Designing Your Perfect Bespoke Wedding Dress in Christchurch

Our bespoke wedding dress process is a collaboration between your dream and our craftsmanship. Let's take you through the steps that transform your vision into a masterpiece. This is a local service of creating personalized and custom wedding gowns in Christchurch.

Step 1: The Bespoke Wedding Dress Consultation in Christchurch

Our journey begins with a consultation—an hour devoted entirely to you and your vision for a bespoke wedding dress in Christchurch. This is where you share the essence of your dream dress, igniting the excitement of the bespoke path ahead. This appointment is booked through contacting us, and from there, we select a time that suits. Before you arrive in the studio, I kindly request that you send a few images of what you have in mind. From this, I create a Pinterest board of inspiration. Images that have pulled your attention, designs that interest you, and fabrics that inspire. From these images, we discuss all the aspects that you want to both include and exclude. This time together is where you share the essence of your dream dress, igniting the excitement of the bespoke path ahead.

Step 2: From Your Vision to A Drawn Reality

Following our conversation, the magic unfolds in the design studio. I translate your ideas into three or more unique designs, accompanied by detailed descriptions and a comprehensive quote. This quote encompasses the hours it will take to pattern make, cut, sew, and alter your bespoke creation. At this point, you are required to select a design and pay the deposit to secure your design.

Please note: To secure your spot, a $50% deposit is required.

Step 3: Made to Fit You

Once your deposit is received, we work on defining the final design, making sure that all parts of the design are what you had in mind. Your measurements become the blueprint for your unique pattern, which is drafted by Sarah and cut out to exactly mimic the shape of your body.

Step 4: Crafting Uniqueness

Now that we have a pattern that reflects your measurements, we can start the creation of a mock dress. This process allows you to witness the initial silhouette, ensuring that fit and form align with your vision. From the mock fitting, we also select fabric that will best form the base for the design you are after. This is a stage where the design can change according to how the dress feels.

Weaving Dreams into Reality

With your mock fitting complete, it's time to choose the fabric that will bring your dream dress to life. Guided by your vision, I present swatches and suggestions or, if you've already found 'the one,' you're welcome to Bring Your Own Fabric (BYO).

Step 5: Unveiling Perfection

The moment arrives—the first look at your chosen fabric. This initial fitting is a canvas for any desired changes, ensuring that beading, lace, and appliqué are poised to adorn your dress perfectly. Expect 3-5 fittings (depending on your dress style), where alterations refine every detail. As we approach the final fitting, bring along your shoes, accessories, and chosen underwear for the day, allowing us to ensure the cohesion of your final look. Check this blog for what to expect in the fitting process.

Step 6 : Collecting Your Perfect Wedding Dress

The crescendo of our bespoke journey—the final fitting. Bring along around three of your closest companions, and let's toast to the completion of your dream dress. Bubbles and blooms set the scene as we unveil the masterpiece. An invoice for the remaining balance is sent before the final fitting, and payment is due before you collect.

Sarah Stoute Bespoke is more than a label; it's a commitment to creating a dress that resonates with your soul. Your journey is unique, and so is your dress—an embodiment of your dreams, a symphony of meticulous craftsmanship, and a celebration of your individuality.

Together, we'll make magic!

Bespoke Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Are alterations included in the bespoke gown process?

Answer: Yes, absolutely! All alterations to make your gown fit perfectly are included in the cost and process of your bespoke gown.

Question 2: Is my bespoke gown sewn locally in Christchurch?

Answer: Yes, all gowns are designed, cut, and sewn by Sarah in her studio in Sydenham, Christchurch.

Question 3: Can changes be made to the design if I am not happy?

Answers: Yes, until the final dress is cut, changes at the mock stage are possible and often happen to make sure that the design is what you had in mind.

Question 4: How much does a bespoke gown cost?

Answer: As a bespoke gown can range dramatically, the cost is reflected in the design and hours it will take to create the gown. Gowns start at $3500, excluding fabric, and go up according to the complexity of your design. Fabric cost can start around $300 and range according to what you are after. The more beading, lace, and embellishment, the more it will cost.

Question 5: What is the timeline for a bespoke gown?

Answer: I usually need 6-8 months to create a gown, but sometimes, depending on the dress, we can create the gown in a shorter turnaround. Getting in contact is key, as I only take on a certain number of dresses.

Question 6: Could you copy a gown I have found online?

Answer: No, I do not copy. However, we can take inspiration and make it your own by changing design details and mixing features.

Question 7: How many appointments and fittings are required?

Answer: Every dress is slightly different, but usually there are two appointments and 4-8 fittings. These include the consult, measurements, mock, and final garment fittings.

Question 8: Is there anything I can do before the consult to prepare?

Answer: Absolutely, trying on dresses is really important as this can rule out any ideas you had in your head before, and it can make sure that the dress isn't already out there. If it is out there, I want you to buy it, if it isn't, then we can create it. If you would like advice on who to go and try dresses with, I am happy to advise.