When should I start to shop for my wedding gown?
Most brides usually start looking for their dress up to 18 months in advance, however we recommend a bride order her dress no later than 6 months before the wedding.
Many brides don't know that wedding gowns can take up to 5 months to arrive! This then allows adequate time for the dress to come in and alterations to be completed.
If you order your dress further in advance, we will simply request that your dress be delivered to us approximately 3 months before your wedding and we will store it for you until just before your big day.
If however you have less than 6 months, don’t worry….some of our designers offer a ‘rush’ service and we also have a selection of dresses in the shop that are ‘ready to wear’ or available in as little as 4 weeks.
Many brides don't know that wedding gowns can take up to 5 months to arrive! This then allows adequate time for the dress to come in and alterations to be completed.
If you order your dress further in advance, we will simply request that your dress be delivered to us approximately 3 months before your wedding and we will store it for you until just before your big day.
If however you have less than 6 months, don’t worry….some of our designers offer a ‘rush’ service and we also have a selection of dresses in the shop that are ‘ready to wear’ or available in as little as 4 weeks.
Do you have a catalogue of your dresses available for me to look at before I visit the store?
No. Because new designs arrive every few weeks, a catalogue would become outdated very quickly.
Keep an eye on our Facebook page for the latest styles arriving in the shop as we keep this regularly updated with pictures!
Keep an eye on our Facebook page for the latest styles arriving in the shop as we keep this regularly updated with pictures!
Should I make an appointment?
While during the week appointments are not required, we highly recommend you make one so that we are better able to give you our undivided attention.
During an appointment we lock our door to allow our bride and her friends and family complete privacy, therefore if you arrive when someone else is having their fitting, we will ask you to pop back another time.
Appointments are required for Saturdays.
During an appointment we lock our door to allow our bride and her friends and family complete privacy, therefore if you arrive when someone else is having their fitting, we will ask you to pop back another time.
Appointments are required for Saturdays.
Who Should I bring with me?
Purchasing your wedding gown is a very important experience and you want the people with you whose opinions you trust!
We recommend you bring just a few close friends or family members as in our experience when there are lots of people, it can sometimes be very overwhelming having so many differing opinions.
By bringing those closest to you, you are able to focus on what is really important, finding the gown of your dreams!
We recommend you bring just a few close friends or family members as in our experience when there are lots of people, it can sometimes be very overwhelming having so many differing opinions.
By bringing those closest to you, you are able to focus on what is really important, finding the gown of your dreams!
What should I bring with me to my appointment?
We recommend that you wear a strapless bra and if you have something special that you plan on wearing on the big day, such as family jewellery or a veil, please bring that too!
How do I get the best out of the appointment?
Come with an open mind! Every dress looks different when it is tried on and unless you already know what style suits you, be prepared to try different styles, that way you’ll know when you try on the perfect dress. Eliminating styles is just as important as finding the styles you like in the search for your perfect dress.
Speak to us! – we will not pressure you in any way, tell us what you like and don’t like and we can help you select dresses. We know the dresses and how they fit and will advise you on what will suit your shape. If you have a budget in mind, please tell us, as in most cases we will be able to suggest alternatives that will fit with your budget.
How long does an appointment last?
Our bridal appointments last an hour and a half which is plenty of time for an initial consultation and for you to try on a good selection of dresses in a variety of styles.
Can I buy the same dress cheaper on the Internet?
While shopping over the internet is easy, convenient, and can sometimes save you money, you should NEVER buy a wedding gown over the internet.
The internet is filled with discounters who claim to have the "real thing", but these are nothing more than cheap copies of designer dresses. The dresses arrive in a brown box inside out, wrinkled, and are usually incredibly poor quality. It is not unheard of the dress being sewn together incorrectly with beads glued on instead of sewn on and it falling apart on you.
Not what you might have imagined for the dress of the most important day of your life.
There are also many occasions where the dress doesn’t turn up at all and if it does, the sizing is all wrong.
There are so many benefits to purchasing from a bridal shop. We are here support you throughout the process. A bridal consultant is there to help you choose a gown that is appropriate for the day, your style, body type, and budget. We will also use our expertise to help you choose all of your accessories for that day. We offer a full alterations service and the gown stays here until the wedding.
When you pick up your gown the week of your wedding, it is steamed and pressed and picture ready!
The internet is filled with discounters who claim to have the "real thing", but these are nothing more than cheap copies of designer dresses. The dresses arrive in a brown box inside out, wrinkled, and are usually incredibly poor quality. It is not unheard of the dress being sewn together incorrectly with beads glued on instead of sewn on and it falling apart on you.
Not what you might have imagined for the dress of the most important day of your life.
There are also many occasions where the dress doesn’t turn up at all and if it does, the sizing is all wrong.
There are so many benefits to purchasing from a bridal shop. We are here support you throughout the process. A bridal consultant is there to help you choose a gown that is appropriate for the day, your style, body type, and budget. We will also use our expertise to help you choose all of your accessories for that day. We offer a full alterations service and the gown stays here until the wedding.
When you pick up your gown the week of your wedding, it is steamed and pressed and picture ready!
How do I pay for my wedding dress and alterations?
At the point that you order your wedding dress, we take a 50% deposit. The balance for the dress is then paid once the dress has arrived and when you come for your first fitting.
Unfortunately a deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable. All alterations are paid direct to us and only once all of the work has been completed and you are satisfied with the final result.
Unfortunately a deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable. All alterations are paid direct to us and only once all of the work has been completed and you are satisfied with the final result.
I intend to lose weight before my wedding, how will this affect my dress?
If you have plenty of time before your wedding, we can take your order and deposit to secure the dress style that you have chosen and we can then take your measurements a bit nearer the time, although still allowing a minimum of 6 months.
Once measurements have been taken, we order a dress to your nearest size and at this point we ask to try to maintain the shape you are.
If however you do change shape slightly, the dress can be altered but please be aware that altering a dress too much is not advisable (i.e 2 or 3 dress sizes)
Once measurements have been taken, we order a dress to your nearest size and at this point we ask to try to maintain the shape you are.
If however you do change shape slightly, the dress can be altered but please be aware that altering a dress too much is not advisable (i.e 2 or 3 dress sizes)
Do I need shoes for my fittings?
Your shoes will determine you hem length, so ideally get your wedding day shoes before your first fitting (don't forget to take them with you!).
At the very least, you need to know the heel high of your intended shoes, and either take or borrow a pair with the same heel height to your fittings until you purchase the actual shoes you will wear.
We do have sample shoes in the shop for you to borrow if you wish, but please advise us if you intend to have a different heel height.
At the very least, you need to know the heel high of your intended shoes, and either take or borrow a pair with the same heel height to your fittings until you purchase the actual shoes you will wear.
We do have sample shoes in the shop for you to borrow if you wish, but please advise us if you intend to have a different heel height.
How do dress sizes vary?
Each manufacturer has their own size charts, and measurements do vary considerably from one designer to another.
It’s best not to assume that you will be the same size in a bridal gown as in High Street clothes.
It’s best not to assume that you will be the same size in a bridal gown as in High Street clothes.
What if my dress requires some alterations?
We have a very reputable bridal seamstress who we work with regularly; she attends the fittings in our shop and then undertakes the alterations in
her own work studio.
Alternatively, you are welcome to use any seamstress you may already know of. If you use our alterations service, we usually have the first alteration fitting approximately 6 weeks before your wedding and then do a final fitting the week of your wedding, with additional fittings in between these times.
This may all seem a bit close to the big day, but many brides alter in shape in the last few weeks therefore we feel that a fitting as close as possible to your wedding day will ensure that the dress fits perfectly.
Our alteration prices are very reasonable and you will be given an approximate price at the time of the first fitting.
Alternatively, you are welcome to use any seamstress you may already know of. If you use our alterations service, we usually have the first alteration fitting approximately 6 weeks before your wedding and then do a final fitting the week of your wedding, with additional fittings in between these times.
This may all seem a bit close to the big day, but many brides alter in shape in the last few weeks therefore we feel that a fitting as close as possible to your wedding day will ensure that the dress fits perfectly.
Our alteration prices are very reasonable and you will be given an approximate price at the time of the first fitting.
I am getting married abroad, what should I consider?
Hot climates can make some dresses more uncomfortable than others. A light fabric can make all the difference to the comfort factor for your big day.
We have a range of dresses in store particularly suitable for weddings abroad. Most of these are made from light chiffon or organza fabrics which are also easier to transport and less prone to creasing.
These dresses come with very small trains, or without. Any dress can have the train removed by a seamstress if you prefer.
We have a range of dresses in store particularly suitable for weddings abroad. Most of these are made from light chiffon or organza fabrics which are also easier to transport and less prone to creasing.
These dresses come with very small trains, or without. Any dress can have the train removed by a seamstress if you prefer.
How often do you get new stock in store?
We get new stock at least every couple of months, so if you like our service, but don’t quite find ‘the dress’ we encourage you to either come back, or tell us specifically what you are looking for and we will contact you if something meeting your requirements comes in.
If you have seen a specific dress by one of our designers that you want to try, let us know! We can usually arrange to borrow a sample if we don’t already have it in the shop.
If you have seen a specific dress by one of our designers that you want to try, let us know! We can usually arrange to borrow a sample if we don’t already have it in the shop.
Do you hire dresses, or can they be purchased on line?
Sorry, no, we only sell dresses direct from the store.
Do you sell bridesmaid dresses?
Yes, we have a range of bridesmaids and flowergirl dresses ranging from size 0-3 Months to adult.
Most of the dresses can made in colours to match your theme.
Most of the dresses can made in colours to match your theme.