Atelier · France
The way a custom wedding dress is paid for is one of the things brides are most unsure about when ordering online. At Lutien Bridal, it is deliberately simple: a small consultation fee to start, then one upfront payment for the dress, with nothing added later. The quoted price includes the shipping and the customs, so the number you agree to is the number you pay.
This page explains each step, what the price covers, and how the timing of your order affects it.
Key Takeaways
- A sketch consultation costs 69 euros and is credited toward your order if you proceed.
- The dress is paid in full upfront, once you have approved the design and the quote.
- The price is all-inclusive: it covers materials, construction, shipping to the US, and US customs duties.
- There are no surprise charges on delivery. Customs is handled and paid by Lutien Bridal.
- Ordering with less than 6 months' lead time adds a rush fee that increases the closer you are to the date. The floor is 3 months.
Step 1: The Sketch Consultation
The first step is a paid sketch consultation, 69 euros. You tell us about your vision, your venue, your measurements, and your budget. We produce a bespoke design sketch of the dress in your proportions, and we revise it with you until it is right.
If you decide to proceed with the order, the 69 euros is credited toward the price of the dress. If you do not, you keep the sketch. The fee exists so that the design work is taken seriously on both sides; it is not a booking deposit for the gown itself.
Step 2: The Quote
Once the sketch is settled, we give you a firm quote for the finished dress. The quote reflects the specific design: the fabric, the silhouette, the level of embellishment, and any hand work. Our price breakdown explains what drives the number.
Pricing starts at 1,490 euros, and the average order is around 2,290 euros. The quote is all-inclusive, as set out below. Nothing about the quote changes after you approve it, unless you request a design change.
Step 3: One Upfront Payment
When you approve the sketch and the quote, you pay for the dress in full, and production begins. Payment is a single transaction, not a deposit followed by a balance.
From that point:
- Production runs 10 to 12 weeks. Our timeline guide covers what happens each week.
- You receive photos at every major stage.
- The dress ships by UPS, 3 to 5 days to the US.
- There is nothing further to pay.
What the Price Includes
The quoted price covers:
- All materials. Fabric, lining, lace, beading, thread, structural components.
- All construction. Pattern drafting, the mockup, cutting, sewing, hand work, and fittings.
- Shipping to the US by UPS.
- US customs duties and import handling. We handle the customs process and pay the duty. Our US customs guide explains how this works.
- The design service: the consultation, the sketch, and its revisions.
The credited 69 euro consultation fee is deducted from this total.
What It Does Not Include
- Local alterations after delivery, if you choose to have a nearby seamstress make a small final adjustment. Most orders do not need this, and we tell you what is safe to change.
- Accessories bought elsewhere, such as shoes or a veil from another supplier.
- Return shipping, in the rare case a remake is agreed. This is discussed if it arises.
How Timing Changes the Price
We recommend ordering at least 6 months before the wedding date. At 6 months or more of lead time, there is no rush fee.
Inside 6 months, a rush fee applies and increases the closer you are to the date:
| Lead time before the wedding | Rush fee |
|---|---|
| 6 months or more | None |
| 5 months | 500 euros |
| 4 months | 1,000 euros |
| 3 months | 1,500 euros |
Three months is the minimum. We do not take orders with less than 3 months' lead time, because the production and shipping cannot be done well in less. The rush fee reflects the reordering of the atelier's schedule to prioritise your dress.
Why Upfront, Not a Deposit
A custom dress is made only for you. The fabric is bought for your order, the pattern is drafted for your body, and the atelier's time is committed to your dress for those weeks. A single upfront payment reflects that the work is bespoke and cannot be resold.
It also keeps things clear. There is no balance hanging over the process, no second invoice near the wedding, and no charge waiting at customs. This is the same principle as the rest of how we work, described in our guide to ordering from a European atelier.
FAQ
Do I pay a deposit or the full amount for a custom wedding dress? The full amount, upfront, once you have approved the sketch and the quote. It is a single payment, not a deposit followed by a balance. The 69 euro sketch consultation is paid first and credited toward the total.
Is the sketch consultation fee refundable? It is credited toward your order if you proceed. If you decide not to order, the fee is not refunded, but you keep the design sketch. It covers the design work rather than reserving the gown.
Will I have to pay customs when the dress arrives? No. US customs duties and import handling are included in the price and paid by Lutien Bridal. There are no charges waiting for you on delivery.
What does the price include? Materials, pattern drafting, the mockup, construction, hand work, fittings, shipping to the US by UPS, and US customs duties. It also includes the consultation and sketch. It does not include local alterations after delivery if you choose to have any.
How much does rushing the order cost? Nothing at 6 months or more of lead time. Inside that, the fee is 500 euros at 5 months, 1,000 euros at 4 months, and 1,500 euros at 3 months. Three months is the minimum lead time we accept.
Ready to see a sketch and a firm quote for your dress? Start with a sketch consultation at Lutien Bridal.
About the author: Vlad Ivanov is the Director of Business Development at Lutien Bridal Atelier in Ansignan, France, home to the design team behind more than 1,000 custom wedding gowns delivered to brides across the US and Europe.
