Step outside the customary white bridal gown traditions - surprise and enchant with a BLACK WEDDING DRESS!
Most brides would likely envision some version of a beautiful white bridal gown as their dream wedding dress.
For some other brides, their dream gown is anything but a white gown. Whilst this may seem like a very bold move (which in essence it is), it is also not entirely uncommon in this modern time for brides to embrace their individuality and incorporate non-traditional elements into their wedding dress.
There are several benefits to consider (and purchase) a custom-made wedding gown - from getting a special gown that is made just for you – to your specific requests and requirements; not a common design that is released to all bridal stores, being environmentally responsible and right down to the fact that you just can’t get it at a traditional bridal boutique. Everything about your dress can be customized to meet your own style and body type, from the design to the materials.
Let’s take a black wedding gown.
It’s not everyone’s cup of tea. BUT the brides that opt for such unconventional choices are not one to want to conform to traditional looks.
Black wedding dresses are no longer a shocking choice – but rather, a choice that is a uniquely stylish and modern choice for many brides.
How It Started
We met bride-to-be Jade back in October 2021 at the Perth Wedding Expo where she took interest in a wedding gown that we had on display at our stand – the “Lilura” gown. Jade expressed that she really liked the style and wanted to get it made in a black version.
As the wedding date was still some time away (March 2023), we didn’t hear back from Jade until several months later in late March of 2022 when she reached out to us to get a price quote on a black wedding dress style she had found online. As she was happy with the price, we booked her in for an in-store appointment to start the process of her custom-made wedding dress including discussing her custom dress details and confirming everything to proceed.
Jade had been around to a couple of bridal stores to look but she mentioned that she didn’t hold high hopes that she would be able to get a black wedding dress at a local bridal store – especially one in a style that she wanted, so she knew that she would have to consider going down the custom-made route.
The design consultation appointment was rather speedy as Jade knew what she wanted and it was a matter of confirming the custom dress details, take measurements and going over the custom-made process.
The Original Dress Design
The original design was one that Jade across online during her search for her perfect black wedding dress. Jade mentioned that she wanted pretty much a very similar version to this design without many other changes.
Photo credit: Internet photos provided by customer
In Production Process
Let’s go behind the scenes and give you a peek into our production process from the start of the dressmaking process of picking out the lace, mock ups and in production progress photos in the construction of Jade’s custom-made black wedding dress.
Jade’s custom-made black wedding gown featured;
- Sleeveless style
- Illusion scoop neckline
- Sweetheart neckline
- 3D floral lace applique bodice and following down to the skirt
- Voluminous A line silhouette
- Low illusion V back
- Corset back closure
- Sweeping train
One of the greatest things about the custom-made process is being able to witness and being a part of the different stages – from concept to production to finished dress is truly an exciting and rewarding experience.
Each custom-made wedding dress is exceptionally special because it is a handmade process right from the start at the beginning stages of pattern cutting to the very last stitch of the completed dress!
Let’s get right into Jade’s custom black wedding dress details.
The Fabric
We presented Jade with a few different black lace options that would be suitable for this black wedding dress design. The options were narrowed down to either 3D lace appliques or beaded lace appliques which Jade opted for a 3D flower lace that would be used on the bodice and scattered on the A line silhouette skirt made from black tulle.
Fabric selection: black lace appliques
Gorgeous 3D details of the fabric
The Mock Up
We’ve made many hundreds of custom-made wedding dresses yet it’s still incredibly exciting with each custom dress seeing the design notes commence from just design notes to cut fabrics and being transformed throughout the production process to incredibly beautiful final wedding dress.
Prior to any fabric cuttings of the final fabrics, we run through a mock up process which essentially is a pattern cutting stage of the dress design to ensure that the dress silhouette is what the bride envisions and is happy with.
Mock up dressmaking stage in production
In Production Progress
Upon approval of the mock up of the wedding dress, the next stages is getting all the lace appliques ready for placement on the respective areas of the dress – being the front bodice, at the back and cascading strands of floral lace appliques down the skirt.
Pinning of the lace appliques on the dress bodice
The Finished Production Photos
Straight from the dressmaking studio to our photography room to capture the magic of the completed custom wedding dress for the bride.
Throughout the production process, we sent progress photos to Jade for reviewing and at the completion of the dress, finished production photos were sent for final approval. Jade was thrilled with the final dress and couldn’t wait for her first fitting to see her dream dress in real life for the first time.
The black wedding dress vision...is now a reality for the bride-to-be
Close up of the details
The Bride's First Fitting
At Jade’s first fitting of her wedding dress, the dress fit her relatively well with some minor adjustments to make it the perfect fit she was seeking which included;
- Shortening the straps
- Taking in the sides of the bodice for a fitted snatched bodice
- Shortening the dress hem
The above alterations are all relatively common final alterations that many brides will require for the ideal fit.
Our in house tailors worked their magic with their expertise and skilled workmanship to deliver a perfect fit for Jade at her second fitting.
The bride's fitting after alterations
The Bride's Big Day
The feeling of wearing a dress made...just for you.
The bride getting ready to make a statement on her special day.
Smiles all around with the bride and her bridesmaids.
Stunning bride in all black
The look of love...
The look of love...congratulations Jade!
What a gorgeous colour scheme!
Happily ever after in her perfect statement dress!
The Bride's Feedback
If you're looking for a custom made wedding dress, Envious Bridal and Formal won't disappoint! I specifically wanted a black dress for my wedding; and the team at Envious Bridal and Formal made this possible. It was very difficult (if no impossible) to find a store in Australia at the time, that had black wedding gowns on the rack to try on. I searched other alternatives, and considered trying on a white dress I liked and getting this made in black; but I knew the turnaround for a custom dress was quite long and it was hard for me to visualize some of the white dresses in black without a reference photo. So instead, I found a black dress I liked online and Envious Bridal and Formal brought it to life for me. The processing time was lengthy; and ended up taking around 10 months to complete. So if you're considering a custom order, please allow enough time. The Envious Bridal team kept me updated throughout and answered any questions I had; they made the process as easy as possible for me and checked in with me at each stage of completion to make sure I was happy.
The only negative thing I will say (and this is probably my fault for not asking the right questions), but I did have my specific measurements taken for the dress so I did think at the time that getting a custom design made, also meant getting it custom sized to my body. But because I am between 2 sizes, they made it to the larger size so I did have to have alterations still which I didn't really budget for being it was custom made for me. But just something for others to consider when having a custom gown made - please ask if it will also be made to your size at the time; or if alterations will be extra even though it is a custom gown.
Otherwise a reasonably simple experience and I was very happy with the finished result! I got many comments from the wedding guests, everyone loved it!
Get In Touch
We would love to hear more about your vision for your custom made wedding dress. Get in touch with us today and let's bring your wedding dream dress to life!