Essentials For Bespoke Wedding Gowns: The Contract

If you're a potential bride, nothing can beat bespoke wedding gowns if you’re looking for a top-of-the-line, high quality bridal dress ideally suited to your body type and personal style.

But how can you ensure you get the best deal and the perfect dress of your dreams when it comes to commissioning bespoke wedding gowns? There are myriad things you should remember, but here’s tip number one: be sure to draw up a contract.

Why the Need For a Contract? Like everything bespoke, wedding gowns take a lot of time and effort to create. This means you and your designer will need to make an agreement and put everything down on paper. This is for the benefit of both parties involved; it is always best to agree on expectations and be on the same page regarding specifics of the final output.

Won’t the Maker Be Insulted If I Ask For a Contract?

No! Many bridal designers will require you to sign a contract or order form before beginning work on bespoke wedding gowns. They understand that it is for their own protection as well as yours. Some designers may have a pro-forma contract attached or incorporated into the order form.

What Should It Include?

A good contract should have detailed agreements as to the pricing, details, designs, number of fittings and other minor and major details. Read the contract very carefully and make sure you understand the conditions. If there are any details left out, feel free to speak up - it is important you are satisfied. Only when you are comfortable with the details of the policy should you sign and pay the deposit. Here are a few of the details you will need included. Price, deposit and payment schedule. One of the most important details you will need on the contract is the agreed price. This should also include how many alterations you can request free of charge, as well as how much additional elements may cost. If you are putting down a deposit, make sure the amount that you are paying is clearly stated, as well as when the next payments are due.

Cancellation and refunds. With the amount of time involved, there are many things that may change throughout the process of creating a bridal dress. It’s always a good idea to ask about the designer's cancellation and refund policy.

Design, colour, size, style and materials. Always make sure that the precise design as well as extent of allowance for adjustments is indicated. Make sure the size is correct by verifying measurements. If you plan to lose weight prior to the event, ensure you allow for adjustments to be made.

Timeline. Creating the dress of your dreams will require prototype versions and multiple fittings. These include a draft version of the dress in cheaper fabric to ensure details and fit is correct, as well as the first version of the final dress. Agree on the dates for when you should be seeing and, more importantly, fitting these. Be sure the designer has allowed enough time for alterations.

Looking for couture wedding gowns? Tatiana Porembova is one of the leading designers of bespoke wedding gowns in London and her work spans a range of styles and influences. Based in Richmond, she creates beautiful bespoke bridal gowns and bridesmaids outfits to provide the perfect garments for the perfect day.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.