
Each Maryke dress is handmade (to order) in our South African Studio. Everything is done in-house by our team of highly skilled seamstresses. Your dress will be made for you exclusively according to your personal measurements and we make use of only the highest quality fabrics and laces.
Each gown is handled with utmost love and care and our dedicated online team is here for you before, during and after your ordering process. We assist with any questions you may have all the way from measurements, shipping details right through to the delivery of your dress.
Our Online Stylist is here to assist you, especially with style and sizing concerns. You can email info@maryke.co.za or schedule a Skype call. For Skype calls please let us know where in this beautiful world you are situated, in order for us to take time zone differences into account when scheduling the call.
Once your order has been received you will be placed in the very capable hands of our Customer Service team. They will confirm your order and wedding date, assist with sizing and measurements along with any other details you might be require.
The manufacturing process start at measurements being slotted in, then lace & fabric allocation, a pattern especially drafted for you according to your personal measurements, fabric cutting, your gown being sewn by our in-house seamstresses, laced individually cut, pinned and sewn by hand, hand sewing and final finishing touches, hemming, the last quality check and finally your dress being shipped to you.
We pride ourselves in the superior quality of our garments and believe in maintaining high quality standards. Quality Checks happen at various stages of manufacturing.
- Please note however, as each garment is authentically hand crafted, slight design deviations may occur on lace placement etc. This is not considered a manufacturing fault.
Once your gown passes the final Quality Check, it is packaged and shipped off to the address you have provided. Our Dispatch Team will send through tracking information so that you can track your parcel. Your wedding dress will arrive at your doorstop within 3 – 7 working days.
Made-to-order means your dress is uniquely handmade, especially for you.
Made-to-measure means your dress is uniquely handmade exclusively for you, according to your personal measurements.
Ideally you should order your dress 4 – 12 months before your wedding date. If your wedding is less than 4 months away, please contact us for the approval of a Priority (rush) order. An additional rush order fee will apply (please refer to point number 8 & 9 below for more information).
The production of a wedding dress is based on your wedding date. We have a production and delivery timeframe for each design according to which we plan production. Refer to point number 2 for a condensed description of the process.
Due to the exclusivity of our lace and limited repeats per design, it is advisable to place your order as soon as you are certain of your design. Please don’t hesitate contacting our Online Team via info@maryke.co.za if you require further assistance or information.
You can place your order through our online store on this website. Our online team is ready to assist you every step of the way.
Step 1: Register your account and login.
Step 2: Select your dress (remember to choose your colour / shade, length, train length & cup size where applicable).
Step 3: Add it to your shopping cart.
Step 4. Proceed to checkout for shipping and Payment options.
Alternatively, if you are based in South Africa you can schedule a Showroom Fitting
Experience at our KZN showroom to try on our special dresses in person.
Yes, we offer worldwide delivery. Because this is the most important dress you will ever wear, we make use of only the most reputable shipping companies. For brides outside of South Africa your parcel will be sent via DHL Express. Brides in South Africa will receive their parcels via Globe Flight or The Courier Guy.
Because our dresses are made-to-order it is advisable to order 4 – 12+ months before your wedding date. This is called the lead time for your dress.
If you require a more urgent delivery, please email info@maryke.co.za and we will do our best to accommodate your order as a Priority (Rush) Order.
• Please note that a rush fee of 200USD (for International brides) and SAR1 500 (for South African / Namibian brides) will apply to orders placed 6 – 16 weeks of your wedding date.
If you require a more urgent delivery, please email info@maryke.co.za and we will do our best to accommodate your order as a Priority (Rush) Order.
- Please note that a rush fee of 300USD (for international brides) and SAR2 500 (for South African and Namibian brides) will apply to orders placed under 6 weeks of your wedding date.
- Acceptance of such orders are subject to production capacity and we reserve the right to decline such orders if we aren’t able to accommodate it.
The beauty of a made-to-measure gown is that it doesn’t have a size. It is exclusively made for you, according to your personal measurements.
Once you have placed your order, our Online Stylist will be in touch to confirm and slot in your measurements for production.
- It is important that you provide your actual measurements.
We do recommend that you have assistance when taking your measurements. You can also follow this easy diagram on how to take your measurements.
a. Bust – Around the fullest part of your bust, across the nipple (please ensure that the measuring tape is not too high or too low across your back)
b. Waist – The narrowest part of your torso (usually where your hands would naturally sit if you place them in your waist).
c. Hip – The fullest part of your ‘bottom’ (you might have to move the measuring tape up or down a little to make sure you send through the biggest of the measurements you get. Again, ensure that the measuring tape is not too high or too low across your back).
d. Ribcage (underbust) – Measure directly under the bust, where your bra would sit (if you are wearing a bra be careful not to measure over the underwire. Measure under the underwire.
e. Chest – Above your bust (usually with the tape running directly under your underarms. Again, ensure that the measuring tape is not too high or too low across your back).
f. Neck to bust point (nipple) – From your neck to nipple.
g. Shoulder to bust point (nipple) – From the middle of your shoulder to nipple.
h. Shoulder to waist – From middle of shoulder, over nipple to the narrowest part of your waist (usually where your hands would naturally sit if you place them in your waist).
i. Shoulder to floor – From shoulder bone to floor – measure in a straight line, do not curve into the body.
j. Waist to floor – From the smallest part of your waist to floor (again, measure in a straight line).
k. Underbust to top of bust – Measure from under bust (where the underwire of your bra would sit), over the nipple to the edge of desired cup finish.
l. Across front – From the little folds at underarm to the other little fold on the other side.
m. Across back – From the fold at the one end to the fold on the other end.
n. Bicep – Measure the fullest part of your upper arm
o. Sleeve length – Hold your arm at a 40 ̊angle and measure from the shoulder bone to the wrist.
Maryke dresses come standard in one of the following lengths:
A – 110cm (from waist seam of dress to floor)
B – 118cm (from waist seam of dress to floor)
C – 125cm (from waist seam of dress to floor)
- For designs without a waist seam, the standard waist to floor length on a professional, industry standard dressmaker’s mannequin will be used.
- Please ensure that you select the length closest to your own waist to floor length, including your wedding shoe height. Rather opt for a longer length, as your hem can be taken up by your seamstress / tailor.
Once your measurements have been received they will be slotted in for production. For questions regarding alterations, refer to point number 13.
Most of our fabrics are stretchy around the hip area especially. So not only are our dresses super comfy to wear, but will most likely fit beautifully even if you have dropped a dress size. This will be especially true for a style with a flowy skirt.
If your order is placed well in advance, we will confirm your basic measurements (Bust, Waist and Hip) before we slot them in for production.
Please ensure that you provide actual measurements and book a professional seamstress / tailor near you for alterations once your dress arrives. Refer to point number 13 for further information regarding alterations.
Although Maryke makes every effort to match a gown as closely to a bride’s measurements, some alterations may be required to ensure a perfect fit. Alteration costs are not included in our prices and are the responsibility of the client.
Dresses are manufactured according to the measurements provided and submitted at the time of slotting them in for production. Maryke will not be held liable for a bride losing / putting on weight in between the ordering and delivery of a gown.
The length of the dress is manufactured according to the standard options provided and may require adjustment on receipt (by a seamstress / tailor in your area). Maryke will not take responsibility for dress lengths due to changes in shoes height etc. Please refer to point 1 regarding the dress lengths offered.
Our After Sales Team are more than happy to offer guidance / advice to your chosen seamstress or tailor. Contact us on aftersales@maryke.co.za.
If you have any concerns reading a style or design, contact our Online Stylist via info@maryke.co.za for assistance. You are also welcome to request a Skype Call.
It is also helpful to send through a few photos of you in swimwear or tight fitting clothing in order for us to get a sense of your body shape and better assist you.
For Skype calls, please let us know where in this beautiful world you are situated, in order for us to take time zone differences into account when scheduling your call.
A little side note: Our owner and head designer Maryke has more than 25 years of experience in bridal and evening wear (and over 3 decades of sewing experience alone). Our Online Stylist was personally trained by her.
We are happy to combine a bodice with a different style skirt, provided they are both from our Collection designs.
This will be treated as a custom order and is subject to the approval from our Production Team. As changes will result in increased cost, a quotation will be sent through to you.
Maryke reserves the right to refuse any customisation.
- Please bear in mind that customisation may affect the lead time of an order.
- Customisation is not available on Priority (Rush) Orders.
Please email info@maryke.co.za with your request and we will get back to you as soon as possible. If your request is approved, we will provide you with a quotation as well as the next steps.
We advise brides to opt for seamless, flesh coloured underwear. Almost all of our dresses have some form if bra cups sewn in, most of which can be easily removed unless otherwise stated in the product description. Should you feel you need more bust support, your local seamstress / tailor can sew a bra into your dress.
Feel free to contact aftersales@maryke.co.za if you, your seamstress / tailor need guidance in this area.
Should you wish to request a swatch of our beautiful fabrics before you commit to your order, contact us directly on info@maryke.co.za. Please specify the style and colourway you are requesting the swatch for (some styles have various colourway options available).
- Note that this may entail an additional admin & shipping fee of USD50 (for international brides) and SAR350 (for South African brides) which will be communicated and invoiced by our Online Team once we have received your email request.
If, however you have already placed your order and your measurements have been slotted in for production, you may request a complimentary fabric swatch.
Yes, we are. As you know by now, each Maryke wedding dress is authentically hand made in our South African Studio. Each dress is created through a thoughtful process of applied skill and time.
Many of our practices are in line with ethical and sustainable fashion practices:
- Our garments are slow fashion, as they are not mass produced and made-to-order. Our wedding dresses are not made in China.
- Our seamstresses are talented and skilled women employed from the local community and paid above South African minimum wages.
- We work closely with suppliers based near us.
- We do not carry stock of our dresses, which keeps wastage to a minimum.
- Our off-cuts are donated to local community sewing projects, where it is applied and re-purposed by students.
- We believe in supporting our immediate community. Those booking a Maryke Showroom Experience (currently in KZN South Africa only), are treated to a treat and delicious cup of coffee from the local coffee roaster & artisan.
‘’I have an insatiable love and passion for what I do. Each wedding dress is as special to me as the bride who will be wearing it’’. Maryke, South African designer, owner and head designer of Maryke.
This passion cannot be described. It can only be felt once you step into a Maryke wedding dress. You are instantly transformed. Your confidence levels are cranked up a notch (or 10) and you feel exactly as beautiful as you are.
We pride ourselves in delivering authentically designed wedding dresses, superior in quality. Our owner and head designer Maryke has more than 25 years of experience in Bridal and Evening Wear. In total she has over 30 years of sewing experience, with extensive knowledge of wedding gown construction.
Your dress is not a mass produced number somewhere in the world. It is individually hand crafted with passion and skill, especially for you.
Our dedicated online team is here for you before, during and after the ordering process. We assist with any questions you may have all the way from measurements, shipping details right through to the delivery of your dress.
We cannot wait for you to become a Maryke Bride.
Much love
Maryke & Team
xx