The French term 'couture' is often used as a shortened form of 'haute couture'.
The word means dressmaking, sewing or needlework, while 'haute' means high or elegant.
It follows that couture wedding dresses are bespoke - made to order for a particular customer.
Bespoke gowns are usually made from expensive, high quality fabrics and sewn with great care by master seamstresses.
Often the attention to detail extends to time consuming, meticulous, hand sewing techniques adding to the aura of quality and exclusivity of the final product.
Why should I consider 'going couture'? Because it guarantees that you are gaining a unique gown of timeless elegance and sophistication, one that accentuates your best and minimises your worst features.
Couture wedding dresses can combine innovative, contemporary designs with the most luxurious quality of fabrics.
These gowns exude elegance and refinement through the most quintessential traditional designs, whilst guaranteeing perfect fit and functionality.
Where do I find a designer? Couture wedding dresses are a highly specialised niche market, so getting referrals to a designer, from reliable sources, is ideal.
The first and best place to start is to talk with people who have recently married to see if they have any tips or recommendations to share.
Next, peruse your local phone directory, as due to the close working relationship you will have with your designer, accessibility is important and advisable.
Once you have decided on some regional salons to explore, visit in person to get a feel for the establishment and its staff.
Also, don't baulk at asking for testimonials; you are considering making a considerable investment and a professional establishment will be happy to oblige you with solid references.
Wedding Expos can provide great leads and bridal magazines will stimulate your imagination.
Of course the internet can be a prodigious resource, but again, do your research, and insist on testimonials to ensure you are engaging with a reliable designer.
Ordering bespoke dresses online can be done, but needs to be undertaken with care and much communication.
Supplying measurements by proxy will rarely negate the need for actual refitting and alterations done by a local dressmaker and these can often be very costly.
What can I expect? Needless to say couture wedding dresses are 'made to measure', also known as 'custom fitted', with numerous fittings and adjustments taken throughout the process to ensure the perfect tailoring of the gown.
And, as your dream gown is a one-off creation, in the hands of a master craftsperson you can be sure that consideration of body size and shape are factored into the styling of the final product.
The perfect wedding dress is just waiting to be discovered when you are in the capable hands of a dress designer and craftsperson.