Featured Supplier

From Yes To The Dress. Going Bespoke With Jessica Bennett Bespoke Bride

Julia Smith

Kirstie McNulty for Jessica Bennett Bespoke Bride

A few weeks ago I introduced you to one of our lovely Brides Up North Featured Suppliers, the mother and daughter team at Jessica Bennett Bespoke Bride, who design and hand make stunning wedding gowns entirely from scratch. 

Now, when I got married a few years ago, this is something that I would never have considered doing – and didn’t really know was available at my (average) budget, location (Up North of course!) and what the process would be.  Even if I had thought about it, I would have worried that the final design wouldn’t come out in line with my expectations, or how I could possibly get my ideas across to the person making the gown.  I hadn’t really imagined the dressmaker as a “designer”, and thought that the off the peg option was the safest one.  I loved my wedding dress (All That Jazz by the wonderful Alan Hannah if you were wondering), but having met Jessica and hearing about what they can do – and seeing the results – if I had my time again, I think I might just be paying her a visit. 

Jessica summed it up herself in her first interview here at Brides Up North when she said: ‘A wedding dress is arguably the most important dress a girl will ever wear. It is something that is dreamt about for years and we… feel that there should be no compromise on the most important dress you will ever wear!

Bespoke is also perfect for those brides that want something truly unique, something that no other bride can be seen to have worn. Having something custom-made enables the bride to give a true reflection of their personality, find a style that suits their body shape perfectly and they can also design their dress around the style of their wedding day.

We… have a lot of brides who have had a style in mind for years – a red-carpet dress they saw in a magazine, a famous wedding gown or a thought up design that they have held onto.  To go bespoke means our brides are able to have exactly what they want, with no compromise.’

Given my own misconceptions, I thought it was about time that someone in the know talked my readers through the bespoke process, so that they understand entirely what’s involved and exactly how rewarding the choice can be.  And since it was Jessica who inspired this post, who better than to ask?  She’s back on the blog today to talk you through it, step by step. 

Images by Kirstie McNulty Photography

Kirstie McNulty for Jessica Bennett Bespoke Bride

The Initial Consultation

Jessica says:  The initial consultation gives us the opportunity to get to know our Bride, understand her wants and requirements and also how she envisages her big day to be. At this stage we will discuss styles, fabrics, colours and time scale. From this we will then be able to give the client a more accurate quote based on what has been discussed and we will begin to source samples of fabrics.

The Design & Toile

We will begin to collate all of the ideas discussed at the first consultation, thinking about the style of wedding our Bride is having, location, time of year and how all of these factors will affect the design and fabrics of the dress. We will then start work on a toile. This is in affect a mock-up of the proposed design. This will be done in a calico fabric and will meet the brief given to us in the first consultation. The toile gives the Bride the opportunity to see her proposed ideas made up in a fabric and make any alterations to the style, the shape and fit of the dress before we actually begin work on the final fabrics which more often than not are silks and laces.

An initial measurement will be taken from the Bride at first consultation if she is happy to go ahead and begin the process. If the client needs more time to think about it another appointment will be arranged once her decision has been made to take first measurements (these can be taken over clothes) – these measurements will enable us to begin work on the toile.

Kirstie McNulty for Jessica Bennett Bespoke Bride

The Fittings

Once the toile has been made up the Bride will have another fitting done and any alterations to the size and shape of the dress will be marked out on the calico fabric of the toile. This will then be taken apart and will form the pattern pieces for her wedding gown.

Approximately 6-8 weeks after the toile fitting the Bride will come to try on her wedding gown that will now be made up in her final fabrics (silks, lace etc). This will be made to the measurements of the last fitting but will not have any final seams or hems in and so can be taken in/ let out more if necessary. At this stage we, with the client, will make final decisions on length, over all fit, fastenings and finishing touches.

4 weeks later at the next fitting we will have the Bride’s wedding gown ready to a finished standard. This will include hems on the length, seams and fastenings. If the Bride is happy with the gown at this stage she is able to take away/ confirm that no more alterations are needed. However, if the Bride needs any additional adjustments to the size (due to weight loss/gain) this will be the final opportunity to have these confirmed.

Kirstie McNulty for Jessica Bennett Bespoke Bride

Tweaks…

More often than not the design of a dress alters throughout the Bespoke process as our client’s get inspired as they see their gown at every stage and realise the potential of the bespoke dress making service. 

Accessorising

We also make a range of accessories from birdcage veils to cathedral veils and covered silk clutch bags for Mother of the Brides. Most Brides like to wait and see their dress on before choosing the length or type of veil as only then will they know what will be the perfect match to their bespoke gown.

Kirstie McNulty for Jessica Bennett Bespoke Bride

Dressing On The Day

This service is available to our Brides and large bridal parties. We can help take the stress out of the morning for our clients and ensure all our ladies get to the aisle looking their very best. If a client opts for this service we can bring the gown with us on the day if this is requested.

There is nothing more valuable to us than a happy customer and so we will do all we can to make sure each of our client’s leaves us feeling thrilled with their garment and the service they have received.

For more details visit Jessica’s brand new website at www.jessicabennettbespokebride.co.uk, contact her by email at info@jessicabennettbespokebride.co.uk or call her on 07852 158 566.  Jessica is also on Twitter and Facebook, so say hello!

.

Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © 2014 Kirstie McNulty for Jessica Bennett Bespoke Bride

Jessica Bennett Bespoke Bride is a Brides Up North Featured Supplier

Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier

join the northern revolution

Would you like to see your real wedding, love story, styled shoot, forthcoming event or wedding business featured on Loved Up North? Contact Loved Up North for real wedding and features submissions or details of our sponsorship packages.

Contact us to be featured on Loved Up North