Wedding & Special Occasion Dresses & Alterations by Bridal Creativity

There are many details to consider in the planning of a wedding, not least the venues for the  ceremony and the reception and these are likely to influence you in the style of bridal gown you choose, but nearly every girl grows up with an idea of  the kind of wedding dress she would like. At Bridal Creativity you can have the bridal dress of your dreams.

Every client receives personal attention throughout, whether it's the creation of a designer original or an alteration to a vintage dress, family heirloom or internet purchase. 

Choosing Your Wedding Dress

When choosing your wedding dress there are several factors to take into consideration:

First - What is your dream wedding dress. If you've always had a dream, now's the time to realise it. This is your day so make the most of it.

Second - Your size and figure type. We all have bits we'd like to hide and other parts we quite like. The same as any other garment you buy, the style of your wedding dress should be chosen to enhance your good points and minimise the not so good.

Third - Time of year - climate. Choose a style and fabric that will keep you comfortable throughout.

Place - Cathedral, Registry Office, Scottish Castle, Beach in Bali. Choose a style that will be suitable for the type of wedding you're planning. A white bikini with a white sarong and a garland of flowers round your neck might look great for a beach wedding but a formal ceremony in the Cathedral requires a different look!

Reception - Where, How big, How formal?

Budget - how much do you want to spend on your wedding dress? 

Having Your Wedding Dress Made to Measure

To have your wedding dress designed and made for you is the ultimate luxury and it costs less than you might think. You will stay comfortable and relaxed in a bridal gown that fits to perfection in a style to suit your personality and in a fabric that will keep you feeling fresh and comfortable from early morning til the last dance at your reception - probably in the early hours of the next morning!

You may have tried on many wedding dresses (in fact you should try on as many as possible to get an idea of what suits you) and found that you'd like to combine features from two or more different dresses. Or maybe you know what you want but can't find it, or you'd like a different material. Maybe you'd like a wedding dress that is a bridal gown on the day but can easily be converted to a ball dress to wear again. Maybe you can't find anything to fit (you might be surprised to hear you're not alone) or you might simply want to have a professional designer create your own personal unique design to suit your figure and your personality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What does having my Wedding Dress made involve?

A. We start by designing the dress. We sketch different ideas until we have a drawing of the dress you want. Together we choose the fabric we want to use. We measure you carefully and draft a pattern from your measurements. We then make a 'toile', which is a mock-up of your wedding dress in a basic workroom fabric. The toile is used to make amendments and alterations until we're both happy with the style and fit.

Once we're satisfied with the toile, a working pattern is made from it and we're ready to start on the actual wedding dress. You should allow for at least 3 fittings. Most brides enjoy being part of the creative process & coming along for fittings at various stages to watch the progress, and we encourage this, for two reasons:-

1. The planning and preparation of your wedding is exciting and what could be better than being involved in the creation of your wedding dress and watching it take shape. There are no worries such as 'will my dress arrive in time?' 'what if it doesn't fit?'

2. The more fittings you have the more tiny refinements can be made & therefore the better the fit but also - very importantly - on the day you will be used to the dress and well-rehearsed in how to sit and walk in it, how to manage the train and the volume of a full skirt for example.

Q. What do I need to bring with me?

A. It is essential to bring the underwear and shoes you will be wearing on the day for all sessions as the shape of the dress will be affected by the shape of your underwear and the length is affected by the heel height of your shoes. You might choose a design with a basque style bodice to be worn without a bra, but you must wear a bra or basque that gives you the shape you want, for your fitting sessions.

Q. All this personal service sounds expensive. How much will it cost?

A. Less than you might think. It depends very much on the complexity of the design, the type and quantity of fabric (silk and lace cost more than polyester obviously) and the amount of hand beading and decoration but as a rough guide prices start at less than 1000.

The best thing is to come with a budget figure and a rough idea of the style you would like and together we can work out some designs to suit your budget.

The designs remain our copyright, there's no charge for the first consultation stages & you're welcome to bring trusted advisors with you to help you decide. But, a word of warning here, make sure your advisors share your taste.

Once we've given you a fixed quote you can decide if you want to go ahead and a deposit of 25% will secure your dates and we can proceed to make a toile. There will be further stage payment as work progresses and the final payment on completion.

Q. How long does it take to make?

A. Between 3 and 6 months is normal, though again it depends on the intricacy of the design and also on your availabilty for fittings. Most brides are planning a year or more in advance, so time is not of concern, but a wedding dress can be made in a few weeks if there is urgency eg if you've been let down or something has happened to a dress you had ordered (though don't forget we can alter or rescue a dress you've already got)

Q. Can you do Bridesmaid and Mother of the Bride dresses?

A. Yes, with pleasure: and we bring the same care and attention to detail as we do to the bride's dress.

Our main concern is to give you, the Bride, a bridal gown you will love. We will guide and advise you but never pressure or rush you. Ultimately we want the creation of your wedding dress to be an enjoyable anticipation of your big day and the wearing of it on the day to be an absolute joy.