Off the Rack, Bespoke, & Couture Wedding Dresses: Which is for you?

What are made-to-order wedding dresses?

Made-to-order wedding dresses are the most common type of wedding gown when you’re shopping in bridal boutiques. With made-to-order gowns, you would try on a sample size in-store and then have your measurements taken. Your bridal stylist would then have a made-to-order gown ordered for you in your size. This is similar to the ready-to-wear process, but with made-to-order gowns, a new gown will be constructed for you, instead of the gown already being pre-made.

As with our WILD HEARTS collection, you would come to our boutique and browse our made-to-order samples and pick out gowns that speak to you. After trying the samples on and once you find the dress of your dreams, a brand new made-to-order gown would be constructed for you in your proper size, but to look exactly like the sample you tried. Mostly all wedding gowns are made-to-order dresses.  Gowns of this nature offer brides a balance between something made just for her, while still being able to be budget-friendly.

Made-to-order wedding dresses will nearly always need to be altered; as they are ordered to your closest standard size, the gown will need to be tweaked in order to fit your unique body shape and, likely, the hem length will need to be adjusted as well.

(Recap/TLDR: The made-to-order dress process begins with you trying a sample and then a new gown that is identical to the sample, but made in your closest size, is constructed for you.  The benefit of a made-to-order dress is that you’ll be able to try exactly what you’re purchasing, but for brides looking for something a bit more custom it might be harder to tailor the gown to your unique taste.)

What are off-the-rack wedding dresses?

Wondering what “off-the-rack wedding dress” means, and if it’s the same as ready-to-wear? Off-the-rack dresses are bought exactly how they sound; purchased right off-the-rack. In a bridal boutique that sells wedding gowns off-the-rack you’ll be trying on exactly what you’ll be buying. For some boutiques, off-the-rack means you could be buying a sample (potentially at a discounted price) and for other shops off-the-rack just means they already have the gowns pre-made and are right there ready to purchase.

Think of buying an item of clothing in a store, this is a similar experience to how an off-the-rack wedding dress purchase works. For brides who are short on time or who want a stress-free shopping experience, off-the-rack dresses for your wedding could be a great choice!

Sometimes, if you’re buying something off-the-rack you will have limited options for sizing. Because of this, more alterations may be required to make an off-the-rack wedding dress fit your unique body shape.

(Recap/TLDR: An off-the-rack dress is a gown you purchase in a boutique, after trying it on and leave with the same day. The benefit of an off-the-rack dress is that you’ll be able to get a gown even if you’re down to the wire for your dress timeline, but for brides looking for something a bit more custom it might be harder to tailor the gown to your unique taste.)

What is a bespoke wedding dress?

Bespoke wedding dresses are sometimes used to describe gowns interchangeably with couture wedding dresses, and for some designers, this is the case—bespoke means the same thing. However, depending on the brand bespoke can sometimes be a bit different.

For example; the KAREN WILLIS HOLMES BESPOKE collection allows brides to customise their wedding dresses (a button closure or lace-up closure, additional train length, split-sizing, adding a sleeve or other element, and choosing fabric for your gown) but you are still working with a base pattern from an original dress you have tried on.

The KAREN WILLIS HOLMES collection of BESPOKE gowns is not a couture collection since there are sample gowns to choose from as a starting point. So for example, a bespoke lace wedding dress can become a gown with a satin finish instead. A bespoke wedding dress designer will allow you to decide on a multitude of unique options to suit your one of a kind taste, but the gown itself is there for you as a starting point.

If you’d find it hard to come up with an idea completely from scratch and need a little help getting started, a bespoke wedding dress might be a wonderful option for you. If you’re wondering how much a bespoke wedding dress costs, dresses of this nature are most often less expensive than a couture gown.

Depending on the bridal boutique you are working with, you will most likely still need alterations for your bespoke gown; as bespoke dresses are sometimes still made to standard size measurements.

(Recap/TLDR: A bespoke wedding dress can sometimes be interchangeable with custom wedding dresses, but most times you’re ordering a gown similar to a sample you try, and then you can make minor tweaks to the pattern. The benefit of a bespoke dress is that you can have something that feels one of a kind without breaking your budget and splurging on an entirely custom gown, but for brides with a shorter timeline or who are looking for something very inexpensive, you might want to stick with something identical to the sample you try as custom changes can become pricier.)

What are couture wedding dresses?

Perhaps one of the most common luxury terms repeated in the wedding dress world is couture— but maybe you’ve also heard the word bespoke or the term made-to-measure and are wondering if they are all the same thing. In some cases they are but every designer has their own way of using these terms. In general, custom couture wedding dresses are made completely from scratch for an individual bride.

Couture wedding designers will work with the bride to create an entirely new pattern and a one of a kind gown made just for her. Luxury couture wedding dresses are typically pricier than most other gowns, but you will have a dress that is completely your own.

If you’re lusting after designer couture wedding gowns, it’s important to research the designer you’re planning on working with and a personal recommendation is always a great way to know you’ll be getting a phenomenal result.

The beauty of couture collection wedding dresses is that you’ll get a fit that is unique and custom to your specific body and not need to alter anything about your gown.

(Recap/TLDR: A couture wedding dress is custom made from scratch specifically for you. The benefit of a couture dress is that you will be the only bride in the world to wear your designed gown, but for brides with a shorter timeline or are looking for something more inexpensive, you might want to stick with something made in standard sizing and then have your gown tailored to you.)

FAQs for Off the Rack, Bespoke, & Couture Wedding Dresses: Which is for you?

• What distinguishes made-to-order wedding dresses from other types?

Made-to-order wedding dresses are tailored to individual measurements, offering a personalised fit. Unlike off-the-rack dresses, which are pre-made and available in standard sizes, made-to-order gowns allow for customisation in design, fabric, and details. They offer a balance between the couture experience and off-the-rack convenience, ensuring a unique and personalised bridal look. This process involves consultations with a designer to create a dress that reflects the bride’s style and preferences. While they may take longer to produce and typically cost more than off-the-rack options, made-to-order wedding dresses provide a bespoke experience and a garment tailored specifically to the bride’s body and vision.

2. How do ready-to-wear wedding dresses differ from made-to-order?

Ready-to-wear wedding dresses, also known as off-the-rack, are mass-produced and available in standard sizes, while made-to-order gowns are tailored to individual measurements. Off-the-rack dresses are typically purchased as-is from a store, with limited customisation options. In contrast, made-to-order dresses allow for personalisation in design, fabric, and details, offering a unique and tailored fit. While ready-to-wear dresses provide convenience and immediate availability, made-to-order gowns offer a bespoke experience, ensuring the bride’s vision is realised and the dress fits perfectly. This customisation process involves consultations with a designer and may take longer to produce than ready-to-wear options.

3. What does off-the-rack mean in wedding dress shopping?

Off-the-rack in wedding dress shopping refers to dresses that are pre-made and available in standard sizes for immediate purchase. Unlike made-to-order or bespoke gowns, which are tailored to individual measurements and preferences, off-the-rack dresses are mass-produced and typically purchased as-is from bridal stores. These dresses offer convenience and are ready for immediate fitting and alteration, making them a popular choice for brides with shorter timelines or those who prefer to try on dresses in person. However, off-the-rack options may have limited customisation options compared to made-to-order or couture dresses.

4. How are couture wedding dresses created?

Couture wedding dresses are meticulously crafted by skilled artisans, involving intricate handwork and attention to detail. These dresses are customised to each bride’s specifications, starting with a consultation to discuss design preferences and measurements. The process includes multiple fittings to ensure a perfect fit and may involve luxurious fabrics, delicate embellishments, and unique design elements tailored to the bride’s vision. Couture gowns are known for their high level of craftsmanship and exclusivity, making them a popular choice for brides seeking a one-of-a-kind dress that reflects their individual style and personality.

5. How is a bespoke wedding dress created and what does it include?

A bespoke wedding dress is meticulously crafted to the bride’s exact specifications, ensuring a unique and personalised garment. The process begins with a consultation to discuss the bride’s vision, followed by detailed measurements and design discussions. Skilled artisans then create a custom pattern and construct the gown using high-quality fabrics and materials chosen by the bride. Multiple fittings are conducted to ensure a perfect fit and to make any necessary adjustments. The bespoke process typically includes personalised design elements, intricate handwork, and exquisite detailing, resulting in a one-of-a-kind dress tailored specifically to the bride’s desires and preferences.

6. What are the characteristics of made-to-measure wedding dresses?

Made-to-measure wedding dresses offer a semi-custom fit tailored to the bride’s measurements. Unlike off-the-rack options, these dresses are crafted based on specific size requirements, offering a better fit than standard sizes. While not as customisable as bespoke dresses, made-to-measure gowns still allow for some alterations and adjustments to accommodate individual preferences. This approach typically involves selecting a dress style from a designer’s collection and then having it adjusted to fit the bride’s body shape. Made-to-measure dresses offer a balance between affordability and customisation, providing brides with a personalised fit and some degree of design flexibility.