Common Questions
Ordering Process & Timeline
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How long does delivery take and how soon should I place an order?
All of our dresses are made-to-order and shipping times will vary depending on the complexity of any customizations/fabrics chosen for the dress as well as how quickly we get your measurements back. Please see below for production and delivery timelines. You can get in touch with us at hello@eastmeetsdress.com for expedited options.
Bespoke/All Custom-Sized Items (within the US):- • Standard delivery: within 16 weeks (Free)
- • Priority delivery: within 12 weeks (additional $50)
- • Express delivery: within 8 weeks (additional $100)
- • We recommend ordering custom size items/bespoke dresses at least 5-6 months in advance.
- • If your wedding is in 3 months or less, we recommend choosing a dress from our "Ships Now" or "Standard Size" collection.
Standard Size Dresses & Items (within the US):- • Standard delivery: within 4-6 weeks (Free)
- • Express delivery: within 3-4 weeks (additional $25)
- • We recommend ordering standard size dresses at least 2 months in advance.
Accessories & Chopsticks (within the US):- • Standard delivery: within 4-6 weeks ($10+ dependent on weight of items)
- • Express delivery: within 3-4 weeks (additional $25 along with weight-dependent shipping cost)
International Delivery:
- • We recommend ordering 5-6 months in advance for custom size items, and at least 2 months in advance for standard size items (including accessories and chopsticks).
- • You can enter your shipping address in the checkout to see your options for shipping costs.
- • Please note there will likely be additional VAT/customs costs that you need to pay to the shipping carrier separately before the order can be delivered.
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What if my wedding/event is coming up soon?
If your event is coming up in 3 months or less, we recommend checking out our "Ships Now" or "Standard Size" collection. Our Ships Now collection offers our most popular styles that ship within 2-3 business days (excluding holidays) so you can receive your dress within a week. Our Standard Size collection ships within 4-6 weeks. We also offer a 4-week "Express Delivery" option for an additional fee. Please reach out to us at hello@eastmeetsdress.com to discuss if an exception can be made.
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What is the process for a custom sized dress?
Once you place an order, we'll email you to confirm all the details of your dress and send you a link to fill out your measurements. You can find our measurements guide here. Once we have your measurements, it takes up to 16 weeks to complete and deliver your dress depending on the style and complexity of the design.
If you need any adjustments after you receive your dress, you can visit a local tailor and we'll reimburse you up to $25 for the alterations. Be sure to let us know if you'll be getting alterations within 15 days of when you receive your order, by sending an email to hello@eastmeetsdress.com. Simply send us a picture of the receipt afterwards and we'll process your reimbursement back to your original form of payment. -
How do I give you my measurements?
After you order, we'll send you an unique link to submit your measurements. You can find all the measurements we need in our measurements guide here. For best accuracy, we recommend going to a tailor to get your measurements done. -
Who pays for shipping?
If you live in the US and are ordering a cheongsam dress or jacket, we've got you covered! Free shipping is not included for accessories. -
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we do ship internationally though there might be some additional shipping delays due to Covid19. You can enter your shipping address in the checkout to see your options for shipping costs.
You will be responsible for any shipping, custom and VAT costs. Customs/VAT costs (which can sometimes be upwards of 50% of the dress price) are out of our hands so please do your own research beforehand.
Please note, for all international orders outside the US, we can only do full refunds and no exchanges. You will be responsible for all return shipping costs. All international VAT costs and customs duty are also non-refundable. -
How do I track my dress while it's being shipped?
We'll email you a tracking link when your order is about to be shipped. Keep an eye out in your inbox. -
Do you offer shipping insurance?
Yes! We’ve partnered with Navidium to offer you peace of mind when it comes to shipping. You can enable this option in your cart to insure your package for a small fee. If your package gets lost, damaged or stolen, you can file a claim by emailing us at hello@eastmeetsdress.com to get started.
Dress & Customizations
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What is the cost of designing my own dress?
We strongly recommend first checking out our bespoke dresses as we have a variety of designs that might match your vision.
Prices for original custom designs vary depending on the fabric and design but they are typically more expensive than our existing designs. Email us at hello@eastmeetsdress.com or send us a picture at (850) 888-8406 to get a design consultation and quote. -
What is the difference between your Bespoke dresses and others?
Our Bespoke Collection is a premium line of cheongsams made with the highest quality fabric and custom made from scratch to fit your measurements.
You get to select a base design that we have and choose certain customizations. We also offer free shipping (within the US) and a complimentary $25 tailoring credit if you need to make adjustments to the fit for all our bespoke dresses.
For those on a budget, we offer our "Standard Size" collection. While these dresses can't be customized, each dress has been thoughtfully designed and chosen to represent the modern woman who values taste and quality.
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Which parts can I customize from your Bespoke Collection?
Check the product page for each Bespoke Dress to see what customization options you have. Typically, we can customize color, sleeves, and length.
If you're looking to customize beyond the general customizations listed on the product page, then there is an additional design and pattern making fee charge depending on the customizations you want.
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Can I customize a dress in your Standard Collection?
Unfortunately, we can't customize any part of these dresses in our Standard Collection. If you want to customize the sleeves, front, back, fabric, etc. of a dress, we recommend going with the Bespoke option or designing your own. -
Do you work with X size?
We work with brides of all shapes and sizes to bring their dream cheongsam to life. The beauty of custom measurements is that we can make it fit you, regardless of your size. -
Where can I see pictures of past dresses you've done before and reviews from other customers?
Check out our Reviews page for photos of past dresses and testimonials. We're also always posting photos of recent customers on our Instagram (@eastmeetsdress). If you're looking for dresses of a specific style, take our quiz and we can share some additional photos that might be more specific to the dress you're looking to create.
Alterations & Returns
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What if my dress/custom size item doesn’t fit well?
Our custom sizing options should provide you with a good fit (especially for the many of you who are between sizes). However, you should anticipate needing some local alterations to get the perfect fit for you.
For that reason, we offer a free local tailoring credit up to $25 USD to help cover the cost if your bespoke/custom size dress, custom size jacket or cape needs some final adjustments. Be sure to let us know if you'll be getting alterations within 15 days of when you receive your order, by sending an email to hello@eastmeetsdress.com. Simply send us a picture of the receipt afterwards and we'll process your reimbursement back to your original form of payment.
For standard size dresses or items, we encourage you to double check your measurements using our size chart or getting in touch with us (850-888-8406, hello@eastmeetsdress.com). If it doesn't fit when you get it, we're happy to exchange it for a different size or offer a refund, but please email us within 15 days to let us know. -
How do I receive my $25 USD alteration credit for custom items?
For our custom size items, we anticipate needing some local alterations to get the perfect fit for you. For that reason, we offer a local tailoring credit up to $25 USD to help cover the cost. To receive your reimbursement:
1. Be sure to let us know if you'll be getting alterations within 15 days of when you receive your order, by sending an email to hello@eastmeetsdress.com.
2. Send us a picture of the receipt afterwards (within 2 months) and we'll process your reimbursement back to your original form of payment. -
What if there is an issue with the quality of my dress or item?
At East Meets Dress, we stand behind our high quality craftsmanship. If for some reason, you feel as though the item is faulty, please email us at hello@eastmeetsdress.com with 3-4 large well lit photos of the item, along with your order number and we will contact you with next steps. -
What is your return and refund policy?
US orders: For standard size dresses or items (i.e. standard size jackets, shoes, accessories), if you're unhappy with the fit, we're happy to offer a free exchange for a different size if available. If you simply would like to return the dress or item, we offer full refunds (minus the shipping costs).
For bespoke/custom size items (i.e. custom size dresses, custom size jackets and capes), if there are any fit issues, we offer up to a $25 alterations credit (valid with receipt only), to be refunded via your original payment method. Unfortunately, we do not accept refunds on custom size orders because each item is made just for you based on your measurements, choice of fabrics and customizations. If there is an issue with the quality of your item, please let us know at hello@eastmeetsdress.com and we will contact you with next steps.
For custom chopsticks, unfortunately, since they are custom made to your engravings, we do not offer returns or exchanges.
Please email us within 15 days to let us know and initiate the process for any dress returns or exchanges. The dress or item must be postmarked for return within 30 days to be eligible for refunds. Please note that any item(s) to be returned must be in new, unused, unworn, unwashed, undamaged condition.
International orders: For all international orders outside the US, we can only do refunds (you will be responsible for return shipping costs) and no exchanges. All international VAT costs and customs duty are also non-refundable. -
My package never arrived/was lost in the mail. What should I do?
While we are not responsible for any missing/lost packages during the delivery process by the shipping carrier, we will do our best to help you locate the package. We recommend that you first call or visit your local USPS office and then file a claim directly with them.
We also recommend purchasing shipping insurance from Navidium beforehand. You can add this option at checkout to your order to insure your package if it gets lost in the mail. If you have purchased Navidium Shipping Protection and have a missing shipment or damage claim, please email us at hello@eastmeetsdress.com to file a claim. -
How do I take care of my garment pre and post event?
We recommend you steam your garment to remove any wrinkles. You can use the lowest heat setting to effectively remove them from your garment.
Alternatively, you can iron your garment but please make sure it is at the lowest temperature setting to avoid burning your garment. If you do not have a steamer or iron, we recommend supporting a local dry cleaner for additional cleaning.
For storage, we recommend storing your garment flat in a long box if possible. If you need to fold it, please also store it in a box in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. We do not recommend hanging your garment as it will stretch on the hanger over time.
ABOUT EAST MEETS DRESS
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Where are you located?
We're an online-only store that's based out of California, but we serve customers all over the world. We work closely with our dressmakers in Suzhou and Guangzhou who have decades of experience making cheongsam dresses to bring your dress to life. We can work with you to bring your cheongsam to life via phone, text, or email. -
Do you have a store I can visit?
Currently, we are an online store only. If you have any questions on a particular style, you can get in touch with us at hello@eastmeetsdress.com.