BRIDAL & GROOMSWEAR FAQs and PROCESS

Congratulations from all of us @IHEKUBI, on your upcoming wedding. We appreciate your interest in us, and look forward to taking this exciting ride with you. To make the process faster, we have outlined our response to the frequently asked questions from most brides/couples. Of course, this may not be exhaustive of  every possible question you might have, so feel free to drop us any further questions and/or clarifications needed, via our chat lines.

Our Process in summary: 


1. This starts with a brief chat or conversation (about 30mins) to get an overview of the general idea; i.e. what you want in terms of the overall theme, style, look and feel, for the day, volume of items and number of people involved.

2. A deeper consultation where we analyze style or design details, material options, possible combinations, fitting timeline and take body measurements to enable us proceed with the pattern/sampling process. Sketches will be made afterwards, and shared to communicate the outcome of this consult. This is booked with a N120,000.00 (naira)/ $100 / £70 fee, per person, before the consultation. This fee is non-refundable, but will be deducted from your outfit bill, once the details are finalized and an invoice is sent out. It is a precaution, to cover our time, creative input, and encourage commitment to the process.

3. A toile /muslin or sample piece (for bodice/top portion, mostly) is made in a similar fabric to what we expect the final dress to be made in. We fit that to check the fit & details align with the conceived idea, and that you are in sync with your look. This is also to discover possible room for changes, if need be. Once client observations and feedback is effected, and directional changes are made at this stage, style changes will no longer be considered. Also note that style changes requiring design elements not earlier approved and accounted for in pricing; will be charged separately by issuance of a new invoice.

4. Your main outfit gets started, and multiple fittings (between 2 and 5) are set, to bring us to the desired final look. In your absence, Fit Models (professional models matching your body statistics) are enlisted to carry out fittings

5. Outfit(s) sets out for dry cleaning- 5-8 working days.

6. Handover by pick up or shipping (as preferred. For shipping, separate charges apply).

OTHER FAQs:

1.) PRICE TO EXPECT: 

Each outfit varies by design, components, materials and details; which consists of the cut, silhouette, structure, trimmings, sourcing and technique. These combined factors mean that their prices also vary, and a typical range we can suggest is between N550,000 – N3,000,000.00. Veils are also available on request; and start at N105,000 depending on your choice of components- (they could be plain or with satin trims, or other handsewn diamante/crystals/lace trimmed edge). The above price bands are an estimate based on a sample of some of our brides in the last 3years. Prices may exceed this band provided, depending on the choice or materials, cost of sourcing, outfit/fabric customizations, type & volume of detailing, under structure or technique required by your chosen style; as well as the overall execution timeline. 

  • We also offer sourcing of complementary accessories like headgears/fascinators/caps and the likes, which is typically outsourced to the expert vendors for the respective items. These are also priced separately, and entirely optional.
  • We can also source decorative elements like hand and full body length, handmade crystal panels, at a separate cost if needed- these are for fully custom beaded outfits.

2.)  TIMING:  

We typically recommend a 6-months notice, and a minimum of 3-months (Charges will also apply). Under that time frame, an extra 15%-40% of the dress value, will apply, depending on how urgent the service needed will be, and how much extra hands and hours will be required at such short notice.

For styles requiring fully, customized hand-beaded fabrics, an 8-month window is advisable as these are occasionally handled in different countries often requiring 2-3months turnaround time.

Lastly, if an urgent service is needed – say under a month, we will advise on non-elaborate or intricately detailed style options.

3.) CONSULTATIONS + FITTINGS:


For the process, the first stages can be done in person, or via phone/whatsapp video. Whilst a studio visit is most recommended, the  latter option is for brides/couples who do not reside in Lagos or are unavailable to visit, for any reason. Following phone consultations, we will send you a video of how to take the measurements and you send results back to us. Please ensure absolute compliance with directional videos as there is no great outfit, without accurate measurements.

We typically anticipate between two-five fittings. Where your availability is a problem, we can send the mock sample to you via courier; and schedule a videocall to guide you through the fitting); You make marks on parts where adjustments are needed, then send it back to us. (This has additional courier cost and time implications as it can be affected by delays). The final piece is cut based on the adjusted dimensions.  Once we’re ready for fittings of the main dress, our best advise is to carve out duration of about a 7-10days, to be in Lagos. In that duration, we can accommodate two fittings, giving about 2-3 days interval (to fit, adjust and fit again).    

Fitting models are also used as an alternative to help with this process, where you are unable to attend fittings in person, and where long hours of hand sewing and body draping, is required to achieve the style. These techniques can take considerable time (on average 1hr 30min), and may put some strain on the body, during that process. As every human body has intricate differences (even amongst comparable sizes), the use of fit models may not entirely eliminate the need for alterations when the outfit gets to you, but it will significantly reduce it or eliminate it (which is our hope).

We could skip the mock piece if logistics would be a problem for you, but its just recommended because having the mock piece means better accuracy on the main dress/outfit, and less strain on the final fabric- as all the tweaking can be done on the sample.

After this/these, we move to closing stages to finish it, dry clean and prepare for shipping. You can opt for an in-store pick-up, or delivery option, as you prefer.

4.) We would absolutely love to dig deeper in detail with you. For starters:

  a.  When is your wedding?

 b – What is your dress budget?- If you have a budget outside our prescribed range, please share with us so we can make suggestions accordingly. 

 c – Will you be using an indoor or outdoor venue?

 d – Do you require bridesmaids and bridal party looks; and or asoebi services? Sourcing asoebi will have its separate sourcing fee, depending on the volume of people being catered to.

 e – Do you have a contact phone/whatsapp number to share ideas.

We are happy to discus any particular concerns/suggestions that you might have and look forward to being on this journey with you. If you haven’t already, please add us on whatsapp – +234 704 100 9966. Our email is also open for your use- info@ihekubi.com; and you can view/follow our instagram handles @ihekubi (Bespoke and Bridal Page) and @m.a.p_ihekubi (Ready-to-wear Page).

With love & warmth,

Ihekubi.

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