Find Your Gown. Perfect Your Fit. Love Your Look.
Custom bridal gowns, ready-made off-the-rack options, and expert alterations — all tailored just for you.
The McEllis Bridal Experience
McEllis Brides Design Studio is a full-service, luxury bridal studio offering a personalized, one-on-one experience for every bride. From custom wedding gowns designed from sketch to completion, to curated ready-to-wear collections, we provide options for every stage of your journey. Our expert bridal alterations are available for gowns purchased anywhere, ensuring a flawless fit with thoughtful, high-level craftsmanship. We also offer tuxedo rentals and custom menswear for weddings and special occasions, along with a curated selection of bridal accessories to complete your look.
Through private fittings and elevated appointments, brides can enjoy an intimate “say yes” experience in a beautifully designed space — with options to enhance your visit with sparkling beverages and light bites. At McEllis Brides, you’ll find the experience of a traditional bridal boutique without the pressure — just a refined, welcoming environment where your vision is brought to life with care, intention, and expertise.
Our Signature Services
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First Time Gown Shopping
Our gown shopping appointments are designed to help you find the one in a elevated setting. We offer beautiful made-to-order gowns starting at $1,200, with an average order time of approximately 12 weeks.
Need something sooner? We also carry select off-the-rack sale gowns available to purchase and take home the same day.
Whether you're planning ahead or shopping on a shorter timeline, we’d love to help you say yes in style.
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Custom Wedding Gowns
With a custom-designed bridal gown, every detail—from luxurious fabrics to intricate beading—is chosen to reflect your personal style and vision. Each gown is created with your vision, measurements, and details in mind—from sketch to final fitting. Custom gown pricing begins at $5,500+, with final investment based on design complexity, fabric selection, embellishments, and construction details.
Whether you’re local to Hampton Roads or traveling from out of state, your personalized gown experience is designed to make you feel confident, radiant, and perfectly dressed for your big day.
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Alterations
Our bridal alterations begin at $750+ - whether your gown was purchased with us or elsewhere. We specialize exclusively in bridal—because your gown deserves more than standard tailoring. We ideally recommend 12 weeks for the best experience, but we also accept rush appointments when availability allows.
We alter special occasion and designer gowns, as well as prom. Starting at $250. Bridesmaid and Mother of the Bride/Groom start at $75.
Men’s suit alterations such as pant hemming and sleeve adjustments typically begin at $95, with final pricing based on construction and detail.
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Heirloom Redesigns
Your family’s cherished gown can take on new life while keeping its story alive. With heirloom gown redesigns, you can upcycle and repurpose fabrics from an older dress into a stunning, modern creation made just for you. This sustainable and savvy approach allows you to honor your past while creating a gown that fits your style, shape, and vision perfectly.
Heirloom redesign pricing begins at $1,950, with final investment based on the gown’s condition, level of reconstruction, fabric needs, and design complexity.
We ideally recommend booking 6 months in advance, but we’re happy to accept shorter timelines when availability allows.
Reviews
Effortless elegance, custom-crafted. At McEllis Brides, we create heirloom-worthy gowns that honor your shape, your story, and your moment—with unmatched detail and timeless sophistication.
Michelle is a gift from God. She is an expert and knows exactly what she’s doing. She made my wedding day spectacular, my dress was perfect because of her!
'Oh my, where do I begin! McEllis Brides is the BEST!!! Michelle is very kind. She was also very helpful, very professional, and very flexible. I think I changed my mind a million times about different styles of dresses, and she was right by my side helping my vision to come alive. When I first seen my dress in person I wanted to break down and cry! I was beyond happy! It was exactly what I had envisioned. If you're looking for a custom wedding gown, please visit McEllis Brides. You will NOT be disappointed! Thank you so much Michelle!!!'
She was timely, professional and listened to exactly what I wanted. I have been recommending her to every bride I know!
Michelle is a diamond in the rough! My dress straps were way too tight but Michelle fixed them up nice and did a great hem job as well. The best part of the alterations was getting to talk to Michelle! She was the sweetest and treated me like she knew me my whole life. Would recommend her to everyone!
'I had such an amazing experience with McEllis Brides! Michelle is such an amazing person to partner with and she will make sure that your dream wedding dress comes to life! I will miss her, but she help me have a wedding gown that I will love forever! Thank you McEllis Brides, YOU'RE THE BEST!'
'This place is amazing. They were able to take my dress design from just a simple drawing to a full on wedding dress. It's hard these days to find people that can make a dress from scratch, but they are the real deal. I can't recommend them enough, especially if you want a gown or dress with some originality!'
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