From the archive. This is the second half of a story that originally appeared in our newsletter. The first half, Dress Shopping 101, ran earlier later today.

How does the process differ buying your gown from a boutique or a designer?

Dina Alonzi, a Toronto bridal boutique, represents a number of designers; this kind of retailer gives you the opportunity to visualize many different options, price points and styles. A full-service salon, they will make a fair number of changes to the sample dress you like both through the manufacturer and via fittings at the boutique itself. As long as the structure works, the bodice of one dress can be put on the skirt of another, the colour can be changed and beading can be added to or paired down. The beauty of ordering a customized gown is that what you see is what you get, according to Alonzi, the boutique’s owner, but with the benefit of being able to make changes to make the dress uniquely yours.

A designer like Catherine Langlois, Tina Cho owner of Partina or Lana Lowon can design a dress based on your tastes, needs and body shape, or customize something from their current line. If you like a local designer’s work, your first outing for a dress can be an intimate and specific interaction at their studio. A boutique works when you don’t know exactly what you want, or if the designer you want is only available through retailers or they are located outside of your travel area.

One difference between a customized gown from a boutique and one from a designer is the initial fit: when you buy directly from the source, the dress is made-to-measure NOT based on the closest dress size for your body. Dresses from a retailer are ordered by dress size and then tailored to you. Be aware that if you have a long back, or ample bust, there may be additional costs added to the price of the dress because those changes must be made when the dress is cut, not during the fittings. Designers can incorporate these alterations into their estimates because they are also the manufacturer. Their costs usually include all the necessary fittings (4 – 6 for any dress should suffice). Additional changes at boutiques are priced based on the alteration, for example changing a hemline or adding a bustle.

Whatever the route you decide to take, enjoy it. This is one of those lovely experiences you will never forget.

Some things to remember
Both boutiques and designers ask for a minimum of six months to finish a dress, that said, designers will often speed up the process if you are pushed for time.

Terms like ‘made-to-measure’ mean different things to different people, so ask to have anything you don’t completely understand explained by each person you consult.

A note about economy
The general perception is that the greater the customization, the more expensive the item. Unless you are a perfect dress size, whatever you buy will require some alterations. Often, starting with a dress and changing it to fit you can be just as much, or more expensive than starting with an idea and having the dress made to fit you. If you think you have a small budget, don’t be afraid to approach a designer with your ideas, you might be surprised with their response; some places, like Partina, put a similar value on their collections as they do on one offs.