Saying ‘Yes’ to the Dress – Our Top Tips!
Wow what a year it has been! It’s been a challenging time for us all but there are definitely brighter times ahead. We have all had to adapt in and make changes, but one thing you can be sure of is that selecting your wedding dress is still one of the most important (and exciting!) things you will get to do in your wedding journey.
We get asked lots of questions from brides who are about to start their wedding dress journey, especially in these uncertain times, so we thought we would share our top tips!
Research the Designers and the Boutiques!
Do your research and select the wedding dress boutiques you want to visit wisely!
- Do they stock the designers and dresses that you want to try?
- Do they come recommended and what do their reviews tell you?
- How interested are they in your vision for your day?
- What experience do they offer once you have bought your dress?
Brides are now limiting the number of shops they visit to find their dress, but remember, you don’t need to compromise on the experience!
What to expect at your appointment!
Until we get the green light from Boris, and to ensure everyone’s continued safety, you can expect appointments to run a little differently to the norm. But your experience should not be compromised!
- How many guests can I bring?
This is the most popular question we receive! Before Covid we didn’t limit the number of guests but to ensure everyone’s safety you will find that many boutiques offer a 1 guest only policy. We recently increased this to two guests due to the space we enjoy. Whilst many brides want the whole entourage to be with them, we have found that fewer voices and support given from those that really matter, definitely help our brides to make their decision without the pressure!
- Do I have to wear a face mask?
For the moment, face coverings will continue to be part of our everyday lives and until we have that green light, you and your guests should expect to wear a face covering during the appointment. It’s never quite the same look with a face covering so we do allow our brides to take their face coverings down in front of the mirror!
- How many dresses can I try on?
We don’t set a limit the number of dresses you can try on in your hour and a half appointment, but it s easy to get overwhelmed when trying on too many! Finding the right silhouette is a great starting point – you should expect to try on about 6 dresses, but possibly a few more if it is your first appointment.
Selecting your dress
Some brides know exactly what they want and don’t want – that’s always a helpful starting point. Go with an open mind – you will be surprised! We often throw in a wild card dress that totally blows the bride away and it is often not a style in the original plan!
- When should I order my dress?
Ideally, you don’t want to be ordering your dress at the last minute and giving yourself that unnecessary pressure!
All our dresses are made to order and delivery timescales vary by designer, but we suggest ordering your dress no later than 12 months ahead of your wedding date – this allows time for the delivery and alterations.
If you need your dress sooner, don’t despair! Many designers offer a ‘rush order’ facility. There is a small charge for this, but you can guarantee your dress arrives on time! Alternatively, why not consider a sample dress, which you can buy there and then in store? This gives you the opportunity of buying a designer dress at a more affordable price, without compromising on quality.
- Will I need alterations, how long will this take and how much does it cost?
Alterations are a really important part of the process so ensure you have access to a professional bridal seamstress. Dresses are ordered to the nearest size in line with the designer measurement guides, but 99.9% of brides need alterations to their dress to perfect the fit.
We team up with a local professional bridal couture. Once your dress arrives, you meet them at our boutique to discuss the alterations needed and then follow up appointments are held at their local studio. For basic alterations, we suggest you budget about £250.
We hope this helps answer some of your questions. As always please don’t hesitate to contact us for information, we are always happy to help and guide you through this exciting journey.
