Style, fit, and price can mean it's more cost-effective for you to have your wedding dress custom made. Here are some tips to remember if you decide to go this way...

Choosing your dressmaker

1. Ask friends and family for referrals. Referrals are the best way to find your dressmaker,
2. Use friends and family if they have the skills to make dresses.
3. Remember to make sure you budget for potential changes of mind, ill fitting fabric, alterations
4. You may need help from a designer before finding a dressmaker to finalise pattern
5. Do a thorough background check on your dressmaker, review their portfolio to make sure they can do what they say
6. Make sure you feel comfortable with who you pick
7. Be prepared to know every detail of your ideal dress
8. Fabric choice is huge, style may not work with your choice of fabric, having a knowledgable and skillful dressmaker will be priceless.
9. Allow 6 months from design to completion
10. Be prepared for the usual 3 fittings
11. Be prepared for some stress at the uncertainty of going custom made.