How It Works
Further Information on our Services
Bespoke Wedding Dresses – appointment only
Our bespoke wedding dresses; each wedding dress is individually designed by Ellie and made at our boutique. At your free consultation you will try on our bespoke sample dresses so we can see what style of dress suits you and your wedding and more importantly what silhouette works for your body shape – our samples dresses are a starting point for ideas – how they look and you feel. Each dress is designed and measured especially and is as unique as you, so you look and feel amazing on your wedding day.
At your consultation Ellie will listen to your ideas and suggest what designs and fabrics will work helping you to visualise your wedding dress; this allows you to input your ideas from the initial consultation. The design then organically develops; allowing you to enjoy the whole experience of having your wedding dress especially designed and made just for you.
This service includes four to six fittings. Prices start from £3000.
Contact us today to book your free consultation or with your enquiry.
NB Prices quoted for your bespoke wedding dress include; design, fabric, alterations & fittings
E&C Bridal Collection Dresses – appointment only
At your appointment you will try on the E&C sample wedding dresses to see what dress style suits you, then choose the fabric and the detail options available in that design.
Once you’ve chosen your dress it will be ordered to your nearest dress size. When your dress is ready we arrange a try on/alterations fitting.
We offer an alterations service with our seamstresses, so it’s one less thing you have to worry about.
Prices start from £1250.
Contact us today to book your free consultation or with your enquiry.
NB. Fittng & Alteration charges are not included in the made to order service
Bespoke Dress fittings
Appointments last 45min to 1 hour and bespoke fittings take place in a private fitting area (there is room to bring some friends and family) so your experience of having a dress made is a personal one.
Fabrics
We use the finest 100% silk fabric to ensure your wedding dress feels luxurious and looks amazing and for that reason variations in the weave of the fabric are absolutely normal and must not be considered imperfections but evidence of the uniqueness and originality of the silk fabric.
Other information
NEW: As fair-trade and Green Weddings are becoming more important to brides, and it’s something that Ellie & Charlotte support, we do offer an organic and fair-trade silk fabric range.
We also offer an eclectic mix of veils, shoes and accessories. Everything you need to complement your dress.
Definitions
Toile (twaal) • noun an early version of a finished garment made up in calico material so that the design can be tested. ORIGIN French, ‘cloth, web’
The toile is our working pattern and the starting point for any of our bespoke dresses. Alterations and adjustments will be made in calico before proceeding into the silk fabric of your choice.
Silk Fitting: When referring to a silk fitting we are referring to any fitting where your dress/outfit will be tried on and fitted in the final silk fabric.
How the process works for bespoke dresses:
The information below is a general overview of our bespoke services; wedding dresses, mother of the bride, bridesmaids and eveningwear. As each dress/outfit is made individual the procedure and number of fittings will vary accordingly.
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Free Consultation
Free 45min/1hr consultation where you meet Ellie & Charlotte, discuss your ideas, look through fabric samples and colours and most importantly try on dresses to see different styles on. Ellie may sketch various designs so you can visualise your dress.
From this consultation you will walk away knowing what your dress will look like with suggestions of fabric it will be made in and how much it will cost.
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Confirmation
Once you have confirmed that you want Ellie & Charlotte to make your dress, we will take your measurements and require a 40% deposit to secure your order and we will organise your first fitting (toile).
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Garment Fittings
Items required for your 1st fitting – the undergarments you intend to wear with the dress (your choice of undergarment is discussed at consultation, as it depends on design and body shape). It is very important that we shape your dress around the undergarment and the shape it gives you. You will need to bring the undergarments along to every fitting.
Toile (1st) Fitting
Your first fitting will be a calico toile of your dress. It will be made to your basic body measurements (taken at consultation stage). This is our working pattern. Alterations will be done whilst you are wearing the toile; they will be discussed with you and if you have any questions about the design or alterations we will explain them to you.
Items required before we move into the silk fittings – Shoes, you will need to know what shoes you will be wearing (for heel height) before we will order the fabric to make sure we have enough length for the hem.
Silk Fittings
This is when your dress comes to life – you will be able to visualise the dress we designed and sketched for you. The dress will not be finished at this stage, but you will be able to see how the fabric falls, how it fits your figure and how it feels.
Alterations will be done to ensure a perfect fit and the fastening (buttons, zips, ribbon) will be added, the neckline and armholes or sleeve hems (pending design) will be completed so your dress will be ready for the final fitting, the hem fitting. This process can be spread over 2 to 4 silk fittings, depending on the dress design.
Hem Fitting
You will need to bring your shoes for this fitting. Often at this final fitting clients like to bring along all their accessories and jewellery to try on with their dress – this is the last fitting before you collect your finished dress.
At the hem fitting we double check everything on your dress is perfect and prepare the hem to the correct length.
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Dress Collection
Your dress will be pressed and put in a garment bag ready for you to take away.
Final payment is required one week before collection.
This is a general overview of how we work. As each dress is made individual the procedure may vary.
Ellie & Charlotte offer a beautiful selection of shoes, veils and accessories that can be chosen to complement your dress. These items are ordered in time for your silk fittings.
How the process works for E&C Bridal Collection & WW Bridesmaid dresses:
This is an overview of our made to order E&C bridal collection and Watters bridesmaids
Made to Order Wedding dresses
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Free Consultation
Free 45min consultation where you try on our E&C wedding dresses and decide on the style and fabric.
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Confirmation
When you are ready to order your E&C wedding dress we’ll confirm the dress details and take your measurements. Your dress is ordered to your closet dress size (based on E&C measurements). To ensure a perfect fit alterations are almost always needed. A 40% deposit is required.
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Fittings
Once your wedding dress is ready we will arrange a fitting for you to try it on. The dress is usually ready 8weeks before your wedding (unless a rush cut order). We recommend you bring the correct underwear to this fitting as it’s very important that we shape your dress around your undergarments and the shape it gives you. We also require you to bring your weddings shoes so we can check the hem length. The 60% balance is due at this fitting.
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Dress Collection
Your dress will be pressed and put in a garment bag ready for your big day!
Alterations to be paid for on collection – they are an additional cost.
Ellie & Charlotte offer a beautiful selection of shoes, veils and accessories that can be chosen to complement your dress. These items are ordered in time for your silk fittings.
Watters Bridesmaids Dresses
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Trying on samples
We have a selection of Watters and Wtoo bridesmaid dresses in a selection of colours and fabrics for you try on. They take 3months to order, plus allow time for alterations. They do offer a rush cut service; this is subject to the time of year, availability and the dress style.
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Confirmation
When you are ready to order your Watter’s dress(es) we’ll confirm the dress details and take your bridesmaids measurements. Your bridesmaid(s) dress is ordered to the closet dress size (based on Watter’s measurements). To ensure a perfect fit alterations are almost always needed. A 40% deposit is required before we process your order.
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Fittings
Once the dress has arrived we’ll arrange a fitting with you and/or your bridesmaid(s) to try it/them on. We recommend the correct underwear is bought to this fitting as it’s very important that we shape the dress around the undergarments and the shape it gives. We also require the shoes are bought along so we can check the hem length. The 60% balance on the dress(es) is due at this fitting.
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Dress Collection
The dress(es) will be pressed and ready for the big day!
Alterations to be paid for on collection – they are an additional cost.
Fitting & Alteration’s Service
E&C Bridal Collection
We do offer an in-house fitting and alterations service for our E&C Bridal Collection. The basic charge is £80 and this includes a fitting, pinning, basic alterations (for example hem and sideseam) and collection. If many alterations are required there will be an additional charge.
Watters Bridesmaids
We do offer an in-house fitting and alterations service for bridesmaids dresses purchased from our boutique. The basic charge is £50 and this includes a fitting, pinning, basic alterations (for example hem and sideseam) and collection. If many alterations are required there will be an additional charge.
