FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) of Brides
1) What services do you offer brides?
2) What concerns should I have when buying a bridal gown?
3) How does your made-to-order custom design process work?
4) Are accessories included with the bridal gown?
5) Will I be able to see my made-to-order gown in progress?
6) How early do I have to book you before my wedding date for custom gowns?
7) Do you have many clients outside your shop locations in Los Angeles and Manila?
8) What if I want to use your services but I’m not in Los Angeles?
9) How will you do fittings for my gown if I’m not in Los Angeles or Manila?
10) What about last-minute delivery problems I hear about for made-to-order gowns?
11) If I contract a custom bridal package, how do you get the measurements of my bridal entourage if my friends don’t live near you?
12) Do you make tuxedos and suits for men?
13) What is your payment policy for custom gowns?
1) What services do you offer brides?
In both shops I have off-the-rack wedding gowns offered each season with limited copies created of these designs. A veil comes complimentary with the gown. For the discerning bride, I offer custom made-to-order gowns that are one-of-a-kind. For custom-made orders, I include complimentary accessories in addition to the veil.
I also make entourage gowns and can offer packages on custom-made bridal gown orders. Your entourage gowns would also be custom made. Prices depend on the desired fabric, cut, and embellishments (if any).
I am committed to service and satisfaction throughout the process, because I believe our business transaction is just beginning, not ending, when I book your order. My genuine goal is for you to be as happy with my services on your wedding day, as you were when you originally were excited enough to book me. I stand behind my work.
I encourage you to click on my Testimonials page to read comments from real clients who have booked me.
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2) What concerns should I have when buying a bridal gown?
For brides thinking of buying off the rack at the high-end bridal shops, please consider that once you purchase your gown, the service may end there. I hear stories of brides purchasing very expensive gowns and then being surprised at their subsequent treatment. I hear stories of brides being charged for fittings, so please inquire before you purchase anywhere. As far as my policy, I do not charge for fittings. With me, you are buying more than just a bridal gown, you are buying my service and reputation.
(Please see Testimonials for feedback on my services. )
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3) How does your made-to-order custom design process work?
You and I sit down and talk about your wedding. You tell me your tastes and give me your ideas. Some brides show me photos of features of gowns they like. Then, while you are sitting there, I will design and sketch a gown for you, with your input as I do it. Hopefully, you will find it’s the exact gown you always wanted for your wedding. Either way, it’s a collaborative process, because I want your input. My goal is to design what you want, not what I want. Once you wear it, it’s your gown so you have to love it. I wouldn’t ever want you to have a gown you didn’t love on such an important day in your life.
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4) Are accessories included with the bridal gown?
For my custom made-to-order bridal gowns, I include the following complimentary extras:
- Bride’s shoes (created just for you)
- Long & short veils
- Garter
- Arrhae
- Cord
- 3 small pillows
- 4 Coins
Upon receipt a month before your wedding date, you will have plenty of time to decide if you want to use our items or purchase something different, according to your own tastes. Most of my brides choose to use our extras, but it is entirely up to you. My feelings don’t get hurt. All of these items are complimentary to make it easier for you if you decide to use them.
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5) Will I be able to see my made-to-order gown in progress?
We like to email photos of your gown in progress. This allows you to make comments during the production process so there will be no surprises when your dress arrives. We are committed to your satisfaction, so we definitely don’t want you to be surprised. We want you to love your gown before we deliver it.
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6) How early do I have to book you before my wedding date for custom gowns?
Well, as you probably know, it’s never too soon to book for your wedding. I have had clients book me as much as 2 years in advance and I have done “rush” weddings in a matter of weeks.
Generally, you should book at least 6 months in advance if you want a made-to-order bridal gown. However, don’t worry if you’re a bride getting married within a few months, I often can accommodate you, so please don’t hesitate to ask. There are always “rush” orders that we can do at a premium.
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7) Do you have many clients outside your shop locations in Los Angeles and Manila?
Yes, my gowns have been worn in weddings in cities all over the U.S. , including New York, San Francisco, San Diego, Las Vegas, Chicago, and Hawaii.
Internationally, I have had wedding gowns worn in places such as Fiji, Sydney, Hong Kong, Vancouver, Singapore, and of course in the Philippines, in Manila, Boracay, Tagaytay, Palawan, and Cebu.
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8) What if I want to use your services but I’m not in Los Angeles?
Throughout the year, I occasionally travel to meet with clients in the following cities: New York, San Francisco, Chicago, San Diego, Dallas, and Las Vegas. Brides often book me during these trips and I do fittings on return trips. Otherwise, you could order by mail with me.
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9) How will you do fittings for my gown if I’m not in Los Angeles or Manila?
In the case of my not being able to do the physical fitting, a “dummy” fitting gown (dress lining) is sent to you based on your measurements. You pin any necessary alterations directly on the fitting gown and send it back (if you aren’t comfortable doing it yourself, then your local dry cleaners probably has a tailor on hand to do the pinning). Alterations are then made to the gown, based on all the information you provide during your self-fitting. This is a very common practice for bridal gown fittings.
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10) What about last-minute delivery problems I hear about for made-to-order gowns?
Yes, there are some nightmare stories of wedding gowns arriving within days (even hours!) of wedding dates. My policy is to deliver the bridal gown one month prior to the actual wedding date.
I strive for this goal for two reasons: (1) I believe you shouldn’t be worrying about your clothes days before your wedding, and (2) I don’t want to be worrying about your clothes days before your wedding either, as that would be stressful on me, too!
We usually deliver a month before because many brides’ measurements change from the time of booking and they prefer we wait until then. However, if a bride prefers to have her gown earlier than that, we can certainly accommodate that request.
I am capable of delivering what I promise on time because my production schedules are set up 6 - 15 months in advance. (Please see Testimonials for feedback on my services. )
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11) If I contract a custom bridal package, how do you get the measurements of my bridal entourage if my friends don’t live near you?
On the main page of my website there is a measurement template. Your bridal participant can go to that page and follow the step-by-step instructions how to measure herself/himself. They email those measurements to us. That’s it.
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12) Do you make tuxedos and suits for men?
Yes, we do. Our tuxedos and suits are made from 100% wool fabric, unless requested otherwise.
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13) What is your payment policy for custom gowns?
I ask that a client pay 50% upon booking me for a custom made-to-order wedding gown. For off-the-rack, the client pays 100% at the time of purchase. For obvious reasons, gowns are not returnable.
A made-to-order client pays her balance upon “completion” – delivery of the gown(s). I believe this policy is extremely fair, and I would be comfortable if I were on the other end of such a policy.
In keeping with almost all designers (and wedding vendors), the 50% down payment is non-refundable. My production schedule is set up a year in advance because American brides tend to book well in advance.
The down payment secures a spot in my schedule. When you commit to me, I commit to you, which means if a wedding were to come along on your exact date that might interfere with your existing booking, I would have to turn it down. Therefore, I might have to lose business. Also, this policy allows me to purchase the best fabric for your gown whenever I find it in my travels to various countries at different times in a calendar year.
I might caution you to any designer’s policy where you are asked to pay anywhere between 75%-90% BEFORE you receive your gown. I would not want to be the client in this arrangement, and this is why my policy tries to be fair to both parties. I want to treat you the way I’d want to be treated.
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