General

I've seen lots of cheap dresses on the internet, why shouldn't I buy one of those?

There is nothing wrong with making a mail order purchase as long as you know that the supplier is reputable, and that the sale is 'legal'. Click this link for full info. Internet Dresses
You may have seen the same dress on e.g. a US web site, but much cheaper. Even with the shipping added, you will probably save money if you do the maths, but it is very important to remember you will also receive a bill from Customs and Excise for all the taxes due. This will be:
your total x12.5% Import Duty,
then that new total x20% V.A.T.
How much have you saved??

Do I need an appointment to go dress shopping?

Most shops will prefer you to make an appointment because the whole experience is very time consuming, and it helps them plan their day for everyone's benefit. Some shops work on an appointment only basis, so check before you go.

How long should I allow to try dresses on?

An hour would be a good guide, but it is not possible to say how long it will take for you to find your dress. Be aware if you are 'running over', especially if the next appointment is waiting for their turn.
In short, you can't find you dress in your lunch hour, but the next person waiting might be on their lunch hour!

Should I take someone with me to look for my dress?

This is entirely your choice. It is always good to have a second opinion, especially if that opinion is valued. Your Mum or best friend are ideal for such major decisions, but only if you think they will be constructive and honest with you.

Should I buy my Bride's Maid dresses first?

It is your choice when and how you buy your dresses, but... It is best to order your dress first in case you want to carry a style or colour theme through in your Bride's Maid dresses. You may decide on some colour in your dress also. By choosing your dress first, you have free reign to choose what you want without worrying about what will and won't go with other dresses.

What about fashion. Do styles change much?

New bridal styles are produced all the time, but there is no real fashion. The popularity of fabrics and colours will change a bit as manufacturers try to innovate, but these changes are cyclic, and nothing really goes away......
Except the big puffy sleeves worn by Princess Diana!

When do new styles arrive in the shops?

Most manufacturers produce 2 collections per year. The main trade shows are March and September, with September being much bigger. Like you, shops have to wait for the dresses they order as shop samples, so new styles normally arrive June - August, and December - February.
Some styles stay on offer for years because they are popular, proving that there is no real fashion, just different designs.

When we try dresses on, can we take pictures?

All shops have their own rules, and many say you can't take pictures, but there is no legal reason why you can't.

How do I have my dress cleaned?

Once you are married, your dress is bound to be dirty. Most dry cleaners are not set up to deal with the delicate fabrics and detail of wedding dresses, so check first. Locally, we recommend Farralls who have 4 shops. The nearest in Sandbach is 3 Bold St. 01270 765090

The Men's Suits

How do I choose the Men's suits?

 Suits come in various styles and colours; as do waistcoats and neckwear. Presuming you have already chosen your dresses and so have a colour theme, base the suits and accessories on that.

Can the Groom look different?

There is no real right or wrong regarding the suits. You may want to use neutral colours (e.g. grey suits with ivory waistcoats) and neckwear the same colour as the Bride's Maids. Alternatively, the Groom only, or the Groom and Best Man (in larger parties) can match the Bride, whilst the others match the Bride's Maids - eg. Bride in Champagne with Purple Bride's Maids. Gold tie for the Groom; purple for everyone else.

How many men can I have in the party?

This is totally your choice. Most Grooms will have a Best Man, with the rest as Ushers. Fathers on both sides are normally included in the party too. 

What about Page Boys?

Young boys can often have the same suit as the men, but you may prefer toddlers to not have a suit. Maybe a shirt and bow tie, or a shirt and waistcoat?

What if my Husband to be wants to wear a certain colour?

The most important thing is your dress. Choose that, then the Bride's Maids, and deal with the men last! If his prefered colour doesn't go with your final dress choices, explain (as diplomatically as possible) that it's your day, and he needs to wear something else!

Should we hire the suits or buy them?

Unlike dresses, in most cases, the bridal party hire the suits, but it is your choice. Hiring is cheaper than buying, so this will probably have an influence on your decision.

We are getting married abroad. What suit options do we have?

You may not want a suit at all if you are getting married somewhere hot, but If you purchase the suits just take them with you. If you hire, you can still normally take them abroad, but there will be an extra charge for the extra time you have the suits. This is typically half of the hire price per week extra.

My fiance want to wear a kilt, but he's not Scottish. Can he still wear one?

There is nothing to stop him wearing a kilt. Strictly speaking, he should be a clan member to wear a clan tartan, but no one is going to ask for proof! In addition hire companies normally have a some tartans that are not clan specific.

My son has his Prom next year and will need to hire a diner suit. When should he book?

As with most things, it's best to book the hire as soon as possible. The important thing to remember is that teenage boys are all a similar size, so for example 36" jackets will sell out fast. A lot of boys leave it until the week before the Prom, and frankly this is too late and they will not get a suit!

Order / Delivery

How long does it take to order my dress?

Order times vary dependent on the manufacturer, but we would always say to allow 12-16 weeks for delivery. Some manufacturers offer a rush order service at extra cost. This is typically 6 - 8 weeks. Some special orders involving design changes such as extra length can take up to 20 weeks.
NB Don't forget to allow a few weeks for fittings and alterations as well!

I have been into one shop that told me it would take 6 - 8 months to order a dress. Is this correct?

No! See above. Whilst some bespoke dresses may have a long lead time due to toile fittings etc. most manufacturers will not take longer than 20 weeks even if they offer design changes. Such shops should be given a wide birth - if they don't tell you the truth, do you really want to give them your money?

I'm not getting married for 18 months. I've seen a dress I like but don't want to order it yet. The shop has told me it will be discontinued in 2 weeks. What should I do?

Dress styles will be discontinued periodically to make way for new styles, and every manufacturer differs in how many, and when, styles will be discontinued. If you are suspicious that the shop is just trying to pressure you into a sale, ring other stockists to check the availability. Again, if the original shop has lied to you, don't go back - Give your money to someone who is open with you. We always post discontinuation notices on our web site as soon as we know.

How and when do I need to pay for my dress?

Most shops work on a deposit & balance basis. Typically this will be a 50% deposit to order your dress, and a 50% balance due when it arrives. If you are buying a dress from stock, most shops will expect you to pay for it there and then (like most other purchases), but may accept a deposit with the balance payable in the near future. If you are having a dress made, the payment requirements may vary.

Can I pay a bit each month in a payment plan?

Every shop is different so ask. Even if a shop will allow a payment plan, it is unlikely that they will order your dress until they have at least 50% of the cost, so bear this in mind for your timings.

I'm not getting married for 2 years. What should I do?

You can never really shop too early for your dream dress. The most important thing to remember is that if you are going to go 'wedding dress shopping', be prepared to buy! This is because you may find your ideal dress with 18 months to go, but if you leave it until 8 months before your wedding you may find that the style has been discontinued

If I buy a dress really early, what can I do with it?

Again all shops are different. Some shops just don't have the space to store dresses for months or even years ("we do"), and you always have the option of taking your dress home until a later date. The best thing to do is ask the shop concerned what your options are.

What is the best way to pay for my dress?

Most shops will offer the option of cash, cheque, or card, and may offer a 'discount for cash'. You should be aware that the 'safest' way to pay is by credit or debit card, as you have more protection for getting your money back should something go wrong with the shop.

What can I do if I don't have enough time to wait for a dress to be ordered?

Most shops will be willing to sell their dress samples with the odd exception. You may even be offered a discount to take the sample instead of ordering a new dress. Also, once styles become discontinued, shops will tend to offer a good discount to make space for new styles, so you should get a great bargain.

I've seen a dress on your web site and it's much cheaper than my local shop. Can I buy it from You?

Yes! We ship worldwide, so you should phone us direct for specifics regarding measurements, payment and delivery - 01270 584040
 We charge manufacturers recommended retail prices (some shops seem to just think of a number and double it!) so don't be ripped off.

I like a dress by a label you stock, but it's not on your web site. Can I still order it from you?

Yes. It is not possible to stock every style from our manufacturers, but providing the style is current, we can supply it.
The styles on our web site are in store for you to see / try.

Proms

My Prom is next year, but I don't have a date. What should I do?

As long as you know you are having a Prom, it is important to allow enough time to get your dress, so the date is not really relevant. As with Bride's Maids, if you want to order a dress, delivery will take 12-16 weeks, so don't leave it until the last minute. Specialist shops will also carry stock, but your choice will be limited by the sizes and colours they have.

Is there a best time to see new Prom dress styles?

New Prom collections are normally show to stockists in August - September. In most cases, shops have to decide colours and sizes to order then, as the collections are then closed to orders. Delivery is normally December - January.
Some manufacturers bring out new collections at the same time, but allow reorders on the dresses until the following spring. An example of this is Xcite & Xtreme by Impression -
See our Party & Prom section. 

Does it matter what colour my Prom dress is?

No, but you may want to know what colours your friend are wearing so you all look different. Prom dresses tend to be brighter and more glitzy than say Bride's Maid dresses, so the choice is yours.

I want a short dress for my Prom. Is that o.k.?

Any length of dress is fine for a Prom. As above, you may want to consult your friends to find out what they are wearing.

Should I wear a tiara for my Prom?

This again is your choice. Most girls like the idea of wearing a tiara or something in their hair for Prom night, but you don't have to.

Sizing / Fitting

How do dress sizes vary?

Each manufacturer have there own size charts, and measurements do vary from one make to another. Do not assume that you will be the same size as in high street clothes.
NB American dresses will be contain a label that is one size lower than the UK equivalent.

I'm trying to loose weight. What size should I order?

It would always be best to order a dress that fits you now in case you don't loose weight. If you do loose weight you can have it taken in.

I'm 6' tall. Will the dress be too short?

Most dresses are suitable for up to 5' 9". Manufacturers either offer different lengths to order, or offer one 'extra length' that is typically 5". It is important to account for your intended shoe heel height during your measurements. If in doubt, ask.

I'm big busted. Will I have to have a dress with straps?

All dresses come with at least an optional shoe string strap, if the strap is not an integral part of the design. In most cases, if a dress is fitted well, you can go strapless if you wish.

What should I do about underwear?

You need to consider underwear for your fittings, so take your intended wedding day underwear with you. Many dresses have built in corsetry and support, so you may not need to wear a bra. Try to establish what you want to do before you have any fittings.

Do I need my 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.

Bride's Maids

How should I choose my Bride's Maid dresses?

Presuming you have chosen your dress (best to do that first), you may want to choose a similar style to carry a theme through. If your dress is ivory, you can choose any colour you like for the Bride's Maids, but if it is coloured or has colour on it, this will restrict your colour choices.

Who should I bring to help choose the Bride's Maids dresses?

This is your choice, but it is probably best not to bring 4 or 5 girls to try and choose a style, as they will rarely agree. Take your Chief Bride's Maid, or the one who's opinion you value the most to help you choose. You may, for example, at this stage reduce the choice to 4 styles. Then you could take all the Bride's Maids to choose from this limited choice.

My Bride's Maids are all different shapes, and have different hair colour. What should I do?

Try to find a colour that suits them all. Many styles will suit all shapes, but you may want to choose different styles in the same colour so each girl has their own preferred style, but your theme is carried through with the colour.

Can I have girls in different coloured dresses?

This is your choice, but the best way to do this if you like the idea is to have colours from the same part of the spectrum. For example - gold, mocha, and chocolate or lilac and purple. As the rhyme says, red and green is not a good idea!

I've got 2 adult Bride's Maids, and 2 children. Can they have the same style of dress?

Some manufacturers offer the same style for all ages with subtle design changes between children, teens, and adults. If the children are very young, most Brides prefer the 'fairy' dress look with a tulle skirt, but the choice is yours. Just try to keep the different age groups in the same style - i.e. don't have small children in different styles, even though this style may be different from the adults.

I'm getting married in the winter and want something to cover the girls shoulders. What can I do?

The most popular accessories are wraps and boleros. Most manufacturers offer a bolero jacket or wrap to go with their colours, Some styles even have a wrap included with the dress.

I live too far away. Can I order my Bride's Maid dress from you by mail order?

Yes. Any current style by labels we stock can be ordered. We ship world wide, so you should phone us direct for specifics regarding measurements, payment and delivery - 01270 584040

My Bride's Maids live all over the country. What should I do if I want to order my dresses from you?

It is best if they can all visit for measurements, but this is not essential. We can tell you what measurements we need to place an order, and the girls can have their alterations done locally to themselves if they wish, so they never have to come to our shop.

Is it o.k. to order the same dress from different stockists local to each Bride's Maid?

This is NOT the best idea. Whilst fabric colours are pretty consistent, they can vary from roll to roll. If you place one order for 4 dresses, they will be cut from the same roll of fabric, but 4 individual orders for 1 dress may not.

I'd like my Bride's Maids to wear coloured shoes to match their dresses. What can I do?

The easiest way is to have plain ivory shoes dyed to the colour of the dresses. We offer this service, and for Else shoes the dyeing is FREE.

I've seen some cheap shoes in a High Street shop. Can these be dyed?

Good quality bridal satin shoes can be dyed even if we don't stock the brand - e.g. Paradox.
Cheap shoes from High Street multiples do not dye well (they tend to streak) as the satin is not of superior quality.