How to Measure

Measuring For Your Made to Order Wedding Dress 

A couture fit is all about how your dress feels on your body and works to contour your curves. At A.Cherie, we make sure every inch will feel just right as you walk down the aisle. In order to feel stunning on your big day, you must first take into consideration one of the MOST important factors, choosing the right size dress and providing the correct measurements.

Before ordering your made to order dream dress from shopacherie.com, it is necessary to know your own correct measurements no matter if you choose the standard sizes provided or if you choose the full bespoke route. Our dresses are made to your specific measurements, which ensures a great fit! 

How Do I Provide Measurements?

A. Cherie will provide a detailed, easy to use, custom measurement sheet for your made to order wedding dress so all aspects are accounted for. We recommend taking our custom measurement sheet to a local tailor or seamstress in your area following our "How To Measure Guide" below. Download Our PDF

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  • 1. Neck

    Measure all the way around the widest part of neck.

  • 2. Shoulder

    Measure from the edge of neck to shoulder joint.

  • 3. Neck to Bust

    Measure from the shoulder/edge of neck to apex of bust, your nipple. Keep tape vertical to the floor.

  • 4. Neck To Waist

    Measure from the shoulder/edge of neck, going down over your nipple to the waist. Keep tape vertical to the floor.

  • 5. Bust to Bust

    Measure from bust apex to bust apex, across front. Keep tape horizontal/parallel to floor.

  • 6. Across Front

    Measure above bust from arm crease to arm crease across front. Keep tape horizontal.

  • 7. Center Front

    Measure from hollow part of neck, down to waist . Keep tape vertical to the floor.

  • 8. Neckline

    Measure from waistline up towards how low the neckline will be. Keep tape vertical to the floor.

  • 9. Drop Waistline

    Measure from waist down to hip area, along the side.

  • 10. Upper Bust

    Measure above the bust all the way around backside, going across your shoulder blades, and under your armpits. Keep the tape parallel to the floor.

  • 11. Bust Circumference

    Measure at the fullest part of your bust all the way around to backside. Tape to be straight and parallel with floor. Please note that it's NOT your bra size!

  • 12. Under Bust

    Measure under your bust, completely around the ribcage and backside, where your bra band would sit. Keep tape straight and parallel to floor.

  • 13. Upper Back

    Measure from shoulder and arm joint to shoulder and arm joint, across back.

  • 14. Across Back

    Measure across back from arm crease to arm crease. Keep the tape parallel to the floor.

  • 15. Center Back 

    Measure from base of neck back down to waist. Keep tape vertical to the floor.

  • 16. Shoulder to Elbow

    Arm slightly bent, measure from shoulder joint to center of elbow.

  • 17. Shoulder to Wrist

    Keeping arm naturally straight, measure from shoulder joint to wrist for desired sleeve length.

  • 18. Bicep Flexed

    With bicep flexed, measure around fullest part of bicep.

  • 19a. Wrist

    Measure completely around the wrist.

  • 19b. Forearm

    With forearm flexed, measure around middle of the arm.

  • 20. Armhole

    Extend arm outwards and measure over shoulder, going around to under the arm. Add 2 inches to your measurement.

  • 21. Overarm

    Arms at your side, measure completely around arms, chest, and backside. Keep the tape parallel to the floor.

  • 22. Natural Waist

    Measure around your natural waist which is the smallest part of your torso, located between your rib cage and belly button. Keep tape horizontally and slightly loose to allow for breathing room.

  • 23. Low Rise

    Measure at high hip bone around to backside, located between your natural waist and hip. Keep tape horizontally.

  • 24. Hip Circumference

    Measure completely around your hips, over the fullest part of seat. Keep the tape parallel to the floor.

  • 25. Over Knee

    With legs shoulder width apart measure above both knees completely around legs. Keep the tape parallel to the floor.

  • 26. Neck to Hem (WITH SHOES ON)

    Measure from hollow part of neck, down to desired length of hem with shoes on. Keep tape vertical to the floor.

  • 27. Waist to Floor

    Measure from natural waist, down to floor with no shoes. Keep tape vertical to the floor.

  • 28. Waist to Hem (WITH SHOES ON)

    Measure from natural waist, down to desired length of hem with shoes on. Keep tape vertical to the floor

  • 29. Waist to Length of Train (WITH SHOES ON)

    From your backside, place measuring tape at natural waist and measure down legs to floor and outwards to the desired length of train with shoes on.

  • Shoes

    For the last measurements 26, 28, and 29 please take measurements with a similar shoes height that you will be wearing with your dress.

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How to Measure Common FAQS

 

 

 We recommend wearing something form fitting like a tight cami and yoga pants. Wear a good bra that is not too heavily padded, and no sports bras / or bras that don't fit well or do not provide support which will not provide the correct bust measurements. 

Bring with you a pair of shoes or the shoes you plan wearing with the dress that is the exact same height to what will be worn with the dress so the length measurement will be accurate. 

 

 It is recommended that you print out our custom measurement sheet and take it to a local professional in your area to obtain the most accurate measurements by following our how to measure guide. You can provide us your own custom measurements or you can choose your size based on our standard US sizing chart.

 Please use inches for all provided measurements.

 Measurement appointment + First Dress Fitting: Starting January 2023, all brides who choose to have in-person appointments with A.Cherie Couture will have a $350.00 added fee for amendments cost if they choose to have a measurement appointment with us, and first fitting appointment in person with their semi-custom dress / online order. If the customer does not wish to pay the fee, the dress can be shipped but no in person appointments will be accepted. Kindly note that this $350.00 fee is only to cover measurements appointment, first fitting / fit issues if measurements are done by us. It does not cover prices related to the bride changing the design of the dress after it is finished, additonal requested alterations, or bustles added to the dress. The final photos of the dress will be sent to the customer when the dress is finished to make sure the design elements are complete and confirmed. Adding design details is not covered by this $350.00 + tax and will be at the bride’s expense.

Measurement appointment only: If you are interested in the measurement appointment only it would be an additonal fee of $175.00 + tax for 1 hour measurement session for an in person meeting with one of our designers. 

 We recommend doing your homework before committing to a dress online! It is advisable to try on a variety of silhouettes, necklines, sleeves etc. to confirm how you like it on your own body before designing your own dress or going with one of our semi custom options.

All bridal alteration shop pricing will vary based on location and complexity of the dress which Is something that should be kept in mind while choosing a dress. If your gown has a lot of additional details like beads, lace or intricate work the client should expect to pay more for alterations.

Normal bridal alterations can start anywhere from $60.00 for simple hems and can typically range between $300 - $1,500 total costs in general for off the rack gowns and for gowns that are not made to your measurements. For gowns that are made to custom client measurements and the client did not have any measurement fluctuations / weight loss, the client can expect minimal alterations, but should still plan for some tweaks and alterations related to fit to achieve the best fit possible. Our dresses are made to be easily altered and we leave a total of 1 inch in each side seam so the dress can be let out (made larger) or be taken in accordingly.


Bustle costs vary by tailor, train length, type of dress, weight of fabric and dress style. In general, shorter trains will have simpler, more affordable bustles, while longer trains may result in a higher costs due to additional points needed for the amount of fabric. Multiple layers is also another design element that can require more bustle points. There are also quite a few different bustle styles so it is best to discuss adding a bustle with your tailor to get an estimate for your gown and idea of how the finished product will look.

 

The initial measurements needed to begin production on the gown must be precise and in accordance with our custom measurement guideline. Over thirty (30) measurements are required, along with specific instructions of exactly how to obtain the proper measurements. The measurements must be taken by a trained and experienced seamstress or tailor and precisely how instructed by A.Chérie. These measurements will determine the custom fit of the gown. Once the measurements are submitted by the Client, and production begins, the sizing can not be changed.

Fluctuations in size due to weight loss, weight gain, pregnancy or any medical condition or disorder which alters the Clients measurements will change the gown fitting. The Client shall be responsible for the cost of altering the gown to accommodate Client’s differing dimensions. Once your measurements have been provided, try your best to maintain your size. If you lose weight as your dress is being made, your dress may need additional rounds of alterations to accommodate for the measurement changes.

 

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