A dress with a story!
This dress is a deeply personal, artistic, and intentional piece — not just a regular dress, but a living symbol of love and craftsmanship.
I would love to have you join me as I share each chapter which highlights a different stage of the journey.
Chapter One - The intention - Dressing for a Moment that Lives Forever."
My daughter got married and for this once- in-a- lifetime event, I wanted to have a special dress to match the occasion.
I searched for a designer who could translate emotion into form, someone who understood that elegance lives in the details. With Gramercy Atelier, I found not just talent, but a shared vision. Together, we designed a dress that carries both couture craftsmanship and personal truth. Every stitch was a conversation and every seam held meaning.
I grew up in Portugal, and whenever we had a special occasion like a wedding, the family would have outfits made by the local seamstress. This process with Gramercy Atelier reminded me of that tradition. The flowers I illustrated for the custom wedding print—originally created to match the invitation suite I designed—were incorporated into the dress, which was the icing on the cake. Each bloom was inspired by the Norfolk Botanical Gardens, where the wedding would take place. The symbolism of this dress is more than a garment. It’s a story woven in silk, flowers, and memory — a dress made for one moment, yet made to last a lifetime.
Chapter two: "The Collaboration - Gramercy Atelier x A Mother's Love"
I am delighted to share the process of having a gorgeous, one-of-a-kind dress made for me by Gramercy Atelier in New York. They create made-to-measure clothing and formal wear for special occasions, and that was exactly what I needed.
The first step was a phone call directly with Maria. She asked for a picture of me, and we talked about the design, styles, and colors I liked from her website. We began with the design of one of her existing dresses, then discussed the possibility of adding the floral pattern I created for the wedding print that tied into the invitation suite. That was the moment I knew this dress wouldn’t just be for a day — it would carry the generations of stories that follow.
Maria Pucci, the head designer, is known for her timeless an impeccably tailored designs, skillfully blending elegant fabrics and elaborate details.
I chose Gramercy Atelier not only because it reminded me of the handmade dresses from my childhood in Portugal, but also because they create unique, personal masterpieces with your exact measurements. That makes all the difference in the world.
On our second call, we did FaceTime while I was on vacation in Portugal. Maria walked me through how to take my body measurements. She gave clear, precise directions and was detailed in every aspect. After gathering all the information, she created an inspirational sketch showing how the dress would look on me in the color and style I had selected.
Chapter Three: "The Dress - Every Choice Matters" - It's all about the details!
Maria mailed me the fabric with the designs. I had a couple of colors to choose from, and I fell in love with the cornflower blue.
When the prototype arrived, I was so excited to open the box. It was comfortable right away, and I loved it. I moved and walked around to see how it fit and where it needed adjustments. Because the wedding was in September, I decided to change the sleeves and make them shorter. Maria suggested adding just a touch of flowers to the edge, which made the dress feel even more personal. Click HERE to see it.
You can see the video of the prototype by clicking HERE
After the prototype goes back to Gramercy Atelier, they order the final fabric, and you receive an email once it has arrived. Maria even picked a special kind of crystal buttons because, as she explained, “these buttons pick up the colors from the flowers beautifully.” That’s how detailed she is.
Chapter Four: "The Unveiling - A Walk Into Forever"
The day the finished dress arrived, I felt so much excitement opening the package. Inside was my gown, along with matching pieces for my husband: a cummerbund, pocket square, and bow tie. He wanted to match my dress, so Maria added the same floral details to his cummerbund.
Everything was packaged with the utmost care, handled with thought and precision so it arrived in perfect condition.
The moment I put on my dress, joy flooded over me. Maria and I had worked together to make every detail perfect, and as I walked down the church aisle alongside my daughter and my husband, I felt honored, loved, and connected to something bigger than myself. This ensemble wasn’t just clothing — it represented a mother’s and father’s love, a daughter’s dream, and a moment to be cherished for a lifetime.
Every element was chosen with intention. The silk was soft and luminous, echoing the way sunlight filters through a garden. The custom floral print, designed to coordinate with the invitation suite, tied everything back to the Norfolk Botanical Gardens, where the wedding took place, and to our love of nature.
I especially loved the pocket square, which could be styled two ways. My husband decided to fold it so the plain blue side showed, creating a subtle yet coordinated look. The customization was flawless.
The fit was perfect, the fabric soft and beautiful, and to my delight — it even had pockets! Our family and friends loved our floral custom theme. From the first watercolor flower to the final bow belt, this ensemble told a story of love.
If you would like more information about our ensemble, please reach out to me or Gramercy Atelier for details. I will happy to answer to any questions.
Click here: Gramercy Atelier
I hope you enjoyed learning about their process as much as I enjoyed writing about it. These moments are always best when documented and shared, especially when they celebrate such a special occasion.
Thank you, Gramercy Atelier, Maria, and Robert, for allowing me to see my daughter’s wedding print, which I designed, come alive and be remembered forever.
xoxo Ceci
Comments
Everything is so beautiful!
Congratulations!