First Appointment
During the first appointment, we really take this opportunity to know what you are looking for and what kind of style you are after. We will look at images and fabrics and talk through potential designs.
At the initial appointment bring in your ideas sketched out or pictures of styles you would like to have made. We will work together and draft out an illustration of the style. Alternatively, you can browse through the internet for some ideas and either email or sms them to us. The internet might have elements of what you are looking for such as a gown for it’s neckline or a gown with a lovely skirt shape, sleeves or back detail.
We then have a vague idea of what you want in the gown and sketch it with fabric details and silhouette estimated so we can put a quote on the work. We encourage customers to send us photos of anything else they are interested in, to help us incorporate in their gown and to think about the design we created together.
Our design process involves interpreting the ideas we have discussed, understanding the client as an individual and how she would like to express herself. We also consider the feel of the occasion, nature of the venue and the time of year the outfit is to be used.
Second Appointment
In the second appointment, we finalise any design decisions that weren’t made in the first appointment. Sometimes customers return and mention that they found a lovely neckline or back detail that would work with the dress / gown or we may have better suggestions to suit the style of the gown you are after. This is the best time to decide if you would like to change a particular kind of detail like lace or embellishment. During the second appointment, you are able to see the final details of your gown sketched and decided upon. In the first appointment some customers may have been deciding between a fuller skirt or a mermaid skirt or the lengths of the skirt but at this stage we will know what you prefer for your dream creation.
At this appointment, customers will be dropping of their fabrics and any other details required to create their dream dress.
Decisions!
Congratulations! You’re about to start an amazing journey in getting your very own custom-made outfit, just for you! This sometimes happens in the 2nd appointment and we fill out a Made-to-Measure form for you. This details all the T & C’s, timeline for your outfit and design features. You will be able to choose to make a deposit or pay in full after signing the order form.
You are able to take swatches of fabrics to help look for accessories, shoes, and everything else that match the outfit for your special day.
Measurements
While working with brides…. For brides that don’t fluctuate much in weight, measurements are sometimes taken after the order form is completed. For brides that may expect any weight changes, Measurements can be taken around 3 months before the wedding.
Toile Fitting
The toile fitting will be the initial mock-up of the designed outfit. This may be made with calico or polyester blend fabrics so we can perfect the structure of the gown and any minimal design decisions are also made in this fitting. For accuracy at this, I would request to wear the right underwear in all fittings.
First Fitting
In the first fitting, the structure is the most important part in this stage. We need to make sure that the client is comfortable with how things are looking. At this point, the outfit is often not all-in-one but rather the bodice may be separate to the skirt. And if there is lace or embellishments in an outfit, these will be pinned in place so we can decide if it’s ready to be hand sewn to the gown. This will also give you the opportunity to decide if you might like to change any embellishments etc.
Second Fitting
The is the exciting fitting, as the gown / garment takes shape more and more towards a finished end product. There may be only some slight alterations needed such as the length. A day prior to this fitting you will be reminded to bring yours shoes in to this fitting, as it will be the best time to bring your shoes in, for you to also decide on the length. Embellishments, buttons or closures will also be confirmed in this fitting, so we can hand sew them in place as well.
Third Fitting
The third fitting involves the completely finished product so that the client can see it completed. If working on a wedding dress or a dress with a train, at this stage of the process we will have the bustle and finger loops in place so that the train doesn’t get in the way of you dancing! Any minor alterations needed can be made in the third fitting before the final pick-up.
Anymore fittings????
Unless any changes / alterations requested there won’t be anymore fittings.
Pick-up
Sometimes clients ask if someone else can pick up the gown, which we really don’t agree. Our service being the most chosen to design and create an important garment for you, we believe it is an important moment where the completed garment will be handed over to the you itself after one last trial. The ideal time for pick-up is a week or two before your important day when you are using the product. Wishing the client well, we will have the product ready to take with them. And Viola! “Enjoy your new garment”
The whole process is very personal and we love getting to know our clients more over the process. The best part for us is receiving the photos from their beautiful custom made garment!
Please note that pictures will be taken at each fitting to help us while making decisions. We would request permission for these pictures to be used to go in our album of work, our social media profiles and our website.
If you have any questions or want to organise a consultation with us to “transform you dream gown to a real gown”…, as I await to work with another princess just hit the contact us tab.
Please make sure to include:
A description of your concept
Links to your wedding dress Pinterest board
Links to any images you like
Your contact information
Your wedding date
Your Budget
Any other information that you think would help me to design your dream gown
Look forward to work with you soon!