A New Era of Vintage Wedding Dresses
Ready to Wear vs. Made to Order Wedding Dresses
Not sure whether to choose Ready to Wear or Made to Order? We break down every wedding dress option at Grace Loves Lace — including timelines, sizing, and how to choose what's right for you.
Vintage wedding dresses are being reimagined, blending heritage details—like floral lace, corsetry, and sheer elements—with modern silhouettes.
Ready to Wear vs Made to Order Wedding Dresses: What's the Difference?
Finding your dream wedding dress is one of the most exciting parts of planning your big day, but with so many options available, it can also feel a little overwhelming. One of the first questions brides ask us is: “What is the difference between Ready to Wear and Made to Order?” And really, the answer is mainly about timing and knowing which gowns are available to you when you need it.
At Grace Loves Lace, many of our gowns are available across multiple options: Ready to Wear, Made to Order, and Customised Made to Order. Each option is designed to suit different timelines, budgets, and fit requirements. No matter where you are in the planning process, there's a path that's right for you.
Here's everything you need to know.
What Is a Ready to Wear Wedding Dress?
Our Ready to Wear wedding dress collection features a wide range of styles from a size XS-XXXL, with a standard shoulder to floor length of 155cm and have already been constructed. These gowns and are available in standard sizing, ready to ship within 3-5 days unless otherwise mentioned on the website. These are ideal for brides who are working with a shorter timeline, or those who simply love the idea of having their gown in their hands quickly. While alterations aren’t something we offer in house, any minor adjustments such as hemming or taking in the waist can easily be arranged externally with a seamstress of your choice, or via our hand selected recommendations in our Alterations Directory.
What is a Made to Order Wedding Dress?
Made to order means your gown is constructed by our designers and seamstresses after your order is placed, made especially for you with care and intention.
With our largest collection of styles to choose from, made to order gowns is where many brides find their perfect gown. All styles are available in standard sizing and standard height and require 5 months to produce, so if you’re searching ‘how long does a made to order wedding dress take?’, that’s your answer.
We also offer Priority Made to Order for an additional fee, which moves your gown straight to the front of production, so you get the dress you want, without the wait. This is the ideal choice if the gown you’ve fallen in love with isn’t available as Ready to Wear, but a standard 5-month production timeline doesn’t work for your wedding date. It also allows extra time for alterations, such as hemming or taking in the waist, with a seamstress of your choice or via our hand-selected recommendations in our Alterations Directory.
What is a Customisable Wedding Dress?
Our Customised Made to Order collection sits between made to order and fully bespoke, offering a more tailored fit without requiring exact measurements, and without the price tag of a fully custom gown.
Rather than being made to a single standard size, your gown is made to your personal size range across each area of the body. For example, if you measure an XL bust, L under bust, XL waist, and M hip, your gown will be made to fit those size ranges in each area, offering a more personalised silhouette than standard sizing alone. Your gown is also made to your confirmed shoulder to floor height, measured with your heels on.
Each style in this collection has varied available custom features, so the options will differ depending on the gown you fall in love with. You might be able to choose from things like train length, cup support, lining colour or strap style. All styles in this collection offer personalised size ranging across each area of the body. When you browse the collection, each style will show you exactly what's available to customise.
In terms of timeline, we recommend ordering a customisable gown at least 6 months before your wedding date. Your measurements will be locked in 6 months out, we call this your lock-in date, and your gown will be shipped 6-8 weeks before your wedding, giving you plenty of time for any final alterations.
For brides with a tighter timeline, Priority Customised Made to Order is available across all styles in this collection for an additional fee of $500 AUD (inc. GST), moving your gown into production sooner. Chat to your stylist or visit our terms and conditions page for further details.
How Do I Know Which Type of Wedding Dress to Order?
Timing is everything when it comes to wedding dress shopping, and it's also the key factor in determining which type of gown is right for you. We offer three options, each designed to suit a different timeframe and set of needs.
If you have 8-10 months or more before your wedding day, you have access to all three options and the most relaxed experience possible. Giving you plenty of time to browse, place your order, and allow for any alterations without added pressure.
If you have at least 6 months, Made to Order and Customised Made to Order are both available to you. Customised Made to Order is worth considering if you'd like to tailor specific details to your body or vision; such as train length, lining colour, strap style, or sizing adjustments for those who fall between standard sizes or carry their measurements differently across different areas, bearing in mind this is only offered to a select number of gowns.
If your wedding is sooner than 6 months away, our Ready to Wear collection is your best fit; and possibly your fastest. These gowns are in stock and ready to ship within 3-5 days, so even if your date is just around the corner, your dream dress could be on its way before the week is out.
Not sure which option suits you? Start by taking your measurements using our how-to guide and comparing them against our size chart. If you're still unsure, we'd love to help you find the right fit in person or virtually.
Book an appointment at one of our showrooms worldwide and meet with a Grace Loves Lace stylist who can guide you through styles, sizing, and gown types first-hand. It's the perfect opportunity to see the fabrics up close, feel the quality, and find the silhouette that makes you feel like yourself on your wedding day. Can't make it to a boutique? Virtual appointments are available too; our team can walk you through everything whether you're in Australia or on the other side of the world.
Whatever stage of planning you're at, we have an option to suit your timeline, your body, and your vision. Because finding your dress should feel exciting, not overwhelming; and we're here to make sure it does.
