Discover the ideal timing to order your custom-made bohemian dress: actual creation times, detailed process and tips to avoid stress.
Handcrafted Creation Process - Wedding Workshop
You just got engaged. Congratulations! Butterflies in your stomach, euphoria, that delicious feeling that anything is possible. And then, a few days later, panic slowly sets in: "Damn, I have to find my dress. But... when exactly?"
I received this message yesterday from a completely stressed-out bride-to-be: "Hi, I'm getting married in 9 months. Is it already too late to order a custom-made bohemian dress? My mother tells me I should have started three months ago. My friend tells me I have plenty of time. I don't know who to believe anymore and I'm freaking out."
There you have it. This total confusion surrounding the timing. Some tell you that you need to start at least a year in advance. Others claim that three months is more than enough. The result? You've completely lost track of where you stand.
We'll work together to determine exactly when to order your dress based on your situation. No unnecessary stress, no artificial pressure. Just the real deadlines, clearly explained.
Why a custom-made bohemian dress takes time
Let's start at the beginning. Why does a handmade bohemian dress require more time than a standard dress?
"A bespoke bohemian dress doesn't come from an industrial mold. Each piece is born from a unique creative process that requires time, patience, and expertise."
At Atelier-Mariage, when you order a dress, we don't just pick a ready-made model from a stockroom. We literally create your dress from scratch. Starting with a blank piece of fabric, drafting your unique pattern according to your precise measurements, cutting, assembling, adjusting, and finalizing... all of this takes approximately three weeks of focused, handcrafted work.
Custom-made handcrafted details - Wedding Workshop
The exquisite fabrics we use (silk chiffon, fluid crepe, Calais lace) require delicate handling. There's no room for rushing. Hand-applied lace? Easily two to three days of work just to position and sew all the motifs. The invisible finishing touches that make a dress drape perfectly? Hours and hours of meticulous adjustments.
Meticulous application of patterns - Wedding Workshop
The perfect calendar for a custom-made bohemian dress
Okay, let's get down to brass tacks. How long does it really take to create your dream dress?
"The perfect timing strikes a balance between having enough time to create at your own pace and not ordering so early that your body changes completely."
The optimal timing: 3-4 months before
Three to four months remains the ideal timeframe for a bespoke bohemian dress. Here's why this timeframe works perfectly:
📅 Weeks 1-2: Consultation, Measurement and Ordering
You can explore the designs, compare them, think it over… or contact us directly. We'll discuss your ideas, your style, and the details that truly matter to making the right choice. You can take your measurements at your leisure and then enter them online. If you'd like more extensive alterations, simply let us know when you place your order. We'll adjust the design, discuss the fit, and you'll approve the final design when everything is perfect.
🎨 Weeks 3-5: Validation and Handcrafted Creation
As soon as your order is confirmed, our workshop begins its preparation. Our seamstresses bring your dress to life step by step: custom pattern making, meticulous fabric cutting, precise assembly, lace application, and delicate finishing touches. Each design requires between 2 and 5 weeks of handcrafted work entirely dedicated to your creation. Please allow approximately 3 weeks on average, depending on the complexity of the dress chosen.
📦 Weeks 6-7: Final Delivery
Quality control, packaging, and shipping also take some time. If you order your dress about three months before the wedding, you'll generally receive it a month and a half before the big day. This will give you plenty of time to try it on at home, coordinate your accessories, and even adjust the atmosphere of your reception to perfectly complement your dress.
This 3-4 month timeframe allows us to work calmly. You too will sleep better knowing that everything is under control.
Optimal timing: 3-4 months - Wedding Workshop
Do you have more time? Even better
5-6 months before: Perfect
Even more comfortable. You will receive your dress further in advance to coordinate absolutely all your details (shoes, jewelry, hairstyle, accessories).
Less than 3 months: Playable but tight
We both need to be responsive. You must send us your measurements quickly and confirm your choices without hesitation. We need to have the fabrics in stock. It's possible, but it requires quick action.
The trap of "too early" that we underestimate
Now, let's talk about something that's rarely mentioned: ordering too early can also be a problem.
"Your body changes. Your style evolves. Ordering a year in advance may seem prudent, but it comes with risks."
Perfect timing avoids surprises - Wedding Workshop
I've seen brides order their dresses 12-15 months before the wedding. Except that in the meantime, they've gained or lost 5-10 kilos, their style has changed, or the dress created from their old measurements requires major alterations.
The sweet spot is really these 3-5 months. Enough time to create calmly, but not too much time for everything to change radically.
Ready-to-wear vs. made-to-measure: the actual lead times
Our bespoke creation - Wedding Workshop
Ready-to-wear dress: 2-3 months
Yes, you read that right! Even for a dress in stock with immediate fitting, you should expect a total wait of 2 to 3 months, including basic alterations. It's faster than true bespoke tailoring in a boutique, but the choices remain limited and the adjustments, simpler.
Custom-made wedding dress: 1-2 months
Dress created specifically for you in 5 business weeks. Recommended lead time: 1-2 months. Unique dress, perfect fit, luxurious fabrics, superior craftsmanship.
What to do if you're really in a hurry
Sometimes life has other plans. A wedding organized quickly, or you simply procrastinated. What to do?
Quick options available - Wedding Workshop
Contact us anyway
Even if you have less than 3 months to spare, contact us. First of all, you have a good chance of receiving your custom-made dress in 5 weeks (business days), which is great. Or sometimes, depending on our fabric stock and production schedule, we can expedite the process, so don't hesitate to contact us.
Timing errors that keep recurring
Mistake #1: Waiting until "I've lost weight"
Diets rarely work as expected. Order based on your current weight. Opt for models with an adjustable lacing system, which can accommodate weight variations of up to 5 kg.
Mistake #2: Believing you can do everything in one month
Our handcrafted process takes between 2 and 5 weeks for the creation itself, including business days. Adding delivery, even the shortest production and delivery time likely exceeds one month. While the majority of our orders are delivered on time, we unfortunately cannot guarantee 100% on-time delivery to the carrier. Therefore, allowing one month for a truly bespoke creation and its delivery is often insufficient.
Mistake #3: Not allowing a safety margin
Ordering to receive your order two days before the wedding? Potential disaster. Always allow at least 3-4 weeks' notice.
Your questions about the timing of the dress
I found a dress on your website that I really like. How long will it take to receive it?
The creation and delivery time is generally around 5 weeks (business days). You will find the exact timeframe indicated on each product page. Regardless of this timeframe, we recommend ordering 3 to 4 months before your wedding. This will give you ample time to receive your dress and calmly coordinate all your accessories.
I'm getting married in 10 months. Is that too early to order?
No, it's perfect! Ten months gives us plenty of time to create your dress at our leisure, and it also gives you time to coordinate all your other elements once you have your dress. It's actually the ideal timing.
My body shape is likely to change. When should I order?
If you are planning a pregnancy, wait until you are pregnant and your belly has stabilized before ordering. If you are planning to lose weight, order when your weight is relatively stable. For slight fluctuations (2 to 3 kg), choose a model with a lace-up closure: it adjusts easily and avoids any fitting issues.
You said to order 3 to 4 months in advance, but some websites promise custom orders in 1 or 2 weeks. Is that possible?
Honestly, no. True craftsmanship takes time. In our workshop, creation takes between 2 and 5 working weeks depending on the complexity of the design. We always recommend 3 to 4 months in total, to allow for a safety margin. It's your big day, so it's best to avoid any unnecessary stress. Promises of "too quick" often hide semi-custom or mass-produced quality. A handcrafted dress, with hand-finished details, deserves this time to be perfect.
What if I order now and lose weight in the meantime?
It's perfectly possible, and not uncommon! Our advice: opt for a dress with a criss-cross lace-up closure, which allows you to easily adjust the fit to your liking. A weight change of 2 to 3 kg is minor and can be easily adjusted. However, for a more significant weight loss (5 kg or more), alterations will be necessary. Ideally, you should order 3 to 4 months before the wedding: perfect timing to calmly anticipate any minor changes.
Conclusion: the timing is right now
Listen, we've analyzed all the timelines, all the scenarios, all the options. Now, the real question remains simple: when should YOU order your dress?
Getting married in 6 months? Perfect, get started now! In 4 months? Still great, but get moving! In 3 months? We can do something, but we need to decide quickly. In less than 2 months? We'll have to get creative together to find a solution.
The worst enemy remains procrastination. "I have time, I'll take care of it next month." Except that next month, you'll say the same thing. And suddenly, you wake up six weeks before the wedding without a dress, in a complete panic.
So here's my final piece of advice: contact us now. Even if your wedding is 10 months away. We'll discuss it, create a plan together, and at least you'll know exactly where you stand. Zero commitment at the start, just a conversation to get things clear.
Ready to order your dress?
Discover our collection of bespoke bohemian dresses. Our creation process takes 5 weeks; we recommend ordering 3-4 months before your wedding for peace of mind.