One of the wonderful things about ordering a made-to-order wedding dress is that, in many cases, you have the opportunity to personalise it.
Whether it's changing the colour, adjusting the train length or adding sleeves you've fallen in love with from another design, customisations can help create a gown that feels even more like you.
At Honey Fawn Boutique, we work with a range of Australian and international bridal designers, each with their own approach to customisation. While some offer only a handful of options, others can accommodate extensive design changes.
During your appointment, your bridal stylist will guide you through what's possible for the gowns you love.
Can I Customise My Wedding Dress?
In many cases, yes.
Most of our designers offer at least some level of customisation, allowing you to personalise your gown while maintaining the integrity of the original design.
The exact options available will depend on the designer and the specific gown you've chosen.
Some changes are available across almost every style, while others are exclusive to selected collections.
Common Wedding Dress Customisations
Many of our designers offer options such as:
Alternative colour options
Custom hollow-to-hem (height) measurements
Split sizing for brides who measure into different standard sizes
Adding covered buttons
Changing the train length
Removing or adding a leg split
Adding detachable sleeves
Changing sleeve styles
Adding straps
Changing necklines
Changing fabrics or lace placement
Adding or removing sparkle tulle
Creating matching accessories such as detachable overskirts, capes or sleeves
These options vary between designers, so your stylist will explain what's available for the gowns you're considering.
Height Customisation
One of the most common customisations available is adjusting the length of your gown.
Many designers offer custom hollow-to-hem measurements, meaning your gown is produced to better suit your height before it even arrives.
This can help reduce the amount of hemming required during alterations and ensures the proportions of the gown remain beautifully balanced.
It's important to remember that this measurement is usually taken based on the shoes you intend to wear, so we'll discuss your footwear during the ordering process.
Colour Options
Many wedding gowns are available in more than one colour combination.
Depending on the designer, you may be able to choose between options such as:
Ivory
Ivory over nude
Ivory over blush
Ivory over mocha
Champagne tones
Different lining colours
Changing the lining colour can dramatically alter the overall look of a gown while keeping the same lace and silhouette.
If multiple colourways are available, your stylist will happily show you fabric swatches and examples to help you visualise the finished result.
Split Sizing
Every bride's body is unique, which is why some designers offer split sizing.
Rather than ordering one standard dress size throughout, split sizing allows different parts of the gown to be cut in different sizes. For example, the bodice may be made in one size while the hips are made in another.
This can provide a closer starting fit before alterations and may reduce the amount of structural work required later.
Not every designer offers split sizing, so we'll let you know if it's available for your chosen gown.
Designer-Specific Customisations
Some of our designers offer much more extensive customisation options.
Depending on the collection, you may be able to:
Add sleeves from another gown
Swap necklines
Change fabrics
Extend or shorten the train
Modify the back design
Add illusion details
Remove design features
Create a more modest version of a gown
In some cases, designers can even combine elements from multiple gowns to create something truly unique.
These more complex customisations are assessed on a gown-by-gown basis and are always subject to designer approval.
What Can't Be Customised?
While many changes are possible, there are some limitations.
Every designer has manufacturing guidelines designed to ensure the quality, structure and fit of their gowns.
Some requests may not be possible due to the way a gown has been engineered or because making the change would compromise its design.
Your stylist will always be honest about what's achievable and will often suggest alternative solutions if your preferred customisation isn't available.
Will Customisations Cost Extra?
Sometimes.
Simple changes, such as selecting a different available colourway or providing custom height measurements, may already be included by the designer.
More complex requests—such as adding sleeves, changing fabrics or redesigning elements of the gown—often incur an additional fee.
The cost varies depending on both the designer and the level of work involved.
We'll always provide clear pricing before your order is placed, so there are no surprises.
Are Customised Wedding Dresses Returnable?
Because customised gowns are made specifically for you, customisation requests are generally considered final once your order has been submitted to the designer.
We'll carefully review every detail with you before placing your order to ensure you're completely confident in your selections.
Customisations vs Alterations
It's important to understand the difference between a customisation and an alteration.
A customisation is a change made by the designer during the manufacturing process before your gown is created.
An alteration is completed after your gown arrives and is tailored to fit your body by a professional bridal seamstress.
Both play an important role in creating your perfect wedding dress, but they happen at different stages of your bridal journey.
Your Dream Dress—Your Way
One of the most exciting parts of shopping for your wedding dress is discovering just how much is possible.
Whether you're choosing a different lining colour, adding elegant buttons, requesting split sizing or exploring more extensive design changes, we're here to help you understand every option available.
Our experienced bridal stylists will guide you through each designer's customisation possibilities and help you create a gown that not only fits beautifully but feels uniquely yours.
Ready to Explore Your Options?
Book your personalised bridal appointment at Honey Fawn Boutique and discover the customisation possibilities available across our collection of designer wedding gowns. Together, we'll help you create a dress that's every bit as individual as your love story.