The Journey to Your Dress | The Truth About Lead Times

At LV Bridal Studio, we know the word lead time can catch brides off guard, especially in a world where fast fashion has taught us to expect everything now. But when it comes to a handmade wedding gown, that 6–12 month timeline isn’t excessive. It’s meaningful.

Every gown we stock is made to order by independent designers, many of whom craft each dress in their own ateliers. These gowns aren’t sitting in a warehouse, ready to ship. They’re made from scratch, just for you and that takes time.

What Really Happens Behind the Scenes

When you say yes to your gown, that’s when the magic begins. We take your measurements and send this off to the designer.

Your designer orders the fabric, often silk, satin or mikado. These fabrics aren’t stocked in bulk but ordered specifically per gown to minimise waste. Sometimes, that fabric needs to be woven, dyed, or shipped from Europe, which can take several months.

Once the fabric arrives, it’s prepared and tested to ensure it behaves perfectly during cutting and sewing. From there, your gown goes through multiple stages, patterning and cutting, sewing and shaping. 

Why Designers Build in Extra Time

Lead times aren’t just about production, they’re about protection. They allow for: delays in fabric delivery or supplier availability, time to perfect any custom elements, quality control at every stage (by both the designer and us) and a stress-free timeline for you.

Some brides may receive their gowns ahead of schedule, but this is never guaranteed because we’ll never rush perfection.

What Happens When Your Gown Arrives at LV Bridal Studio?

Once your dress arrives with us, we carefully inspect every detail from stitching to seams to finishing touches. If anything isn’t quite right, it goes back to the designer for refinements. Your gown has to meet our standards and yours.

Handmade vs Mass-Produced: Understanding the Difference

We understand a made-to-order gown isn’t for everyone. If you need something quickly or on a tighter budget, there are off-the-rack options are available on the high street.

But handmade bridalwear offers something truly special.

Mass-produced gowns are typically made overseas, often from synthetic fabrics with less structure and attention to detail. In contrast, our designers work on each gown personally, using high-quality materials and couture-level craftsmanship.

You’re not just buying a dress you’re investing in a piece of art, made specifically for you by someone who cares deeply about the result.

The Takeaway: Handmade Takes Time, and It’s Worth It

Choosing a handmade, made-to-order gown is about so much more than the final look. It’s about how it makes you feel.

Lead times are not delays, they’re part of the artistry. And we’ll be here to guide you through it, every step of the way. 

Ready to start your journey?

Book your appointment with us at LV Bridal Studio - Book an appointment.