Custom Wedding Dress FAQs
Q. Why use hemp for a wedding dress, isn’t it stiff and scratchy?
A. Hemp is a superb fiber for wedding gowns as it is strong yet soft and has body. The hemp fabric Tara Lynn uses for wedding gowns is soft, beautiful, comfortable and luxurious. Hemp is a sustainable plant that uses no pesticides or chemical fertilizers to grow making it the perfect fiber choice for an eco-wedding gown. Today hemp is blended with silk or organic cotton and is available in designer colors, textures and qualities. When you order a hemp wedding gown Tara Lynn will mail you a bunch of swatches to choose from including shiny hemp satins, sheer hemp silk and organic cottons.
Q. What is the process for ordering a custom eco-friendly wedding dress?
A. First you will want to contact Tara Lynn and make sure there is enough time to make your wedding gown for your wedding. A custom gown needs to be ordered at least three months in advance and a gown from the collection, at least one month.
Then you should schedule an appointment with Tara Lynn to discuss your wedding plans and options for your perfect bridal gown. You may bring or email tear sheets of dresses you like, silhouettes that flatter your figure and any images that inspire you for the artwork on your gown.
The third step is to finalize your budget and send a deposit. Once your deposit is received Tara Lynn will send you a measurement sheet, fabric swatches and begin sketching a selection of gowns for your review.
Once you approve a wedding dress design Tara Lynn will schedule you for your first fitting or ship you’re fitting to you. On average you will need 1-2 fittings. Fittings can be mailed nationally and internationally. Tara Lynn will include a pin cushion with your fitting and you may have it pinned by a friend or family member or at a local seamstress. Digital images of the fitting will help communicate any adjustments needed.
Then the fun part, Tara Lynn will design and develop the artwork for your gown and will send you digital images of the entire process so you can share your thoughts and make suggestions or changes. Once you are happy with the gown Tara Lynn will request the balance due and ship your custom hemp wedding gown.
Q. Can I afford a custom hemp wedding gown from Tara Lynn?
A. A custom hemp wedding gown starts at $1,500. If this is beyond your budget Tara Lynn has a collection of hemp wedding dresses available in sizes 2-14. Prices start at $600. See our Hemp Wedding Gown Collection page. If needed a local seamstress can alter your dress for a perfect fit. Tara Lynn can embellish your hemp wedding dress with trimmings from her collection or custom art for an additional charge. Tara Lynn offers a special package for hemp bridal gowns over $2,500; fittings include one night at a local bed and breakfast and dinner for two in East Burke, Vermont.
Q. Do I live too far away to order a custom wedding gown or jacket from Tara Lynn?
A. Tara Lynn ships nationally and internationally. She will send you digital photos of your wedding dress in progress and mail you fittings. Tara Lynn will include a pin cushion with your fitting so you may have it pinned by a friend or family member or at a local seamstress. Digital images of the fitting will help communicate any adjustments needed.
Q. Where does Tara Lynn find all of her materials?
A. Tara Lynn has been collecting treasures of vintage fabrics, trims and embellishments since she was 14 years old. Old necklaces become beads on bridal trains, fabric scraps are turned into flower petals, old threads used for embroidery, table linens for trims, upholstery remnants used to make corsets. The possibilities are endless, beautiful and one of a kind.
Q. What is the groom going to wear?
A. Tara Lynn makes custom hemp suits, dress shirts and pants. Contact Tara Lynn for pricing.
Q. How do I care for a hemp wedding dress after the wedding?
A. Your hemp wedding gown is something you get to keep for the rest of your life and pass down from generation to generation. That is why Tara Lynn recommends hand washing your gown after the wedding in cold water with eco friendly detergent and hanging it to dry in bright sunlight rotating it every hour to prevent water marks. Once it is dry store it in a closet in a garment bag and take her out again for special occasions.
Q. What is the best way to contact Tara Lynn?
A. Tara Lynn recommends the contact form for first inquiries and calling her directly for a consultation at (802) 745-8042. “I like to get to know my customers personally; it helps me design something especially for them when I know who they are.”