Welcome to the world of bespoke bridal
The Emma Tindley experience isn't your ordinary wedding dress shop visit. There are no other designers on the racks within the showroom - they are all Emma's impeccably crafted creations.
Every single dress that Emma creates features a full made to measure service with a unique pattern cut to size for every individual bride, ensuring the most perfectly fitting, comfortable dress you will ever wear. Emma produces the dress completely independently, ensuring the most incredible stand of high quality gown. For sustainable conscious brides this also offers a brilliant and rare level of provenance - you know exactly who made your wedding dress.
When choosing a dress from Emma Tindley you'll discover a huge amount of flexibility, with the ability to customise styles, choose from a huge array of luxurious fabrics, and add incredible detailing including unique internal corsetry based on 19th century designs, hand beading, embroidery, and lace appliques.
The Showroom
Private appointments take place in the showroom, a beautiful Victorian shop front located on London Road in East Grinstead. Within the peaceful, welcoming interior you will find two rails of dresses to browse, separated into two categories. Browse the first rail, where you'll discover structured gowns with hidden corsets made from sumptuous Italian Mikado and duchess silks. Hanging on the second rail you'll find jumpsuits alongside a variety of sleek, elegant gowns made from beautiful soft Italian crepe, feminine silk chiffons and delicate beaded tulles, with bias cuts and cowl necklines.
Emma's Atelier
To the rear of the building is where the magic happens. Machines and a huge pattern cutting table is where Emma can be found day to day meticulously planning patterns or cutting out the most beautiful fabrics. A treasure trove of rolls of Italian silks, French laces and boxes of crystal beads and trims, this is Emma's happy place, where she designs new collections and works on bespoke designs.
1 - Your First Appointment
Your first visit to Emma Tindley is a 90 minute appointment. Along with 2 of your most trusted guests, you'll have a chat with Emma about your lifestyle, fashion tastes and your wedding day. With Emma's guidance, you'll select around 5-7 dresses to try on from the collections available. Throughout the trying on process, you'll discuss likes and dislikes to help inform the next dress choices. Emma may pin sleeves, lace or fabrics to create alternative looks or to show examples of trims and embellishments.
You'll also discuss corsetry, train lengths and veils. By the end of the appointment Emma is usually able to sketch up a dress idea - this is kept at the boutique ready for your next appointment.
2 - Second Visit
For your revisit appointment, Emma will help you go through your favourite dress and sketches in more detail.
If at this point you choose to go ahead with the dress, your commission will be confirmed with a deposit and measurements will be taken.
3 - Toile (mock up)
The first step in the dress creation process is to make a 'mock up' version of the top part of the dress, called a toile, made from a simple cotton calico fabric. Emma will cut the pattern to your exact measurements. The toile is then tried on to discuss any amendments required before the actual dress is created.
4 - Corset
If your dress is to include a corset, your individual corset will be fitted at this stage in the process.
5 - Silk Fitting
The shell of your dress is complete at this stage, ready for fitting and possible hemline adjustments if required. The button and loop positioning will be perfected, along with trim details if any are being added. You'll also discuss veils and accessories at these appointments, and Emma can advise you on the best options to suit your dress. If applicable, a second silk fitting will also be scheduled.
6 - Completion
Your dress is complete. At this final fitting, you'll try on the dress with your accessories. You'll also bring a trusted friend along to this appointment, so that Emma can teach them how to dress you on the big day.
7 - Collection
Collection appointment. At this final appointment, you won't try on your dress as it will now have been expertly pressed and safely wrapped up in tissue paper in a branded bag. The dress will signed off as completed, and you'll take it away with you. The next time you see your dress will be on your wedding morning!
Bespoke Commissions
If you would like a completely bespoke wedding dress created, your dress shopping journey will be a little different. This process is about getting to know you and you vision, looking through mood boards, sketches, browsing swatches of fabrics and laces.
This is followed by a full calico, corset and various silk fittings. Every journey is different and completely tailored to you and your needs, helping you to achieve a truly unique, special and memorable wedding dress.
Emma only takes on a limited number of bespoke commissions per year, allowing her to devote her time and creativity to each bride. This process starts from £4,000.
