at $200 for an order of three.

Something New
Article: Silk taffeta gown with gathered drop waist, custom feather flower, and asymmetrical train, by Kristen Olsen of The Dressmaker.
Why Go Custom? A custom dress is more than a gown fitted to a bride’s exact measurements, it should be designed with her personality and tastes in mind. A custom gown is ideal for anyone seeking an individual experience, but it requires planning in advance. Know what you want and familiarize yourself with fabrics, cuts, and colors. Browse ready-to-wear gowns to determine what cuts look best on your frame, as well as what color suits your complexion. The best designers should translate your desires from words to fabrics for the perfect “I do” look.
Find It:
Kristen Olsen of The Dressmaker, by appointment, 3902 W. 50th St., Edina, 952-929-9475. Custom dresses priced upon request.
Joynoelle, 312 W. 42nd St., Mpls., 612-209-7822. Custom dresses start at $1,500.

Something Old
Article: Silk organza and vintage lace heirloom dress, reconstructed by Kaja Foat, Zoe Foat-Naselaris, and Brenda Foat of Foat Design.
Why Go Custom? Heirloom reconstruction is the ideal choice for a bride who wants to wear an heirloom dress, but desires a look that’s modern and individual. When choosing heirloom reconstruction, drawings or magazine clippings can help illustrate the direction of the redesign for the designer. Here, the reconstructed dress belonged to the client’s mother. The original gown was a tentlike, lace and netting gown popular in the 1960s (above). Because the bride requested a wedding dress with some color, the blue shell was made with recycled silk organza mill ends. The top layer was constructed from the heirloom dress. The train became the overlay and provided the scalloped lace detail at the bottom of the dress, and the sleeves of the original dress provided the fabric for the gathered waist.
Find It:
Foat Design, 1828 NE Marshall St., #11, Mpls., 800-658-1448. Heirloom reconstructions start at $800.

With This Ring
Article: 18k red-gold engagement ring with .71k center diamond and .144k total-weight pave diamond surround; two-millimeter-round platinum wedding band with .008k total-weight scattered diamonds, both by Stephen Vincent of S. Vincent.
Why Go Custom? A custom-designed engagement ring or wedding band allows the bride or groom to get involved in the design process. If you decide to go custom, there are a few things you can do before meeting with a designer to ensure a smooth process. If you’re up to it, sketch out what you want for the ring, noting your ideal metal, diamond cut and weight, and design elements, or find examples of other rings that illustrate your vision. Customization is also a great option if there is a favorite heirloom stone you’d like reset or if you would like to use a unique material.
Find It:
S. Vincent, Gaviidae Common, Mpls., 612-332-3646. Custom wedding and engagement rings start at $1,500.
Bill Plattes, by appointment, 651-646-1635. Custom rings start at $300.
Jeri Kaplan Jewelry, by appointment, 3902 W. 50th St., Edina, 952-848-8735. Custom wedding and engagement rings start at $1,000.