FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance before my wedding do I need to find my dress?

Most gowns take 5 to 7 months, it depends on the manufacturer. It is important that you allow plenty of time, so do not leave this important part of your wedding day to the last minute. When ordering, make sure you let us know any key dates – our job is to help you have a great day, and we do this by working closely with you to ensure that our part of the day runs smoothly!

What sizes of dresses do you stock?

At Lily White Bridal we mainly stock sizes 8 – 18. Any dress can usually be altered by a seamstress, reducing the size by up to 2 sizes for dresses taken off the peg. When ordering a dress, we would take your measurements and make a recommendation on the most suitable size from that designer. Each size guide varies by designer, but we would show you our recommendation.

Do you hire dresses?

Sorry, we do not hire gowns. We do, however, offer interest free payment plans to help you choose the gown of your dreams…

Do I need an appointment?

Lily White Bridal takes great pride in our ability to deliver fantastic levels of service to all of our customers. We do this in part by inviting you to book a personal appointment, at which time we can discuss your needs, and show you a range of styles and gowns. We do accommodate walk-ins but appointments are always given preference. Making an appointment is the best way to ensure that you get the service and result that you deserve!

How do I prepare for the appointment?

The appointment should be the fun bit of buying your bridal gown! You may have already browsed through magazines to see which styles you like. You’re very welcome to bring these with you for your appointment so that we can see if there is anything similar in our range. We prefer that you don’t wear make up for your appointment. This avoids the risk of you marking any of the dresses, and keeps them in pristine condition. It also helps to see the colouring of the dress against your natural skin tone: it’s amazing how the right colour of dress against your natural colour can make a difference to your overall final look

Can I bring Children?

Lily White Bridal understands that for many, children are a significant part of life. As such, Children are always welcome at Lily White Bridal. We do, however, recommend that you try to book an appointment at a time that would enable you to have somebody else care for your children. Your gown choice is one of the most important decisions you will make for your special day and it is very important that you can spend the necessary time without distraction. We have found that few children find shopping for gowns to be exciting or interesting – and we all know that boredom breeds problems! If you do decide to bring your children we ask that they are kept under strict supervision at all times, our stock, gowns and products must not be touched. Food and drink is also not permitted within our store. All damages must be paid for.

Who should I bring with me to the appointment?

Someone whose opinion you really trust and who will be honest! We don’t recommend a large crowd as sometimes a range of opinions can be overwhelming for a bride to be. Everyone will have a different opinion of what you should wear for your wedding day and that more commonly that reflects their own tastes!

Can I take photographs?

I am sorry, no. Because of the number of brides buying dresses on the internet and using bridal shops to do their “research” I needed to stop this. It is a shame, as I was always happy for customers to take pictures. However, I have a responsibility to keep local bridal shops in business. For genuine customers, I am happy for customers to take photographs of their dress when they have purchased or ordered their dress. If you are seen taking photographs in the bridal lounge, you will be asked to stop. Please don’t be offended as this is the policy of the store and is not personal to you.

What if I lose or put on weight after I order my gown?

Lily White Bridal understand this is an important factor of your wedding day and while it is common that brides lose weight before their wedding Lily White Bridal can take no responsibility for your gown being the wrong size due to weight loss or gain. It is easier to take a gown down in size, however difficult and expensive to go up due to limited seams. All alterations are an added cost to your gown. If you are planning any drastic lifestyle changes in the lead up to your day, please discuss this with your Personal Advisor so that they can assist you to select a gown that will best suit your needs.

Can we pay a deposit for a dress?

Lily White Bridal asks that payment is made in full for a dress that is bought straight from our boutique. We do not reserve these dresses for anyone, which is why we suggest you visit our boutique only when you are in a position to buy. For dresses that are made for you from our designers, we take a deposit of 60% at the time of the order, and then the balance is paid upon delivery of the dress. We take Credit and Debit cards or we can take cheque for the deposit and when the cheque clears, we will order your dress. We do offer interest free payment plans to help you get into the gown of your dreams.

What is the price range of the dresses?

Lily White Bridal stocks couture wedding gowns which start from £1,000.

What is your refund policy?

Lily White Bridal does not offer a refund. If you change your mind about a dress that has been specially ordered for you, your deposit is transferrable to another dress as long as the designer has not put your dress in production.