Carol-Hannah Forms

  • Visiting Our Studio

    Shopping for a wedding gown should be incredibly fun - here are a few tips to help keep it that way!

    -It's best to limit the number of people you bring with you to one or two trusted friends/family members. Too many opinions can be overwhelming and confusing. Sometimes it is helpful to come to your first appointment solo and then bring your entourage in to view the finalists at another appointment.

    -Set your budget. We certainly won't stop you from trying on any gown in our studio, but nothing's worse than falling in love with something you can't have, so we find it's best to keep budget in mind when making your selections to try on.

    -If you're trying on gowns for the first time ever, keep an open mind and try on an assortment of different silhouettes and styles. You might be surprised by what you respond to, and we'll make suggestions too!

    -For the sake of our delicate, painstakingly made gowns, please try to avoid wearing heavy makeup or jewelry that could damage them during your visit.

    -Please keep in mind that our studio is also where we physically make everything. Between the scissors, tools, and machinery, it is not an ideal environment for babies or young children.

  • Lead Time

    Production time for gowns is 12 weeks from the receipt of a completed order form and deposit payment and 14 weeks for bridesmaids.

    Countdown begins after we receive your order with completed information and payment. We cannot begin processing incomplete orders.

    We recommend that you place your order at least 16 weeks before the wedding date to accommodate for shipping and alterations.

    • Rush Orders

    Because we make every gown in-house rather than overseas, we are usually able to accommodate very tight rushes. Just give us a call! Rush orders must be requested at the time the order is placed and must be approved by Carol Hannah.

    Rush fees for WEDDING GOWNS:

    10-9 weeks: $100
    8 weeks: $150
    7 weeks: $200
    6 weeks: $250
    5 weeks: $300
    4 weeks: $350
    3 weeks: $400
    2 weeks: $450
    1 week: $500
    Less than 1 week: $550

    Rush fees for BRIDESMAIDS:

    The maximum rush possible for bridesmaids is six weeks.

    10-11 weeks: $30 per dress
    8-9 weeks: $50 per dress
    6- 7 weeks: $75 per dress

    Changes or Cancellations

    Once an order is placed and production is begun, we are unable to accept changes or cancellations.

    Please carefully review your invoice and contact us immediately with any discrepancies.

    It is the customer's responsibility to pay all orders in full at time of shipment regardless if the event has been cancelled, postponed or plans have otherwise changed.

    Returns, Exchanges, and Refunds

    All dresses are made-to-order; therefore we are unable to offer refunds, returns or exchanges. Carol Hannah is not responsible for any necessary alterations. Dresses are made in standard sizes, not made to measurements. If there is a problem with your order, please contact us immediately and we will do everything possible to rectify the situation.

    Happily Yours Collection: Since these styles are sold online only, we keep them in stock and you may make returns within 10 days for exchange or refund less shipping costs.

    For items purchased in our online shop, please reference the item's listing for return policy information.

    Fabrics and Colors

    Our silk may contain occasional slubs and gentle shading variations, characteristic of fine silk yarn. These are natural traits and should not be regarded as defects but enhancements to the fabric's natural uniqueness.

    The raw edges in the embellishment of some styles should not be regarded as a defect but rather a design detail that adds texture and depth.

    We cannot guarantee that dress dye lots will exactly match your swatches.

  • Sizing

    Please refer to the Carol Hannah Size Chart to determine dress sizing when ordering, and feel free to contact us with any questions.

    Professional measurements are highly recommended, as measurements taken by oneself are usually incorrect.

    If you fall between two dress sizes, we recommend that you order the larger size. It is always easier to take in a dress than to let it out. You may not be able to alter a garment that is too small.

    All of our dresses are made-to-order in standard sizes, not custom made to your measurements. The size chart reflects body measurements, not garment measurements, and may not reflect your usual size in ready to wear clothing. Please be aware that bridal sizing is often smaller than ready to wear sizing. Don't be alarmed if the size your measurements indicate is not the size you normally buy off the rack.

    If a new dress is needed due to an incorrect size ordered, you will be charged full price for the dress, including rush fees if applicable.

    Carol Hannah is not responsible for changes in size due to weight gain or loss.

  • Alterations

    BRIDESMAIDS ALTERATIONS: You should expect to have alterations done in order to get the perfect fit for you and your bridal party. Carol Hannah does not offer alteration services for bridesmaids dresses and is not responsible for the cost of alterations, so please choose sizes carefully. Dresses are made to order in standard sizes, not custom made to specific measurements. The price of the dress does not include alterations. We are not responsible for any alterations independently made after you receive the garment from Carol Hannah. We always recommend choosing the larger size if a measurement falls between sizes, as it is much easier to take in a dress than deal with one that is too small.

    BRIDAL GOWN ALTERATIONS: For our direct bridal gown clients, we do offer in house and mid-production alterations packages (for gals ordering through one of our retailers, please refer to your store for alterations guidance). The cost of alterations varies per style, but you can budget around $350-$400, which is all inclusive and covers everything from fitting to the body, hemming, adding the bustle, sewing in cups, etc. You can expect to have about three fittings, and we often have our direct clients come in for a corset or muslin fitting mid-production so that we start out with a more accurate foundation before adding draping or embellishment. Direct clients who live out of town and want to do alterations in house can schedule two fittings in one trip (as soon as you arrive and right before you leave - we work on the gown in between) to minimize the amount of travel needed. This alterations service begins at $500.

  • Maternity Dresses

    You have 3 options to place a maternity dress order:

    1. You may submit the maternity dress size with the bridal party order. This ensures dye lot matching and the dress ships with the bridal party.

    2. You may submit the maternity dress with the bridal party order, but enter "TBD" under size. Size is due 8 weeks prior to the ship date. This ensures that the dress ships with the bridal party and the dye lot will match. It is the responsibility of the customer to submit the final size 8 weeks prior. If the customer neglects to send in the size 8 weeks prior, we cannot guarantee dye lots.

    3. You may submit the maternity dress as an individual order, separate from the rest of the bridal party order, if sizing is questionable. If submitted on a date different than the rest of the bridal party, the maternity dress will ship on a different date than the rest. Dye lots will not be guaranteed for orders submitted separately.

  • Custom Requests

    For BRIDESMAIDS:
    At this time, Carol Hannah cannot take custom requests in terms of design bridesmaids. Additional fabric (see below) is available for purchase by the yard for the addition of straps, etc by your alterations professional. We do offer custom colors for a sourcing fee of $15 per dress and are happy to try to match colors if you send us something to reference.

    For WEDDING GOWNS:
    Custom gown commissions start at $4000. This personal and intimate process is all inclusive, involving consultations, sketches, choosing custom fabrics and details, and three or more fittings with Carol Hannah. If you are looking to make changes to an existing style, please ask us! We often add straps, lengthen trains, switch skirts, add buttons, etc for minimal or no fees. If you like the bodice of one gown and the skirt of another and it makes sense aesthetically, let's do it! For more information on custom wedding gowns, please feel free to email us at sales@carol-hannah.com.

  • Extra Length

    Extra length of 5" is available for $15 for bridesmaids. This applies to both short and long styles.

    We recommend extra length for girls over 5'8".

  • Pricing and Discounts

    Prices are subject to change.

    As we've tried quite hard to make our dresses as affordable as possible, we'd prefer to offer fair pricing for everyone rather than put brides with smaller wedding parties at a disadvantage. As such, we will not be offering volume discounts for bridesmaids dresses at this time.

  • Fabric by the Yard

    Extra fabric is available for bridal parties that place an order. Be sure to order your extra fabric at the same time as your dresses to guarantee dye lot compatibility.

    Silk chiffon (45" width) $22/yard
    Silk Organza (45" width) $25/yard
    Lining (45" width) $12/yard
    Jersey (58/60" width) $16/yard
    Duchess satin (60") $65/yard
    Silk jersey (45") $55/yard
    Satin face organza (54") $35/yard

  • Swatches

    Up to five swatches are available free of charge. Just email your color requests, mailing address, and wedding date to sales@carol-hannah.com.

  • Payment Options

    Payment may be made by check, debit, or credit card.

    50% of the order total must be submitted upon order placement. The remaining 50% is due within 12 weeks or at the time of shipment, whichever comes first. You may pay in full upon ordering if you would prefer. Bridesmaid parties must submit payment all together.

    Returned checks will incur a $40 handling fee.

    Dresses cannot be shipped until the balance is paid in full.

  • Shipping

    For bridesmaids, domestic shipping is $10 if sent individually to the members of the wedding party, or a flat $40 if sent all together to one location.

    For wedding gowns, shipping is $150 for express delivery in the continental US.

    Bridesmaids packages will be sent via FedEx Ground with signature required unless otherwise requested. Please allow 5-7 business days (M-F) for Ground delivery, excluding holidays. Wedding gown packages will be sent via express delivery with signature required. All packages are insured.

    Tracking information will be provided to the bride upon shipment. If you are not home during the day, we recommend providing your work address for shipping.