A custom wedding dress is not something that’s pulled from a rack — it’s created, thoughtfully and intentionally, from the ground up. At Trotter Bridal, your gown reflects your story, your symbols, and your soul. That kind of depth takes time. But how much time, exactly? 

I often get asked, “How far in advance should I start?” The honest answer is: it depends on the level of customization. Whether you’re looking for a fully bespoke design or a foundational gown with custom imagery, the key is giving your story the time it deserves. 

If a bride wanted to choose from one of our timeless essentials or signature touch collections, it could range from 12-16 weeks depending on our availability and if it's in our busy season.

For gowns that are semi-custom, known as our Storyteller Editon — meaning the silhouette and structure are chosen from one of our existing dress collections, but personalized with symbolic devoréd imagery — you’ll want to begin the process at least 6 to 8 months in advance. This gives us time to meet, discuss your ideas, develop and test the custom artwork, and ensure the final dress fits your vision. These gowns still carry your story, but we’re working within a pre-established shape, which streamlines the process. 

For brides seeking a fully custom gown, where every detail — from silhouette to fabric to imagery — is created from scratch, I recommend starting 8 to 10 months before your wedding date. This timeline allows for more extensive sketching, pattern development, test fittings, and of course, the hand-rendering of the imagery that brings your narrative to life. 

It’s worth noting that not all designers require 8-10 months for a fully custom gown — timelines can vary. Some custom gowns may take 9-12 months depending on the designer’s process and level of detail. In my case, because I’m not only creating the gown itself but also developing original, symbolic imagery unique to each bride, that added artistic layer requires more time to design, test, and apply using the Devoré technique — ensuring your story is seamlessly embedded in the fabric. 

Each step in the process is intentional. Your story is translated into symbolic imagery, which I apply using the devoré technique — a careful process of burning out motifs from fabric to reveal delicate, translucent patterns. The result is a visual language woven into the gown itself — not added on as decoration, but embedded which makes it look like it was pressed into the fabric.

Of course, there are occasional exceptions. I do take on rush orders depending on the scope of the design and my availability, but I never rush the story. I want you to feel confident not only in how you look, but in what your dress represents. 

At the end of the day, a custom gown isn’t just about fashion — it’s about reflection, identity, and intention. Whether your dress whispers in white with your love story through delicate imagery or stands boldly in black velvet with symbolism you helped shape, it deserves time to unfold. 

So how long does it really take to create a custom wedding dress? The answer is simple: as long as your story needs and how long it'll take each designer, per your requests.

So, let’s start telling your story!