Measure | Custom Wedding Dress Design

Our custom how to measure guide made just for you and your custom dress!

Measuring For Your Custom Bridal Dress or Custom Dress Design

A couture fit is all about how your dress feels on your body and works to contour your curves. At A.Cherie Couture, we make sure every inch feel just right as you walk down the aisle or for your special event. In order to feel stunning on your big day, you must first take into consideration one of the MOST important factors, providing the correct measurements.

A.Cherie Couture has spent many years perfecting their custom pattern-making and fit based on many client with different body types.

A.Cherie Couture will provide a detailed, easy to use, custom measurement sheet for your custom bridal gown or custom dress so all aspects are accounted for. We recommend taking our custom measurement sheet to a local tailor or seamstress in your area following our “How To Measure Guide” below with pictures to guide you along our custom measurement process.

Our measurement guide below, follows along with our custom measurement sheet.

1. Neck

Measure all the way around the widest part of the neck.

2. Shoulder

Measure from the edge of the neck to the shoulder joint

3. Neck to Bust

Measure from the edge of the neck to the apex of the bust.

4. Neck to Waist

Measure from edge of neck down to natural waist

5. Bust to Bust

Measure from bust apex to other bust apex.

6. Across Front

Measure above bust from arm crease to arm crease (not circumference, front only).

7. Center Front

Measure from hollow part of neck down to the waist

8. Neckline

Measure from the waistline up towards how low the desired neckline will be.

9. Drop waistline

Measure from waist down to hip area, aligned with the fullest part of the butt

10. Upper bust circumference

Measure above the bust all the way around the body, shoulders relaxed

11. Bust Circumference

Measure at the widest part of the bust all the way around the backside, full circumference

12. Underbust

Measure under the bust completely around the ribcage and backside.

13. Upper Back

Measure from shoulder joint to shoulder joint.

9. Across Back

Measure across back from arm crease to arm crease

15. Center Back

Measure from base of neck down to the natural waist

16. Shoulder to Elbow

Measure from shoulder joint to center of elbow

17. Shoulder to Wrist

Measure from shoulder joint to wrist for desired sleeve length

18. Bicep (flexed)

Measure around the fullest part of the bicep, while flexing

19. Wrist Circumference

Measure around the complete wrist

19-B. Forearm

Measure around the middle forearm, widest part (flexed)

20. Armhole

Extend arm outwards and measure completely around the shoulder and underarm to get circumference

21. Overarm

Measure completely around the arms, chest and backside.

22. Natural Waist

Measure around the smallest part of the waist

23. Low rise

Measure at the high hip bone completely around the backside to obtain the circumference

24. Hip Circumference

Measure completely around the widest part of the hips and over the widest part of the backside to obtain the circumference

25. Over Knee

Measure below both knees completely around the legs, legs slightly apart.

26. Neck to him (WITH SHOES ON)

Measure from Hollow part of the neck to desired length of hem with shoes on. Standing straight, looking straight ahead.

27. Waist to floor (WITHOUT SHOES)

Measure from the waist down to the floor

28. Waist to hem (WITH SHOES)

Measure from natural waist down to desired length of hem

29. Waist to length of Train (WITH SHOES ON)

From your backside, place measuring tape at waist and measure down the legs to the floor and outwards to the desired length of train

Planning your dream custom wedding dress or custom formal gown? Let’s talk about the unsung hero of the process – MEASUREMENTS!

Every stitch, every detail, and every curve is a canvas waiting to be perfected. Accurate measurements for your custom dress are the key to creating a custom wedding dress that fits like a dream and makes you feel like royalty on your special day.

Why do measurements matter?

1️⃣ Flawless Fit: Your custom dress should embrace you like a second skin, highlighting your unique features. Precise measurements ensure a fit that’s as snug as a hug!

2️⃣ Comfort is Key: Imagine dancing the night away without any worries! Proper measurements ensure comfort, allowing you to enjoy every moment without fidgeting or adjusting.

3️⃣ Showstopper Silhouette: Want that perfect hourglass figure or a flowing A-line look? Measurements help in creating the silhouette that accentuates your best features and complements your dream dress vision.

4️⃣ Tailored to You: A custom made wedding dress is an extension of your personality and YOU. Accurate measurements ensure that every detail, from neckline to hemline, reflects your vision.

💡 Top Tips for Measurements:

1️⃣ Seek Professional Help: Trust the expertise of a skilled seamstress or designer to take your measurements accurately.

2️⃣ Be Honest: Share any concerns about comfort or specific areas you’d like to highlight or downplay. Open communication leads to the perfect custom dress and a much better experience!

3️⃣ Plan Ahead: Don’t rush the measuring process. Take your time, and ensure you’re measured in the same undergarments and shoes you’ll wear on the big day. Have some one double check your measurements if you are unsure!

FAQ ABOUT MEASUREMENTS AND HOW TO OBTAIN THEM

Please wear something form fitting to help aide the measurements process. Ex: Cami or Tank with yoga pants. If you are comfortable, being measured in your bra and tight / form fitting pants would be best so that the person measuring you can see the curves of the body.

Undergarments: Wear a good bra that is not too heavily padded, and absolutely no sports bras / bralettes. The bra needs to fit correctly, (not to tight, not to large) so that the measurements are accurate.

Please wear similar undergarments to what you plan on wearing with the dress. If you plan on wearing Spanx, with the dress, please bring them as well. Sometimes spanx can cause more issues than they do good ( example causing weird / awkward rolls, or can tug at the lining fabric when wearing the dress ) so it is recommended to buy only the thin fabric type spanx that would cause easy sliding of fabrics, or to wait to purchase them after you try the dress on to see if they are really needed.

Shoes: Please bring with you a pair of shoes or the shoes you plan wearing with the dress that is the exact same height to what will be worn with the dress so we can get accurate length measurements. If you do not bring the correct height or shoes, this could cause for the client having to pay for length alterations at the final fitting, so please make sure the shoe height will be accurate to what you plan on wearing with the dress.

We find it is easier for whoever is measuring you, to tie a string or a ribbon around the actual natural waist so they are using the same reference point for measuring when referring to the waist. Please make sure the measuring tape is taught around you, not to tight and not hanging or loose around the body.

Please do not have the tailor or seamstress add in any “ allowance”. We will do that on our end according to the dress design.

What’s Hollow-to-Hem?

Hollow-to-hem describes dress length. Most off the rack dresses come with a standard length measurement, but some designers offer a custom hollow-to-hem so the length is better fitting to the client. We ask for this measurement so the hem can be spot on which avoids any additional hemming later. Find your hollow-to-hem measurement by measuring from the center of your collarbone (hollow) to the bottom (hem) of your dress. We recommend having a professional take this measurement for the most accuracy.

Need help with your measurements? Reach out!

I need some extra guidance.