FAQs
Semi-custom designs
How do I order semi-custom designs?
The semi-custom portion of our shop offers a more affordable way to get the dress of your dreams! Customize our styles to match your vision - enter your color selection(s) and other preferences prior to adding the item to your cart, proceed through checkout, then we'll email you to schedule a 15-minute free video call with the designer after purchase to review your order details and take your measurements.
Ordering from our semi-custom designs takes just a few steps!
1. Find the design you would like to customize.
2. Use the dropdown menus and fields below the product description to make your selections for colors, sleeves, necklines, and other elements available for customization.
3. Add the item to your cart and check out as normal. Any customization options that added an upcharge will appear in your cart, so you will know the final price upfront.
4. Once we receive your order, we will review your choices. We will reach out to you via email to confirm your design choices, and schedule a video call with you to review your design and take your measurements. We will also confirm the timeframe when you need to receive the garment, and if you need it sooner than we are able to accommodate (which is rare!) we will refund your order before any work has begun. If you have any questions or hesitations about the design choices you've made, you can still change them at this time and we will provide our expertise to help you arrive at the perfect design. Remember, you work directly with the designer throughout the process so there can be some flexibility and lots of hands-on communication to ease your mind about this unique process!
5. Once the design is finalized, we will order the materials and begin production. Just like with our fully custom gowns, we'll email you progress updates and photos throughout production to keep you in the loop and give you the peace of mind that the garment is turning out as you envisioned.
6. Once the garment is finished, we will ship you your order. We will reach out to confirm your shipping address before shipment. If you ordered multiple items at the same time, we can either combine the shipments together or ship you each item at a time as they are completed, just let us know your preference!
At any time throughout this process, you are encouraged to reach out to Hannah, the designer, via our contact form. We are here to help, and we strive to make this a stress-free experience!
How do I know what my semi-custom design(s) will look like?
We don't expect you to rely completely on your imagination!
If you would like a free preview sketch of the item(s) you are thinking about before you order, please request a Free Preview Sketch here. We will gladly provide a colored, descriptive sketch of the design choices for your consideration within 5 business days of receiving your inquiry. You can request a free preview sketch for up to 3 of our semi-custom designs. Note: this does not apply to fully custom gowns. Please see this page for more information about that process.
You may also request a mailed swatch pack of the fabrics you are considering. Before placing an order, request a swatch pack here.
After your order is placed, all clients can receive a sketch of their design choices upon request. You will receive an email confirmation with a link to schedule a free 15-minute video call to discuss any of the details with the designer and take your measurements before proceeding. If you find that the design will not meet your vision, we will happily refund your order before any work has begun or materials ordered.
How can I customize a design beyond what your website allows?
If the design you envision requires more customization than our website is set up for, such as combining design elements from multiple styles or requesting additional colors (available for nearly all designs in our shop), just contact us through our Free Quote Request Form to let us know which design you are wanting to customize and what you would like to change about it! We will discuss which changes are possible, including combining multiple HCC Original designs, and give you a ballpark quote for your customized design. You may also request a Free Preview Sketch of your customized design here. Please note, Free Preview Sketches are not available for fully custom designs. Please reference our Custom Wedding Gown Design page for more information about this process.
How long will it take to receive my semi-custom gown?
Online orders are produced depending on the Production Time you choose for each garment when adding it to your cart. This Production Time does not include shipping time. See our Shipping FAQs for information about shipping times for domestic and international orders.
- Standard Production Time is up to 6 months, included in the base price of the garment.
- Rush Production Time is up to 4 months for an upcharge
- Extra Rush Production Time is up to 2 months for an additional upcharge
When you place an online order, we will contact you regarding your wedding date once the order is received and give you an expected turnaround time. In the rare case that we are unable to accommodate your timeframe, we will refund your order before any production begins and any materials are ordered.
How can I see the fabric(s) involved in my semi-custom design before I order?
We are happy to send you a swatch of the fabric(s) you are interested in for a small fee. Please contact us via our Swatch Request contact form and let us know the product name(s) and fabrics/color(s) you are interested in seeing, plus your complete street address. We will mail the swatches to you for a small fee (to cover the costs of swatches + postage). Please note that it may take a few weeks to receive your swatches, as we order fabric as it is needed and thus do not always have swatches already on-hand. When you reach out with your request, we will be as transparent as possible with you regarding actual shipping times.
Please note: we are unable to send swatches of beaded appliques, rhinestones, or other embellishments, but we can provide high-quality close-up photos of them upon request, unless you have purchased aPremium Design Package. When selecting beaded appliques, they do match the corresponding fabric involved in the creation of that garment, so if you are trying to make sure the colors match, they do! :)
How do I know whether my fabric colors will match each other?
The materials for all semi-custom designs are carefully selected from a very limited number of suppliers and the materials are chosen with color matching in mind. We have already verified that our fabric choices go well with each other (for example, a burgundy satin dress with a burgundy chiffon and/or tulle overlay and burgundy appliques will all go together and be very similar, if not exactly the same, in shade). The bottom line is, we won't let anything leave our studio that doesn't look quite right. If we have any questions or concerns about the colors involved in your design, we will reach out to confirm and/or discuss your fabric options.
If you would like to see the fabrics you are considering before purchasing, you can request a Swatch Pack here.
Custom designs
How do I order a custom design?
Custom orders are our favorite way to work with brides! The majority of our orders are fully custom. Ordering a custom gown is a hands-on, collaborative, high-touch process working directly with designer Hannah Nodskov. This process includes all sketches, fabric sourcing, mailed swatches, shipping, and more. Visit our Custom Wedding Gown Design page to learn more and start the process by booking a Premium Design Package.
Due to increasing demand, we are pleased to offer pricing and timeframe guidelines. Please consider these before booking a Premium Design Package. We cannot guarantee the acceptance of every order, but those that adhere to these guidelines may be prioritized. If we are unable to accommodate your order due to these policies or other factors, we will happily refund the price of the Premium Design Package.
Custom Order Guidelines
Due to increasing demand, we are pleased to offer pricing and timeframe guidelines. Please consider these before submitting a request. We cannot guarantee the acceptance of every order, but those that adhere to these guidelines may be prioritized.
Wedding Gowns: Prices vary greatly depending on the style, design, detail, and materials involved, however on average, our brides invest $2,200-$3,000 in their wedding gown. Our custom wedding gowns require a minimum of 8 weeks' notice but 6+ months are preferred whenever possible to give you the greatest number of materials options and to allow adequate time for detail work and alterations to be completed to our high standard of quality.
PLEASE NOTE: We are currently only accepting orders for bridal looks. We do not offer the following: alterations on garments that were not made by Hannah Caroline Couture; casual tops, pants, skirts, and dresses; craft projects such as quilts; mother of the bride/groom dresses; prom dresses; and other hobby sewing projects. If your request does not fall within our bridal specialty, but you don't know where else to turn, we are still happy to help you in the form of providing you a referral to a different tailor, designer, and/or seamstress. Our recommended alterations professionals in the Omaha area include Livi's Designs & Tailoring, Omaha Lace Cleaners (alterations, preservation, cleaning), and Samantha Parr Alterations.
We accept custom garment orders from clients in any part of the US, as well as any other country to which USPS will ship. A list of accepted countries can be found here.
If your garment request falls within our suggested price ranges and timeframes, please book a Premium Design Package to start the design process. If you would like to get a free ballpark estimate first, request a Free Quote here. We strive to respond to all inquiries within 24-48 hours. We can't wait to work with you!
For a step-by-step process of what you can expect when ordering a custom wedding design, please visit our Custom Wedding Design page.
How much is a custom wedding gown from Hannah Caroline Couture?
Prices vary greatly depending on the style, design, detail, and materials involved, however on average, our brides invest $2,200-$3,000 in their wedding gown. Our custom wedding gowns require a minimum of 8 weeks' notice but 6+ months are preferred whenever possible to give you the greatest number of materials options and to allow adequate time for detail work and alterations to be completed to our high standard of quality.
For brides outside the Omaha, NE area, your quote includes shipping.
For brides in the Omaha, NE area, your quote includes necessary alterations for brides willing to travel to our design studio in Omaha, NE for at least one fitting during the process.
How long will it take to receive my custom order?
We offer two standard Production Timelines for custom orders, and we can also offer additional flexible production timelines based on your specific needs. These additional timelines may be a great fit for those who are pregnant or giving birth during the design process, military weddings, or brides who may be changing size (intentionally or otherwise).
- Standard Timeline: Our standard Custom Wedding Gown Design Timeline works backwards from your wedding date. The process begins by booking a Premium Design Package 6-24 months before your wedding and finalizing your order. Materials are ordered immediately after your contract is signed and deposit is paid, then we wait to take your measurements until 6 months before your wedding. Production of your gown begins shortly after measurements are taken, and your gown is shipped 3-4 months before your wedding date.
- ASAP Timeline: Our ASAP Custom Wedding Gown Design Timeline is based on your order date. The process begins by booking a Premium Design Package 6-24 months before your wedding and finalizing your order. Materials are ordered immediately after your contract is signed and deposit is paid, then we take your measurements within 2 weeks of placing your order. Production of your gown begins shortly after measurements are taken, based on your position in our production queue, and your gown is shipped as soon as possible, leaving plenty of time for alterations (if needed), depending on how far out your wedding date is. We reserve the right to take up to 6 months to produce your gown with our ASAP Timeline. If you need your gown even sooner, you can request our Rush Production Time (4 months or less) or Extra Rush Production Time (2 months or less) for an upcharge, where available.
Please discuss your timeline preference with us as early on in the design process as possible.
What size range do you offer for custom gowns?
Hannah Caroline Couture is proud to offer gowns for brides of all sizes, and we have a special talent for designing for plus size brides!
Our patternmaking and fitting mannequins allow us to create gowns for measurements ranging from a street size 00 to a street size 26, and our pattern grading techniques allow us to extend our sizing up to approximately a street size 36. However, if you are unsure of your size or believe you may be outside of this size range, please don't hesitate to reach out! We are passionate about creating fabulous wedding day looks for brides of any size.
Are there any color or fabric limitations for a custom gown?
The short answer: no! We believe bridal is what you make it, and we strive to never limit your design based on the materials and colors you want to use.
In fact, designing wedding gowns outside of the standard bridal color palette is our passion. Because we source materials for each individual order, there are thousands of options available to you for each material needed in your dress. While some materials may be more difficult to source in certain colors and/or match to the other materials used within your look, we don't impose any limitations on your selections beyond the limitations of what materials are available to us through various suppliers.
We love working with black as well as color in our designs! And of course, we are also happy to design within the bridal color palette of white, ivory, cream, blush, champagne, lavender, light blue, gray, nude, and other bridal colors.
We will never turn you away for having a vision that is "too non-traditional" - we don't even believe that's a thing!
Can you create a replica of a dress I found online?
While we are more than happy to take inspiration from a design you found online, we do not create exact replicas out of respect for the original designer. We also may not be able to get the exact materials used in that design. Instead, we create custom designs that bring together your favorite elements across several inspiration photos. If there is one design out in the world that you have your heart set on, we may be able to create a version of it that makes minor changes throughout the design to respect the original designer.
We also will only create one specific design once, so ordering your dress from Hannah Caroline Couture ensures you will have the only one like it in the world!
Where can I see examples of custom designs you've made in the past?
We would love to show you our portfolio of past work! We know it can be daunting and out of the norm to order your wedding dress custom-made and online. We have several reviews and testimonials from past HCC Brides as well as a slideshow of photos of past work here. Our Instagram also is the first place we share photos of real HCC Brides, so be sure to check out our Instagram page here!
We also have reviews on Google, Yelp, and our Facebook Page, many with photos attached from the client as well.
Do you make other custom garments besides wedding gowns?
At this time, we are only accepting orders for wedding gowns/bridal outfits. Wedding gowns and bridal outfits are the core of our business, so our capacity to accept custom orders outside of wedding day looks is limited due to our current order volume (aka, the amazing support I have received from HCC Brides everywhere!). During our off-season (November to February) we may have more flexibility to accept non-bridal orders. Please contact us using our General Inquiries form and we will let you know if we will be able to help!
Do you create bridal accessories too?
We offer a selection of bridal accessories like veils, capes, detachable skirts and overskirts, and other accessories on our website, which are customizable and made to your measurements and other preferences. We can also design a custom veil, overskirt, or other accessory for you when you book a Premium Design Package.
Can I get a custom dress made if I am pregnant or changing size?
Yes! In fact, many brides who are expecting, giving birth during the design process, of who are changing size (intentionally or otherwise), have found our custom design process to be a more flexible, stress-free way to purchase a wedding gown than the traditional dress shopping process. While most dress designers require 8+ months of production time, Hannah Caroline Couture has flexible timeline options for brides who are pregnant, changing size, or will be having a baby close to their wedding date.
Shipping
How much is shipping?
Shipping is complimentary for all custom orders and website orders from Hannah Caroline Couture! This includes both domestic US and international shipping. We provide tracking and insurance (up to the pre-tax amount of your order total) - this is your wedding dress, after all!
Do you accept international orders?
We do! As long as the United States Postal Service ships to your country, we will gladly accept your order. You can find a list of countries where USPS ships here.
How long will it take to receive my order?
For online orders of semi-custom designs: Online orders may take up to 6 months to produce and ship (not including shipping times), depending on the Production Time option you choose when adding a garment to your cart. Our Standard Production Time is up to 6 months, included in the base price of the garment. We offer Rush Production Time to reduce production time to 4 months or less for an upcharge, and Extra Rush Production Time to reduce it to 2 months or less for an additional upcharge.
When you place an online order, we will contact you regarding your wedding date once the order is received and give you an expected turnaround time. In the rare case that we are unable to accommodate your timeframe, we will refund your order before any production begins and any materials are ordered.
For custom gown orders: By default, all custom orders are produced in order of wedding date. We work backwards from your wedding date, and ship 3-4 months before your wedding to ensure time for alterations if needed. If you prefer to have your dress sooner, just let us know early in the design process. Wedding dates less than 6 months away from the order date may incur a Rush charge. Wedding dates less than 4 months away from the order date may incur an Extra Rush charge. When you book a Premium Design Package, we ask for your wedding date upfront in the request form and we will notify you and refund your Premium Design Package fee if we are unable to accommodate the timeframe.
For all orders: All Hannah Caroline Couture orders ship free with tracking and insurance via USPS. We ship to all countries where USPS ships; if you are outside the US, confirm whether they deliver to your country here. Garments in our sample sale ship within 3 business days of the purchase date.
- US orders: please allow up to 10 business days for delivery.
- International orders: please allow up to 20-30 business days for delivery. The customer is responsible for any taxes, customs, or duties applied by your courier.
We are not responsible for orders that are lost, damaged, or stolen after they leave our studio. All orders are shipped with insurance of the same value as your order subtotal (excluding taxes, discounts, or other fees), allowing you to submit a claim with USPS, allowing you to be reimbursed or order a replacement.
Return policy
What are your return, refund, and exchange policies?
Due to the custom-made nature of our products, all orders are final sale. No returns, refunds, or exchanges will be accepted, but we will work with you to find a suitable solution. Contact us via our General Inquiries contact form to inform us of any issues with your order.
Our process is extremely hands-on with extensive communication throughout the entire process. From the moment you submit your order, you will be in direct communication with the designer about your design choices, measurements, materials, timeframe, and all other details. As we work on your design, we send you several updates and progress photos throughout production, asking you clarifying questions about details and making sure the design is what you envisioned. We strive to make sure everything is as you expected before we ship your garment(s). Once it arrives, it should fit you extremely well. However, if the garment needs any minor adjustments, we are happy to recommend small tailoring adjustments that can be made at your local tailor if you reach out to us with your concerns. We have never experienced any moderate or major issues that couldn't be remedied before shipment.
If you are local to or are willing to travel to the Omaha, Nebraska area, and you find that some minor adjustments could improve your order, we may offer complimentary alterations services on gowns we produced, before their intended wear. (For clarification: we cannot offer complimentary alterations to your garment after its intended wear, such as changing the look, length, or details for future wear. We may offer this for a tailoring fee under some circumstances.)
Payment options
What payment options are available?
For online orders: Online orders are processed by Shopify, which uses Shopify Payments or PayPal, two of the most trusted online payment solutions on the web. Because of this, we have all the same securities and payment fraud protection as these leading payment processors. We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express and Diners Club. If paying with PayPal, you may also make payments using your bank account. Our site also uses an SSL certificate, meaning your sensitive data (like credit card information) is encrypted and secure.
Payment for online orders is due in full at the time of checkout unless you choose to use Shopify Installments, which may allow you to split your total purchase into 4 interest-free payments or choose from a selection of interest-bearing payment plans that may be available to you. This is subject to qualifications set forth by the terms and conditions of Shopify Installments and administered by Shopify.
If you would like to request a payment plan directly through us, not using Shopify Installments, please reach out to us regarding your desired order and we will work with you to set up a 50/50 payment schedule or in some cases, four equal 25% payments. A 25% or 50% deposit will be required to finalize your order, depending on your selected payment schedule, and the balance is due before your order is shipped. This payment schedule will be invoiced by Dubsado, which is our secure and trusted payment solution. You will receive an invoice emailed to you that can be paid via debit card, credit card, PayPal or Apple Pay.
For custom orders: Payment for custom orders may offer more flexible payment plans beyond our 50/50 payment schedule. A deposit of at least 25% will be required to finalize your order and the balance is due before your order is shipped. This payment schedule will be invoiced by Dubsado, which is our secure and trusted payment solution. You will receive an invoice emailed to you that can be paid via debit card, credit card, or Apple Pay.
Other FAQs
Can I try on these designs in person?
Yes! Most of our online semi-custom designs can be tried on in our in-home bridal shop in Omaha, Nebraska. We can accommodate parties of up to four including the bride in our home studio in Omaha. You can try on our sample gowns and jumpsuits, which range in size from a street size 10 to 28, along with our overskirts, veils, capes, and other accessories. You can learn more and book an In-person Premium Design Package here. Not all garments on our website are available to try on in person due to our recent Sample Sale, so if your heart is set on trying on a specific design, contact us via our General Inquiries form here first to confirm its availability.
Do you work with specialty materials? (Organic, eco-friendly, vintage, deadstock, etc.)
We are open to sourcing specialty and alternative materials for custom orders. This may include organic fabrics, silk fabrics, eco-friendly materials, vintage materials, deadstock materials, or other materials upon request. This may incur additional costs and add to the production timeline, but we'll communicate that to you early in the process so you can plan accordingly.
Can you redesign my mom's dress or incorporate a family heirloom into my design?
We currently offer very limited services for heirloom redesigns (taking a vintage garment and transforming it into a new dress). During our off-season (November to February) we may take on select heirloom redesign projects for brides local to Omaha, NE area only. If we cannot accommodate it, bridal alterations professionals are generally a better fit for this type of service. Contact us via our General Inquiries form to see if we can help with this.
If you would like a small piece of fabric, lace, etc. from a sentimental garment sewn into the lining of your garment, we are happy to do so. Just let us know after you place a semi-custom or custom order and we'll let you know where to mail the piece of material.
What's in the box when my order ships?
Semi-custom orders:
- Protective, breathable garment bag
- Framed artistic sketch of your custom garment
- Hand-written thank you note from the designer
- “I Said Yes to the Custom Dress” sign for photo ops and revealing your dress to family + friends
Custom orders:
- Protective, breathable garment bag
- Framed artistic sketch of your custom garment
- Hand-written thank you note from the designer
- “I Said Yes to the Custom Dress” sign for photo ops and revealing your dress to family + friends
Sample sale orders:
- Protective, breathable garment bag
- Hand-written thank you note from the designer
How do I care for my garment or accessory?
All gowns and accessories are dry-clean only. Use only steam to eliminate wrinkles; do not use an iron on any materials involved (they can melt under the heat). Consult a local dry cleaning professional for spot cleaning, dry cleaning, or garment preservation services.
How do I take accurate body measurements?
Semi-custom orders:
After placing your order on our website, you will receive an e-mail confirmation from our designer to confirm your wedding date and design choices, and to set up a 15-minute video call to take your measurements together with the designer. This helps ensure that measurements are taken accurately. Please schedule this call ASAP after purchase, as the Production Time does not start until we have your measurements (in other words, failure to schedule your measurements within about 2 weeks of placing an order may cause delays for which Hannah Caroline Couture is not responsible).
If you want a visual guide of the measurements we may take, check out our guide here.
Custom orders:
Measurements will be taken on a 15-minute video call with the designer during the design process, depending on the Production Timeline you have chosen. By default, this occurs about 6 months prior to your wedding date on our Standard Timeline or within 2 weeks of finalizing your order (signing contract + placing deposit) on our ASAP Timeline.
Sample sale orders:
These garments have already been produced, and the size range they are expected to fit is listed in each product description. Please reference our measurements guide to see how to take accurate body measurements prior to purchase.
Where is this online store based?
We are based in Omaha, Nebraska and work from an in-home studio. If you are local, feel free to reach out to us – we may be able to provide additional consultations and tailoring services (on products produced by Hannah Caroline Couture) if we can meet in-person.
We also offer bridal appointments to try on our gowns at our in-home studio. You can request an in-person bridal design appointment here.
Where is my garment made?
All Hannah Caroline Couture garments are made by hand in Omaha, NE by the designer herself and her small team of production assistants.
Do you offer local tailoring or alteration services?
We do not offer tailoring or alterations services on any garments that are not made by Hannah Caroline Couture. We are highly focused on providing an amazing custom design service to our customers, and we leave the standard alterations and tailoring services to the many local tailoring shops in any given city.
In Omaha, we recommend for alterations:
- Livi's Designs & Tailoring
- Omaha Lace Cleaners (alterations, cleaning, preservation)
- Samantha Parr