What If…?
The custom process is new to most people, so don’t be concerned if you still have questions. Here are a few common ones:
What if my gown doesn’t fit?
After reading through The Custom Process, you'll understand how unlikely this is. However, sometimes a bride gains or loses weight during the time when we’re constructing her gown. Not to worry! All fit changes needed during the process of making your gown are included in the price. If you need more fittings, you’ll have more, at no charge.
What if I need alterations after my gown is finished?
Many months in advance of your wedding, we’ll send you your fitting schedule, so you’ll know when you’ll want to be in wedding-day shape long in advance of the date. We’re also happy to adjust your fitting schedule so you have as much shape-up time as you think you’ll need!
Sometimes, though, a bride gains or loses weight after she’s picked up her gown (pre-wedding stress can do that!) In that case, we’ll be more than happy to make any alterations you need. We do have to charge for alterations needed after you pick up your gown, but we try to keep the costs minimal.
Is it possible my gown won’t be finished in time?
No, absolutely not! At As You Like It we have never delivered a gown later than the delivery date scheduled with each bride months in advance. We have the expertise and resources to guarantee that this will never happen.
A lot of brides have heard sad stories about a bride whose custom gown wasn’t finished in time for the wedding. Sadly, we think some of these are probably true. But here’s why: most dressmakers are not professional bridal gown designers, and are not professional bridal gown makers, as we are. Most are simply dressmakers who also make bridal gowns, or worse well-intentioned home sewers who are willing to try making a bridal gown for a friend or family member.
Constructing a bridal gown is a completely unique art that takes tremendous time, skill and above all experience. A normal dressmaker usually runs into trouble because he or she isn’t familiar with the fabrics and techniques required in bridal gown construction, and so may badly underestimate the amount of time and skill a gown will require.
As You Like It’s owner and designer is not only a highly qualified and experienced bridal gown maker, she is also a professionally-trained bridal designer. This means she intimately understands the full scope of the process from correct design through minute construction details. (Learn about her background). What’s more, when more hands are needed during our busiest seasons, As You Like It employs highly-skilled dressmakers directly trained by the designer, and personally overseen by her in the studio in every aspect of their work. What’s more, during your fittings you’ll see your gown progress from start to finish, so you’ll feel completely confident that everything is going smoothly. There’s absolutely no reason to worry about this!
What if I don’t like my gown when it’s done?
We think everyone has heard stories about this, too – but we hear them most often about factory-made gowns!
Unlike a factory-made gown which you purchase and must accept as-is, your gown is custom-made. If you don’t like something, we can change it! There are opportunities throughout the process for large-, medium-, and small-size changes, and we’ll always do everything we can to accommodate your wishes. We’re not happy until you are!
See our FAQ for more answers to your questions. Or, call or