How Far in Advance Should You Book a Bespoke Suit?

Adam Sanderson
Jan 7
2 min read

If you’re considering a bespoke suit for a wedding, special event, or important occasion, one of the most common questions I’m asked is:

“How far in advance do I need to book?”

The short answer?

👉 Ideally 8–12 weeks.

👉 The absolute minimum I accept is 6 weeks.

Here’s why that timing matters — for both the quality of your garment and your experience.

Why Bespoke Takes Time (and Why That’s a Good Thing)

A bespoke suit isn’t pulled from a rail or rushed through alterations. It’s a carefully planned process that allows for:

Accurate measurements
Fabric sourcing
Pattern creation
Multiple fittings
Fine adjustments to achieve the perfect fit

That time is what separates bespoke tailoring from off-the-peg or made-to-measure. Rushing the process removes the very thing that makes bespoke special.

By booking 8–12 weeks in advance, we keep the experience relaxed, enjoyable, and precise — without unnecessary pressure on you or the tailoring process.

Bespoke Suit Timelines by Occasion

👰 Weddings

For weddings, I strongly recommend booking at least 8–12 weeks ahead, especially during peak wedding seasons.

This allows:

Enough time for fittings
Flexibility if your weight or posture changes
Peace of mind well before the big day

If you’re part of a wedding party, earlier is always better.

🎩 Groomsmen & Wedding Parties

Coordinating groomsmen takes additional planning. Fabrics, fittings, and schedules all need to align.

For wedding parties, 12 weeks is ideal — particularly if multiple people are involved or if availability needs to be staggered.

🎉 Special Occasions & Events

For events such as:

Race days
Black-tie dinners
Milestone birthdays
Corporate or formal functions

A minimum of 8 weeks ensures your suit is finished calmly and to the highest standard.

What Happens If You Leave It Too Late?

I do understand that life happens — but bespoke tailoring does have limits.

If a request comes in under 6 weeks:

Fabric availability becomes restricted
Fitting options are reduced
There’s little room for adjustments
Pressure increases for everyone involved

To protect the quality of my work and your final garment, 6 weeks is the shortest turnaround I reasonably accept — and availability at that stage is extremely limited.

Limited Capacity for Bespoke Services

Because bespoke tailoring is hands-on and personal, I deliberately work with a limited number of clients at any one time.

This ensures: