Buying Your Wedding Dress – FAQs

When should I start looking for a wedding dress?

It’s never too early to start! As soon as you’ve got engaged you should start looking on Find Your Dream Wedding Dress to get an idea of styles and designers that you like.

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How long will it take for my dress to be made?

How long is a piece of string?! Depending on the designer you choose, it could take anything between four and nine months to be made. Some designers can ‘rush cut’ your dress, but you may incur additional fees to speed the process up. In an ideal world, in order to give yourself plenty of choice and time, you should start looking approximately 12 months or more before the big day.

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Will I need to make an appointment at the bridal shop?

Many bridal shops run an appointment system, but some can accommodate customers who walk in, depending on how many fitting rooms are in operation. Some shops will make appointments in the evening and on Sundays as well as during normal shop opening times; to avoid disappointment contact the shop and discuss availability.

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How long will trying on wedding dresses usually take?

The first appointment is usually around an hour to an hour and a half, but do check when you make an appointment as this will vary from shop to shop.

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What should I take with me to my first appointment?

Try-on shoes are often available in fitting rooms, but if you prefer take shoes with you that are your favourite heel height. Wearing a good fitting bra and body-shaping underwear could boost your assets and your confidence and could be a good move if you are going for a figure-hugging dress. If there’s anything specific that you want to wear on your wedding day – maybe a family heirloom or Nana’s pearls – then take them along with you and tell your consultant about them and their importance.

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Who should I take with me for my appointment?

Deciding who to take with you is vitally important. Whoever you invite ensure that they are trustworthy, that you value their opinion and that they won’t become bored or impatient with you. Some brides find their dress quickly but for others it can take time and you don’t need clock watchers or X-Factor enthusiasts worrying that they might miss the latest episode!

Don’t be tempted to invite an entourage – it’s not your hen party quite yet! The more people who are present the more (usually varied and sometimes controversial) opinions you’ll receive and this might confuse, annoy or worse still upset you! One or maybe two people works really well. If you’re a person naturally inclined to ask for other people’s views on clothes remember that it is about how you think you look and how you feel in the dress. Some brides start by shopping alone, shortlist a few dresses and then enlist a trusted friend or relative for their final decision.

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What size dresses will be there for me to try on?

Bridal shops carry samples in a variety of sizes and the sales staff should be expert at selecting the sample size that will give you the best idea of how a gown will look. If you are a plus size bride or are worried about the number of gowns that will fit you then contact a few shops and ask them what sizes they carry. It could be a deciding factor when trying to work out who you would like to visit.

Often the sales assistant will pin or clip dresses to fit your shape and some even use satin covered sponges to fill out the sample dress if it is too big. It is the sales consultant’s job to dress you and show you how a dress will fit you in your size. When trying on don’t be too disappointed if the dresses don’t all fit you like a glove. When a dress is ordered in your size and has had its alterations it will look amazing!

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Will I be allowed to take photos of myself in my dress in the shop?

Many shops carry a ‘no photography until an order’ policy’ when buying your wedding dress – this is primarily due to the designers’ copyright laws, and understandably so; why should they spend time and expertise with a potential customer who simply wants to take a photograph so that she can get a gown copied (and in many cases very badly so)? Having said that, the policy will differ from shop to shop. As a matter or courtesy you should ask the sales assistant.

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Will there be accessories there for me to try on as well?

Most shops carry a range of veils and tiaras so you can get the complete look. Staff will be well-trained in co-ordinating a stunning look and will always advise you what works best with which style of dress. It’s essential to focus on the dress first, however; accessories can really complete and in some cases make a look, but it’s important to narrow down your selection of dresses before focusing too much on accessories otherwise it can become all a bit confusing!

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How can you transform an outfit with accessories?

Accessories can totally transform a wedding dress. Take, for example, a plain, non-embellished fitted taffeta wedding dress, striking in elegance and in simplicity! This dress could be worn two ways – either with a subtle and delicate crystal side hair accessory, a simple crystal pendant necklace and drop earrings, or alternatively by adding a dramatic floor-length veil with generously scattered diamante crystals and a diamante tiara, diamante studs and a beautiful matching chunky diamante cuff bracelet. Now the look becomes blingtastically gorgeous! Two different ways to accessorise one dress …… But remember, focus on finding ‘the’ dress first.

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How do I choose the best shape for my body?

Take a look at our Style Guide before you go to your appointment. Experienced sales staff will know instinctively what styles will work best for you, so take their advice to get the ball rolling. Very often, a bride-to-be has a fixed idea about her dream dress and it is only when she starts looking at different styles and then trying them that she discovers ‘the one’. Often this is entirely different to the original idea that she had, so it’s best to keep an open mind.

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What happens if I need my dress in a hurry?

Some designers have the facility to manufacture new dresses to order really quickly; these are sometimes called ‘rush cuts’ and may incur an extra charge. If you are in a hurry and your wedding date is less than six months away then you should mention this when you make your appointment so the staff are aware and will only show you dresses that you will be able to have in time.

In some cases a retailer may be able to sell you something ‘off the peg’ from their stock. If this is the case you should check over the quality of the gown and ensure that you are happy there are no major faults or flaws. In many cases your retailer may repair beading and spot clean your ‘off the peg’ dress so that it is as good as new for you. Some shops will offer a discount for their samples.

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How do I know if I have found ‘the one’?

Some brides instinctively know the moment it is tried on. Sometimes Mum or Auntie might shed a tear – it can be quite emotional! Other brides may need a while to reflect on their favourites and then, during a process of elimination, retry a few in order to finally decide on a favourite. If you keep comparing other styles to one in particular, chances are it is the dress for you.

However if you can’t decide between two particular dresses, you should walk away from them both. ‘The one’ can mean different things to different people, but usually it makes a bride feel totally fab and quite simply, she won’t want to take it off. It’s worth mentioning that tears are not an essential part of the dress-buying experience – not everybody needs a stash of Kleenex!

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Things to ask yourself when you’re trying on dresses…

Does it suit the type of wedding, venue and theme of wedding that I am planning? How do I feel in this dress? Is it me? Do I feel confident? Can I envisage walking down the aisle in this dress? Do I love this dress and feel a million dollars?

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How many fittings will I need?

This will depend on the dress style, cut and the fabric but also whether you change your shape by losing weight. On average you could expect perhaps two fittings, but in some cases and for a simple hem you may only need the one. Alterations are usually charged in addition to the cost of the dress. Some retailers offer an in-house alteration service whilst others will point you in the right direction of a seamstress that they recommend. Before the work commences it’s a good idea to ask for an approximate indication of the cost so that there are no major surprises.

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I have a tight budget – will I still be able to get a fabulous dress?

There are wedding dresses out there to suit all budgets, and there are plenty of dresses on this site that are well below £1,000. However small your budget, never ever be tempted to buy what seems like a brilliant ‘deal’ online. There are copy houses out there that illicitly use pictures of the real thing on their website, offering a gown at a fraction of the real price. Only heartache ensues when that so-called dream dress arrives stuffed into a jiffy bag and bearing no resemblance to the dress you thought you’d ordered.

Sadly many brides are left high and dry after spending with such traders and some dress companies have so many hidden costs, including tax and shipping, that the badly made and illegally copied dress ends up costing the same as it would have bought from a UK-based bona fide retailer!

The best thing to do is talk to your local wedding dress shop, tell them your budget and ask what options they have for you.

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I am a plus size – will there be a large choice of dresses for me to look at?

In the past few years there has been a huge increase in the availability of plus size dresses and many top-name manufacturers have launched specialist collections (link to that section in The Dresses). There are also quite a few dedicated retailers who cater for the curvy bride. Most bridal shops have a collection that caters for girls with curves; beautiful brides come in all shapes and sizes and gone are the days when the average bride is a size 14. I don’t want a strapless dress – what are my options?

Dress designs over the years have evolved and now often feature straps and a variety of necklines. If you are having a religious marriage ceremony in a place of worship you may be required to cover your shoulders. A little sculpted jacket or lace bolero can really change the look of a dress, giving you two for the price of one! Some dresses have been designed with matching jackets and these will be available at your retailer as an additional garment. Ask your sales assistant to show you options and experiment with different looks.

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What fabric is best if I want to take my dress abroad?

If you are getting married somewhere hot, a lightweight fabric such as chiffon is ideal. Eco-friendly fabrics such as bamboo and soya are also ideal. See our Fabric Guide. As your dress will be travelling with you, you should check the crease factor with the sales assistant. Many retailers will offer a travel boxing service and provide you with some handling advice for your dress when you arrive at your wedding destination. Some popular wedding hotels abroad will be able to re-steam your wedding dress for you; it is worth checking with your travel agent.

How do I dance in a dress with a train? Some brides want to swish the night away in their dress with the train sashaying around them; other brides want more freedom of movement and opt for a button and loop or a bustle for their dress so that it’s held up on itself at the back. Either way you’re unlikely to be able to breakdance in your ivory creation and the options available might depend on the dress style and how heavy the fabric is. It is best to ask your dress consultant to show you what could be done. And of course there are the ‘convertibles’ to consider – a popular style is a short dress with a full-length overskirt that can be whipped off when the music starts.

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What happens if I change my mind after I have ordered my dress?

With so many dress styles and shops available the whole ‘dress buying’ journey can sometimes be a long and arduous one but you should really try and avoid changing your mind by ensuring that when you order your dress you feel totally confident about your choice. Dresses are ‘made to order’ and often money paid is non-refundable and non-transferable.

Check with your retailer and be sure to the terms and conditions of sale so that you fully understand. More often than not if you were to change your mind you would lose the money paid. Once you have ordered your dress, avoid this problem by ceasing to look any more!

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Can I dye the dress to wear it again after my wedding?

This very much depends on the fabric and the trim detail. It’s worth seeing if your bridal shop has any suggestions or contacts. You may be better off looking at what you can do to alter your dress to make it a ‘wear again’ style. A beautiful bodice can be worn with jeans and a jacket and sometimes a long dress can be altered to a short style.

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How do I store my dress after the wedding?

There are a few companies that make special storage boxes for wedding dresses, complete with acid-free tissue paper. This will protect you dress year after year and as it’s the most beautiful (and probably the most expensive) dress that you’ll ever buy, it’s worth cherishing forever! Many bridal shops now work with specialist boxing companies and can arrange this service for you; ask when you buy your gown.

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How many dresses should I try on and how many dress shops should I visit before I order my dress?

This very much depends on you as an individual and there are no rules. Basically you need to ensure that you have tried on a variety of different styles and shapes and have considered all of your preferred options. It doesn’t matter if you only visit one shop or you go to three! For some brides the decision is made with the first dress – for others it’s the fifth.

The most import thing is that it is you who has made the final decision on your dress purchase and that you really love it… that way you can worry no more! You have found ‘the one’ and no doubt you will dazzle the groom and all your guests as you make your exciting entrance on your big day.