Lutien atelier
Home / The Process
Handmade in France · From idea to your door

How your dress
is made

Seven steps. No surprises. You see the sketch before we cut, and the photos before we ship.

The Lutien Method

Every dress begins with your idea — and ends as something made only for you.

We don't sell from stock. We design from scratch, based on your wishes, your measurements, your wedding. Transparent, step by step, nothing left unsaid.

7steps · from idea to your door
01 Where everything begins

The consultation

You come to us with your ideas — a photo, a Pinterest board, a silhouette you love, a feeling you can't quite describe. We take all of it and draw the first version of your dress.

Personal bridal sketch
Free
  • Custom hand-drawn sketch of your dress
  • Curated fabric selection
  • Detailed discussion of all design elements
  • No payment and no obligation to place an order
  • Original sketch mailed to you — yours to keep regardless
Yes. Share a complete brief and your strongest references, and a Lutien designer will create an initial personal sketch at no charge. There is no checkout and no obligation to place a gown order.
Anything that inspires you — photos, Pinterest boards, a description, a rough idea of silhouette. You don't need everything figured out; that's what we're here for. The more you share, the more precise and personal the sketch will be.
That is completely fine. The sketch is a free first step and there is no obligation to continue to a production order.
We're based in France and work 10:00–20:00 CET. That's roughly 4:00–14:00 EST or 1:00–11:00 PST. We'll reach out as soon as we can after your payment — usually the same day.
Get your free sketch →
Hand-drawn wedding dress sketch, front and back view
02 After the consultation

The design proposal

Once we've talked, your designer prepares a full commercial proposal: a refined sketch with all your wishes incorporated, a curated selection of fabrics with photos and descriptions, and the exact price of your order.

Everything is visible before you commit to anything. You know exactly what the dress will look like, what fabric it will be made in, and what you will pay.

Yes — this is the right time for it. We refine the sketch together until the design is exactly what you want: neckline, sleeves, length, train, silhouette, back. We go back and forth until it's right.
Your designer curates a selection from our atelier's fabric library based on your gown design, your aesthetic, and your budget. You receive photos and descriptions of each option and make the final choice.
No. Once you've approved the design and chosen the fabric, the price is fixed. We don't add hidden costs later. The only exception: if you request a significant design change after production has begun — which is why we finalize everything carefully upfront.
Design proposal sketch with fabric notes
03 Confirming your order

Payment & timeline

Once you've approved the design proposal, you confirm your order with payment. We offer two payment structures depending on the order value.

Orders up to €2,500
Full payment
The full agreed gown price is paid upfront before production begins.
Orders over €2,500
2–3 instalments
We split payment into 2 or 3 stages, agreed before production begins.
Plan your timeline carefully. Production takes 10–12 weeks. The minimum lead time for placing an order is 3 months before your wedding; we do not accept orders with less than 3 months remaining. Ideally, order approximately 10 months ahead.
We do not accept orders with less than 3 months remaining. No rush fee applies at 6 months or more. If your wedding is less than 6 months away, the rush fees are €500 at 5 months, €700 at 4 months and €1,000 at 3 months. Contact us and we will confirm whether your design is feasible.
We begin with your current measurements, taken by a professional tailor. If they change during production, send us an updated professional measurement set and we will adjust the gown before shipment where the construction stage allows. You may also arrange final alterations with a local tailor closer to the wedding. We do not delay production until close to the wedding while waiting for a target weight.
Your measurements must be taken by a professional tailor — not self-measured. This is a firm requirement. We send you a detailed guide specifying exactly which measurements we need. You then visit a local professional tailor who takes them for you. The fit of your dress depends entirely on the precision of these numbers, which is why we require a trained hand. How to take your measurements →
Bride having measurements taken
Optional

Rush order

€500–€1,000

No rush fee applies when your order is confirmed 6 months or more before your wedding. If your wedding is less than 6 months away, the rush fee is €500 at 5 months, €700 at 4 months and €1,000 at 3 months. We do not accept orders with less than 3 months remaining.

Note: heavily embroidered gowns cannot be significantly accelerated regardless. We'll tell you honestly what's achievable before you commit.

Expedited sourcing
Priority fabric and material procurement
Queue priority
Your order is moved to the front of the atelier schedule
Express shipping
Fastest available courier, fully tracked and insured
Ask if rush is possible for your date →
04 Before the first cut

Technical drawing

After the artistic sketch is approved, we prepare a full technical drawing — a precise, dimensioned document specifying every detail: neckline depth, slit position, sleeve length, train measurements, back opening, all proportions.

You review and approve this before we touch any fabric. This is the final checkpoint where changes are free of charge.

Everything: the precise neckline shape and depth, slit position and length, sleeve style and length, back opening, train length, and the placement of any embroidery or decoration zones — all scaled to your body measurements.
Yes. You may request design changes until the final technical sketch is approved. After approval, design changes start at €600 to cover new fabric, pattern development and atelier work, and the 10–12 week production timeline restarts from the date the revised design is confirmed.
Technical dress drawing with measurements
05 In the atelier

The making

Our seamstresses begin constructing your gown by hand in our atelier in Ansignan, France. Throughout the process, we send you progress photos and videos by email — so you follow along in real time as your dress takes shape.

You're never left waiting in silence. You see the fabric laid out, the silhouette forming, the bodice assembled. Real people, real progress, real craft.

We send photos and short videos at key milestones: typically when the main structure is complete, when the bodice is assembled, and when the gown is nearing completion. You won't go months without news from us.
Tell us immediately. Progress photos are shared precisely so we can catch issues early, while they're still simple to correct. Your feedback is reviewed by the atelier team and addressed before the next stage begins.
Seamstress sewing by hand in atelier
06 The finishing touch

Embroidery & décor

If your design includes embroidery, beading, 3D florals, or other decoration, this phase begins once the main construction is complete. Depending on complexity, it takes 1 to 3 months.

This is where your dress truly becomes singular. We keep you involved — sharing photos, confirming placement, adjusting details as the decoration takes shape.

Hand embroidery, beading, sequins, 3D floral appliqué, lace inserts, feather trim — and more. The options depend on your design. We'll propose what suits your gown during the consultation phase.
No — it entirely depends on complexity. A simple beaded border might take 2–3 weeks. A full-bodice hand embroidery can take 3 months. We'll give you a precise estimate for your design during the consultation.
Only if it's added before the technical drawing is approved and production begins. After that, embroidery additions depend on what's already been done and will affect your timeline and price. We'll advise you if it's feasible.
Close-up of hand embroidery on bridal gown
07 The final step

Final approval & delivery

When your gown is completely finished, we take final professional photographs and send them to you for approval. Only once you confirm — we prepare it for shipping.

Your dress is carefully packed, fully insured and dispatched by express courier. DDP applies to the US, UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. EU orders have no import customs. For all other countries, import duties, taxes and customs charges are the customer's responsibility.

Tell us what you see and what concerns you. We review the photos together. If there's something that doesn't match the approved technical drawing, we fix it before shipment. The final approval step exists precisely to catch anything that needs attention before the dress leaves the atelier.
Typically 3–7 business days worldwide via express courier. All packages are fully tracked and insured. We ship from France — European deliveries tend to arrive faster.
For the US, UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, yes: orders ship DDP and duties and import taxes are paid before delivery. EU orders have no import customs. For all other countries, please check your local import duties, taxes and customs charges before ordering.
Finished gown laid out for final photography

Let's sketch your dress

Tell us what you've pictured. We'll sketch it for free, your designer, your gown, one session. If it's right, we'll make it.

Ideally order 10 months ahead · Rush fees apply under 6 months · Replies within a day
Inspiration photos optional
We reply within a day. Your details stay private.