We will start with an initial consultation where we will get to know each other and brainstorm ideas. Betsy will ask you to bring some inspiration photos to this meeting, so she can get a feel for your personal style and what type of silhouettes you are drawn to. We will discuss inspiration, design, fabrics, budget, and Betsy will take all of your measurements. After this meeting, Betsy will create a series of sketches for you based on your conversations. We will usually do about 2-3 rounds of sketches before we decide on a final design. Once the design has been selected, we will sign a contract, your down payment will be due, and we will get started creating your one of a kind gown! A custom gown usually requires 4-5 fittings over the course of the design process. Your first fitting will be what is called a “muslin fitting” (ever watch Project Runway?). During this meeting, you will have the chance to try on a mock-up of the design, constructed in inexpensive cotton fabric (muslin), made to your exact measurements. This is a rough draft of your gown, on which we can tweak and edit the fit and design, so it falls perfectly on your body before we begin cutting into the actual fabric. At your second fitting, we will fine-tune the design based on our last meeting and will present the gown in the actual fabric. Betsy will have your dress pieced together without finishings such as closures, zippers, hem, etc. This way, we can continue to tweak and edit in any way necessary before the gown is completed. After this step, we will usually have 1-2 more fittings to perfect all of the details and finishings, and make the dress fit you like a glove. It is a true collaboration, which is what we love most about the custom gown process!