FAQ
Where are you located?
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We are located in Nashville,TN. All custom dresses are made right here in town. We work with brides locally and internationally. We are able consult/meet with brides via Zoom, FaceTime, email, and phone.
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What services do you offer?
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-Bridal gowns and outfits
-Reception gowns
-Bridesmaids gowns for large parties
-Special occasion gowns (including prom and pageant gowns)
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Add-on services available:
- Custom veil
- Day of styling (Meaning I'll be onsite the day of your wedding, getting you dressed)
- Wedding shower dresses
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How much are consultations?
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Wedding gowns: Virtual and in person 90 minute consultations are $300, that price is applied to the final cost of the dress if you choose to proceed within 14 days of your initial consultation. Otherwise, it will not apply.
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Do you only make custom couture gowns?
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No, we have two collections available to choose from. Email us to purchase at . Also a limited selection of gowns are available at Mahogany Bridal in Charlotte NC
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Do you make plus size dresses?
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Absolutely! As a plus size woman, it was imperative that I created dresses for all! Hence the tagline, "Where Bridal Dreams Come True for Every Body and Every Hue."
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How far in advance should I start working with you?
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I suggest that brides schedule their consultations 9-18 months in advance. Creating a dress is timely process, from the creative process of designing your gown to sourcing fabrics, it takes time. At a minimum, we must have 6 months to complete a wedding gown.
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How much will this cost?
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Pricing for custom wedding gowns range from $6,000-$15,000+. These are dresses that are built from the ground up.
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Our collection gowns range from $2,700-$5,500 and you do have the ability to make customizations.
Bridesmaid dresses start at $700, but please note that pricing varies depending on the complexity of your gown and fabrics. This service is only offered to brides who are purchasing a wedding gown from us.
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Custom formal wear starts at $4,000.
We will discuss the price point during the free 20 minute consult and/or 90 minute design and sketch session.
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What's included in wedding gowns:
- Custom design
- Made to measure garment
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What's included in bridesmaids dresses:
- Custom design
- Made to measure garment
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How do we begin?
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We start with the consultation/design session (click here to book online), which requires you to fill out the pre-consultation questionnaire, click here. After saying yes to the dress we require a 50% deposit.Once your
, a quote is sent to you along with a contract which valid for 14 days. After signing your contract, you have an additional 7 days to pay your 50% (non-refundable) deposit, and the fun begins!
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After 30 days of non payment, your invoice, quote, and contract will be cancelled.
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How does the process work for custom wedding gowns?
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Step 1: Design Consultation
After scheduling your consultation, share any inspiration photos you may have. Think about your likes and dislikes on the inspiration, and feel free to include comments about the details of your dream dress. Pinterest is a great resource for creating a vision board. They have secret boards you can create and it allows you to leave comments on each photo. Your photos can also include your venue and décor, that also helps us get an idea of the overall feel you’re going for and can be incorporated into your dress. You can also now share you inspo through creating collaborative saved boards on Instagram. Check out this helpful video to learn how. In addition to your inspiration photos, please email us a head to toe photo of yourself so we can use it as a silhouette to sketch on during your consultation.
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During your consultation a sketch will be created. We'll also touch base on fabric options & will finalize it after the appointment. Additional sketches can be made after the initial consultation for an additional fee. After the consultation a full assessment of your agreed upon design will be done and the price will be determined. The $300 design fee will apply to the final cost of your dress should you choice to move forward within 30 days of appointment.
(Design and sketch session $300 fee)
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Step 2: Beyond The Design & Fabric Selection
Time to make this thing official! We will sign a contract and collect deposit before anything begins. Plan to be deposit ready at the time of your consultation so you can lock in your spot as we only take a limited amount of custom orders. Deposits are 50% of the total cost of your dress. Once your order is submitted no changes or cancellations can be made since all orders are processed immediately after submission.
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In addition, your measurements will be taken during your appointment. If you are not local, measurements can be taken virtually.
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Step 3: Creating Your Dress
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Production begins! We offer clients an Add on service of A cotton muslin/toile prototype of your dress/garment. At which point we will conduct our first fitting. This is when minor changes can be made (i.e. lower neckline or back, lengthen the train etc.). This also helps to give you peace of mind when it comes to the direction of your dress. If any changes are made, they will be sent via email and confirmed by both parties. That way we can make sure we are always on the same page. Mock-ups can be shipped for non-local clients ($10 shipping fee) and the fitting can be done virtually. (Mock- up fee $250)
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After the mockup production is completed. This process is very in depth and take a lot of our attention, so if we go silent, please rest assured that we are diligently working on your gown. Once your order is submitted no changes or cancellations can be made since all orders are processed immediately after submission.
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Although our dresses are made to measure, there may be still be a need for alterations. Conturing the dress to your body can only be done with fittings and due to weight fluctuations leading up to your wedding it's best to get on an alterations specialist calendar, where they can alter the dress to your current body as close to your wedding date as possible. We can not do this.
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Final payment will be needed prior to final dress viewing. At this point your dress will be ready to take home! Brides can opt in for a dress pick up party, for this champagne and cupcakes are served and during the 2 hr appt, the bridal party will listen to music, cheers, and learn about how to get the bride dressed in a fun environment. (dress pick up party $500 fee)
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How does the process work for gowns from the collections?
Step 1: Consultation
(Virtual)
Brides can schedule your virtual consultation, and identify which dress they are interested in, during the consultation we’ll discuss the details of your favorite dresses from our collection to better help you with making your decision. professional measurements will need to be provided.
(Virtual appointment is $100, payment applied to gown purchase only within 30 days of appointment)
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(Private In-Person Dress Shopping Experience)
Have the perfect wedding dress shopping experience, where you’ll have the opportunity to try dresses on in person during this 2 hr appointment. We’ll curate the perfect space for you and pop champagne! During the appointment we’ll discuss what you’re looking for in a dress and help you in deciding on the perfect gown for you!
(Private in-person dress shopping experience $300 fee, payment applied to gown purchase only within 30 days of appointment)
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(Mobile Dress Shopping Experience)
we come to you! we’ll provide the full length mirror, a curated selection of gowns and accessories. *must be within 35 miles of 37211 or additional travel fee.
(Mobile appointment $15o fee, payment applied to gown purchase only within 30 days of appointment)
Contract signing will take place during appointment if you decide to move forward. Plan to be deposit ready at the time of your consultation so you can lock in your spot as we only take a limited amount of custom orders. deposits are 50% of the total cost of your dress.
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Step 2: Dress Production
We take it from here and production begins! the garment will take 6-8 months to complete, maybe longer if modifications have added to the gown.
Step 3: Time for Pickup
Final payment will be needed prior to final pickup. A final try on appointment is an option and your dress will be ready to take home! Brides can opt in for a dress pick up party, champagne and cupcakes are served and during the 2 hr appt, The bridal party will listen to music, cheers, and learn about how to get the bride dressed in a fun environment. (Dress pick up party $500 fee) Dress can also be shipped. (shipping rates apply) Alterations are not included in the cost of collection gowns, however we can alter our gowns for an additional fee.
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How long will this process take?
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Custom Wedding Dresses: This varies on the complexity of your dress, but on average it can take 6-12 months from the initial start date (deposit received). We strongly advise starting closer to 12-14 months from your wedding date. This timeframe can be longer depending on the if for instance there is a lot of hand beading work or if fabrics are being flown in from overseas. Once dress is complete we will both sign off on the dress pick up date, final payment must be made before pick up.
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If you are not local to Nashville, we will sign off on the estimated delivery date of your dress. After final payment is received, you will receive tracking number and estimated delivery date. Someone MUST be home to sign for the package.
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Collection Wedding Dresses: 6-8 months to complete, maybe longer if modifications have added to the gown.
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Bridesmaids Dresses: 4-6 months, maybe longer for larger bridal parties.
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Non Wedding Custom Dresses: 4-6 month, maybe longer for more intricate gowns.
Timeframe will always be discussed and agreed upon before contract signing.
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What forms of payment do you accept?
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We accept debit card, bank transfers, or check. Credit cards accepted with 3% processing fee. All orders are taxed.
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Do you have a question not answered here?
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Shoot us an email at info@ellenellebridal.com or text us at 615-601-2831.
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