From Off-the-Peg to Bespoke: Understanding 6 Types of Wedding Dress Services
Starting the journey to find your wedding dress can feel like a daunting task. After all, most of us have never done it before. There are countless terms in the bridal wear world that can be confusing and overwhelming. In this blog post, we explain six different wedding dress services you might come across when searching for your dress. Some boutiques and brands offer all of them, some only a few. Understanding these options before stepping into your bridal appointments will make the process smoother and help you find the best approach for choosing the right dress for you.
Off-the-peg wedding dress
Off-the-peg, also known as ready-to-wear or off-the-rack, refers to wedding dresses that are mass-produced or sold as samples in standard sizes for immediate purchase. These dresses are pre-made and sold as-is, and often with no customisation options. While off-the-peg dresses offer convenience and affordability, they likely require alterations for a proper fit. They’re a great option for time-conscious brides or those with budget constraints.
Made-to-order wedding dress
Most wedding dresses today are made-to-order, meaning they’re produced after you place your order rather than in bulk. This is especially true for smaller brands. Larger brands may pre-produce stock to shorten delivery times. Made-to-order dresses are pre-designed styles that can sometimes be modified, such as by changing the neckline, sleeve length, or embellishments.
Standard-size wedding dress
When you choose a dress and order it in a standard size, your consultant takes your measurements and orders the closest size based on them. Nearly all standard-size dresses require alterations, so be sure to budget for them.
Made-to-measure wedding dress
Made-to-measure dresses start with a standard pattern that’s adjusted to your specific measurements, offering a better fit than standard sizing alone. While this service doesn’t provide the same precision as made-to-fit services, it accommodates your proportions, making final alterations easier and more accurate. This option is ideal if your body shape varies significantly across standard size charts (e.g., a bust two sizes larger than your waist). It’s important to note that made-to-measure service doesn’t guarantee a perfect fit, and final alterations are usually still required.
Made-to-fit wedding dress
This is a service that guarantees a perfect fit for your wedding dress. The standard patterns are changed according to your measurements, and often a toile is made for the first (and sometimes the second) fitting. All the alterations to the fit are included in the price. ‘Toile’ is a term borrowed from French fashion terminology that refers to a mock-up or prototype of a garment, or a part of it, made from inexpensive fabric, typically muslin or calico. In the context of bridal wear, a toile is often used in the fitting process for bespoke or made-to-fit dresses. It serves as a preliminary version of the gown, allowing the designer or dressmaker to assess the fit, silhouette, and proportions before cutting into the final fabric. Once the fit is perfected, the final dress is constructed using the chosen fabric, incorporating any design and fit modifications based on the toile fitting.
Bespoke wedding dress
Bespoke represents the highest level of craftsmanship and personalisation. Your gown is designed and made from scratch to your exact specifications by a skilled dressmaker or designer. Every detail, from silhouette to fabric, is chosen by you, with multiple fittings to ensure perfection. Bespoke dresses require a larger budget and more time, but the result is a one-of-a-kind creation that reflects your style and vision.
Knowing these options upfront saves you time, money, and frustration. Decide what matters most to you: budget, timeline, fit, or complete customisation, and choose the service that aligns with those priorities. The more informed you are, the more confident you’ll feel walking into your bridal appointments and, ultimately, down the aisle.