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Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Atlanta | Lety Altam
Some couples plan spur-of-the-moment weddings in a matter of weeks. But most plan their big day a year or more in advance.
Planning 12+ months in advance allows you plenty of time to tour and secure a venue, sample the menu and cake options, and take your time finding the right flowers, décor, entertainment, and vendors.
It also gives you the option to buy made-to-order bridesmaid dresses!
This post explains everything you need to know about made-to-order bridesmaid dresses. That includes the benefits of buying them, how far in advance you need to order, and whether you should expect alterations.
What Is a Made-to-Order Bridesmaid Dress?
A made-to-order dress is any design that isn’t in stock. While samples may be available for try-on, the designer produces the style only upon order.
Made-to-order bridesmaid dresses are the opposite of ready-to-ship dresses. A ready-to-ship dress is in stock and can be packed and shipped to your door within a few days of your order.
Are Most Bridesmaid Dresses Made to Order?
Photo: Bella Bridesmaids St. Louis | Mike Cassimatis
Like wedding dresses, most bridesmaid dresses are made to order.
Many designers offer dozens of designs in multiple colors, sizes, and lengths. It simply isn’t feasible for designers to stock every silhouette, color, and size for all of their dresses.
Instead, designers create samples and color swatches to show all available options. But they only produce the dress when someone places an order for a specific size and color.
Do Made-to-Order Bridesmaid Dresses Need Alterations?
“Made-to-order” doesn’t mean made to your exact measurements. You’ll most likely need to make some adjustments to achieve the perfect fit.
Before ordering, take your measurements. Or have a professional measure your bust, waist, hips, and other key measurements.
Compare your measurements to the designer’s size chart to ensure that you order the right size.
If you’re between sizes, order a size up. Taking a dress in is easy, but adding fabric to make it larger can be problematic and, often, impossible.
In addition to size options, many designers also offer length options. If you’re on the tall side (5’7” or taller), it’s best to order extra length, especially if you’re planning to wear a floor-length gown with high heels. Shortening a hem is one of the easiest alterations to make!
Related: How to Get the Most Accurate Bridesmaid Dress Measurement
How Far in Advance Should You Buy a Made-to-Order Bridesmaid Dress?
Photo: Bella Bridesmaids | Nataly Hernandez
Typical delivery for made-to-order bridesmaid dresses takes 2-6 months, depending on the designer. You’ll also want to order your dresses far enough in advance to allow at least one additional month for fittings and alterations.
Keep in mind that, depending on your region and the time of year, you may need even more than one month to complete alterations and fittings.
Tailors book up quickly during the height of wedding season (May through October). They may be even busier when wedding season overlaps with prom season in May and June.
Before ordering your maid-of-honor and bridesmaid dresses, contact Bella Bridesmaids to confirm the designer’s lead time, if not already specified on our website. Sometimes, designers allow rush orders, but they usually incur additional fees.
Can You Request Custom Changes to a Made-to-Order Bridesmaid Dress?
Made-to-order bridesmaid dresses aren’t custom in the sense that you can ask the designer to:
- • Change a scoop neck to a V-neck
- • Add a ruffle
- • Turn a strapless gown into a one-shoulder neckline, or
- • Have a satin dress made in chiffon
When you choose a dress, the silhouette and fabric will match the descriptions on our website. If you want custom changes, you’ll need to ask your tailor to make them during the alteration process.
Related: Bridesmaid’s Guide to Dress Alterations
What Are the Benefits of Choosing a Made-to-Order Bridesmaid Dress?
Photo: Bella Bridesmaids | Siobhan Healy
There are several benefits of selecting a made-to-order bridesmaid dress.
For one, you have options beyond what’s available in stock and ready to ship. You’ll also have the option to choose any color that the designer offers.
But for many brides and wedding parties, the key benefit of made-to-order dresses is their color consistency.
With in-stock dresses, dye lots — even in the same color of the same design — may be slightly different. For made-to-order dresses, you can confirm a color swatch and ensure consistency throughout your wedding party.
This may not be a major concern if you plan to mix and match bridesmaids in different colors or floral prints. However, it’s essential if you want all your besties to wear the exact same color on the big day.
Even a neutral color like black may vary slightly from one dye lot to another. So when you make a final decision on dresses, order them all at once.
When Not to Buy a Made-to-Order Dress
If the wedding date is quickly approaching and is within the next eight weeks or so, it’s much safer to choose a ready-to-ship dress.
Designers can ship in-stock dresses within a day or two. Depending on the designer and style, you can also exchange it for a different color or size.
FAQs
Photo: Bella Bridesmaids Oklahoma City | Photos by Haylen
Are Flower Girl Dresses Made to Order?
Some flower girl dresses are made to order, but many are ready to ship. You’re likely to find more flower girl dresses in stock than bridesmaid dresses. Flower girl dress trends don’t change as frequently as bridesmaid dress trends.
Are Mother-of-the-Bride Dresses Made to Order?
Some mother-of-the-occasion dresses are made to order, but many aren’t. It all depends on the dress and on the designer.
If mom chooses a made-to-order design, ensure she orders it far enough in advance so it arrives in time for the wedding day.
Can a Made-to-Order Dress Be Returned?
You can’t return a made-to-order dress. Once you place your order, the designer will dye the fabric, cut the pattern, and create the dress just for you. Once it’s cut to your color and size, it can’t be returned.
Are Made-to-Order Dresses More Expensive Than Ready-to-Ship Dresses?
No, made-to-order dresses aren’t necessarily more expensive than ready-to-ship dresses. Just because it’s made to order doesn’t mean it’ll cost you more.
Pricing depends on the designer, fabric, dress silhouette, and design complexity. However, if the designer has excess inventory, in-stock dresses may be available at a discounted rate.
There are huge benefits to made-to-order dresses, including selecting any bridesmaid dress you like! Don’t wait until the last minute — the closer it gets to your special day, the more limited your options will be.
