Why do dresses take so long to be delivered?
Wedding dresses are made to order - our designers do not carry inventory. Once you select your gown in the style, size, and colour that you choose then the work to create it begins. Depending on the time of year, your designer's timelines, the location of where it is being made, and where the fabrics are being sourced all affect delivery times. We recommend 6 to 8 months for Bridal, 3 to 5 months for Bridesmaids / Grad, and 8 weeks for Flower Girls.
What is the DIFFERENCE Between "Made To Order" and "Custom Made"?
All of our wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, and grad dresses are Made To Order - that means we measure the three most important areas (bust / waist / hips) and use your designer's unique sizing guides to determine what size your gown will be made in. Our goal is to get the dress as close to perfect as possible but you may still require some alterations to get an exact fit as no two woman are alike and in some cases are very different sizes in different areas.
Why Are Bridal Sizes Different Than Standard Sizes?
Bridal and formal wear sizes are based on an International Size Guide as most designers sell around the world - this guide is a reference tool and should not reflect how you feel about your dress size as it does not reflect what you would typically wear in other clothing styles. The difference is on average 2 sizes: a standard 8 is a Bridal 12.
What Should I budget For Alterations?
Alterations vary depending on the fabric and fine details of your dress. For bridesmaids and grads we recommend budgeting between $50 and $150 (including hemming) and for Bridal we recommend between $200 and $500. These estimates can be affected or increased by things such as customization requests, intricate hand beading on your dress, and how much time you have prior to your event (less than 3 weeks). We have amazing partner seamstresses in Calgary that we will refer you to during your pick up appointment - alterations are not included in the price of our dresses.