Frequently Asked Questions Please find below a list of commonly asked questions,  if you do not see your question  listed please email us. HOW LONG WILL MY DRESS TAKE TO BE MADE? Bridal Gowns from our website catalogue generally take 12 weeks (custom designed gowns generally take up to 14 weeks) to be made, however please note that this is just a guide, we cannot guarantee a delivery date due to conditions out of control such as manufacturing delays etc.  Bridesmaids and some Evening Dresses are usually quicker than this which is generally 8 weeks.  However please note that this is to be used as a guide only, we highly recommend that you allow yourself ample time before your special occasion, this is less stressful for everyone involved. For example if your wedding is in 12 weeks time, do not just assume that you will have your dress in time for your wedding.  Most of our customers order at least 4-6 months in advance for their wedding gown. ONCE COMPLETED HOW LONG IS DELIVERY? Delivery times vary depending on which State and Suburb you live in. All dresses are sent from our Sydney office.  For example deliveries to Sydney Metro are 1-2 business days, Delivery to WA 5-7 business days etc.  Please contact us for individual delivery times. If you have selected express post please make sure that your postcode is within the next day overnight network, if it is not within the network the parcel will take longer to get to you.  Please note that Gothic Weddings cannot be held responsible by delays caused by Australia Post or any other carrier, as these are conditions out of our control.  This includes registered post or express post etc.  If you have not received your order in a timely manner once you have received confirmation from us that your order has been dispatched, please contact us immediately and we will launch an investigation with the appropriate carrier.  All orders are insured. When should I order my gown? We highly recommend that you order your gown as soon as possible, for bridal gowns we recommend that you order at least 4 months in advance, so that this will give you plenty of time before your wedding.  For a stress free experience PLANNING is the Key! For Bridesmaids/some Formal Dresses/Flower Girls/Mother of the Bride Dresses we also recommend that you allow at least 2-3 months prior to ordering for these dresses.  Do you offer a rush service? It just depends on our production schedule at the time.  If you are desperate for a dress or have not allowed enough time before ordering you must contact us first to see if we can have the dress made in time for you.  Please note that if we are able to have the dress made for you in time there is a rush fee surcharge, the fee for wedding dresses is $50 and for all other dresses is $25. ARE YOU AN ONLINE STORE ONLY? YES, we offer discounted high quality custom made gowns.  Buying direct from the manufacturer and low overheads allows us to pass the savings directly onto you.

DO YOU HAVE A RETAIL STORE? After retailing gowns from a Sydney store we found that our overheads just kept skyrocketing, this meant that the prices of the gowns kept going up.  It became clear that in order to make our gowns more affordable big changes had to be made! This meant that our overheads had to be reduced!! Now that we are exclusively an online store we are proud to bring our customers the same high quality gowns at the prices that you can afford.  We pride ourselves on first class customer service where help from a human is just a phone call away. We also do not have a showroom, all of our gowns are made to order and we do not hold any stock (apart from last minute and clearance dresses), so we do not have the facility for customers to try gowns on. We support you from the purchase, production and delivery of you gown.  We are more than happy to discuss styles with you and can also send you colour samples to help you choose the right colour for your very special day. We are an Australian business based in Sydney. Are you a legitimate Australian Business? Yes our Company details are - Ravtec Unit Trust, trading as Dress of Your Dreams To search for our ABN on the Australian busniess register please visit www.abr.business.gov.au and enter our ABN number 22842809028 Dress of Your Dreams is a registered Australian business and follows the guidelines of the Australian Trade Practices Act. Do you operate another website? Yes Dress of Your Dreams.com is our original website,Gothic Weddings is a sister site to Dress of Your Dreams and has been created specifically for those who are prefer this genre for their wedding. Why would I buy a gown online when I can purchase one from a store?  We understand that buying online is not for everyone, and some do prefer the whole bridal boutique experience, however you can rest assured that our gowns are of very high quality and some are quite unique which you may not be able to find in other stores.   We also find that our customers refuse to pay full retail for a dress that they can purchase online at a fraction of the cost.  We offer customers the ability to choose from a great selection of gowns, where they can choose their own style and colour. As your prices are discounted, does this mean that the quality of the gowns will be less? Definately not!!! As a test we recently had a range of our gowns in a very expensive boutique in Sydney, to see if the customers could tell the difference between a designer gown and our custom made gowns, and the outcome was that they could not!   These gowns were selling at full retail in this boutique.   So you can rest assured that these gowns are of high quality. Are your dresses made in Australia? No, all of our dresses are manufactured overseas, by purchasing direct from our overseas manufacturers we are able to pass the savings directly onto our customers. I have seen gowns similar to yours on other online stores/auction sites that are only $100, so why would I buy from you? We have seen these as well, and as a test we brought some gowns in to see what the quality would be like and to be honest it wasn't good! The gowns looked nothing like the pictures, the colours were wrong and the quality wasn't very good.  We are not saying that all manufacturers are bad, however we have received many complaints from customers who have purchased a gown from online auction sites overseas.  We also found that the customer service was terrible and no-one would get back to us or refund our money.   Also prior to our online store we ran a boutique which specialised in bridal and evening wear so this has helped us recognise the best fabrics, beading and quality required for a high quality gown.  We also offer you excellent customer service, we want you to be extremely happy with your gown, as we know that your wedding, formal or special event is very important to you.   I am still really nervous about purchasing online as I have had a bad experience with another on-line store.  Do you have a returns policy on your gowns? We understand that you would be anxious purchasing online.  We offer a full refund on any gown that is faulty or has been damaged from the manufacturer, you receive the wrong colour that was ordered or wrong standard size that was ordered.  All gowns are delivered to our premises first so that we are able to make sure that the gowns are in perfect condition and exactly as you ordered.  Once the gown has passed our inspection we will then send it on to you.  Some companies choose to have the gown sent directly to you, however we feel it necessary to check the gown/s first before we send it onto you.  Are your gowns in stock? No, all of our gowns are made to order, with over 1500 designs it is impossible for us to have every colour and size in stock.  Your gown is made from scratch and is brand new! We offer standard sizing and custom sizing.   Custom sizing does incur an additional charge of $25.00. Are your prices in Australian Dollars? Yes, all gowns are in Australian Dollars.   What type of payments do you accept? We accept payment via credit card (visa and mastercard only), Paypal or Direct Deposit.  Do you ship your gowns internationally? Yes we do, we are currently sending gowns to the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Asia and Europe. Please contact us for a shipping quote. What guarantees do you offer? We guarantee that you will receive the gown that you ordered, in the size and colour that your ordered.  If for any reason you do receive the wrong size (standard) or colour that you ordered your payment will be refunded or another dress will be made if there is time. For custom sizing we guarantee to make the gown exactly to the measurements that you provide us, if for any reason the dress has not been made to your specifications your dress will be remade or a full refund will apply (this does not apply if you have taken your measurements incorrectly and the gown does not fit you, that is why we recommend that you have your measurements taken by a professional). We will not willingly send you a gown with any manufacturing fault as all gowns are strictly checked, images of all gowns are taken before leaving our premises.  I cannot afford to pay for my gown all at once, do you offer a payment plan? Yes we do, instead of purchasing online just email or call us and we can organise that for you.   You will be required to pay a 50% non refundable deposit.  The balance will then be due when your dress arrives at our premises which will be around 8-12 weeks depending on which gown you choose. Please note that no gown leaves our premises without being paid in full. Should I request a colour sample first before ordering? YES we highly recommend that you request a colour sample first before ordering. Do not assume that all colours are the same across the board, all manufacturers use different fabric. For example our white may be different to what you have seen elsewhere. Also colours vary with different fabrics, for example if you order a light champagne dress which is taffeta you must ask ask for a taffeta sample not satin, this is very important. Please email us at samples@gothicweddings.com Once I have placed my order, will you let me know how production is going? Due to the large volume of customers and dresses we are unable to contact every customer during the production, however you are more than welcome to contact us at any time to ask how your dress is going, simply send us an email or give us a call. We will however let you know when your dress is ready. How can I track my gown once it has been sent?  Your gown will be sent to you by either registered post or express post depending on which service you have chosen. We will send you the tracking number once your order has been sent, you can then track your parcel at http://www.auspost.com.au/track/ This is the most cost effective way to send your dress. Will I need to have my gown pressed after I have received it?  We recommend that you hang your gown straight away as some creases do fall out, if the don't then it is most likely that the gown will need to be pressed/steamed by a professional, the creases are caused from the gowns being packed for delivery.  The gowns are packed with the utmost care. If I order a made to measure gown will I still need to have alterations done? Most of the time no, however this will just depend on the style of the dress, sometimes you may need to just alter the length of a strap for example. If you have not supplied us with the correct measurements you may need to alter the gown. This also depends on who took your measurements, the gown is made to the measurements you provide us, we guarantee to make the gown to these measurements, however if they have been taken incorrectly this is your responsibility.  We recommend that you also take a picture of the gown with you when you are being measured. Do you do alterations?  No we do not do alterations.  How do I work out my size? We use a standard Australian Size Chart, however your gown size can be very different to your regular clothes size.  Our gown manufacturer uses a slightly different sizing method.   Measure your bust, waist and hips then compare them to the AUS size chart.  If you are in between two sizes we highly recommend that you choose the larger size, as it is easier to take a gown in rather than let it out.  You must choose very carefully as if you pick the wrong size and it does not fit your your dress is non refundable. If you are still having trouble please email us at gothicweddings@bigpond.com and we will help select a size for you. Another option is that you choose a gown with a corset back, this will give you 4-5 inches to play with by pulling the ties in or out.  Most dresses can be made with a corset back. Gowns are also available in custom made to measure, we highly recommend that you have your measurements taken by a professional such as a seamstress or dressmaker as your gown will be made exactly to the measurements that you provide us.  If you would like a custom form please email or call us. I want to lose more weight before my wedding, should I purchase a dress that is a size smaller?  This is the most common question we receive.  No, we do not recommend purchasing a dress that is smaller than your current size, we recommend that you choose a corset back so that if you do loose weight you can adjust the size by 4-5 inches.  I still can't decide on a colour, are you able to send me some colour samples? Yes we can send you satin, chiffon or taffeta colour samples, please email us at samples@gothicweddings.com. Just let us know your address, colour and fabric choices. You must let us know what dress style you are looking at as all fabric colours vary.  e.g the satin light champagne will be different to the taffeta light champagne, as different patterns have different weaves the dyes do change. How do I place an order online? Simply select the style, colour and whether you would like a standard or custom size.   After placing an order online, when is my payment due? Your payment will be due within 5 working days, obviously your order will not be placed until we receive full payment.  If payment has not been made within 5 days your order will be automatically cancelled.  How do I place an order online for more than one gown? If it is a multiple order for the same gown such as Bridesmaids dresses simply add the gowns one at a time, choose the size and colour then add to cart, then continue shopping and add another gown until you have the number that your require.  We often run specials where discounts are received for multiple gowns, your discount will not show automatically, we will contact you once you have ordered to advise you of the discout.  If you would prefer you can also email you order to us and we can simply generate an invoice for you.   I have placed an order online so what happens next? After we receive your order we will email you to confirm your correct style, colour, measurements etc.   I would like to place an order but would rather you invoice me first with my total which includes my gown, shipping and custom measurements? Simply email us with your order requirements and we will invoice you, alternatively place your order online and select the "no payment method" and we will then invoice you.   Where are you based? We are an online store based in Sydney, Australia. Our ABN is 22 842 809 028  Do you accept returns? Yes we do under certain conditions, please read our Return Policy for further details. We do not accept returns if you do not like the style of your gown, only if there is a manufacturing fault or a wrong size/colour made by the manufacturer.  Please choose your style very carefully to make sure that this is the design that you really want.  I have received my gown and have realised that I have taken my hollow to hem measurement wrong and it is way too short, what do I do? The only time a gown is way too short is when you have taken your measurements incorrectly. You will need to have the gown altered by a dressmaker, we can supply you with some extra material to help you (the material charge is per meter)   Are your gowns a designer label? No, our gowns are high quality generic styles and are custom made to order.     Can you make a custom gown from my own pictures/sketches?  Yes we can, simply email your pictures or sketches to us and we will provide you with a quote asap. I have a gown in mind that I cannot find on your site, can a custom design be made for me? Our portfolio contains over 1500 gowns so we suggest that customers send us a picture of a gown that they have in mind and we will then try and match it for you.  We are also able to make a custom gown for you however this does incur additional charges as a new pattern needs to be created.  Please note that we will make every effort to make the gown as close to your photos as possible,  however please bear in mind that due to copyright restrictions there may be slight variations which are usually undetectable.    Do you offer custom made to measure sizes? Yes you can choose to have a standard size or custom size.  Custom sizes are an additional $25.   If you would like to add this service to your order, simply purchase this service by selecting the custom sizing option in the navigation bar, this will allow you to add this service to your shopping cart. Please note if you are shorter or taller you may require a custom size as most dresses come in a standard hollow to hem measurement of 58". It is up to you which one you would prefer, if your measurements are closer to a standard size then that is fine, however if your measurements are quite different, e.g a pear shape then a custom size may be better suited to you. Please note that a custom sized gown will be made to your exact measurements.  You will be responsible for the measurements that you provide us, these will be used to manufacture your gown.  Please note that as we are not present to take your measurements we cannot be responsible for errors made in the measurements that you provide us. We highly recommend that you have a professional such as a seamstress take the measurements for you.  If you do not have access to a seamstress then we suggest a family member or friend, DO NOT TAKE YOUR OWN MEASUREMENTS BY YOURSELF!! Tips: Use a vinyl tape measure - not fabric as these stretch over time. What measurements are required for custom sizes? There are quite a few measurements required for a custom made gown, please visit our made to measure link for more details. We can make any size in custom made. What sizes do the gowns come in for the standard size? AUS 4-30 If you require another size we suggest using the custom made service. Why is it that when I measure myself that I seem to be a size bigger than my normal clothes size? Don't despair! Gown sizes are sometimes different to your normal clothes size.  What are your shipping charges? We use a flat rate for shipping and handling.  Bridal Gowns are between $20-$50 depending on the size of the gown. Bridesmaids Gowns - $15.00-$20.00 (combined shipping applies to more than one dress)  (multiple gowns receive a combined postage rate) Flower Girls - $15.00  All parcels are sent via registered post. For international rates please email us at dressofyourdreams@bigpond.com  What is better a corset style back or a zipper? We highly recommend a corset back where possible, this allows you to alter the size and also helps if you have choosen the incorrect size or had your measurements taken incorrectly. If a gown is pictured with a corset back can I have a zipper back instead and vice versa? Yes, you can change the back however additional fees may apply depending on the dress.   Can I make any changes to gown?   Depending on how much needs to be changed it may cost extra, if there are too many changes to the design this may not be possible.  Prices depend on the detail of the change.  Please email us to find out details about making changes gothicweddings@bigpond.com I have seen a gown I really like, however it is made in Chiffon, can I have it made in satin? Yes we can accomodate some fabric changes however please just contact us first. What fabric and beading do you use? Our manufacturer uses high quality satin, chiffon, organza and taffeta.   Beading consists of swarovski crystal, czech diamonds, bugle, seed and matsuno beading and high quality sequins.  Can you make size alterations for me? No, you will need to have a professional seamstress alter the gown for you if necessary. I have received my gown and it doesn't fit, what do I do?  This may mean that you have chosen the incorrect standard size or had your measurements taken incorrectly, if this is the case you will need to have your dress altered at your own expense. If you feel that the dress has been made too small due to incorrect sizing or custom measurements being made incorrectly you will need to send the dress back to our office so that we can check the dress. If we find a fault from our manufacturer the returns/refund policy will apply.  If we find that the measurements are correct the dress will be sent back to you.  What gown style suits my figure? A-Line/Princess   A-line dresses are fitted around the bodice and flow outward to the ground, resembling the shape of an uppercase A. There is no marked waist or other cuts in the structure of the gown. A-line gowns can be short (above the knee) or flow all the way to the ground and include a long train. A-line dresses are ideal for many body types. The long, continuous lines elongate a shorter bride. The A-line skirt slims and hides a heavier lower body. Ball Gowns  Ball gowns will remind you of fairy tales. The bodice is fitted and the skirt is very full.  These type of gowns are very formal. Ball gowns come with a variety of different necklines and sleeve lengths - including sleeveless. Ball gowns can be worn with or without a train.  Ball gowns are best for slender figures or pear-shapes, as the full skirt hides large  hips and thighs.   Column (Sheath)  The column wedding dress has a very slim shape that flows straight down from neckline to hemline. These type of gowns are normally floor length and can be worn at casual or extravagant weddings, depending on the fabric. Column gowns are best for thin brides. The straight design does not allow to hide many body flaws. This kind of dress looks especially nice on short, lean women, as it elongates their silhouette. Empire  The empire gown has a raised waistline that begins right below the bust. From there, the dress flows toward outward to the floor. Traditionally, the empire dress has a square neckline. This design is very versatile and comes in a variety of skirt styles from contouring to A-shape. Sleeves vary from sleeveless to flowing, bell styles. Empire dresses can be worn at outdoor, casual weddings, as well as fancy church affairs. Though it is nice for any body type, the empire gown is especially fitting for small breasted women. Mermaid/Fishtail/Trumpet   The mermaid dress looks exactly as the name indicates. The dress is contoured against the body all the way to the knee. Then the gown flares out to the hem.This style is considered the sexiest of the five basic wedding gown types. Because it hugs the body, you must be very confident to wear this style.The mermaid gown is normally worn by slender women. However if you love your curvy figure and want to flaunt it, this dress may be for you.