Frequently Asked Questions
From pricing and timelines to attending your first fitting, you should find the answers to your burning questions below…
How much do your dresses cost?
Bespoke design starts from £3500, but each dress is priced individually based on the work involved. On average, a gown will cost £3500-£6000.
The quoted price of your gown will only increase if changes are made during the design process that significantly affect the cost of materials and/or labour. I avoid this as much as possible and will always discuss a price increase with you before making any changes to a design.
The design process begins with a free, no obligation consultation which generally lasts about an hour. A non-refundable deposit of 33% of the quoted price is required to secure my services. All prices quoted are inclusive of VAT.
I love your designs, but I don’t know exactly what I want. Can you help?
Definitely! As a starting point, I would suggest collecting a range of inspiration for us to look at and discuss. Think about shapes you like, details you love, and the fabrics and textures you’re drawn to. Inspiration can come from anywhere – haute couture fashion, celebrity red carpet looks or a much-loved dress you already own. We can pick a detail from one gown, a colour from another, and it will all make sense in the end!
Can I try on a sample dress?
When you commission a bespoke design, your dress is completely unique so there is no sample to try on.
For Made To Measure, I have will have a range of sample sizes available. If you’re concerned I won’t have your size, please email in advance. If you let me know which styles you’re interested in, I can ensure there’s something for you to try.
How long will it take to design and make my dress?
You should allow roughly 12 months for a bespoke gown. Depending on my schedule, a shorter time frame is sometimes possible, so it’s always worth enquiring.
For Made To Measure, please allow 6-12 months for production and potential alterations to perfect the fit.
Can you make my bridal veil too? What about other accessories?
I’m only able to make bridal veils and accessories for clients who have also commissioned a dress. Prices for a plain veil in tulle or chiffon start from £250. An embroidered veil starts from £500 depending on the design.
When will fittings take place?
Due to the nature of having a dress entirely made by hand, scheduled fittings may be a little irregular. Sometimes, I only need to make a small tweak before seeing you again, but at certain points I need more time to create more intricate details. I will stay in touch throughout the design process and give you as much notice as possible for each fitting. To ensure everything goes smoothly with the creation of your dress, please strive to meet all your scheduled fittings.
Can I bring my stylist/mum/sister/bridesmaid to my fitting?
Yes, it’s a good idea to bring a trusted friend or family member whose advice you value and trust. However, to avoid conflicting opinions, I would encourage you to limit the number of guests you bring.
Please note, with sharp scissors and pristine white dresses, my studio is not a suitable place for children.
Can I take photos during my fitting?
Generally, I advise against it and would prefer that you didn’t. I believe you should make any decisions about your dress based on how you feel while wearing it, not what you see when you look at a picture on your phone. If you feel you need another opinion, you can of course host a Zoom or Skype call with family and friends who can’t make it to the fitting.
I’m not very body confident and I’m anxious about wedding dress shopping. What would you suggest?
I’m so sorry to hear you’re feeling anxious. I want to encourage you to love your body just as it is, but I know this can be easier said than done.
For me, the design and construction of every gown I create is about making the wearer feel good about the body they have. Instead of hiding and changing the parts you don't like, we focus on enhancing the parts you do. Due to the small scale of my business, there is absolutely no limit to the sizes available. This applies to bespoke dresses and Made To Measure.
I will always offer honest, professional advice. I also recommend bringing a trusted friend or family member to fittings whose opinion you value and trust.
What happens if I lose weight?
Weight loss is not a problem. Because your dress is made in stages, especially for you, alterations can usually be made quite easily, especially during the toile stages. However, I prefer not to make extensive alterations to silk dresses in the last few weeks as it may jeopardise the final design and finish of the dress.
What about shoes and underwear?
I would urge you to start thinking about your wedding day undies as soon as you can to make sure the fit of your dress is perfected early. I’m always happy to offer specific advice, but in general, think nude tones, smooth, plain fabrics, no VPL, stick-on cups, and/or low-back bodysuits.
Although I usually leave the final hem length of your dress until the last minute, it’s also a good idea to choose your shoes as early as possible. Even if you haven’t found the perfect pair, please bring shoes to fittings to complement your look.
I’m unable to travel to your studio. Do you do home visits?
If you are unable to travel, local home visits for consultations and fittings are available upon request. These are charged at a flat rate of £50 per visit (additional costs may apply depending on your location).
Please note, this option is available for special circumstances only. It is always preferable for me to work in my own environment with all my equipment to hand. I’m also reluctant to make a home visit once your gown has been made in final fabrics. Although I would obviously take every precaution, I would hate to risk damaging your dress.