Framing a Dream: From Wedding Day to Wall Art

When it comes to wedding dresses, most brides tuck them away after the big day — carefully boxed, preserved and out of sight. But for one bride, her gown was simply too special for the closet treatment. Instead, she transformed it into a meaningful, every day reminder of one of the most special days of her life.

Read on to hear how she turned her dress into a custom framed masterpiece!

Can you tell us a little about your wedding day — where it was and when it happened?
We got married in Kansas City, Missouri on the lawn of the Kansas City Convention Center. It was a hot day on June 22, 2019, and we were bracing for thunderstorms. Miraculously, the storms cleared early in the morning and didn’t return until we were already inside dancing the night away. Our colors were navy and rose gold with a 1920s flair — it was everything I had envisioned and more.

What inspired you to frame your wedding dress instead of storing or preserving it another way?
I loved my dress so much, I couldn’t imagine putting it in a box in a closet. I wanted to see it more than every 20 years. It felt like a piece of my story that deserved to be seen, not stored.

Why did you decide to travel from Kansas to Artists Frame Service in Chicago to have it done?
Back in 2020, not long after our wedding, I came up with the idea to frame my dress. I went down a Pinterest and Google rabbit hole, and that’s where I found a blog post from Artists Frame Service with a stunning photo of a framed wedding gown. I reached out via email and started a conversation, but the timing just wasn’t right. We were preparing to move and I didn’t know if our future house would have space for something like that. Plus, the world was shutting down and travel was uncertain.

But I never stopped thinking about that idea. Once we started building our forever home, I decided it was time to revisit the dream. I still remembered the framed dress from Artists Frame Service and the care that clearly went into it. With some encouragement from my husband, I booked a flight for myself and my mom, packed my wedding dress into a carry-on, and flew to Chicago!

What was the design process like? Did you have a vision going in, or did it evolve during your consultation?
I’ll be honest — I have very little eye for design. But I came prepared. I grabbed my wedding shoes just in case, and when I opened the box, I found all these other mementos from our wedding: our cake topper, wedding and shower invitations, a mirror from my wedding day, and more. I figured, why not bring everything?

We visited the River North location since it was close to the airport. There, we met with Nat and Alex, who were incredible. We laid out the dress, talked through ideas and figured out how to showcase all the special elements — especially the train and the pearls down the back. Nat and Alex really helped shape the vision. Alex even suggested framing my wedding shoes, which I never would have thought of on my own!

The entire experience was such a joy. My mom and I had a quick turnaround but still managed to squeeze in some fun — we did a little shopping on the Magnificent Mile, saw a show at the Lookingglass Theatre and enjoyed some amazing meals.

How did it feel seeing the finished piece for the first time?
It was incredibly emotional. My dress had been in a closet for years, but seeing it framed brought all those memories rushing back. It’s truly a work of art, with impeccable craftsmanship. The attention to detail and the love put into preserving my dress is so apparent. I was in awe.

Where will it live in your home, and what does it mean to have it as part of your every day space?
Originally, I planned to hang it in my closet. But when I showed my mother-in-law the finished photo, she said, “There’s no way you can hide that — it needs to be on display!” I agreed.

We’re now placing it on the wall between our main level and upstairs stairway, and I’m still on the hunt for the perfect picture light to go above it. It means so much to have it as a staple in our home. I love that my kids — Theo (4) and Tilly (17 months) — will grow up seeing it every day.

What advice would you give to another bride considering preserving her dress this way?
Do it! You’ve spent years dreaming of what your dress would look like — now spend years looking at it!

Whether you want to frame your gown, veil, bouquet, or other meaningful mementos from your special day, our team can help you bring it to life. Learn more about our wedding dress framing services here →