Frequently asked questions.

How can I contact you?

You can get in contact via the button at the top of the page or by emailing me directly on gracelamming@hotmail.com

Do you alter gowns and garments that you haven’t made?

Yes! I understand how hard it is to find a good seamstress so am very happy to alter gowns and garments that you have purchased elsewhere. I have altered hundreds of wedding, evening and special occasion gowns and garments, so please do get in touch with pictures of your dress, details of what you think you might need altering and your wedding date etc. and I will be happy to provide an estimate for your alterations. You can view some examples of my altered garments here.

How much do alterations cost?

Alterations differ from garment to garment depending on what is required and is therefore quoted for individually. To give you an idea of costs you can have a look at my bridal alterations pricelist here and my general alterations pricelist here. Full details are explained in my Terms and Conditions which will be sent to you if you decide to book a first fitting/ consultation.

How long does the alterations service generally take?

Bridal and special occasion wear alterations usually take 3-4 months from the time of the first fitting and general alterations normally take 3-6 weeks. There may be a longer lead time during busy times of the year (April -October) so please do get in touch as soon as possible to ensure I can fit you in. It is sometimes possible to achieve a faster completion time depending on the garment and other commissions I have booked in so it’s always worth asking!

How much do fittings and consultations cost for the alterations service and how many fittings are needed?

The first fitting/consultation for the alterations service is £25 and will last approximately 45 minutes -1.50 hours. If any interim or further fittings are required (dependent on the alterations needed), these are charged at £25 per session and will be agreed beforehand. There is no charge for the final try on/collection appointment which lasts approximately 30 minutes. I always try to keep the number of fittings down to a minimum to save you extra costs. Full details are explained in my Terms and Conditions which will be sent to you if you decide to book a no-obligation first fitting/consultation.

Will I try on my altered gown or garment before taking it away?

Once the alterations for your gown or garment are completed, you will come along for the final try on where we will make sure that everything is fitting perfectly and then you will take it away.

Do you offer a steaming service for altered gowns/garments?

Yes! If you would like to have your gown/garment fully steamed/pressed once alterations have been completed, this can be done for a small cost. I also offer extras like a full length breathable garment bag to protect your gown/garment until it’s ready to be worn on your special day.

How much is a bespoke bridal gown or special occasion wear outfit?

Bespoke bridal gowns generally range from £995-3995 and special occasion wear starts from £595. Fabrics are charged separately. As I provide a fully bespoke service, each garment design varies in price and is quoted for individually. You can view some of my bespoke work here.

How long does it take to create a bespoke gown or garment?

Bespoke gowns and garments usually require 3-6 months for completion. It is sometimes possible to achieve a faster completion time depending on the design and other commissions I have booked in so it’s always worth asking!

What are the steps involved in getting a bespoke gown or garment made?

Please email me or get in touch via the contact button at the top of the page with some details of your wedding/event date, wedding/event location, approximate dress size and styles that you like etc. (images or a Pinterest page of your ideas are very useful). I will then give you an approximate cost for creating your gown/garment so you can check if it is within your budget. If you decide that you would like to meet in person for a no-obligation initial consultation, this will be arranged for a small fee and we can then discuss silhouettes and styles and look at fabrics and embellishments. We will also discuss your wedding day/event, venue, your personal style and overall theme for your special day. I will then give you an exact cost for the bespoke gown/garment and any fabrics/supplies that will be needed. If at the end of the initial consultation you decide to go ahead with having a bespoke garment created, I will take your basic measurements and we will discuss the fitting schedule so we can get started on creating your one of a kind gown/garment.

How many fittings are needed for creating a bespoke gown or garment?

Bespoke gowns and garments usually require 3-4 fittings including a toile fitting and then a final try on and collection at my little home studio in London SE12. In exceptional circumstances fittings can be arranged at your home or another location for which there is an additional charge plus transport costs. Please enquire for more information.

Will I try on my bespoke gown or garment once it is completed before taking it away?

Throughout the bespoke process, you will try on your gown/garment multiple times and at multiple stages of creation. Once your gown or garment is completed, you will come along for the final try on where we will make sure that everything is fitting perfectly and then you will take it away, steamed and carefully protected in a garment bag ready to be worn on your special day.

Where do consultations/fittings take place?

All appointments take place at my little home studio in London SE12. In exceptional circumstances it may be possible to arrange fittings at your home for which there is an additional charge plus transport costs. Please enquire for more information.

When do fittings take place? Can I come at a weekend?

Fittings are available during weekdays and occasional early weekday evenings. Unfortunately I’m not usually available at weekends, but under exceptional circumstances I may be able to offer a weekend appointment which will incur an additional charge. Please enquire for more information.

When should I buy my shoes and underwear?

It is important to wear your wedding or event underwear for all of your fittings as this allows me to fit your gown or garment correctly. We will discuss the correct underwear ahead of meeting for the first time and I am always happy to give you recommendations for what would be the best option with your particular garment or gown. Shoes should also be brought along to each fitting to enable the hem length to be decided. If this is not possible, please bring shoes of the exact same heel height that you intend to wear to the event.

Is a bespoke bridal gown or bespoke garment cheaper than in the shops?

As there is a lot more work that goes into creating something bespoke and handmade (as opposed to mass produced), naturally this is reflected in the price and will not be cheaper than chain store prices. However by working out of my lovely (but little) home studio, I am able to keep the costs down as much as possible.

I’ve seen a design I really like, can you copy it for me?

Unfortunately not. Whilst it is possible to use other designs as inspiration i.e. the general silhouette, type of fabric used etc, I do not copy other designers work.