Copy of Custom Wedding Dress Timeline
When Should You Start Your Custom Wedding Dress?
Creating a custom wedding dress takes time.
Unlike choosing a gown from an existing bridal collection, your dress is being created specifically for you — from developing and confirming the design through to sourcing fabrics, production, completion, and fitting.
For this reason, we generally recommend beginning your custom wedding dress journey around 6–8 months before your wedding day.
Starting early gives you time to enjoy the process without feeling rushed and allows for final alterations once your gown is complete.
Wedding sooner than 6 months away?
Don't automatically assume custom isn't possible. Depending on your design, wedding date and our production availability, shorter time frames may sometimes be accommodated.
Your Custom Wedding Dress Timeline
Why We Recommend Starting 6-8 Months Ahead
You don't necessarily need eight months simply because your gown spends eight months being sewn.
The timeframe allows room for the entire custom journey.
Your design needs to be discussed and confirmed. Fabrics, lace, or embellishments may need to be sourced. Your gown then needs to be constructed and completed, allowing sufficient time for fitting and alterations.
And some gowns naturally require more time than others.
A minimalist satin gown, for example, may involve very different production requirements from a heavily structured gown with corsetry, hand-applied lace, beading, detachable sleeves and a dramatic train.
Starting earlier gives us more flexibility — and gives you a much more relaxed experience.
Getting Married Sooner?
You May Still Have Options
If your wedding is less than six months away, it doesn't necessarily mean you've left it too late for a custom wedding dress.
What can realistically be created will depend on:
- your wedding date
- the design you want
- fabric and material availability
- the complexity of the gown
- current production availability
Send us your inspiration and wedding date, and we'll let you know whether your gown can realistically be created within your timeframe.
[ Ask Us About Your Wedding Date → ]
When Is Too Early To Start?
There is generally no disadvantage to beginning your research early.
You may not be ready to finalise every detail of your gown a year before your wedding, but starting early gives you time to understand what you like, explore your options and determine whether custom is right for you.
If your wedding is still some time away, you can begin by gathering inspiration and learning about the custom design process before you're ready to place your order.
Not Sure If You Have Enough Time?
You don't need to work out the timeline yourself.
Send us your wedding date and the dress ideas you've been considering, and we'll assess your design alongside our current production timeframe.
We'll let you know what can realistically be achieved before you decide whether you'd like to move forward.
Your dress doesn't need to exist yet.
But it does need enough time to be created.
Common Questions About Custom Wedding Dress Timelines
How far in advance should I order a custom wedding dress?
We generally recommend beginning around 6–8 months before your wedding. This allows time for design development, fabric sourcing, production, gown completion, fitting and any final alterations.
Can I order a custom wedding dress less than six months before my wedding?
Possibly. Shorter timeframes may be available depending on your design, wedding date, required materials and current production availability. Send us your ideas and wedding date and we can advise you on what may be achievable.
How long does the actual production of my wedding dress take?
Production time varies depending on the design and complexity of your gown. A relatively simple design may require less production time than a gown involving extensive lacework, embellishment, corsetry, layering or highly customised details.
When will I try on my completed wedding dress?
Once your gown is completed and arrives at our Subiaco studio, you'll be invited to try it on so we can assess the finished fit and determine whether any alterations are required.
Should I allow additional time for alterations?
Yes. We recommend leaving sufficient time between your gown arriving and your wedding for any necessary alterations to be completed.