Playing Muse

Sabella Couture

151 Tremont St., Boston, 617-426-8686, sabellacouture.com.

Maria Spyridopoulos, who designs about half of the gowns sold in her downtown Boston store, has a disarmingly no-frills air. Her sketch is the simplest of the three, but gets the point across: The design will lift my chest and nip in my waist, and its detailed embroidery will keep the focus away from any junk in my trunk (a strategy I can really get behind).

Cameo Couture

200 Washington St.,  Boxford, 978-361-5053, cameocouture.net.

Pamela Moretti designed clothing for Victoria’s Secret before launching her dressmaking company north of Boston, and flattering figures is her forte. For my faux September wedding, she creates an Empire-style gown that emphasizes my, er, assets, then floats away from the waist, concealing my nonexistent six-pack.

Ana Hernandez

165 Newbury St., Boston, 617-536-2500.

With a shop presiding over posh Newbury Street, Ana Hernandez is queen of the local bridal couture scene. She’s a consummate pro, and her design goes straight to the point: I’m no Kate Moss, and this body-hugging mermaid silhouette is going to show everything. Scary, yes, but for the pleasure of putting on a gown this sleek—and fabrics this luxurious—I’d gladly become a gym rat.