1. When should I buy my dress?
Most brides buy their wedding gowns 9 to 18 months before their weddings so that they can facilitate all the other planning and purchases that revolve around the gown.

2. Should I make an appointment before I come to look at wedding gowns?
Yes, at The Bridal Studio we do not permit self-service.  Every future bride is assigned a personal consultant who will wait on her alone.  We do accommodate walk-ins if possible but appointments are always given preference.  Please telephone on 041 98 30685.  Our highly trained bridal consultants look forward to working with you to help you find the dress that makes you feel beauiful.

3. If I am planning on losing weight when should I shop for and when should I buy my wedding gown?
Every experienced bridal seamstress will tell you that it is easier to take a wedding gown down in size than to make it go up in size.  95% of all future brides will need some alterations.  Planning a wedding can be a stressful time and it is a mistake to add more stress by telling yourself you have to lose a certain amount of weight.  Most brides buy their wedding gowns 9 to 18 months before their weddings so that they can facilitate all the other planning and purchases that revolve around the gown.  You should do the same even if you are planning to lose weight.  Buy the gown that fits your current weight and if you reach your weight goal have the dress taken in.  If you don't, so what!  Your gown will still fit beautifully and remember he fell in love with you the way you are, not the way you hope to be.

4. Who should I bring with me when I come for my wedding gown shopping appointment at The Bridal Studio?

When shopping for a wedding gown all the experts advise not to bring too many people. Your mom and one or two other trusted individuals seem to be the perfect mix. Pick a few people, who love you, to come with you and your experience will be a lot more enjoyable and you will have a better chance of being successful in your quest. Its great to have one or two people who are close to you to give you honest opinions but bringing too many people to “poll the audience” is a recipe for disaster that may make you miss out on your perfect gown. In the end the only opinion that truly counts when picking a wedding gown is YOURS! You will be the center of attention at your wedding. You want a wedding gown the will make you look beautiful and feel amazing. You are the only one who will really know when you have found the gown that does this.

5. Do I have to have my alterations for my wedding gown done at The Bridal Studio?
Not at all, you can have your alterations done wherever suits you best.  We can arrange a bridal seamstress alteration service in our shop Mon-Fri between the hours of 10am to 3.30pm.  Or if you would prefer a Saturday appointment this can be arranged with the seamstress and would take place in her studio.  Seamstresses are independant contractors and are not the responsibility of The Bridal Studio.  Feel free to use your own seamstress if you prefer.  First fittings usually take place 8 weeks prior to your wedding day and at your fittings it is important to always have both the shoes and underwear that you will be wearing on your wedding day.

6. Should I look for my wedding gown and the bridesmaids' gown on the same day?
Don't try to do too much in one day.  We suggest you not try to shop for bridesmaids and a wedding gown all in the same day.  Finding that perfect gown can be harder, more time consuming, and more mentally exhausting than you think.  We suggest you focus on your wedding gown first, check out our large bridesmaids collection before you leave and plan a separate day for the bridesmaids shopping. 

7. Are there any extra charges?
Manufacturers charge extra for large sizes, special lengths and rush deliveries. Alteration charges are not included in the price of the gown and are paid directly to the seamstress.

8. Can I get swatches for colour matching?
Most designers of bridesmaids dresses will supply a swatch for you on receipt of your order. Slight variations in colour may occur between swatches, samples and actual gowns. All dresses ordered at the same time from the same manufacturer will be cut from the same dye lot of fabric.  A swatch of fabric should be used for guidance purposes only and not as an exact match. 

9.  Is it better if I don't bring children?

We love children, and between us have several of our own!  However we strongly advise not to bring children with you to a bridal shop.  Your wedding gown choice is one of the most important choices you will make for your wedding.  For the rest of your married life you will be looking at pictures of yourself in that special gown.  When shopping for that gown you need to be able to focus and concentrate without any distractions.  A bridal salon is not a fun place for children and they will get bored very quickly and will distract you from this very important mission.  A bridal salon may also not be a safe place for children due to loose pins and beads etc.