Shopping for your wedding gown should be an enjoyable and fun experience. But for many girls, it can be quite daunting. There are a myriad of designers and retail bridal shops to choose from, not to mention an endless range of wedding gown designs. Couture, the made to measure option, has alluring advantages, and yet for some, off-the-rack has its appeal also. There are quite significant differences between the two, though, and knowing these differences will help you to make an informed decision.

PRODUCTION
The first major difference between couture and off-the-rack is obvious – couture is made to measure, while off-the-rack is mass-produced. Many girls prefer the off-the-rack option, basically because you can try it on, and if all is well, you can buy it and walk out the door, end of story. So it certainly can be quite simple, once you have found the gown you love. Having your gown made to measure, though, means it will be made individually for you. This involves a great deal more than the off-the-rack option. The process of having a couture gown made begins with a consultation, followed by a series of fittings, and finally picking up the finished gown.

FIT
The next important difference between couture and off-the-rack is fit. An off-the-rack dress will simply not fit you the way a made to measure gown will. Off-the-rack dresses are made to standard sizes, and while they may fit reasonably well if you are within the standard size range, they can only offer an “average” fit. The couture gown, however, will be made exclusively to fit your curves and shape, thus ensuring the best possible fit. In fact, fit is an art in itself, and skilled couturiers (that is, designers) pride themselves in their ability to mould and sculpt a gown to a girl’s body, like a glove.

DESIGN OPTIONS
Another major difference is the number of design options available to you. With off-the-rack dresses, your selection is limited to the designs available for sale. Usually if you want to alter a gown by adding lace, beading, or changing the neckline, a retail bridal shop may not offer these options. It’s normally a case of “what you see is what you get.” Thus finding the wedding gown of your dreams off-the-rack can be limiting. On the other hand, having your gown made to measure opens up a world of design options to you. Once the design is established, you have a wide selection of fabrics, colours, and trims to choose from, which are simply not available with the off-the-rack option.

QUALITY
The quality of couture gowns compared to their off-the-rack counterparts is also quite significant. Most off-the-rack dresses are produced with the cheapest and most economical fabrics, which are usually synthetics. By contrast, couture gowns are usually made from the finest quality fabrics available, such as silks, which are natural fibres. The difference between fabrics is usually evident in the look and quality of the finished gown.

WORKMANSHIP
The next difference between couture and off-the-rack, perhaps the most important difference of them all, is that of workmanship. Couturiers invest vast amounts of time perfecting their skills in crafting superb gowns. The hallmark of a couture gown is in the finish – a perfectly made gown should be so well finished that it could be worn inside out. The seams should be smooth, and skim over the body perfectly; the hem should be hand-finished and invisible on the outside; and beads should be sewn on, one by one, and with meticulous care. This work obviously takes a great deal of time, and many people are simply unaware of how much time it actually takes to complete a couture gown. On average, a couture wedding gown can take around 40 – 50 hours to produce, depending on the amount of beading and detail involved. Off-the-rack dresses are in a completely different boat here, as they are mass-produced, and thus the quickest and most economical methods of construction are employed. For example, gluing on beads, instead of sewing them on; machine-sewing hems, rather than hand-sewing; and leaving out some internal items, such as boning or canvas, which are integral parts of the couture gown. Off-the-rack dresses can be produced in around ten to fifteen hours.

PRICE
Of course, this leads to the last main difference being price. On average, an off-the-rack dress will cost around $2,500 (as a guide). By contrast, the couture gown can be around $4,000 to $6,000, or even more for some gowns. When you consider all the differences mentioned in workmanship alone, the higher price of the couture gown is more than justified.

Ultimately, the decision whether to buy your wedding gown off-the-rack, or have it made by a couturier, is one that only you can make. But the differences between the two are as night and day. Essentially, off-the-rack is ordinary; couture is extraordinary. Off-the-rack is standard; couture is superb. Off-the-rack is boring; couture is glamorous. The off-the-rack dress is a purchase; the couture gown is an experience.

For many years now, bridal fashion has been defined by the top bridal designers of the country, and indeed the world.

Today, brides have more options than ever, as the array of designs to choose from is never-ending. Many design elements have stood the test of time, and are still popular favourites.

Designers are favouring fabrics such as silk taffeta, silk dupion and silk satin. Other fabrics in the mix include organzas and chiffons, which add a softer, more romantic look to gowns.

Lace has a made a huge comeback in recent times, as many brides love the romance that lace brings to a gown. And of course, weddings are all about romance!

Design features on gowns include ruching and draping, which is in high demand, as it flatters just about any bride’s figure. The ever-popular strapless style is still in favour.

Sweetheart necklines are very popular, as well as asymmetrical necklines.

Combine these sensual fabrics and impressive design features with beautiful beadwork, and you have the elements of bridal fashion today. Hugely popular Swarovski crystals are a strong favourite for gown embellishment. These stunning crystals are often combined with diamontes and pearls, to create a strikingly beautiful effect.

Designers are now offering a wide palette of colours to choose from, aside from the traditional white and ivory. Colours such as magnolia, latte, gold, champagne, blush and oyster are becoming very popular, as more and more brides want to make a fashion statement on their wedding day. After all, you only get to be a bride once, so why not make a lasting impression?

Many brides are now choosing figure-hugging gowns, as an alternative to the traditional Cinderella-style gowns. Gowns are fitted down to the hips and then flow outwards, mermaid-style, or into a slight A-line. Bias cuts as well as flowy, chiffon gowns are finding favour with many brides who prefer a soft, romantic look for their gown.

The most long-lasting dress style which has stood the test of time is probably the Aline silhouette. This style features the fitted corset bodice, with an A-line skirt. This dress style flatters most figure types, and is thus a very popular choice for many brides.