I take pride in creating beautiful, carefully handcrafted wedding hair accessories and jewellery, and central to my values as an artisan maker is my decision to make every piece to order. There are many (very good) reasons for this approach, and I’d like to share them with you today!
What is Made to Order?
‘Made to order’ means that there is no storeroom or warehouse full of products just waiting to ship—each piece is made only when someone orders it. There are many reasons for this—one of the most obvious being that it avoids waste.
What is a Lead Time?
If you buy a made-to-order wedding accessory or piece of jewellery, you will usually see a lead time advertised. This is the amount of time it is likely to take for the product to be made and carefully packaged ready for shipping. I have a standard lead time of up to 3 weeks for orders from my website, and I also offer a Rush Order option, which allows you to pay a £20 fee to have your piece made within one week.
The lead time is different from the dispatch time, which is the length of time it takes for the parcel to get from the supplier to the customer once it has been made and packaged. In the UK, I ship all my parcels via next-day delivery.
Craftsmanship Over Mass Production
Unlike many mass-produced wedding accessories, my creations aren't made on a factory line. Each piece I design is handcrafted to order in my Sheffield studio. This artisan approach allows me to focus on the fine details and quality that make every piece special. By making each wedding accessory to order within a specific time frame, I can ensure I have enough time to craft my accessories to the high standards that both I and my customers expect.
The Personal Touch
When you buy your made-to-order wedding accessory, you know your special purchase is being made especially for you. I know your name and where you live when you place your order, and often I know a little about your day and your wedding outfit. All of this means I hold you in my heart and mind as I make your headpiece or jewellery. It can be hard to explain the connection I feel to each and every one of my customers, but this is a huge part of why I do what I do. I love the human element of designing and making for such a special moment in a person’s life. Knowing that your piece has been made especially for you is something that can’t be achieved with a mass-produced accessory.
Avoiding Waste
A significant benefit of my made-to-order approach is its alignment with my commitment to sustainability. Traditional retail models often require large amounts of stock, which can lead to excess inventory that may never be sold. This approach is not only financially unsustainable for a small business like mine but also leads to unnecessary waste.
By only making what is needed, I can avoid creating excess products that may never find a home. This means less waste in terms of materials, energy, and resources, making my business more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Increased Choice
Another benefit of my made-to-order wedding accessories is that it allows me to offer a wide variety of designs on my website without the need to hold large quantities of stock. If I were to keep every design in stock in various colours and sizes, it would require not only an enormous financial outlay but also an equally large storage space. By making each piece to order, I can offer a large range of designs to choose from, providing greater flexibility for my customers to find the perfect accessory to complement their style.
Easy Customisation
Because I create each piece individually and especially for its wearer, I can often accommodate special requests or slight adjustments to a design to ensure it is just right for the bride who will wear it. This could be a small adjustment or a completely unique bespoke design. If this sounds like something you would like, simply get in touch!
Keeping Costs Down
For small businesses like mine, holding a large amount of stock is not only unsustainable in environmental terms but also from a financial perspective. Stock that sits unsold ties up valuable resources that could otherwise be used to grow the business, invest in new designs, or simply keep costs down for the customer. The more stock I hold, the greater the cost to the consumer and the environment. By choosing a made-to-order model, I can keep my overheads lower, which in turn allows me to keep costs lower for my handcrafted pieces without compromising on quality.
Worth the Wait
While I understand that waiting for your made-to-order wedding accessory may require a little patience, I truly believe that the wait is worth it. In an era of fast fashion and instant gratification, taking a step back and allowing time for something to be lovingly crafted can be a refreshing change. Each piece that leaves my studio has been carefully considered and made with intention, ensuring that it will be cherished for years to come. I believe this intentional approach is perfectly aligned with the fact that I am creating pieces to be worn on one of the most special days of someone’s life. Somehow a fast fashion headpiece or piece of jewellery just doesn’t hold the same sense of meaning, care, and timelessness that a thoughtfully crafted, made-to-order accessory embodies.
A Special Experience
By choosing a made-to-order wedding accessory, you are not only getting a beautiful, handcrafted piece but you’re also supporting an independent artisan. Each piece I create comes directly from my hands to yours, with no intermediaries or impersonal production processes. It is a personal touch that I believe makes a difference—not just in the quality of the final product, but in the entire experience of choosing and wearing your wedding accessory. In choosing something so special you’re adding an extra layer of meaning to your unique day.
Thoughtful Consumption
In a world where everything seems to be moving faster, I choose to slow things down and focus on quality, sustainability, and individuality. My 3-week lead time is not just about making a product; it's about crafting an experience that aligns with my values as an artisan maker. By making my accessories to order, I can offer a wide range of designs, avoid waste, and create pieces that are as unique as the brides who wear them. I believe this thoughtful approach is worth the wait, and I hope you do too.
Thank you for supporting handmade and choosing a piece from Debbie Carlisle. It means the world to me to be a small part of your big day!