Made To Measure Bridal Gowns
Written by Lisa Merton
Continued from
page 2
9. Choose Your Accessories
Once your gown is underway, selecting your accessories should
be lots of fun and not too challenging. Ask your couturier
for a cutting (swatch) of your fabric to match up colours.
Lingerie needs to suit the fit and cut of the dress, and should
be purchased as soon as possible. Shoes are also needed early
on in the process, as the height of the heel will affect the
hemline. Jewellery is often the hardest choice, and with your
dress only partially made, it can be difficult to imagine
what kind of necklace will suit the neckline and the overall
theme of your outfit. Ask your couturier for advice, and have
a good look around before you decide on a piece. Try to select
a few possibilities then wait until the dress is almost finished
before you decide. Hair accessories such as clips, flowers
and veils should compliment the feel and look of your gown.
It is best not to appear too cluttered or fussy, so discuss
these details with your couturier to ensure the overall flavour
of your gown is not compromised. Many couturiers also make
co-ordinating veils, wraps, bags and even jewellery, which
can save you lots of time and tie into your theme perfectly.
10. Bridesmaids and
Bridal Party
Never choose your bridesmaids’ outfits before your dress
is designed! They need to look great, but you are the star
of the show and they should compliment you, not overpower
you. Traditionally matching outfits for bridesmaids are most
popular, but these days it is equally acceptable to have your
girls in similar colours or styles that suit them as individuals,
but not necessarily matching. Their outfits should be along
the same lines as yours in terms of the mood … soft
and flowing, or formal, or relaxed … your dress will
set the mood for theirs. The budget you set for the bridesmaids
will determine whether you buy off the rack or have them made
by a couturier. Generally speaking, couturiers will charge
at least $500 per bridesmaid for an outfit, going up to $1000
each for a detailed gown. Off the rack, however, you can achieve
a much lower price of around $200 - $300 each if you shop
around together with your girls, but finding the right fit,
colour and range can be difficult. Flowergirls’ dresses
will generally cost around $200 made to measure, but if this
price is not suitable, try second-hand flowergirl dresses,
or even borrow them from friends! And the mother of the bride
and groom can look amazing if you get your couturier to design
outfits to suit the mood and style of your wedding –
prices generally start at $500 each. Matching ties and hankies
for your groom and groomsmen can easily be arranged with your
couturier using the same or similar fabric as your bridesmaids–
just ask!
11. Final Fitting
As the big day draws closer, it is important to remain calm
and relax during your final fittings! Hand-work such as intricate
beading is often done once the garment is almost finished,
so as not to interfere with seams, etc. Linings, hems and
zippers or buttons are left until last to easily adjust should
the need arise. Arrange to have a fitting together with your
bridesmaids and your couturier so you can see how you all
look as a group. Ask your couturier to show the bridesmaids
how to dress you, with zippers, buttons and hooks explained
so they know exactly what to do. Any extra details such as
trains, veils or wraps should be shown to the girls so there
are no questions on the day. Some couturiers will even offer
to come and dress you on your wedding day, especially if your
gown is delicate or complicated. Once your gown is completed,
do your final fit with the correct lingerie, shoes, hair accessories
and jewellery. View your gown from different angles and mirrors
to see the hems, neckline, closures, etc, and move around
in the dress to check the comfort and reliability. You should
be able to sit, walk, bend over, reach out and hug people,
and walk up or down steps without undue strain or discomfort.
Check with your couturier on how the dress should be stored
(hanging or flat) and make sure you have the correct cleaning
instructions. Some couturiers can hold your dress at their
studio until the big day, if you are worried about transportation
or storage at your place. Make sure you confirm pick-up or
delivery instructions and minimize the amount of handling
so the dress will not get crushed. On the day, allow plenty
of time to get dressed so you will not feel rushed.
Well, there you have it, a step by
step guide to the process of having a wedding gown made to
measure. With an expert couturier creating your dress, their
reputation is on the line and they will go out of their way
to make sure you are more than happy with your gown and the
service they provide. There are endless possibilities of what
you can achieve with your couturier, all you need is to trust
in them and their expertise!
Made To Measure Bridal Gowns
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For further information on Culture Shock
Bridal and Eveningwear please contact Lisa Merton.
This article has
been reproduced on Wedding Central Australia with permission.
© Lisa Merton 2003. All Rights Reserved.
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