Frequently Asked Questions

Build-a-Dress combines AI dress design with human help managing production. Start with a photo, sketch, or description and create a front preview. Choose Get free quote, then sign in or create an account when prompted to receive an automated price estimate. Review the order details and delivery estimate before checkout. Our team coordinates with a dressmaker to make the approved design to your measurements.

Custom dresses start at $650. Most prom, formal, and modest dresses fall around $650-$1,500+, while bridal and quinceanera gowns commonly range from $1,250-$3,250+ depending on volume, structure, fabric, and embellishment. You'll receive a detailed quote before confirming your order.

The price starts at $650 and increases with the materials and work your design needs. Complex construction, multiple layers, detailed tailoring, custom embroidery, and hand-stitched embellishments take more time. Full skirts, ballgowns, and trains need more fabric and can cost more to ship because of their size and weight. Premium fabrics, beading, lace appliqué, corsetry, and boning also affect the price. You'll receive a clear quote before you confirm your order.

The process typically takes 2-3 months from order confirmation to delivery: 1-2 weeks for design finalization and measurements, about 5-7 weeks for production and quality review, and 1-2 weeks for shipping. Confirm the current delivery estimate before paying and leave extra time for a local finishing alteration. Complex handwork and peak-season demand can extend the timeline.

We help you turn an inspiration photo or written idea into a clear design, an upfront quote, and a dress made by a vetted maker. The process is online, and prices start at $650. Working directly with makers helps us avoid the added markups and long waits common at traditional boutiques. You review what will be made before you pay.

Each AI generation costs 1 credit and creates 2 variations to choose from. You can buy 5 credits for $6.99 on the credits page. You can also earn credits through referrals, social sharing (+2), and feedback (+1). Visit the credits page to buy credits or learn how to earn them.

Yes. Share your ideas for a classic ballgown, a modern minimalist dress, a bohemian gown, or another bridal style. Our AI creates design options you can review and refine from home.

Custom wedding dresses through Build-a-Dress generally start around $1,250 and can range to $3,250+ depending on fabric, structure, skirt volume, train length, and embellishment. You review the quote before payment so the tradeoffs are clear.

Explore ballgowns, A-line dresses, mermaid silhouettes, sheath dresses, tea-length gowns, and more with our AI design tool. You can choose the neckline, sleeves, train length, fabric, and embellishments.

Use our measurement guide and provide the measurements requested for your design. Your dress is made to those approved measurements; a local finishing alteration may still be needed for personal preference or body changes. Leave time and budget for that fitting. Contact support if the delivered dress materially differs from the approved order, under our refund policy.

A custom prom dress gives you your own design, made to match your style and measurements. You choose the details that help you feel comfortable and confident at prom.

Custom prom dresses through Build-a-Dress start at $650, with many designs falling around $650-$1,500+ depending on fabric, structure, beading, skirt volume, and rush timing. You review the quote before payment.

Allow the typical 2-3 months from order confirmation to delivery, plus extra time before prom for a local finishing alteration. Confirm the current delivery estimate before payment; do not assume rush timing is available until it is confirmed in writing.

Yes. Our AI creates concept images you can review and refine. Create a front preview and choose Get free quote, then sign in or create an account when prompted to receive an automated estimate. Confirm the design and order details before checkout; our team then coordinates production with a dressmaker. An AI image illustrates the design and does not guarantee that every depicted detail is feasible in fabric.

A custom quinceanera dress is made for you and your celebration. You can choose details that reflect your personality, cultural heritage, and the meaning of this milestone, with a fit based on your measurements.

Yes. Choose traditional details such as a ballgown silhouette, elaborate beading, a tulle skirt, and classic white or pink, or use your celebration's theme color. You can also request cultural details or modern takes on traditional designs.

Custom quinceanera dresses through Build-a-Dress commonly range from $1,250-$3,250+ because ballgown volume, tulle layers, beading, corsetry, and shipping size can significantly affect cost. Simpler celebration dresses may start lower, but full quinceanera gowns need a realistic quote before payment.

Start at least three months before the celebration. Full skirts, corsetry, beading, and trains can require more production time, so use the delivery estimate on your final quote and leave room for a local finishing alteration.

Yes. Our dressmakers design and make modest dresses specifically for hijab-wearing women. You set your coverage preferences (high neckline, long sleeves, floor-length hem, opacity), and we build the design and pattern around them. Before production, you approve the design mockups and key details.

A hijabi-friendly dress provides full coverage with opaque materials: high or mock necklines, long sleeves, and a floor-length hem. Our dressmakers ensure proper lining, avoid sheer panels over the chest and arms, and can add matching overlays, capes, or jackets when you want extra coverage.

Yes. Choose your silhouette, such as A-line, ballgown, mermaid, or sheath, and details such as lace, beading, a train, or a cape. Our dressmakers maintain full coverage and check where lining or layers are needed to prevent sheerness. You review and approve the final design before your artisan begins making it.

Yes. We document your modesty and cultural requirements up front and use a checklist to confirm coverage (high neck, long sleeves, floor length, opacity). Artisans experienced in Islamic bridalwear can add coordinated pieces (matching hijab, cape, bolero) and share progress photos on request.

Prices start at $650. The final quote depends on fabric choices, embellishments (like hand beading), and complexity (e.g., extended trains or custom embroidery). You'll receive a clear, itemized quote before you pay—no surprises.

Visit our design page and describe the dress you have in mind. Include the styles, colors, fabrics, and details you want. Our AI creates design options you can choose from and refine.

We'll guide you through taking your bust, waist, hip, and length measurements, along with any others your dress style needs. We provide detailed measurement guides and can help by video call if needed.

Refine your design before ordering and confirm the fabric, construction, and measurements before production. Once fabric is cut or construction starts, changes may affect price and timing or may not be possible. After delivery, preference-based adjustments are usually handled by a local tailor; report manufacturing defects to support under our refund policy.

Contact support promptly and include photos plus measurements. We will compare the dress with the measurements approved for production. Material manufacturing differences are handled through buyer protection; preference-based or body-change adjustments may require a local tailor and are not automatically refundable.

Independent professional dressmakers make the dresses. Build-a-Dress helps coordinate production and order communication. Maker availability and suitability depend on the design; contact our team with any workshop or production questions before ordering.

Review the shipping, taxes, duties, and fees shown for your order before paying. Confirm any delivery-cost questions with support so you understand the total for your shipping address.

Yes. Our dressmakers work with bridal fabrics including silk, taffeta, Italian satin, chiffon, and organza. You can choose the drape and feel you want from the same premium materials used in high-end bridal boutiques.

Ask for beading, lace appliqué, corsetry, embroidery, or other embellishments in your design brief. Our team and the maker review what can be made, the materials required, and how the handwork affects price and timing before production.

Before approving an artisan, we review detailed photos of gowns they have made. Once an artisan accepts your project, you can message them directly and request progress photos. Our measurement tool sends your measurements and design details to your artisan so they know what to make.

If there is a problem with your dress, contact us to start the revision process. Your artisan will handle issues that can be fixed. If an issue cannot be fixed, our team will help resolve any refund request and work with your artisan toward a fair outcome.

We currently deliver to addresses in the United States. Allow 1-2 weeks for shipping within the overall 2-3 month order timeline. Review the delivery estimate and shipping charges for your order before paying.

We accept returns for defective products only, and we do not offer exchanges. Because each dress is custom-made to your measurements, we don't accept change-of-mind or fit-preference returns. If your dress arrives with a manufacturing defect, is damaged in transit, or materially does not match the order details you confirmed at checkout, we'll issue a full refund to your original payment method. Defect claims must be reported within 30 days of delivery (shipping damage within 48–72 hours) with photos and your order number emailed to support@build-a-dress.com. The dress must be unworn (except for trying on to assess the defect), unwashed, unaltered, and returned with original tags and liners attached. Minor variations within acceptable manufacturing tolerance (0.5 inches or less in any dimension, normal dye lot variations, or minor stitching variations that don't affect structure) are part of the custom process and are not considered defects. When we confirm the defect, we cover return shipping as well. This policy does not affect your statutory rights under applicable consumer protection laws. For complete details, see our Refund Policy at /refund-policy.

Your artisan packs your dress in a protective garment bag and a sturdy shipping box, using packaging designed for delicate garments.

Yes. You'll receive tracking information when your dress ships. You can follow your order on Build-a-Dress and receive email updates at key stages.