Bridal Gossip FAQs
Here’s what you need to know about wedding dress shopping and appointments at Bridal Gossip
Not sure what to expect from a bridal appointment? Wondering about sizing, prices, alterations or what happens if you have absolutely no idea what kind of dress you want?
You’re in the right place. We’ve answered some of the questions brides ask us most often, so you can arrive at Bridal Gossip feeling relaxed, prepared and ready to enjoy the experience.
Wedding dresses, sizing & finding your style
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Our boutique has wedding dresses available to try in sizes 10–32, with new gowns orderable across our collections in sizes 6–32, depending on the designer and style.
Wedding dress sizing can be quite different from your usual clothing size, so try not to focus too much on the number on the label. Caroline will help you find dresses that work beautifully with your shape and make sure you feel comfortable throughout your appointment.
Wondering how bridal sizing works? Read our wedding dress sizing guide →
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Yes. We want brides to be able to try beautiful dresses on, not simply be told that a gown could theoretically be ordered in their size. Our sample collection includes plus-size wedding dresses up to a size 32, giving curvier brides a genuine choice of styles and silhouettes to explore during their appointment.
Our wider collections can be ordered in sizes up to 32, depending on the designer and gown, and Caroline will guide you towards options that make you feel confident, comfortable and completely yourself.
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That’s completely normal. Bodies rarely fit neatly into a size chart. Alongside standard sizing, we can offer split sizing on selected new-to-order gowns at an additional cost. This can be particularly useful if your measurements differ between your top and bottom half.
Caroline will talk you through the options and advise on what will give you the best starting point for the final fit.
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Yes, and this is something we deliberately look for when choosing the designers we work with. All of our designers offer customisation options, although what's possible will depend on the individual gown and collection. Changes can include elements such as fabrics, colours, necklines, sleeves and embellishments.
It means you don't necessarily have to dismiss a dress because there's one detail you'd like to change.
Talk to Caroline about what you're imagining and she'll explain what's possible.
Bespoke changes are priced separately.
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That’s perfectly normal - and you definitely don't need to work it out before you come. You might arrive with a Pinterest board full of ideas, one photograph you love or absolutely no clue where to begin. Caroline will help you explore different shapes, fabrics and styles, and might encourage you to try something you wouldn't have picked from the rail yourself.
The aim isn't to fit you into a particular bridal look. It's to discover what makes you feel good.
Wedding dress prices, ordering & alterations
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We believe it's helpful to know what to expect before you visit.
Our new-to-order wedding dresses are approximately £1,200–£1,700, with bespoke design changes and alterations priced separately.
We also have off-the-peg wedding dresses from around £600 and sale dresses from around £350, subject to availability.
If you have a particular budget in mind, tell Caroline at the beginning of your appointment. You'll never be encouraged to fall in love with a dress that's outside a budget you've asked us to respect.
Want to see the collections? Explore our wedding dresses →
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For a new-to-order wedding dress, we recommend starting your search around 12 months before your wedding.
Designer lead times are currently approximately 6–8 months, and you'll also need to allow time for alterations before the wedding. Seamstress appointments generally begin around two months before your wedding date.
Getting married sooner? Don't panic. Our off-the-peg wedding dresses are available to take away, so talk to us about your timescale and we'll show you the options available.
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Alterations are separate from the price of your wedding dress.
Once you've purchased your gown, we'll give you a list of recommended seamstresses. You'll choose and book your seamstress directly, giving you control over who you work with.
Alteration costs typically start from around £250, but the final cost depends entirely on the dress, the fit and any changes you'd like to make.
Your bridal appointment
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Your first appointment is about getting to know you, rather than racing through as many dresses as possible.
You'll have time to talk to Caroline about your wedding, anything you already know you like (or don't like), how you want to feel and any worries you might have about dress shopping.
From there, you'll explore different wedding dresses together. Caroline will offer honest advice, suggest styles you might not have considered and give you the space to work out what feels right.
There's no expectation that you'll arrive knowing the answers — and no pressure to make a decision before you're ready.
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You really don't need to bring much - just yourself and a little excitement!
We recommend wearing nude or light-coloured underwear that you feel comfortable in. The right underwear can make a difference to how some wedding dress styles sit, but don't worry if you're not sure what you'll eventually wear on your wedding day — Caroline can advise you as you try different gowns.
If you already have a special pair of wedding shoes you'd like to wear, feel free to bring them along. We have a raised podium so you can get a better idea of how different heel heights work with your dress.
Please don't wear fake tan to your appointment. Many of our brides purchase sample gowns directly from the boutique, so it's really important that we keep every dress in beautiful condition for the next bride who tries it on.
We'll provide the dresses, along with a selection of veils, hair accessories and jewellery to help you see how your bridal look could come together. Caroline will be there to help you in our private changing room and make sure you feel comfortable throughout.
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Our First Look appointment is a complimentary 60-minute bridal appointment and a lovely way to begin exploring our collections with Caroline.
Our VIP appointment gives you 120 minutes and costs £35, which is redeemable against the purchase of your wedding dress.
It's designed for brides who would like a little more time and an extra-special experience while they search for their dress.
Explore our bridal appointments and choose the appointment that's right for you →
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We recommend keeping your bridal entourage small.
Bringing one or two people whose opinions you really trust usually creates a much more relaxed experience. Lots of different opinions can quickly become overwhelming — and sometimes make it harder to work out what you actually think about a dress.
Choose the people who will support you, listen to you and let the appointment be about you.
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We generally discourage personal photography during bridal appointments, and some of our designers also restrict photography of their gowns.
There's another reason too: sample dresses aren't made specifically for your measurements and may be clipped or adjusted while you're trying them. A quick photograph doesn't always give a fair representation of how the correctly sized and professionally fitted dress will eventually look.
Instead of worrying about how a dress looks through a phone screen, we want you to notice how you feel when you're wearing it.
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We ask that children don't attend bridal appointments.
Our appointments are designed to give you uninterrupted time to concentrate on yourself, enjoy trying different dresses and make decisions without distractions.
The boutique is also filled with delicate gowns, fabrics and accessories, so an adults-only appointment helps us keep everything safe while giving you the relaxed experience you deserve.
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We ask that you don't bring outside food or drinks into the boutique. Wedding dresses and delicate fabrics don't mix particularly well with spills, crumbs or sticky fingers!
Our VIP experience includes complimentary drinks as part of the appointment.
About Bridal Gossip
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Bridal Gossip is owned by Caroline Griffiths, who brings 20 years of experience in wedding planning and the wider wedding industry, alongside eight years running Bridal Gossip and working directly with brides on their wedding dresses.
That wider wedding experience matters. Caroline understands that your dress isn't being chosen in isolation — it's part of your wedding, your venue, your plans and, most importantly, how you want to feel on the day.
You'll get honest advice and experienced guidance, but the final decision will always be yours.
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You'll find Bridal Gossip in Wadebridge, Cornwall, where we welcome brides from across Cornwall and beyond for private, personal bridal appointments.
Our boutique is tucked away from the bustle of the high street, giving you a relaxed setting where you can take your time and enjoy finding your wedding dress.
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If there's something we haven't answered, just get in touch. We're always happy to help before your appointment.
And if you're ready to start exploring wedding dresses, we'd love to welcome you to Bridal Gossip.