THE DRESS
The search for the perfect dress is like the search for the perfect partner,difficult fraught with pitfalls but ultimately rewarding.Wheather you have an idea of the type of dress you would like,or are unsure where to begin, Mary will make the process of designing your dress simple and pleasurable.Personal attention is Mary`s trademark and you will be looked after by Mary throught the whole process from initial design to final fitting.

Your Wedding dress is a once in a lifetime purchase, to be worn on one of the most important days in your life and Mary believes that you should get what you pay for when you invest in your wedding gown.Only the highest quality fabrics and techniques are utilised in the creation of your dream dress.The dress design, fabrication process and schedule will be agreed with you in advance.The price will also be clearly discussed and established with no hidden charges, and your opinions will always be considered to be of the utmost importance.

	THE DESIGN PROCESS Firstly you will meet Mary for an informal discussion about your dream dress or outfit of your choice.If you have a definite idea about your perfect dress a design can be agreed on immediatly.If you have no idea about the style of dress you would like.or the type of gown that would suit you, this meeting will give you plenty of ideas.Many people get their inspiration from mazazines, photographs or the web; others formulate their ideas after browsing through Mary`s collection. At the end of the first meeting you may be able to decide upon a design there and then.More usually you will need to go away and think about your various options before deciding on your design.When you have decided on a style that suits you Mary will draw sketches of the gown that you have both designed, together with swatches of fabrics you may have chosen. At this time you may approve the design, or request changes to the drawing. This can happen as often as needed until your perfect dress design is completed.
Once you have agreed the design, Mary will take your measurments, fabrics will be chosen and an initial estimate of the price will be established. A deposite is usually requested at this time.The next stage is the construction of a toile,or mock-up.of your gown.This is an initial construction of your gown out of an inexpencive fabric,such as calico, to be used for a first fitting and also to refine the design to your exact requirments. Once completed the toile is taken apart and is used to make a pattern for your gown that will exactly fit your form. The next fitting will be your first in the actual fabric of your dress. To ensure a perfect fit, you will need to bring the the undergarments you will be wearing on the day to this fitting, your wedding shoes will also be important to ensure the correct lenght of the dress.Mary can help you decide on any accessories , such as a tiara, veil or wrap, that will complement your gown. HOW LONG IS THE PROCESS Overall, the initial design process will take about 2 to 4 weeks but it can take longer depending on the client.The construction of the gown itself usually takes 4 to 6 weeks depending on the complexity of the design. Some dresses can be completed very quickly with only one or two fittings. THE COST From what you has been decribed above you might imagine that getting a Couture Gown made would be a very expensive process. Nothing could be further from the truth. Mary believes you should get value for your money and her prices are set accordingly. Prices of a custom made gown start around CHF 1600.-  The main factors that influence the costs are the fabrics and the labour. If you are working to a budget Mary can advise you on how to get the best value for your money.

	Spalte 2