Couture Process

Our wedding dresses are handmade in our South Australia workroom.

From designing to cutting to sewing and handwork, we specialize in meticulous made to measure gowns that are unique and custom to you. The team at Calèche are devoted to producing high quality made to measure custom wedding dresses. We take great care in making the emotional journey of creating your gown a stress-free and pleasurable experience. As your wedding day is important to us our philosophy is to keep the process as calm and memorable as possible.

At Calèche our process is made up of four different categories that may suit you depending on your timeline, budget, and style of gown. Starting with ready-to-wear, moving up to made-to-measure, then up to Bespoke and finally, Couture. No one option is necessarily better than the other however, these different options do require different processes and so it may be very helpful to have an idea of which of these options you will be pursuing. But don’t fret – if you are unsure of which option you want to pursue, it is best to start with a standard Caleche Collection appointment, in which you can browse through our collections. If you do not find your perfect gown in a close enough fit, you may choose to have it made to measure. If you do not find your perfect style amongst our collections but you still want the Calèche experience, you may choose to be more involved in the design process and work with one of our designers to create a bespoke gown. If your bespoke gown requires meticulous details and decadent fabrics, bringing the cost above $10,000, you will find yourself in the couture category.

The Couture Process

READY-TO-WEAR

These collections will be completed in a standard size. These gowns are designed to be purchased as is, without fittings or alterations included. However, once your gown is ready, you may schedule a fitting with us for any desired adjustments, or take it home as it is. Every ready-to-wear gown is made in our Norwood workroom, with a production timeline of approximately four months.

MADE-TO-MEASURE

Choosing a made-to-measure gown means a unique pattern will be created to match your exact measurements. This process includes three or four fittings to ensure a perfect fit. Made-to-measure gowns incur an additional charge of $2000, covering the creation of a custom pattern, fittings, and the adjustments needed to tailor the gown to your proportions. This option bridges the gap between standard sizing and bespoke design, offering a personalised fit that remains more budget-friendly than a fully bespoke gown.

BESPOKE

For brides seeking a completely custom design, our bespoke category is the perfect choice. During a bespoke appointment, you’ll collaborate closely with a couture designer in an in-depth consultation. Together, you’ll bring your dream gown to life, starting with a beautifully detailed sketch and continuing through a tailored design process.

COUTURE

Couture gowns start at $10,000 and encompass both made-to-measure Calèche styles and bespoke designs that exceed this price point. As a couture bride, you’ll enjoy exclusive two-hour appointments with one of our couture designers and as many fittings as required to perfect your gown. This option offers an unparalleled level of craftsmanship and attention to detail, ensuring a truly exceptional bridal experience.

Fittings

What to Expect at Each Fitting

If you have purchased a made-to-measure, bespoke or couture Calèche gown you will require around 3-4 fittings with us in our Norwood boutique. Fittings are held on Mondays through to Fridays 9-5pm. For each fitting you will have approximately one hour with your fitter in a private fitting room. Your fittings are the only face-to-face time our fitters have with you to perfect the fit of your gown so it’s important that we use this time appropriately.

During your fitting there will be multiple things your fitter will need to discuss with you, and as such we require that you are able to engage with your fitter completely during this time. If you are comfortable doing so, we recommend that you do not bring any guests with you; especially if you are a better decision maker on your own. However, if you do wish to bring a guest then bring only a trusted close friend or relative, someone who you know will be able to focus solely on you and the gown for the full hour.

Step Into Bridal Couture

Visit our Calèche Bridal House for a personalised consultation and explore our collection of handcrafted bridal couture inspired by European style. From the initial consultation to the final stitch, let us guide you through a truly exclusive experience.