As a designer of wedding attire, I meet clients planning all kinds of weddings. Some want a big celebration that includes their whole communities. Others opt for a more intimate experience. I was so excited when Tiffany approached me to design a custom elopement outfit for her Yosemite wedding. We collaborated to create an emerald green suit with flair and flexibility – a perfect fit for this adventurous ceremony.
A Suit Fit for Travel
Sometimes I see people make the assumption that if they have custom wedding clothes, they have to have a more traditional wedding. Nothing could be further from the truth. Your elopement outfit deserves to be just as gorgeous as anything worn to a celebration with a 200-person guestlist. You might need to take different factors into consideration for your custom design, though. Tiffany and her fiancé Abby decided to get married at Taft Point in Yosemite. These two are total adventurers, so I knew that Tiffany’s suit needed to be as versatile as it was stylish.
Like many of my clients, Tiffany wanted a custom elopement outfit because she’s had difficulty buying off the rack in the past. She’s very petite and has had fitting issues. With this design, she wanted to prioritize comfort and a good fit. I made sure that, in addition to being comfortable for walking around Yosemite, this suit sat correctly at the hems and cuffs that typically give Tiffany trouble.
Designing Tiffany’s Elopement Outfit
Tiffany’s emerald elopement outfit is a perfect example of why it’s best to come to the custom design process with an open mind. I find that the most incredible pieces – and happiest clients – come out of designing for clients open to fabric choices and design details. While Tiffany had a general color in mind, she was excited to look through the swatches I sent before setting her heart on an exact shade. The rich green she chose hit just the right note for her nature-centered celebration.
As with the color, Tiffany had a general sense of the silhouette she wanted in her elopement outfit’s suit jacket. A maroon suit that I’d made previously inspired Tiffany. She liked the idea of a plunging neckline that blended feminine and masculine elements.
Once I took Tiffany’s measurements, she trusted me to bring the final touches together for the design. I kept in mind that Tiffany wanted to prioritize a good fit and comfort while looking sharp for her elopement. To elevate the suit, I added elements of a tux with a shiny lapel and pocket lining. Tiffany suggested using the matte side of the fabric for the suit, and it came together so well. The contrast between the two fabrics’ finish is elegant without being over-the-top. TIffany could be just as at home in a luxury wedding venue as the cliff tops of Yosemite.
A Collaborative Experience
From the start, designing Tiffany’s elopement outfit was a very collaborative process. Tiffany came to me with an idea and was open to adjustments based on what was available as well as my recommendations. The give and take resulted in a one-of-a-kind piece.
In many ways, Tiffany’s green suit is straightforward. It has a focus on a really good fit and comfort for the more adventurous parts of her wedding day. Tiffany made it her own, though, through our collaboration. This wedding suit is stylish and versatile enough that Tiffany will be able to wear it on other occasions. That’s one of the joys of a custom suit. You get something that feels so distinctly you, and you can have all the amazing feelings that brings every time you wear it.
When I saw Tiffany and Abby’s photos from their Yosemite elopement, it hit home for me just how perfectly the suit worked for their day. The emerald green looks so natural among the towering trees, but the color is rich enough to pop. The simple but sharp lines of the suit also make sense aesthetically in the context of the park. Most importantly, Tiffany felt comfortable and confident on her wedding day.
Are you looking for a designer to create your one-of-a-kind elopement outfit? Reach out to me!
Thank you to Martin Ngo Photography for documenting Tiffany and Abby’s elopement.
