How to Find Someone to Custom Make Bridesmaid Dresses

Weddings are becoming more and more an expression of the couple’s taste and fashion sense. Once an extremely expensive and difficult task, with the increase in availability of custom dressmakers, it has become much simpler to find someone to custom make the bridesmaid dresses for your wedding.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Internet access
• computer

1. Get together with members of your bridal party and discuss what you would like to see at your wedding. Consider all of the factors, such as the time, color palette, formality of the ceremony and reception, and talk to each other about what you each would like to have in a dress. The cost of a bridesmaid dress usually falls to the individual bridesmaid, so it’s a good idea to get their input and help them pick out a design that is functional for multiple occasions.
2. Take detailed notes on your party’s input and try to reach a compromise on a few styles that everyone can agree on. You may not be able to get everyone’s first choice, but you will at least be able to find some general designs that everyone can work with.
3. Get online and head to your favorite search engine. Type in “custom made bridesmaid dresses” in the search field. You can certainly go to your favorite bridal boutique’s Web site, but doing a general search opens up a lot more options for ideas.
4. Take notes on the various styles that are displayed. Many sites offer portfolios of their custom work that you can browse to get ideas. Use the site’s search engine if available to look at styles from your list.
5. Clip photos from several bridal magazines and consider going to a bridal show if there is one going on in your area. This is a good opportunity to enjoy a day with members of your bridal party, and a good chance to get information about local custom dressmakers as well.
6. Decide on a custom shop or online company for your dresses. If there are several local dressmakers in your area, consider interviewing several of them to discuss options and availability. Ask them to show you samples of their work and make sure that they can get the right colors for your girls.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep everybody on the same page. Make sure that your bridesmaids all use the same dressmaker or online store to avoid any miscommunication or design errors. If using a local dressmaker, make sure that they order enough fabric from the same dye lot to insure uniform color in all of the dresses.
• Familiarize yourself with dressmaking terminology to insure that you understand precisely what it is that you are asking for. Your best bet is to limit elaborate requirements for your dresses.
• When ordering custom made dresses keep in mind that all sales are final. Most dressmakers make no warranties beyond material and workmanship. Make absolutely sure that your bridesmaids agree on the design, and make sure that they are aware that the dresses are non-refundable.
• Most online custom shops require credit approval before they will fill an order. Take that into consideration when deciding on a custom dressmaker. Make sure that your girls can get approved unless you are willing to loan them the money.