Atelier · France
Key Takeaways
- Production at our atelier takes 10 to 12 weeks from order confirmation.
- Add 3 to 5 days for UPS delivery to the US.
- We recommend placing your order 6 months before your wedding date.
- We don't take rush orders, so the earlier you reach out, the more options you have.
- The biggest timeline variable isn't production. It's fabric sourcing.
Most brides underestimate how much lead time a custom dress requires, not because ateliers are slow, but because a custom dress doesn't exist until you order it. There's no sample to pull from a rack, no standard size to ship from inventory. Every piece is built from scratch.
This guide documents exactly how our production timeline works, what controls the pace at each stage, and when to contact us if your wedding date is closer than you'd like. For the full ordering process from first message to delivery, see The Complete Guide to Ordering a Custom Wedding Dress Online.
The Full Timeline at a Glance
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| Design consultation and measurements | 1 week |
| Fabric sourcing | 2-3 weeks |
| Pattern making | 2 weeks |
| Production | 3-4 weeks |
| Finishing, embroidery, quality check | 2 weeks |
| UPS delivery to the US | 3-5 days |
Total: 10 to 12 weeks of production, plus 3 to 5 days for UPS delivery to the US.
The 10-week end applies to dresses with standard fabrics we have in stock and no hand embroidery. The 12-week end applies to dresses with specialty fabrics or extensive hand detailing.
Stage 1: Design and Measurements (1 Week)
Before any fabric is ordered, we agree on the design. You send your reference images, describe what you want, and submit your measurements. We review everything, ask any clarifying questions, and produce a sketch for your approval.
Nothing moves forward until the sketch is approved. This step protects both sides. A confirmed design brief means the dress we build matches your vision before a single cut is made.
Common question: Do I need to have everything figured out before I write to you? No. A rough idea and a few images are enough to start.
How to take your measurements correctly →
Stage 2: Fabric Sourcing (2-3 Weeks)
This is the stage most brides underestimate. Fabric isn't ordered from a local shop.
We source from European suppliers, mills and specialty houses, and some materials require several weeks to arrive. Standard fabrics we stock regularly (satin, crepe, chiffon) take closer to 2 weeks. Specialty fabrics such as rare silk blends, sourced lace, or specific jacquard patterns can take up to 3 weeks.
We send you a photo confirmation when your fabric arrives at the atelier.
Stage 3: Pattern Making (2 Weeks)
Every pattern at our atelier is drafted from scratch to your specific measurements. We don't use standard blocks adjusted to size.
The pattern is built to your body: bust, waist, hips, hollow-to-hem, and additional points specific to your design. This is the stage that determines fit before a single seam is sewn.
Stage 4: Production (3-4 Weeks)
Cutting, sewing, and structural work. The dress moves from flat fabric to a fitted gown.
3 weeks: dresses with clean construction, A-line, slip, minimal structure. 4 weeks: dresses with boning, corsetry, or layered skirts that require extended fitting and pressing at each stage. See our guide to corset construction for why that structure takes real time.
We document production with photos throughout.
Stage 5: Finishing, Embroidery, and Quality Check (2 Weeks)
Hand detailing, closures, hem, any embroidery, and a final inspection before packaging.
Dresses with no embellishment move through this stage quickly. Dresses with hand embroidery use the full 2 weeks, since full-bodice hand embroidery is worked after the dress is assembled and can't be rushed without visible inconsistency. We won't do that.
Stage 6: Delivery (3-5 Days)
We handle all shipping and send every US order via UPS. Your dress is packaged, padded, and folded to minimize creasing. A tracking number goes to you the moment it's dispatched.
Delivery to the US: 3 to 5 days from ship date.
We handle all customs documentation on our end, so there are no surprises on arrival. For a full breakdown of what to expect, see US customs and duties for a wedding dress.
When Should I Start?
6 months before your wedding date. That's our recommendation.
It covers the full 10 to 12 weeks of production, the 3 to 5 days of UPS shipping, and leaves a real buffer for anything unexpected, plus time to actually enjoy the dress once it arrives.
Four to five months is workable. Fabric choices may be limited to what's already in stock, and complex embellishments may not be feasible on that schedule. We'll tell you exactly what is and isn't possible before you commit.
Fewer than 4 months? Write to us before placing an order. We don't take rush orders, so we'll assess your design and timeline honestly and tell you what, if anything, would need to change.
What If My Dress Has Hand Embroidery?
Plan for the 12-week end of our production window.
Full-bodice hand embroidery uses the full finishing stage and is one of the main reasons a dress lands at the 12-week end rather than the 10-week end. Appliqué lace adds less time, 3 to 5 days, because it's applied to pre-cut pieces during production, not worked by hand after assembly.
If embroidery is part of your design, we factor it into your timeline estimate at the design stage. One thing we don't do: add embroidery after production has started. Design decisions are final before the pattern is cut. For the full breakdown of technique and coverage-based timing, see hand embroidery on a wedding dress.
What Should I Do When My Dress Arrives?
Open the package immediately.
Fold lines from transit are normal, they fall out within a few hours of hanging. Here's what to do:
- Hang the dress on a padded hanger in a well-ventilated room for at least 24 hours before trying it on.
- Try it on within 48 hours. If anything needs attention, contact us right away. It's much easier to address early.
- Check everything: hem length, closure, fit at bust and waist. Take photos.
Most dresses arrive ready to wear. Because the dress is made to your measurements, structural alterations are rare. The most common adjustment after arrival is a minor hem correction based on final shoe height.
Ready to Start?
We take a limited number of orders each season to ensure every dress gets the attention it deserves. If your wedding is in 2027, now is the right time to reach out.
Curious about pricing before you write? See How Much Does a Custom Wedding Dress Cost?
FAQ
Can I rush a custom order? No, we don't take rush orders. Every dress at our atelier gets full attention at every stage, and that's not something we compromise on schedule. Write to us as early as possible so we can plan around your date.
What if my wedding is in 4 months? Contact us before placing an order. We'll tell you what's achievable on that schedule and what isn't.
Do you handle shipping and customs? Yes. We ship all US orders ourselves via UPS and handle all customs documentation on our end. Delivery typically takes 3 to 5 days.
What if my measurements change after I order? Contact us as soon as possible. If production hasn't started, adjustments are straightforward. Once cutting begins, options become more limited.
Why do you only take limited orders each season? Because every dress at our atelier gets individual attention at every stage. We don't run parallel production lines.
Related guides:
- The Complete Guide to Ordering a Custom Wedding Dress Online
- How to Measure Yourself for a Wedding Dress at Home
- How Much Does a Custom Wedding Dress Cost?
- US Customs and Duties for a Wedding Dress
About the author: Alena Amros is the lead designer at Lutien Bridal Atelier in Ansignan, France, where she has designed and produced over 1,000 custom wedding gowns for brides across the US and Europe.
