What’s involved in a bespoke wedding dress?

The process of having a bespoke wedding dress made is a wonderful experience and so different to a ready-to-wear bridal boutique. The first consultation with River Elliot at our Cambridge studio is always free, with no obligations. Our bespoke wedding consultation lasts around an hour and we’ll start with an informal friendly chat at our studio in Cambridge where we can talk about your initial idea using inspiration pictures or internet links that you can send in advance or bring to the meeting. Fully trained in design and pattern-cutting, we can make any style of wedding dress. We specialise in modern, contemporary and modern vintage wedding dresses as well as bridal alterations.

Clients can also look at our own exclusive bridal collection, designed and made -to-order by River Elliot Bridal in Cambridge. The styles in our range include modern  and modern vintage with inspirations taken from the 1930s. Our collection is made-to-order using custom measurements and including fitting and alterations.

During the consultation in Cambridge we can look at fabric swatches for your bespoke wedding dress, to construct a better idea of the cost of your final wedding dress. We’ll discuss many important aspects such as your personal style, what kind of fabrics and colours best suit you, your overall vision of how you imagine your wedding dress will look, as well as what’s important to you; such as comfort, length and skin coverage. All these elements will combine to make you feel confident in yourself and to ensure that your final bespoke wedding dress will make you feel completely wonderful on your special day.

DESIGN AND COST

The next stage is the overall design of your wedding dress using sketches, images and fabric swatches, which is typically done in our studio in Cambridge. This will also mean we can formulate a final quote of how much your bespoke wedding dress will cost including chosen materials.

Bespoke wedding dress prices at River Elliot start at £1200 plus fabrics and other materials. On average bespoke wedding dresses can cost from £1600 – £2500 depending on design and fabric. Any changes are always run by the client and costs are kept to a minimum at all times. The final cost will include the labour which is the design, pattern making and construction of your unique bespoke wedding dress plus fabric costs. Your wedding dress will be one of a kind and not replicated in any way for anyone else.

Once the cost and quote has been agreed we will then schedule production in our Cambridge bridal studio and start making the pattern for your bespoke wedding dress. The first version is made in calico cotton and is called a toile. This is essentially a ‘dummy’ version of your final bespoke wedding dress. It’s not final and minor tweaks and adjustments can be made during your fitting sessions. This stage also allows us to review the fabric choices to make sure they will work with the final garment’s design. Over the whole process, you’ll begin to see your idea transformed into a real wedding dress, and understand how a bespoke bridal service ensures your garment is tailor made to your figure, style and preferences. At the end, you’ll have a wedding dress that’s truly unique to you, incorporating your own vision and design not to mention a wedding dress that fits your body perfectly.

THE FINAL DRESS

After we have completed the fitting stage and both fabric and style have been finalised, we will start the proper construction of your final bespoke wedding dress. This is where the magic happens! I am trained in couture techniques and these will be applied with individual care and skill to your beautiful wedding dress. Before, your bespoke wedding dress is finalised we will arrange a final fitting in our studio in Cambridge to ensure you are completely happy. This is the first time you will see your wedding dress in its full glory with all the trimmings! Once you’re happy, your bespoke wedding dress will be finished and prepared for delivery or collection.

Depending on style and required technique, our production of bridal wear can take from 3-6 months to complete.

By choosing a bespoke bridal service you will experience an unforgettable journey. You’ll feel special, respected and confident knowing that your wedding dress will be unlike any other.

For more details or to book your first wedding dress consultation at our studio in Cambridge, please contact us at hello@riverelliot.com.