Start looking nine to twelve months before your wedding if you want a bespoke gown, because a custom dress takes six to twelve months to design, fit and make. If your wedding is closer, a made to order gown from our collection takes four to six weeks, so start at least two to three months out to leave a margin. Off the rack dresses can be quicker, but alterations still need time.
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How far ahead do you need to order a wedding dress?
| Route | Making time | Start looking |
|---|---|---|
| Bespoke at our atelier | Six to twelve months | Nine to twelve months before |
| Made to order from our Bridal Couture Collection | Four to six weeks | At least two to three months before |
| Off the rack elsewhere | Varies by boutique, plus alterations | Ask the boutique |
The earlier you book, the more choice you have, both in design and in appointment times. Detailed designs, such as all-over lace or a full ball gown, sit at the longer end.
What does a bespoke wedding dress timeline look like?
This is a suggested plan for a bespoke gown when you start a year out, not a fixed schedule. Your own dates are set at your consultation, depending on your design and our schedule.
| When | What happens | Your to-do |
|---|---|---|
| 12 months out | Gather ideas | Save images, think about your venue and season, set a budget |
| 10 to 12 months | Consultation with Catherine | Bring your images and anyone you want with you |
| 9 to 11 months | Hand-drawn sketch, fabrics chosen together, 50% deposit begins the design | Touch and compare silks and laces |
| 7 to 9 months | Toile cut to your measurements and fitted | Wear shoes of the height you plan to wear |
| 4 to 7 months | First fittings in your real fabric | Choose your shoes and underwear |
| 2 to 4 months | Middle fittings: lace placement, embellishment, length | Decide on your veil and jewellery |
| 1 to 2 months | Final fittings | Bring the person who will dress you, to learn the fastenings and bustle |
| 2 weeks before | Your gown is finished | Plan where it will hang and how it travels |
| Wedding morning | Getting dressed | Catherine offers a wedding morning dressing service |
Bespoke gowns have three to five fittings in total. Read what happens at each fitting for the detail.
What if your wedding is in a few months?
Our collection gowns, the four white looks Catherine showed at New York Fashion Week 2026, are made to order to your measurements in four to six weeks. A suggested short plan looks like this:
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| 3 months out, or sooner | Consultation: see the collection and choose your gown |
| Straight after | Your gown is quoted and ordered; we will explain the details at your consultation |
| 4 to 6 weeks later | Your gown is made to order to your measurements |
| The weeks after that | A margin before the wedding for any final touches and for life getting in the way |
The margin matters. Four to six weeks is the making time, not the time before your wedding, so do not leave it until the last six weeks.
What if you have less time than that?
Call us on +61 2 9922 4193 and we will tell you honestly what is possible. If a bespoke gown can’t be done well in your time, a made to order gown or a good bridal boutique may be the better answer. Our guide to bespoke, made to order and off the rack sets out the trade-offs.
How do you keep the dress plan on track?
- Lock in the date and venue first. The season and setting shape the fabric and silhouette.
- Book fittings early, especially if you need Saturday appointments.
- Tell us about changes. If you fall pregnant or your weight changes, the plan can adapt, as it did for Belinda.
- Plan the bridal party together. If your bridesmaids, flower girls or mother need gowns too, start them alongside yours.
Ready to set your dates? Book a consultation and we will build your timeline with you.
