Can I Customise a Designer Wedding Dress

Yes — but how much you can customise depends on the designer and the particular wedding dress.

Some designers allow only small changes to their gowns, while others offer a much wider range of customisation options.

The construction of the dress also matters. Not every change that looks simple is technically possible without affecting the fit or support of the gown.

What can I change on a designer wedding dress?

It depends on the designer.

Some designers allow small customisations, such as:

·      raising the bust or neckline slightly

·      lowering the back

·      adding straps

·      making small adjustments to an existing design

Other designers offer considerably more possibilities.

Depending on the collection, it may be possible to combine the bodice of one gown with the skirt of another, choose a different fabric or lace from the designer’s collection, change the back, add straps or select other design variations.

There is no single rule that applies to every designer or every wedding dress.

Can I combine the top of one wedding dress with the skirt of another?

With some designers, yes.

Certain designers specifically offer this type of customisation. For example, you may prefer the bodice of one of their gowns but the skirt of another, and the designer may allow the two to be combined.

However, this isn’t possible with every brand or every gown. The designer needs to confirm that the elements are compatible and can be produced together successfully.

Can I change the fabric or lace of a wedding dress?

Sometimes.

Certain designers allow a gown to be ordered in another fabric or lace available within their own collection.

The choice is usually between materials offered by that designer rather than any fabric or lace you choose independently.

This is important because different fabrics behave differently and can completely change the way a wedding dress fits, falls and moves.

Can I raise the neckline or lower the back?

Often, but not always.

Small changes such as raising the bust by a few centimetres, closing a neckline slightly or lowering a back may be available as designer customisations.

But even a small-looking change can affect the construction of a gown.

A very low back, for example, may change the amount of support the bodice can provide. This is why the designer or bridal boutique needs to confirm whether a particular modification is technically possible.

Can I add straps or sleeves to a wedding dress?

In many cases, yes.

Some designers offer straps or sleeves as an ordering option. With other gowns, straps may be added during alterations. And you can allways add gloves!

Again, it depends on the construction of the dress and whether the addition will look as though it belongs naturally to the original design.

Can I customise a ready-to-wear wedding dress?

Ready-to-wear works differently because the dress has already been made.

You cannot request production customisations from the designer in the same way you can when ordering a new gown.

However, certain changes may still be possible with a seamstress.

Depending on the dress, it may be possible to:

·      add straps

·      close a deep V-neck slightly

·      add lace to create more coverage

·      make a back slightly more open

·      make other small design adjustments

The possibilities depend entirely on the construction of the individual gown.

Can a seamstress make any change I want?

No.

A skilled bridal seamstress can make many adjustments, but every wedding dress has structural limits.

Corsetry, internal support, seams, fabric and pattern construction all affect what can safely be changed.

If a proposed change is likely to compromise the fit, support or overall design, it is usually better not to make it.

What if the customisation I want isn’t possible?

If the designer or an experienced bridal seamstress advises that a particular change cannot be made successfully, it is worth listening to that advice.

The goal isn’t simply to make a modification technically possible. The finished wedding dress still needs to fit correctly and look beautiful.

If a particular feature is essential to you and cannot be achieved successfully on the gown you’ve chosen, another dress may ultimately be the better choice.

The Brideswings Tip

Customising a wedding dress can be a wonderful way to make a gown feel even more personal, but you should be very clear about what you’re ordering.

Before placing a customised designer order, at Brideswings we discuss exactly what will change and confirm the possibilities with the designer.

We want the bride to understand how the customisation will affect the original gown and to feel sure and secure about the dress that will eventually arrive.

And sometimes the right advice is not to make the change.

If Brideswings, the designer or our seamstress believes that a particular customisation will compromise the construction, support or fit of the gown, we will say so.

In that situation, it may be better to choose another dress that naturally has the features you’re looking for.

The best customisation isn’t simply one that can be done. It’s one that still allows the wedding dress to fit and look exactly as it should. And at the end you still love it!