Finding your wedding dress should feel calm, considered and genuinely special
When Should You Visit?
A question we get asked a lot is ‘when should I buy my wedding dress?’ the correct answer to this question would be ‘whenever you feel ready!’
We advise that you find your wedding dress at least 12 months before the wedding, especially if you are looking at a made to order gown as these can take around 6 to 9 months to arrive in store and then you will need approximately 8 weeks for alterations.
However if you have less time than this, we can also offer an off the peg service for brides with a shorter timescale, and our designers will carry some stock that is readily available or they can priorities your dress order for a small rush fee.
If you find your wedding dress a couple of years before your wedding date and worry about your body changing shape, we can hold off on taking your measurements and submit these to the designer at a later date. Please also remember, wedding dresses can also be altered if required.
Preparing for your personal
Bridal Appointment
Your wedding dress journey should feel exciting, not stressful. A little preparation can help you make the most of your time with us, and ensure you leave feeling confident, inspired and truly cared for.
Choose Your Guests Wisely
Bring people whose opinions you trust completely. Too many voices can make it hard to hear your own heart. Your closest supporters will help you feel calm and reassured, not overwhelmed.
Consider Your Wedding Vision
Think about the vibe of your wedding, the venue, and how you want to feel on the day. Are you dreaming of romantic elegance, timeless sophistication, or modern glamour? This helps us guide you to dresses that truly fit your vision.
Prepare to Try On Different Styles
Even if you have a “dream dress” in mind, be open to exploring different fabrics, silhouettes, and details. Sometimes the dress you least expect becomes the one.
Wear the Right Underwear
Simple, seamless underwear & nude-coloured pieces work best. If you have a strapless bra or shapewear you might wear on your wedding day, bring it along — it helps us see how each gown will really look on you. If looking at fitted dresses, it is important to make sure you bring something that will give you a nice smooth look, nothing that will cut at the wrong places.
Bring Inspiration, Not Pressure
Screenshots, Pinterest boards, or magazine clippings are helpful for reference, but remember — the best dress is the one that feels right on you, not the one that looks perfect on someone else. Looking through the dresses on our website and our instagram/facebook pages will give you a great idea of our styles and help you curate a small list of dresses you would like to see during your appointment
Relax and Enjoy Yourself
This is your moment. Take a deep breath, soak it all in, and trust that you are in expert hands. We’re here to guide, support, and celebrate with you every step of the way, whilst ensuring you feel confident, relaxed and uplifted.
Tip from Allison Louise Bridal:
Your bridal appointment is about discovery, joy, and feeling completely yourself. Arrive curious, open-hearted, and ready to fall in love — because we’ll take care of the rest.
What To Expect During Your Appointment
Our bridal appointments will usually last between 1 to 2 hours and in this time we will listen to your requirements and work hard to ensure we find your perfect wedding dress.
We do not restrict you on the amount of gowns you can try on during your appointment, however we advise that you do listen to the advice of your consultant and be open to trying on different styles and be honest with how you feel.
During your appointment you will have a look at the dresses yourself and have the option to pick out fabrics, details and shapes that you like, your consultant will also offer a few suggestions for you to try on based on their knowledge and expertise and the information you provide them.
When you find your wedding dress, we will chat with you regarding the next steps, measuring for your gown and discussing payment options available.
Don’t worry if our boutique is the only shop you have visited, if the dress makes you feel amazing then it’s “THE ONE”, it doesn’t matter if it’s the first dress or the 15th dress you have ever tried on.
A comment we hear more than often is ‘That was much easier than I thought it would be’ as long as you are open and honest with your feelings, we are confident we can help you find your beautiful wedding dress
What Happens Next?
After you have said YES to your wedding dress, we will go through all of the details with you and then speak with our designers to get your dress ordered.
If you purchase your gown off the peg (take the dress you tried on) then you have the option of taking it away on the day or paying a small storage fee and we will look after your gown for you. Every wedding dress is provided in a beautiful fully breathable Allison Louise bridal gown bag.
We work closely with amazing seamstresses to ensure your bridal alterations are completed perfectly in time for your wedding date. We will assist you in booking your alterations appointments with them.
We always love to hear from our brides, so if you have any questions or would like to come back for an accessories styling appointment, we are with you every step of the way.
Once your dress arrives with us we will call you in to see and try it on for the first time. You can then chose to take your wedding dress home with you or use our storage option up until your seamstress fitting appointments.
The Allison Louise Bridal Experience
Contact Allison Louise Bridal
- 07850 346521
- enquiry@allisonlouisebridal.co.uk
-
52 Bridge Street
Belper
Derbyshire
DE56 1AZ -
Hours of Appointment
Mondays 10am to 3pm
Tuesdays 10am to 3PM
Wednesdays 10am to 8pm
Thursdays 10pm to 8pm
Friday 10am to 3pm
Saturday 9am to 5pm
Sunday By Request
