F R E Q U E N T L Y
A S K E D Q U E S T I O N S
How long in advance should I order a wedding gown?
We like to have at least 5 months to make your gown and schedule your fittings. Brides who give us more time will have more flexibility and opportunities with fitting schedules (Saturday appointments book up quickly). More importantly, the more time you give us, the more time you will give yourself to plan all of the creative details of your wedding. We can usually accommodate rush orders.
Do I have time to order a gown if my wedding is less than 5 months away?
Our production team allows us great flexibility with rush orders. A salon visit is imperative to review styles of interest and explore fabric and schedule availability as well as rush fees. We will try to accommodate your rush order, however rush fees (10% - 25%) may apply depending on the timing of your order, our current production schedule, and fabric availability.
I'm in love with several styles? How will I make a decision?
Selecting the perfect wedding gown is uniquely individual to each bride. It is often helpful to get advice and input from close friends and family, but the ultimate decision is for you, the bride.
Your gown will fit you beautifully with our custom made to measure process, so the next concern should be how you feel in your gown. Take some time to envision yourself on your wedding day. Think about how you want to feel that day and the specific look that you want to capture. Your wedding location will weigh into your decision as well: A romantic, ethereal wedding dress is ideal for a beach setting while a dramatic and regal bridal gown is perfect for a formal cathedral event. Ultimately, it's your day... listen to your heart.
Can a gown be made for me if I'm pregnant?
Our custom made to measure process is ideal for pregnant brides. Depending on your specific needs, we will recommend appropriate styles and schedule your fittings based on your wedding date as well as your due date.
A P P O I N T M E N T S
Are appointments required?
We welcome brides to visit our salon without an appointment to browse our collection. in order to ensure that each of our guests is given proper attention and customer service, an appointment for a consultation is required
in order try on gowns.
How long does an appointment to try on gowns last?
Appointments at mille feuille typically last one hour.
When are you open for appointments?
We are open for wedding gown consultations every day. We take our first appointments at 10:00 am and our latest at 4:00 pm; we close at 5:30 pm. We have extended hours on thursday: we open at 10:00 and take our last appointments at 7:00 pm; we close at 8:00 pm.
F I T T I N G S
What do I need for my first fitting?
Purchase your wedding shoes before your first fitting and bring them with you to every fitting. Unfortunately, if you do not have your shoes or if you change them after your hemline is determined, additional charges will be incurred.
Please notify us immediately if you've changed your shoes so that, if possible, we can make the proper adjustments. Additional fees may apply. if your new shoes are higher than your original shoe your gown may be too short. If the new shoe is lower, your gown will likely need additional hemming or pattern alterations.
Foundation garments are not required unless you have specific support requirements.
May I bring guests to my fittings?
You are welcome to bring a guest to your fitting, but please limit your guests to 1 or 2 people. You may want your maid-of-honor, mother, or wedding consultant to come to a fitting to understand your bustle and help you with your veil or headpiece.
How many fittings are required for a custom made gown?
Our made-to-measure couture process typically includes a series of two to five fittings. We begin this unique couture process by creating a prototype for each bride. This simplified version of your gown is used as a tool during your first fitting to perfect your custom made-to-measure pattern. During each of your fittings, our design team will work carefully to determine accurate adjustments for your pattern and gown. You will try on your custom made gown at your second fitting where we’ll focus on appropriate alterations and corrections to finalize the fit of your gown. Additional fittings are scheduled as needed until we have achieved the ultimate fit.
What happens if my weight changes after I've ordered my wedding gown?
We recommend that brides try to maintain their weight once they've ordered their wedding gown. We understand that slight fluctuation in weight is common and we will do our best to accommodate these changes. However, additional charges may apply if your change in weight creates the need for additional alterations.
If you intend to lose significant weight (more than 3 kilograms) or if you expect fluctuation, please let us know in advance so that we can discuss alternative scheduling to minimize additional alterations and charges.
When will my gown be ready to take home?
as Slight weight fluctuation is relatively common amongst brides, we recommend that your fittings are scheduled relatively close to your wedding date to ensure an accurate fit. Typically, your custom made gown will be ready for final alterations during the last 2-3 weeks before your wedding or departure date. Most brides pick up their gowns as early as 2 weeks before their wedding and late as 1 day before. We will work closely with each bride to determine the appropriate scheduling.
G O W N S
Where are mille feuille gowns made?
All of our gowns are made in christchurch. A team of designer, pattern makers, cutters and seamstresses are located in christchurch.
How do I care for my gown?
All brides will receive a care packet with their finished gown with detailed instructions including: gown handling, pressing, cleaning and preservation.
What colors are mille feuille gowns available in?
Most gowns are offered in a shade of white and ivory and depending on the fabric, an assortment of colours are also available. Each silk fabrication has its own subtle version ranging from soft white to antique white, pale candlelight hues of ivory to true ivory and deep ivory. Reflection also plays a part in color; shinier fabrics may seem lighter in color due to the "light" radiating from the weave whereas matte finish fabrications highlight the true shade.
Luxurious color accents are also available with sashes or underlays.
What sizes are available to try on?
our gowns and samples range in size from size 8 to size 14. During your appointment, we will do our best to temporarily alter the fit of each gown by clipping, adjusting, or extending to suggest the appropriate fit that you can expect once a gown is customized for you. We can also show each gown on a dress form if necessary.
Where do you get your fabrics?
We import most of the fabrics used in the collection from Europe and Asia. We select the highest quality laces available and bring them in from France and Italy. Our silk organza and silk tulle are also imported from Italy. We've found quite unique fabrications in England as well. Several of our silk satins and organzas are imported from Japan and China.
I'm afraid to wear a strapless gown; I don't want to be pulling my dress up all day. Any suggestions?
A strapless gown slips when it is not fitted properly. If a gown is too big throughout the waistline it will fall to the hips creating an uncomfortable shift that causes a bride to feel the need to continually pull her gown up. Our goal with our custom made to measure process is to be certain that each strapless gown is properly fitted through the waistline to ensure that it stays in place. Proper undergarments are also important, especially for full busted brides needing more support through the bodice.
Many women are not accustomed to wearing strapless gowns and often find themselves tempted to pull on their wedding dress even if it isn't slipping. For these brides we can add straps to their strapless gown.
