Every bride has a different vision for her wedding dress, and some are more specific than others. You may know everything, from the neckline to the train, that you want and have little room to compromise on that vision. Others may be more open, simply seeking something with a romantic vibe.
The choice between custom and designer dresses comes down to personal preferences such as price, your vision, timelines, and more. Below, we’ve outlined the differences between custom and designer wedding dresses and what you should know about each.
Custom Wedding Dresses
If you purchase a custom wedding dress, you’ll work with a seamstress to discuss your vision, allowing it to come to life. The process begins with an initial consultation, during which you and the dressmaker discuss your vision. This first meeting typically covers design ideas, fabric options, and any special details you desire. Once you finalize the specifics, the construction phase begins, and you’ll continue to have appointments to try on the dress.
Other things to know about custom wedding gowns include:
The Price
It’s challenging to provide an exact estimate for custom gowns, as it depends on the fabrics used, design complexity, and the seamstress’s fees. One bride’s dress could cost around $3,000 if she chooses a simple design and affordable fabric, while another’s could cost $10,000 or more if she opts for intricate beading and luxurious fabrics.
The Pros
Often, brides who go the custom route do so because of the exclusivity of it—you’ll have a gown that no other bride will wear. Additionally, when you purchase a custom gown, you can have every element tailored to your unique taste and body type.
The Cons
While getting a custom dress can sound dreamy, it’s not without its caveats. When you hire a seamstress to make a gown from scratch, you’ll have initial design appointments, numerous fittings, and a final delivery. This process can be time-consuming, especially if you have a strict timeline for your wedding day.
Additionally, custom-made dresses are almost always more expensive than designer options due to the amount of work that goes into them. You should budget accordingly and prepare to pay for quality materials, skilled labor, and your seamstress’s time.
Bridal Tip
As a word of warning, when you get a custom gown, you won’t know how it looks on you until it’s a finished product. Although seamstresses work hard to create the piece according to your vision, what we’ve imagined isn’t always the result.
Designer Wedding Dresses
Designer wedding dresses are pre-designed collections from well-known brands or ateliers. Unlike custom gowns, designers craft these dresses in standard sizes, allowing customers to order them with minimal alterations. This means the designs are ready for purchase, and you can try them on during your initial visit to bridal boutiques or showrooms.
The Price
Similar to custom gowns, giving a specific price range is tricky since all designers are different. Likewise, a designer may charge less for some gowns than others within their own product line. This is mainly because the price depends on the type of fabric used, the complexity of the design, and the demand for the specific dress.
Bridal Tip
While it’s hard to provide a specific number, most designer bridal gowns typically start at around $1,500 to $4,000 before alterations.
The Pros
Dress shopping is an integral part of the wedding experience, and getting your friends together as you try on gowns is a fun activity. Once you've found the perfect dress, you can pop a bottle of champagne and celebrate. Not to mention, this becomes a memory-filled bonding experience that helps alleviate some of the stress associated with wedding planning.
Another advantage of buying a designer wedding dress is that the process tends to be a lot easier than getting a custom one. You don’t have to worry about how the dress will look on you or whether you’ll love the finished product. Instead, you’ll go to the salon with some gowns in mind, then pick others off the rack and do a fashion show for your bridal crew.
The Cons
Although designer dresses are stunning, they’re not one-of-a-kind, which means other brides will have the same dress. Additionally, customization options can be limited because these gowns follow pre-determined patterns, so you may not be able to alter areas like the waist or neckline.
Comparing Custom and Designer Wedding Dresses
Deciding on the perfect option is easiest when you conduct a side-by-side comparison of both to weigh the pros and cons equally.
Time
Planning a wedding spreads most brides pretty thin, as they have to juggle it alongside other life responsibilities. Trying to squeeze in numerous appointments for consultations, design, and tailoring a custom dress can get overwhelming. If you buy a designer dress, the hardest part ends once you find your gown; after this, you just have to attend a few fittings.
Budget
Every bride has a different budget for her big day, which determines what she can spend on a dress. Custom dresses are almost always more expensive than designer ones, as a seamstress must create them from scratch and typically works alone rather than with a team.
The price of a designer gown will vary depending on the brand. If you have a tight budget, looking at top-of-the-line options may not be affordable. However, you can look at gorgeous mid-range options, as most gowns fall into this category.
Bridal Tip
Keep in mind that the price for custom and designer options may vary depending on your specific preferences. The more complex a gown gets, the more expensive it becomes.
Intrinsic Value
The emotional value of a dress might also influence your decision. Custom dresses often have sentimental value because you select every detail of them and play a hand in their design. However, designer dresses also have intrinsic value due to the memories associated with buying them, especially when friends and family are present.
Do Bits of Both
One of the most important things you should know about custom vs. designer wedding dresses is that you can do bits of both. Custom dresses bring your unique vision to life, while designer gowns offer convenience and expertly crafted, ready-to-wear styles. If you find a designer dress that you wish was a bit more personalized, consider whether you want to alter specific elements of it.
For instance, if you fall in love with a sleeveless dress, you can purchase detachable or sew-on straps or sleeves to add. Likewise, you can buy a designer dress and also purchase specific accessories to enhance it, such as a bow, waist belt, or beaded sash. This allows you to have a designer dress with your desired customizations, adding a personal touch.
Browse Stunning Gowns and Accessories
Justin Alexander has stunning, timeless wedding gowns in a range of styles. From classic ballgowns to modern mermaid silhouettes, there is a dress for every bride. Once you've found your favorite designer dress, use our “Find a Retailer” option to locate the gown at your nearest bridal shop. Your wedding dress should feel as unforgettable as the memories you’ll create in it.
