We know wedding dress shopping can feel a little overwhelming at first. You hear terms like 'made-to-order,' 'off-the-peg,' and 'sample sale,' and it can all sound a bit confusing. At Little London Brides, we’re here to make this part of your journey simple and joyful!
Today, we're focusing on one of the best-kept secrets in bridal shopping, especially if you have a tight timeline: sample wedding dresses.
First Things First: The Traditional Ordering Process
Before we dive into samples, let's quickly chat about the traditional way a wedding dress is ordered, just so you know the full picture.
The time it takes to order your dress can range from 5 to 9 months, varying depending on the designer and the style of the gown. Once your dress arrives, our recommended seamstress requires another 10 to 12 weeks for fittings and precision alterations.
Given this timeline, we strongly recommend placing your order around 12 months prior to your wedding date. Planning ahead not only gives you peace of mind but also helps you avoid those potential rush fees! You want to enjoy every moment of this journey, not stress about deadlines.
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Milla Nova Sale
Christiana
So, What Exactly Is a Sample Wedding Dress?
This is where the magic happens for brides on a shorter timeline or wanting a designer gown for less!
A sample wedding dress is simply the gown that we, as a boutique, have on our rails for brides to try on during their appointments. They are the beautiful dresses you fall in love with when you visit us!
When we buy new stock, we occasionally retire some of our current samples to make room for new collections. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to snap up a designer dress at a brilliant price!
The best part? You can buy these dresses 'off the peg.' That means you take the dress home with you almost immediately!
You'll find that most of our samples are in sizes UK10 or UK12. However, we often have beautiful options available in size UK8 and size UK14 too! You can view our current selection of sale dresses right on our website, where you’ll find the dress name and size listed.
Achieving the Perfect Fit: Alterations
Whether you order a brand-new dress or buy one of our beautiful samples off the peg, achieving the perfect fit is absolutely non-negotiable.
We work with a brilliant local wedding dress atelier that specialises in bridal alterations!
Your First Fitting: If you have ordered a new dress, when your dress arrives, we will invite you to meet our recommended seamstress for your first fitting right here at our studio.
Subsequent Fittings: The follow-up appointments will take place at her studio, which is conveniently located about 15 minutes from our boutique.
Costs: For standard alterations, you can typically expect to pay between £200 – £500, depending upon the dress. You pay these alteration costs directly to our recommended seamstress.
Buying a sample means that while the original size might be close, your seamstress will alter it expertly to fit your unique shape perfectly - it truly becomes your dress!
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Milla Nova Sale
Luciana
Need a dress in less than nine months?
Please don't worry! If your wedding is happening sooner, our vast selection of immaculate sample dresses has you covered. By choosing an 'off-the-peg' sample, you bypass the long ordering time and go straight to alterations, getting you wedding-ready much faster!
Ready to find "The One"?
We can’t wait to welcome you to Little London Brides and help you find the dress of your dreams - whether it’s a brand-new order or a gorgeous sample dress just waiting to be taken home. Click here to book your appointment with us today!