The Story Of A Couture Wedding Gown With Suzie Stevens

Note from Dorothy (Ms Polka Dot). For those of us who love and adore weddings, there’s something incredibly special about witnessing someone you’ve followed online plan their big day. The excitement of their engagement, watching the plans unfold, and eagerly awaiting those first photos – it’s that magical feeling of connection we get when we’ve been following someone’s journey, and we’re here for every single moment.

Today, we’re honoured to share the wedding story of one such gem – the amazing Suzie Stevens. We’ve followed and admired Suzie online for some time, from her whimsical style to her powerful advocacy for size-inclusive fashion. And her wedding day? We were first in line to see every beautiful detail unfold. So with only a touch of fan-girl shyness, we reached out to Suzie to share her wedding story, and today she’s taking us behind the scenes of her celebration.

Being plus-size, I chose to have my dress custom-made to avoid many of the challenges that plus-size brides face. However, there were still unexpected hurdles along the way – like finding a getting-ready outfit in my size or a wedding band I could try on with my engagement ring. Even searching for inspiration on Pinterest became disheartening since I didn’t see many women who looked like me.

I was lucky enough to have my dream dress made by Hope & Harvest. Harvest and I have been friends for many years, and the dream was always for her to make the dress – there’s no one more talented when it comes to gown construction. The idea that we could geek out over our love of fashion and build something beautiful together was incredible. She truly cares about giving people their dream dress, no matter their size, gender, or style. It was really important to me to work with someone who champions diversity. That’s why I’m so grateful to Harvest. She uplifted me and reminded me to celebrate and enjoy the experience rather than trying to fit a mould.

When planning the wedding and designing my dress, I really wanted something that would be timeless yet theatrical and whimsical. The wedding itself was very deep and dual-toned, almost art nouveau, and the dress had elements inspired by both historical fashion and modern design. The design process began with me sharing countless pictures that conveyed the vibe I wanted—from screenshots from the TV show The Great, to early 2000s Galliano couture for Dior, Westwood and Dita Von Teese, along with McQueen. We really started big, and Harvest helped me unpack what elements were must-haves and what would look best on me. She also wanted to know as much about the wedding as possible so the dress would match the event and be comfortable for the conditions.

We wanted to lean into the 18th-century silhouette with a corseted waist that extended into a large amount of volume from the top of the hips. Originally, we considered panniers for an extreme shape, but they weren’t practical for a dress I’d wear for 12 hours. With Harvest’s incredible draping skills, we still achieved that beautiful shape without sacrificing comfort. The structure of the Duchess silk satin created an incredible shape but also moved beautifully when dancing—a perfect dress for twirling.

Suzie’s inspiration board and first fitting

One major priority was for the dress to transform so I could move easily during the reception without worrying about people stepping on it. Harvest constructed a tulle underskirt from over 60 metres of tulle that could be removed, leaving me with an incredible cocktail dress. She also lined the tulle skirt so I could wear it by itself and add it to my day-to-day wardrobe.

As a fashion enthusiast, I loved the corset-making process. Harvest used traditional 19th-century techniques, constructing the corset from my measurements rather than a standard block pattern, which made the fit impeccable. Her ability to understand someone’s body and highlight their assets is incredible; the way the corset lines melted into the skirt was just beautiful.

Originally, I wanted sleeves to cover my upper arms, an insecurity shared by many women. However, sleeves didn’t suit the design, and I worried that my arms would be all I’d see in the photos. I recorded our final fitting (see it here), and I still keep Harvest’s wise words: “It’s about embracing the fact that you aren’t a size 8, and you still rock it out to the maximum. Because you don’t need to have skinny arms to be a stunning bride. This is you, in all of your finery.”

Pockets were also important to me, as I was getting married in winter and wanted somewhere to keep my hands warm. I’m also forgetful, so knowing I had a place to keep my vows was comforting. One of my favourite memories from the ceremony was the guests gasping when I removed my vow book from my pockets. “It has pockets!”

Suzie’s second fitting and the process of beading the gown

For accessories, I was inspired by an image of Kat Dennings on her wedding day – she had this beautiful headpiece and the way the veil cascaded over her face looked so ethereal. I ended up choosing a pearl and diamond crown with a vintage feel, and Harvest created a delicious floaty veil that sat beautifully over my shoulders and face, creating an angelic effect inspired by Jean-Paul Gaultier’s Madonna-inspired runway looks. We also incorporated insect elements throughout the wedding – I absolutely adore bees, so I found beautiful bee and pearl studs that matched the headpiece perfectly. For my shoes, I managed to find my dream pair of dual-toned velvet shoes from Bared on Facebook marketplace – they were from a collection from many years ago, and finding them felt like fate.

I didn’t have a traditional “the one” moment until a month before the wedding when I tried on the dress with all my accessories and my hair and makeup done as they would be on the day. We were just in my living room, as Harvest’s atelier was being renovated. I’m so glad I filmed the whole thing to remember this special moment. I don’t consider myself a crier, but when I saw myself in my dream dress, looking better than I imagined, a wave of relief and joy washed over me. As a plus-size person, I’m used to settling for what will fit rather than what I actually want. Seeing myself in my dream dress, looking incredible and feeling like myself, was a feeling I’m so grateful for.

Suzie’s final look

On my wedding morning, I made sure everything was as relaxing as possible, including having Harvest come to our rented townhouse to help me get dressed. There were many internal details in the dress to ensure it looked perfect, and while I was confident others could manage it, I didn’t want to stress about anything getting torn or a zipper breaking. Harvest and my brother helped me into my dress, and I felt a massive wave of calm. The corsetry felt like a weighted blanket, soothing any last-minute nerves.

I felt beautiful and like myself, which I think is how every bride hopes to feel on their wedding day. The dress was perfect because it was made with so much care, love, and skill, and it reflected all the aesthetics I love—opulent, whimsical, timeless, and theatrical.