Frequently Asked Questions:
What is Something You Couture?
Haute Couture is “French for “high sewing” or “high dressmaking” or “high fashion”. Couture is the creation of exclusive custom-fitted clothing, that is constructed by hand from start to finish, made from high-quality, expensive, often unusual fabric and sewn with extreme attention to detail and finished by the most experienced sewers, using time-consuming, hand-executed techniques.
Something You Couture includes made-to-order gowns and separates which can be worn to galas, high societal events, weddings, and any other black tie encouraged events. Isn’t it always better to be over-dressed than under-dressed?
We also are one of the few bridal alterations boutiques in Nashville, TN and Birmingham, AL
What sets Something You Couture apart from others?
Not only do we offer custom gowns with no alterations needed, for those who truly want a custom dress, we have the option of creating your own beading pattern and custom fabrics. This is something truly special to only the SYC client.
Both our alterations and made-to-order processes include Stages. This helps our customer to actually see the design, and make decisions along the way instead of feeling the pressure to approve all stages of the final design/alteration at once.
In addition, Ashley also has been sewing and patternmaking more than half of her life, including New York City experience working for Zac Posen, Peter Som, and Wal-Mart.
How much will this cost?
MADE-TO -ORDER:
Ashley works with women to make their dream garment, and because each piece is custom, made to order, and individualized, the cost of the items range lower to higher depending on the design difficulty, thread count of fabrics used. We say it is a case by case basis, based on the amount of work necessary to bring your idea to life. However, there are over 100 hours of heart and soul, by Ashley herself, placed into every single corseted, full length gown. We will discuss price point during our initial consult, but an estimated opening price point for a corseted, full length gown is about $7,500.00 plus the cost of fabric.
Non-corseted full length gowns begin around $4,000.00 plus the cost of fabric, depending on the design. Custom accessories and separates – please contact for those price points.
ALTERATIONS:
Our alterations and gown transformations are an hourly rate. There is no minimum, but the rate does change depending on the type of work. Sewing work is $65/hour, and any sort of patterning work is $75/hour. The total amount of hours is determined at the first fitting once we understand what exactly what needs to be done and what we are working with.
How does the process work?
Please check out our Process page for more information on the step-by-step in the studio.
How long will it take and how will I receive my dress?
MADE-TO-ORDER:
Within 4-8 months of our initial start date, you will receive your gown. Beading and some fabrics will increase the timeframe to be at least seven months, due working with international vendors. We will both sign off on the dress pick up date and final fitting.
If you are not local to Nashville, we will sign off on the estimated delivery date of your dress. Payment must be received before dress is sent if paying via credit card. COD, (Check on Delivery) is also an option. At that time you will receive tracking number and estimated delivery date. Someone must be home to sign for the package.
ALTERATIONS:
We like to see brides no sooner than 8 weeks before the wedding, but no later than 4 weeks before the wedding. This is because of the following:
- We do our alterations in stages, allowing our brides to confidently make decisions about her gown along the way, since we understand although we may be able to visualize the final product, our brides may not.
- Our final gown pick ups, we prefer not to have later than 2 weeks before your wedding date. This allows for a last minute change to be made if need be.
What if I am needing my MADE-TO-ORDER dress sooner than the 4 month timeline?
We are definitely willing to work with you, but there is a Rush Fee. Also note, we only take a certain number of clients per month, so please contact us for availability.
What if I need my bridal alterations done in less than 4 weeks?
Yes, we can definitely accomodate you, however, there will be a rush fee. Please email us directly if this is your case.
Contact Us
You can email us at somethingyoucouture@gmail.com
Or you can contact our studios, Monday – Friday 10am-5pm.
Birmingham & Nashville: 615-510-7992