THE search for the perfect dress is like the search for the perfect partner, difficult, fraught with pitfalls but ultimately rewarding!    Whether you already have an idea of the type of wedding dress you would like, or are unsure where to start, Roswitha will make the process of designing your dress simple and pleasurable.   Personal attention is Roswitha's trademark and you will be looked after by Roswitha throughout the whole process from initial design to final fitting.

Your wedding dress is a once in a lifetime purchase, to be worn on one of the most important days of your life and Roswitha believes that you should get what you pay for when you invest in your wedding gown.   Only the highest quality fabrics and techniques are utilised in the creation of your dream wedding dress.   The dress design, fabrication process and schedule will be agreed with you in advance.   The price will also be clearly discussed and established with no hidden charges, and your opinions will always be considered to be of the utmost importance.   

The Design Process
Firstly you will meet with Roswitha for an informal discussion about your dream gown.   If you see a design on this web site that you like, or have your own definite ideas about your perfect dress, a design can be agreed on immediately.   If you have no idea about the style of dress you would like, or the type of gown that would suit you, this meeting will give you plenty of ideas.   Many brides get their inspiration from photographs, magazines or from shopping trips; others formulate their ideas after browsing through Roswitha's collection of sample gowns and trade and retail bridal magazines.

At the end of your first meeting you may be able to decide upon a design there and then.   More usually you will need to go away and think about your various options before deciding on your design.   When you have decided upon the style that suits you Roswitha will present sketches of the gown that you have both designed, together with any swatches of fabrics that you may have chosen.   At this time you may approve the design, or request changes to the drawing.   This can happen as often as needed until your perfect dress design is completed.

Once you have approved the design, Roswitha will take all your measurements, fabrics will be chosen and an initial estimate of the price will be established.   A deposit is usually requested at this time.    The next stage is the construction of a toile, or mock-up, of your gown.   This is an initial construction of your gown out of an inexpensive fabric, such as calico, to be used for a first fitting and also to refine the design to your exact requirments.   Once completed the toile is taken apart and is used to make a pattern for your gown that will exactly fit your form.

The next fitting will be your first in the actual fabric of your dress.   To ensure a perfect fit, you will need to bring the undergarments you will be wearing on the day to this fitting, your wedding shoes will also be important to ensure the correct length of your dress.   Roswitha can advise you on the style of footwear that will suit your dress and also arrange for your shoes to be covered in the fabric you have chosen for your wedding dress.   Roswitha can also help you decide on any accessories, such as a tiara, veil or wrap, that will complement your gown.

The final fitting presents your gown in its nearly finished form.   At this time the gown will be completely finished or will only need a small amount of fine-tuning.    This may be because you have planned to loose weight in the run up to your wedding day.   After this final fitting any adjustments needed are made and your dream dress is ready for your wedding day.

How Long Does This Take
Overall, the initial design process will take about 2 to 4 weeks but it can take longer depending on the customer.   The construction of the gown itself usually takes 6 to 10 weeks depending on the complexity of the design.   Some dresses can be completed very quicky with only one or two fittings, other more complicated designs may need a number of fittings.   Specialty decorations, such as beading and embroidery, may increase this time, and you will be advised of this during the initial design stages.

How Much Will It Cost
From what has been described above you might imagine that getting your wedding dress custom made would be an outrageously expensive process.   Nothing could be further from the truth.   Roswitha believes that you should get value for your money and her prices are set accordingly.   Prices for a custom made gown start at around €1,400, and no gown on shown on this web site cost more than €2,000.   The main factors that influence the costs are the fabrics and the labour involved.   It is not unusual for specialty wedding fabrics to cost over €200 per meter.   Hand beading and embroidery can also be very time consuming depending on the amount of work involved and can be costly.   Roswitha will set out the costs involved after your design has been completed and if you are working to a budget she can also advise you on how to get the best value for you money.