Frequently Asked Questions
How much do custom designed wedding dresses cost?
Prices range from $4000 to $15,000 for Cielo and Reveries Couture Collection designs, and up to $20,000+ for a custom design.
Who designs the dresses
All of our garments are designed by Ellen or by Ellen in conjunction with her master Couturier.
Where are the dresses made?
Ellen Wise Couture garments are made entirely in our California atelier by Ellen Wise along with the assistance of experienced haute couture craftsmen. Each garment contains significantly more hand work than machine stitching and is typically made from start to finish by the same couturiere. If not entirely made by Ellen, your gown is produced under Ellen's guidance en-studio. Throughout the process and especially upon completion all garments are scrutinized by Ellen personally to ensure the highest quality.
How long will my order take?
Most orders are completed in 3 months or less. The time required from initial consultation to garment completion is dependent on complexity of the garment design, availability of the fabrics, and client availability whether in-person or remote. We will keep you informed every step of the way. Our production is limited by our commitment to not outsource our fabrication so be sure to book a slot as soon as you can.
What if I don't live near the studio?
Wherever you are located, we can provide our high standards of fit and personalized design. We love working with our clients in-studio but our haute couture techniques translate well to remote/virtual execution. With Covid restrictions over, we continue to offer our creative process "virtually" to serve out-of area clients. The remote process necessitates multiple shipments, all of which are included in the price.
Why should I care where my wedding dress is made?
Bridal boutique wedding dresses, even at the luxury level, are typically manufactured in factories in Asia. Most of these factories are located where wages are low. In fact, as many as 80% of the western style wedding dresses purchased worldwide are produced in China. Other factories for ready to wear wedding dresses are located in Sri Lanka, Burma and Vietnam.
These factories supply thousands of bridal boutiques and they batch their orders until they have enough of a particular style to run that gown. They produce standard sizes that are altered to fit at a later time. The final alterations are rarely done in the factory - most wedding gowns are fit altered locally.
Returns
As all of our pieces are made to order, we cannot accept returns. However, customer satisfaction is our utmost concern. After delivery, if there are any issues, contact us immediately so we can correct the issue at no additional cost.
Shipping
Standard shipping is free, including returns for adjustments. Contact us for Expedited shipping fees.
Privacy
We NEVER sell or share your information, nor do we ever telemarked.
Ready to start designing your custom piece? Fill out our contact form and we'll reach out to you as soon as possible or feel free to call us anytime.