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Where sophistication & whimsy meet. Custom-made, handcrafted bridal gowns & wedding pantsuits designed in downtown Los Angeles.
 

FAQs — here to help!

 

We are a tight-knit, dedicated team. Please reach out with any questions before placing an order & scroll down to read our FAQs.

— Amanda James

 
 
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We are now offering a limited selection of direct-to-bride options. Please reach out directly with any questions. The below FAQs have not been updated yet to reflect these changes. Thank you!

 
 

ORDERS

What is your standard order lead time?

We will begin working on your order once we receive your payment.

Our standard lead time is 16-20 weeks plus shipping.

How far ahead of my wedding date should I place my order?

Our standard lead time is 16-20 weeks. We recommend allotting an additional 2 weeks for shipping and another 8 weeks for alterations.

With this in mind, we recommend placing your order approximately 8 months before your wedding and beginning your search 9-12 months before.

Reach out with any questions. We are happy to give you approximate lead times based on your design ideas.

Are rush orders possible?

Yes! Rush orders are approved on a case by case basis depending on fabric availability and workroom capacity.

Rush fees may apply to cover the cost of expedited fabric and/or scaling workroom capacity. If fabric is in stock & workroom capacity allows, we do not charge a rush fee. If fabric needs to be rushed and our production workroom schedule rearranged, then we charge a base of below:

  • Within 12-16 weeks - $150 fee.
  • Within 8-12 weeks - $180 fee or 5% surcharge, whichever is greater.
  • Within 8 weeks - $250 rush fee or 10% surcharge, whichever is greater.

Can I customize my order?

Yes! All styles are made-to-order which means there’s room to play!

Some clients customize designs while others want to hone in on tailoring. We are happy to accommodate just about any request. Check out details on pricing & customizing here.

We also offer these options complimentary.

Are fittings included in the price if I order a custom design?

Yep! Learn more here.

Are fittings included in the price when I buy a style from the collection?

No, prices listed online for styles from the collection do not include alterations. Alterations out of our studio are $50/hour or we can make the style to your measurements. We are also happy to refer you to a local tailor.

Can I order swatches?

Yes! Swatches are great to have on hand for picking out shoes, accessories and bridesmaid’s dresses.

Swatches are $40 each. This $40 can be applied towards a future order.

Please note, textiles are ordered in small, custom batches and are handmade with love by skilled artisans. Variations may occur.

Swatch orders can be placed here.

Do you accept returns?

All styles are made-to-order. We do not accept returns or exchanges.

Please email us before placing your order with product & lead time questions. You can learn more about our return policy here.

APPTS

Do I need an appointment?

Yes, we are open by appointment only.

How do I book an appointment or fitting?

The easiest way to book an appointment is through our online scheduling page.

What should I wear or bring?

We recommend:

  • Wearing nude underwear
  • Bringing a height of heel you like
  • Bringing any pasties or sticky bras you’d like to try
  • We request clean, bare skin from the neck down

Can I bring friends & family?

Yes! At the time of booking, be sure to let us know the full names of the guests that will be joining you. We are located within the Dallas Market Center. The building is closed to the public, so clients & guests will need to check in with the front desk. Be sure to have your ID so they can issue you a guest badge.

Can I bring my pet?

Sadly no. We kindly request that you leave your furry friends at home.

What should I expect when visiting?

Appointments usually last about an hour.

We start by chatting about where you are at in your bridal journey and what vibe you are looking for. Then you'll try on samples of styles that caught your eye. We’ll talk about what you like and what you are hoping to achieve.

Once your order is confirmed with a payment, we’ll take your measurements and plan next steps!

GENERAL

What is your price range?

Styles from our collection are all listed online in our shop.

Capes, veils & layering pieces — $225-$2500

Pantsuits — $1800-$3500

Separates — $350-$4000

Gowns — $2000-$8000
with most in the $3000-$4000 range

Couture (aka custom) designs begin at $7500 and go up from there depending on the fabric, complexity in design and amount of handwork.

Where are you located?

We have relocated from Los Angeles to Dallas! Our new location is on the 15th floor of the World Trade Center, part of the Dallas Market Center campus. Our address is:

2050 N Stemmons FWY #15149, Dallas, TX 75207

We are open by appointment only

Where is the collection made?

The collection is designed & made in USA. We source a wide range of specialty fabrics from around the world including fine laces, silk and embroidery from France, suiting from Italy, and hand beading from India.

What size range do you offer?

All styles are available in size 0-24, please see our size chart for the measurements of each.

Each size goes through an extensive fit process to best suit the common proportions of that size. We use a range of fit models to ensure we get an accurate, real life fit for women with real bodies.

We can also make styles to your measurements. Learn more here.

Will I need alterations?

Yes. All bridalwear will likely need alterations to achieve your individual fit.

We are happy to do alterations in-house, or you are of course welcome to use your preferred tailor or we can refer you to one.

Alterations out of our studio are $50/hour or we can make the style to your measurements.

What’s the difference between made-to-order and made-to-measure?

Made-to-order means we cut & sew your gown once we receive your order. All of our styles are made-to-order.

Made-to-measure means that the pattern is drafted to your measurements.

Which orders include fittings?

Custom designs and made-to-measure orders include fittings.

What is a toile sample?

Toile samples are test garments sewn in inexpensive fabric. For orders that include fittings, we use toile samples in your first fitting to see what changes need to be made before cutting into your actual fabric. This is an age old couture technique.

In the fabric descriptions, what is the self, contrast and lining?

  • "Self" fabric is the main fabric used in the gown. It’s the fabric you see the most of. For example, it's the floral jacquard used in our Greta Gown.
  • "Contrast" fabric are the other fabrics used to make the gown. For example, it’s the tulle layered over the floral jacquard in our Greta Gown.
  • "Lining" fabric is the fabric closest to your skin. For the most part, you cannot see lining fabrics, they are what’s on the inside of a garment. For example, it’s the silk charmeuse used in our Greta Gown.

Do you stock any styles?

Generally, no, all of our styles are made-to-order unless specified.

Are made-to-order gowns more sustainable than ready-to-wear?

Yes! Made-to-order means that we cut and sew the garment specifically for each client rather than the mass production needed to make ready-to-wear.

We avoid the excessive waste and dead stock associated with mass production by placing smaller fabric orders and producing only what is sold.

How should I clean and store my gown?

Our styles come with breathable garment bags that should be used up until the wedding. After the wedding, all styles should be dry cleaned and/or spot cleaned. We recommend using a wedding gown preservation specialist. They will know how to handle specialty fabrics and beaded elements. Perspiration, watermarks and stains need to be cleaned properly so they don’t yellow over time. After proper cleaning, gowns should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place.

I love my wedding photos! How can I share them with you?

We love receiving photos of our clients!

  • You or your photographer can send galleries to hello@amandajamesbridal.com
  • You can tag us on one of our social media accounts or use the hashtag #amandajamesbridal
  • You can share your story & gallery with us by filling out this form

Do you sell your samples?

We rarely sell samples since they are constantly in use. Be sure to follow on social and sign up for our newsletter — if we have a sample sale, this is where we would announce it.

You can sign up for the newsletter here.

You can find our social media accounts here.