FAQs

Yes, we are an intimate bridal boutique where you and your guests will have exclusive access for your private one-to-one personalised appointment with Emma.

Do a little bit of research.

Before booking an appointment at any Bridal Boutique, think about how you envisage yourself looking on your wedding day.

• Do they stock the style of dresses you like?

• Do they carry dresses that are in your budget

• Does their customer service approach align with your expectations

You don't have to know exactly what you are looking for or even the silhouette, but it's good to take some time to explore the options of styles, silhouettes and trends through places like Pinterest, social media or even just our website. Think about your wedding location, your personal style, how you envision yourself walking down the aisle.

This will guide you in the right direction before you even step in the door, it also gets your journey off to an exciting start to know that the dresses you have been dreaming about are just a click away from booking your appointment!

First Bridal Consultations require a £25 booking fee to secure your 2 hour appointment.

Second visit Consultations are available if required at no additional cost.

Ideally you want to be starting to visit Bridal Boutiques 12-18 months before the big day. One or two boutiques is a great way to discover your style without getting overwhelmed. Doing a little bit of research before booking appointments will help you narrow down the amount of places to visit.

This will give you plenty of time to find your perfect dress and have it fitted perfectly to you.

You can make an appointment through our online booking system.

There you will be able to view our appointment options and current availability.

It is helpful to wear nude, seamless underwear. If you have any screenshots from our website or others bring those along to show Emma, it gives us a great starting point. You wouldn’t need shoes at this point.

A kind request; please ensure that you do not wear fake tan, body bronzing products or anything that may transfer to the dresses. Please also avoid running your hands over the fabrics, make-up and oils from your skin can be easily transferred. We pride ourselves on ensuring that our dresses are kept as beautiful as possible for all of our brides. We really appreciate your co-operation and understanding 🖤

Our boutique is an intimate experience with seating for yourself and three guests (over the age of 16).

We recommend bringing along friends and family who will give supportive, helpful feedback that will make the experience stress free and enjoyable.

It can take up to 6 months for your dress to be made for you. We recommend ordering your dress around 9-12 months in advance of your wedding date.

This allows a ‘comfortable’ time frame in which your dress will be made to order, delivered to the boutique and for alterations to be carried out.

Of course you can order before this time if you are ready to say yes to ‘the one’, it’s always an amazing feeling to know you have that all important item ticked off your list.

50% Deposit is required to secure your order with the designer and the balance will be due once your dress arrives.

Some of our designers can accommodate a “rush order” with a shorter lead-time (this can still take 4 months), confirmation with them prior to the order being taken and an additional fee will be required. Please speak to Emma to discuss options.

UK 12’s or 14’s, with some 16’s also. All designers sizing will be different and are not similar to high-street sizes.

We will use pegs or panels to ensure the closest fit possible so that you are able to get an idea of how it will look in your size.

If you have any concerns about this aspect, let Emma know, she is there to help guide you through your appointment.

Our dresses range from £1980 and go up to £3800. Please take a look at each designers page for specific price ranges.

We don’t have a waiting area so if you are early to your appointment please enjoy a walk to the village high street where they have some gorgeous little cafes or wait in your car until 5 minutes before your appointment. This gives Emma the time to make sure everything is perfect ready for your arrival.

I'll always try my best to accomodate, but late arrivals may shorten our time together as there will be other appointments scheduled throughout the day. Please call ahead if you are going to arrive late.

It’s not a no, but there are some important points to remember.

• Trying on sample dresses aren’t going to fit you how perfectly ‘your dress’ will.

• They will be too big or too small or out of proportion for your body type/shape.

• Taking photos can sometimes not do you or the dress any justice and you will focus on the fact its not in your size or not fitted to you.

Our advice is to be in the moment, think about how you feel in the dress, immerse yourself and enjoy the experience with your bridal party. And if you feel the need to capture your favourites ask someone to take a video clip maybe instead of a photo.

Once you have said yes to ‘the one’ and ticked off a monumental task from your wed-min list (cheers to that):

• we will take your measurements and order the dress size closest using the designers sizing chart. These size charts are specific to the indivdual designer and do not reflect high street sizing.

• Your dress will then be made especially for you and delivered to the boutique.

• Once your dress arrives, we invite you back into the boutique for you to try on your dress for the very first time at our ‘Celebration Consultation’ appointment. Super exciting! In this appointment you will get to see and try your dress for the first time, discuss any accessories you may want to add to your look if you haven't already got them and settle your balance.

• We then hand you over to our seamstress for the next part of your bridal journey.

Yes, all dresses will require some form of alteration to achieve the perfect fit. Your dress will be in the closest size from the designers size chart based on your measurements taken when ordered.

Your dress will then need to be fitted to you by our experienced Bridal Seamstress "The Tailoress" in our alterations studio.

• Please note: we are currently unable to undertake any alterations for dresses not purchased at the boutique.

We don’t offer in-house dress cleaning services but we do highly recommend a local family run Specialist Dry Cleaners - Terrington Burchett. We always recommend having your gown cleaned as soon as possible after your wedding, to avoid any permanent stains or discolouration of the fabric.

Yes of course, even if you have bought your dress elsewhere, you are more than welcome to come along for an Accessories Consultation.

Accessories Consultations are reserved for weekdays only due to high demand on Saturday’s for Bridal Consultations and are subject to a £10 booking fee.

We understand that there may be a situation in which you would need to cancel your appointment, however, we do kindly ask that you please be courteous and let us know as soon as possible. Preferably 48 hours notice at least where possible. This can be done in your appointment confirmation email, please use the “Cancel/Reschedule” button up to 48 hours before.

Please contact the boutique directly after this time.

Yes, we have designated parking bays situated directly behind the boutique.

Parking restrictions are in place for the other businesses. Our spaces are marked with blue parking signs (you will also see my car parked there as it has Shade Bridal Boutique in the back window).

If you have any problems please just come and let me know.