FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We love talking to our customers, and thrive on being able to give them the best advice and information. We’ve created this list to answer the most common things that we’re asked in the shop.

If your question isn’t on the list, please get in touch.

BRIDE'S BUYING ADVICE

When it comes to shopping for your dress, bring one or two people whose opinion you really value, too many people can make it very confusing as they normally all have different views and this can make it even more difficult to decide.

Wedding gowns can take up to six months to order in store and then there are fitting and alterations to be carried out, so you need to make sure that you allow plenty of time, there’s nothing worse than feeling that you are being hurried into making a rush decision.

If you don’t have much time until your wedding, don’t despair! Some designers will make dresses for a rush fee and we always have some gowns which you can buy from stock. Our quickest bride bought her dress in the morning and wore it in the afternoon!

Keep an open mind

It’s quite often the dress you’re not sure about on the hanger, that you love when you try it on.

Use our team

Your personal consultant will serve you well. They are there to listen to you and their advice is invaluable.

Underwear

Try to wear the right style and colour underwear, and a good bra can really help.

CLEANING AND BOXING

The Wedding Shop has a professional gown cleaning service, in addition, we can preserve your dress in one of our beautiful acid-free boxes to keep as a family heirloom.

We also provide travel boxes, small enough to be taken on an aeroplane as hand luggage, for brides having a wedding abroad.

Other questions our brides are asking us:

1How long does a dress take to order in?

Delivery times vary from 3 to 5 months. If you have a late booking, don't despair! The Wedding Shop has one of the largest collections in Essex, so you can always buy a dress off the peg. And we can often have dresses specially made by designers such as Suzanne Neville.

2Do you offer an alterations service?

Yes! Here at The Wedding Shop, we pride ourselves on having a first-class alteration studio. With over 30 years of experience, we'll ensure that your dress fits perfectly and is beautifully pressed. Alternatively, if you have a local seamstress you're welcome to take your dress away for alterations.

3When are fitting appointments?

We’ll start your fittings well before your wedding date, to ensure everything can be done in good time. Fitting appointments take place on Mondays and Wednesdays 1pm - 8pm, and Fridays 10am - 4pm. You may bring one guest to the appointment. Please remember to bring your wedding shoes so we can do your hem!

4Can I bring children to my appointments?

Regretfully we can't accept under 18s, as we have an alcohol license. Even if no one in the wedding party is drinking, we are unable to have children on site.

5Will you store my dress for me?

Yes, we are happy to store your dress for you. 1 year of storage and insurance cover is £35. Most brides leave their dress with us for safekeeping until a few days before the wedding. We'll press your dress and pack it into a dress bag, ready for you to take to your big day! 

6I'm getting married abroad, how can I take my dress on the plane?

We have a range of beautiful travel boxes available to buy. They are specially designed to fit in overhead lockers, and meet all airline requirements. They're also acid-free, so they can be used to store your dress long term after the day.

7Do you offer a dry cleaning service?

Yes, we can dry clean your wedding dress for £150. This takes about 8 weeks, after which we can box your dress in a beautiful acid-free storage at an extra cost. Please note, if your dress is extra dirty we may not be able to remove all staining.