These 5 Brides Customized Their Wedding Dresses For Less Than $2,000

I've always thought about customizing my own wedding dress. As someone who has unique tastes and a background in the fashion industry (I've been to more bridal shows than I can count!), I've explored the possibilities, and am well aware that custom online bridal site Anomalie is one of them. Launched by Leslie Voorhees Means and her husband, the brand uses DressBuilder technology to help brides create whatever silhouette they're envisioning with made-to-measure tailoring. That eliminates the stress of paying for tweaks through multiple fittings, and it also encourages women to mix and match details they love or have seen before, culminating in an experience that presents them with their dream dress. Can you imagine?

As always, I like to hear from real women who have tested the process and brought their sketches to life. Anomalie has helped half a million brides craft a dress they felt good about wearing down the aisle, and five of them shared their stories exclusively with POPSUGAR. Anomalie's custom dresses cost, on average, around $1,600, and none of the gowns you see here ring in over $2K. This was a huge draw for many of the women who chose Anomalie, as most bespoke wedding dresses can cost $10K or more. My favorite detail? There's no standard sizing at Anomalie — just your own personal measurements and the right amount of fabric to flatter your figure. If you want to hear more (as I'm sure you do), keep reading to see how these brides made out, and read about their journey in design from start to finish.

Custom Bohemian Wedding Dress
Living Notes Photography

Custom Bohemian Wedding Dress

"I wanted a vintage yet boho vibe to my dress, so I began picking and choosing things from other dresses I had seen on Pinterest. After that, Anomalie did their best to make it exactly how I wanted it! Anomalie was both a risk and a great decision all at once. I always say, 'If you don't ever take risks, you may be closing a door that'll keep you from making a decision that'll change your life forever.'" — Julia Haft

Anomalie's Sketch of Julia Haft's Custom Wedding Dress
Courtesy of Anomalie

Anomalie's Sketch of Julia Haft's Custom Wedding Dress

Anomalie's price estimate: $1,300

Custom Retro Wedding Dress
Meggie Taylor

Custom Retro Wedding Dress

"I chose Anomalie because they could give me the dress of my dreams! I wanted to channel my inner Audrey Hepburn and Jackie O with a classic design that made a stunning statement in the back. My gown had a bateau neckline with a deep V in the back and a large, sweeping bow on top of my train. My overskirt came off after dinner, revealing a fitted trumpet silhouette that allowed me to dance the night away with my new husband!" — Laurel Van Hooser

Anomalie's Sketch of Laurel Van Hooser's Custom Wedding Dress
Courtesy of Anomalie

Anomalie's Sketch of Laurel Van Hooser's Custom Wedding Dress

Anomalie's price estimate: $2,000

Custom Venetian Wedding Dress
David Bastianoni

Custom Venetian Wedding Dress

"Immediately, I envisioned a dress that shimmered like the water with a design that was inspired by popular damask/brocade designs seen in tapestries, fabrics, and architecture during the 16th to 18th centuries in Venice, Italy. I went to three boutiques, and the dresses that remotely compared to the one I was envisioning were over $6,000. I was not going to spend that much on something I'd wear once. After thorough research, I was floored that I was able to create my dream dress on Anomalie for a fraction of what the designer dresses cost. Who doesn't want [the] bragging rights of designing their own wedding dress? On the day of our wedding, local Venetians praised my wedding dress and said how it looked 'very Venetian' and 'very expensive.'" — Rhiannon Roberts

Anomalie's Sketch of Rhiannon Roberts's Custom Wedding Dress
Courtesy of Anomalie

Anomalie's Sketch of Rhiannon Roberts's Custom Wedding Dress

Anomalie's price estimate: $2,000

Custom Colored Wedding Dress
Afterglow Creative

Custom Colored Wedding Dress

"I used to work at a bridal shop, and I knew I didn't want a standard white gown for the big day. I wasn't sure where I'd go to find a unique dress that would make me feel amazing. From the first consultation call, Anomalie felt like a partner in creating my wedding vision. My favorite color is purple, and I was thrilled when I realized my dress could be purple and sparkly with stars on it. Mixing and matching design elements from other dress pictures made it come to life. Another reason I chose Anomalie is that the dress would be made to fit me. Sizing for bridal gowns is always smaller than ready-to-wear. I'm six-feet tall and the sample sizes in a shop wouldn't be ideal, so even a dress ordered would require special sizing. I wanted to feel comfortable and not have to imagine what a dress would look like in my size after trying it on." — Laura Pond

Anomalie's Sketch of Laura Pond's Custom Wedding Dress
Courtesy of Anomalie

Anomalie's Sketch of Laura Pond's Custom Wedding Dress

Anomalie's price estimate: $1,600

Custom Sheath Wedding Dress
OrangeSquare Photo

Custom Sheath Wedding Dress

"I wanted a long dress but with no train, something simple, yet still beautiful. I chose Anomalie because I had found a dress I loved, but it was sold to someone else. Anomalie designed the perfect dress for me that was similar to the one I wanted to buy before, and since they used my measurements, I didn't need any extra alterations. Anomalie allowed me to have my dream wedding dress." — Desiree Vitug

Anomalie's Sketch of Desiree Vitug's Custom Wedding Dress
Courtesy of Anomalie

Anomalie's Sketch of Desiree Vitug's Custom Wedding Dress

Anomalie's price estimate: $1,300