Facts and Questions

Wedding dress questions

Plain answers to the questions brides ask most, from the first picture to keeping the dress after the wedding.

How do I find the dress I actually want?

Most brides we know chose a dress not because it was what they wanted, but because it was the closest thing they could find. Don't settle for "close enough" before you've worked out what you want.

Start with pictures. Look at the parts, not just whole dresses: the neckline, the sleeves, the skirt, the back, the length of the train. Save every picture you love, even if one dress has the right top and another has the right skirt. Our ideas and our Pinterest are full of them. When you can point to two or three pictures and say "this, but with that", you're ready to shop or talk to a seamstress.

How do I settle on the design?

Before you buy, decide the things that are hard to change later:

• Neckline and back. These decide what you wear underneath, so settle them first.
• Length and train. Think about the venue: a long train is lovely in a church aisle and hard work on a lawn.
• Fabric. Satin shows every crease, lace hides them, tulle packs well. Our fabric guide explains how each one drapes.
• What goes under it. A slip, shapewear or a petticoat changes the shape, so bring it to every fitting.

How should I take my measurements?

Get a friend to help: you can't measure yourself accurately, because reaching changes your shape. Use a soft measuring tape, measure over the underwear you'll wear on the day, and keep the tape snug but not tight.

Bust, waist and hips are a start, but a dress that really fits needs more: a custom dress takes about sixteen measurements, including shoulder to waist, waist to floor in your wedding shoes, and around the upper arm. Write them down with the date. Our measuring guide walks through each one.

How long does a dress take?

Longer than most brides expect. A custom dress can take two to four weeks for the design sketch and six to eight weeks to make once the design is approved, and that's fast. Store dresses are often ordered months ahead, and then there are fittings. Ask the shop for its timeline before you fall in love, and leave room for at least two fittings after the dress arrives.

Will my dress need alterations?

Almost certainly, and that's normal. Most dresses need the hem adjusted for your shoes, and many need the sides taken in or a bustle added so you can dance. Bring your wedding shoes and underwear to every fitting. If it's a small fix, our altering guide shows what you can do at home, and when to pay a tailor.

What if I'm losing weight before the wedding?

Buy for the size you are now, not the size you hope to be. Taking a dress in is much easier than letting it out, and there's often no spare fabric to let out at all. Tell your seamstress early, and plan your last fitting close to the day so it fits the body you'll be married in.

How do I keep the dress perfect before and after?

Keep it in a breathable garment bag, not the plastic it came in, and hang it by the inner loops so the straps don't stretch. A handheld steamer takes out creases on the morning. After the wedding, have it cleaned soon, then store it flat in an archival gown box that's acid-free and lignin-free.

What should I have with me on the day?

A small emergency kit saves more weddings than you'd think: safety pins, a needle and white thread, fashion tape, a stain pen, and something to eat. We've put the whole list together in the Bride's Kit.

Do you still make custom dresses?

No. Some of the dresses are in the gallery. Today the site is free help, and if you'd like to make your own dress, our sewing guides start from the beginning.