What Do Bridal Designers Do

My name is Martin Thornburg, and I am a bridal designer at Mon Cheri Bridals. Although I’m a bridal designer, I like to think that the type of designer I am goes beyond the kind of gowns I create. As a designer, my biggest motivation is my customers, and this has played a pivotal role in the progression of my career. Being a bridal designer is unique because a wedding dress is often the most significant outfit a woman will ever wear — so it should speak to the bride in a way that no other dress has before.

My typical day

A typical day for me varies, depending on the season and what stage I’m at in the design process. For example, during pre-production and when I’m actively designing, I spend most of my time conducting market research by taking a look at various design concepts and exploring new trends that resonate with me. This is also the stage where I put my inspiration and ideas to work by sketching out potential designs and sharing them with my team for feedback and input.

During production, I tend to spend the majority of my day working with my design team, directing cutting patterns and construction, choosing fabrics, and coordinating with manufacturers. One of the most exciting parts of my work routine is seeing sample garments for the first time. When samples come in, I have to inspect them to ensure they’re of high quality and meet my design expectations. Although it doesn’t often happen — as I’m very hands-on throughout the entire design and manufacturing process — sometimes the first samples come in and they are not exactly as I imagined. If needed, I’ll reassess the design or explore alternative fabrics with my team.

When I’m not actively designing or liaising with manufacturers and buyers, I spend time reflecting on sales trends and working alongside our business development team. I also attend several tradeshows and fashion shows in a typical year. These events are an excellent way to get customer feedback and stay up-to-date with the market. Regardless of what tasks I have, ultimately, each day is built around developing and delivering what our brides want.

Pros

I love witnessing the evolution of my designs. From the first spark of inspiration to the final sample, I am entirely invested in the design process, so it’s always special when a bride tells me that they love a dress as much as I do — I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that! I also enjoy getting to spend time with buyers and hearing their feedback. As they observe the bride’s reactions to my designs firsthand, I make a concerted effort to listen to their suggestions and try to implement them where I can.

Cons

As far as cons go, I think one of the most significant challenges of being a bridal designer is working under deadlines. Sometimes clients pop up with an immediate need, or setbacks occur during the design process that is out of your control. When this happens, it’s important to be able to prioritize and work under pressure. I also think it’s essential to build a team around you that supports your vision and is as invested and passionate as you are. A career as a bridal designer often involves long days and a lot of travel, which can be tiring. Burn-out is common in this industry, so having people around who you can rely on is essential — no man is an island!