Custom Wedding Dresses: Finding Your Dream Gown

where to get a made to measure wedding dress

There are a variety of options available for those looking for a made-to-measure wedding dress. Some companies offer custom-sized dresses, such as Havedressstore, Grace + Ivory, Bride & Tailor, and Lace & Liberty, which allow you to create your own bridal gown according to your measurements and design preferences. Others, like Olivia Bottega and Grace Loves Lace, provide made-to-order gowns, allowing you to choose from a range of styles and have your dress tailored to your specific size. With the flexibility of online shopping and in-person appointments, you can find the perfect dress that reflects your unique style and ensures a memorable bridal experience.

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Online stores with custom sizing

There are several online stores that offer custom sizing for wedding dresses. Here are some options:

Olivia Bottega

Olivia Bottega offers an extensive collection of designer and custom-made bridal gowns. They provide free custom sizing and detailed customisation options to create a one-of-a-kind gown. You can book an online appointment with their personal bridal stylist for personalised advice and recommendations. They offer both made-to-order and ready-to-ship gowns, providing flexibility for your planning.

HAVE DRESS

HAVE DRESS offers made-to-measure bridal dresses with custom sizing. You can browse their range of custom bridal gowns and select your size from their chart or provide exact measurements for a made-to-measure fit. They also allow you to tweak various elements, such as the neckline and sleeves, to create your dream dress. The company is known for its excellent communication and fast delivery.

A.Cherie Couture

A.Cherie Couture specialises in affordable custom wedding dresses. They offer made-to-measure services for their semi-custom dress designs or the option of standard US sizing. You can provide detailed body measurements to ensure a perfect fit. They can customise any part of the dress, including changing colours, adding layers of fabric, or incorporating detachable details. They do not charge extra for size customisation.

Grace Loves Lace

Grace Loves Lace offers made-to-order wedding dresses, handcrafted from luxurious fabrics. Their most popular option is the Made-to-Order Standard gown, handmade to your standard dress size, with sizing from XS to XXXL. They also offer a Made to Order Customised gown, individually crafted according to your size range, height, and detail requirements. They have boutiques across Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, as well as virtual appointments.

Grace + Ivory

Grace + Ivory creates made-to-measure wedding dresses based on your body's measurements for the best proportional fit. All their wedding dresses can be customised, allowing you to add unique details or make style changes. They offer a "Try at Home" option, where you can try on dresses in the comfort of your own home before making a decision. They are dedicated to providing a seamless, personal, and exciting experience for brides-to-be.

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In-person bridal boutiques

Many bridal boutiques offer made-to-measure services, ensuring your dress is tailored to your body and style. For instance, Grace + Ivory, a bridal boutique in Chicago, offers made-to-measure gowns, allowing you to choose custom details like necklines, sleeves, and more. They also provide try-at-home options, giving you the flexibility to experience your dress in the comfort of your home.

Similarly, Grace Loves Lace, with boutiques across the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia, offers made-to-order gowns, customising details according to your size, height, and style preferences. They also provide virtual bridal styling appointments for those who can't visit their boutiques.

Havedressstore, originally an Etsy store, also offers made-to-measure bridal gowns with customisable elements like neckline, sleeves, and length. They have a range of styles, including short wedding dresses, wedding skirts, and plus-size options, ensuring your dress is tailored to your vision.

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Custom design services

Olivia Bottega

Olivia Bottega offers custom-made designer bridal gowns with free custom sizing and detailed customisation options. They offer a range of styles, including A-line, ball gown, mermaid, and sheath dresses, made from luxurious fabrics and intricate lace details. You can book an online appointment with their personal bridal stylist to get personalised advice and recommendations.

Have Dress

Have Dress offers made-to-measure bridal dresses, allowing you to create your own bridal gown for your special day. They offer a wide range of custom bridal gowns, including midi, tea-length, and plus-size dresses, made from high-quality fabrics like lace, satin, and tulle. You can select your size from their chart or provide exact measurements for a made-to-measure fit. They also offer customisation options for the neckline, sleeves, and other elements.

Grace + Ivory

Grace + Ivory offers made-to-measure bridal gowns that are fully customisable to empower women to celebrate their individuality. They provide a unique try-at-home experience, delivering dream bridal gowns directly to your door for a private try-on experience. Their dresses are crafted with care and attention to detail, ensuring a perfect fit and reflecting your unique style.

Lace & Liberty

Lace & Liberty provides a fun, stress-free custom wedding dress design service. They offer a complimentary call to guide you through the entire custom design process, providing price guidance and helping you bounce ideas around. They create personalised, one-of-a-kind gowns, handmade with attention to detail. The process includes initial consultations, sketch visualisations, fabric selections, pattern creation, and hand-sewing of your dream gown. Their custom design pricing starts at $1500 and can go up to $5500, with an average spend of $2000-$3500.

Bride & Tailor

Bride & Tailor offers custom wedding dresses handmade by their designers, allowing you to shop online or design your own dream dress. They provide excellent customer service and create unique dresses based on your preferred style, colour, and size. You can submit your design request through their website and receive a price quote and process details from their bridal consultant within 24 hours. They can even sketch and colour your dress to help you visualise it before it's created.

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Ready-to-wear options

There are many ready-to-wear options for wedding dresses, which can be a great choice for brides who are short on time or are looking for a more affordable option. These gowns are typically crafted to a standard dress size and are in stock and ready to ship, ensuring you receive your dress promptly. Here are some things to keep in mind when considering ready-to-wear options:

Online retailers

Online retailers such as Farfetch, Amazon, ASOS, and Olivia Bottega offer a wide range of ready-to-wear wedding dresses to choose from. These sites offer the convenience of shopping from home and often have flexible return policies, allowing you to order multiple sizes to find the ideal fit. Olivia Bottega, for example, offers ready-to-ship designer bridal gowns with custom size and customization options at affordable prices. Their dresses are crafted with luxurious fabrics and intricate details, ensuring you feel special on your big day.

Brick-and-mortar stores

If you prefer a more traditional shopping experience, you can visit brick-and-mortar stores that offer ready-to-wear wedding dresses. These stores often have physical locations where you can try on different styles and sizes to find the perfect fit. For example, Grace Loves Lace has global boutiques in the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia, offering an award-winning in-person bridal experience. They also offer virtual bridal styling appointments for those who can't make it to their boutiques.

Last-minute options

Some companies specialize in providing last-minute wedding dresses for brides who are short on time. For instance, Grace Loves Lace offers a range of ready-to-wear bridal gowns that are handmade and ready to ship, perfect for destination or impromptu weddings. Similarly, Olivia Bottega offers a collection of last-minute wedding dresses that are easy to alter and can be shipped out within 2 days, providing a hassle-free option for brides in a hurry.

Standard sizing

Ready-to-wear wedding dresses are typically crafted to a standard dress size, such as XS-XXXL, to ensure prompt delivery. It is important to refer to the size guide provided by the retailer to determine your size and, if needed, have the dress altered by a trusted seamstress for a perfect fit.

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Made-to-measure vs standard sizing

Wedding dress shopping can be a magical experience, but it can also be stressful. The perfect wedding dress should make the bride feel beautiful, confident, and unique. While some brides know exactly what they want, others may prefer to try on different styles before deciding. Whether you opt for a made-to-measure or standard-sized wedding dress depends on various factors, including your budget, timeline, and desired level of customization.

Made-to-measure wedding dresses are designed to match your unique vision and ensure a perfect fit. This option allows you to create a one-of-a-kind bridal gown that reflects your personal style and tastes. At Havedressstore, for example, you can tweak the neckline, sleeves, length, and other elements to create your dream dress. Similarly, Olivia Bottega offers custom sizing, luxurious fabrics, and timeless styles to make each dress unforgettable. Made-to-measure dresses often require taking extensive measurements to ensure a precise fit, and you may need to allow for additional time for customization and fittings.

Standard-sized wedding dresses offer more limited customization but can still be tailored to achieve a good fit. Bridal salons typically carry sample sizes for try-on appointments, usually ranging from a bridal size 6 to 10. It's important to note that wedding dress sizing differs from regular street sizing, with bridal sizes running about three sizes larger than regular dress sizes. For example, a bride who wears a size 12 in regular clothing would typically be a bridal size 18. During your appointment, the stylist will measure your bust, waist, and hips and order the dress based on your largest measurement.

While standard-sized dresses may require alterations for a seamless fit, made-to-measure dresses offer the advantage of a truly customized silhouette. With made-to-measure, you can design a dress that flatters your figure and embodies your unique style. This option is particularly appealing to brides who know exactly what they want and are willing to invest the time and money to make their vision a reality. However, standard sizing can be more convenient for those who are short on time or prefer to try on different styles before committing.

Ultimately, the decision between made-to-measure and standard sizing depends on your personal preferences and circumstances. If you prioritize customization and a guaranteed perfect fit, made-to-measure is ideal. On the other hand, if you're open to alterations and prefer the convenience of standard sizing, there are many beautiful off-the-rack options available. Either way, with the array of choices available today, you're sure to find a wedding dress that makes you feel like the best version of yourself on your special day.

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