Wedding Dress Shopping - Appointment Length

I left an hour and half between each one (they were quite close to each so no real travelling).

One took 45 mins and the winning one I overran seriously!

I didn't have a clue what I wanted, and I let the shop(s) steer me - the 45 minute one they just pointed me at the style they thought would suit me - many variations of it - hence they didn't get the sale!

It depends if you know what you want, how many people you are taking with you (I only had Best Friend).

Good luck!

Most shops I went in offered 2 hour appointments.

The warehouse I went to was try on what you can in our opening hours!

I'd recommend no more than 2-3 shops a day with lunch and travel. Narrow down your shops by asking about price/styles/available dresses to try on etc. Only go for those where you have 8 or more to try on.

I am a plus size and noted down 2 plus sized specialists, one discount warehouse with over 40 dresses in my size and a smaller bridal shop with 6-7 dresses discounted in my size (where I actually got 'the one' from)

There was a lot of driving between shops but it was to get what I needed to try on. I think I got through 15-20 dresses a day :-)

You will find there is a very quick learning curve of what does/doesn't look and feel good - I felt like a professional on my second day and could say yes and no to dresses much quicker than on the first day.

Thanks so much for your responses!

I'm definitely going to limit this to a max of 3 in a day then - thankfully looking at the map, they're all within 1 tube ride of each other so seems doable!

Sorry, another dress shopping question. Is it normal for shops to request you pay £20-£30 as a "retainer" for the appointment, which they will refund if you buy a dress with them...?

I have heard of this, although not experienced it personally. And if I was asked I probably wouldn't bother making the appointment, unless there was a specific dress I really wanted to try. I think its a bit of a cheek to be honest.

The appointments I've made are from 1 hour 15 - 2 hours each. None have asked for a retainer and all have been lovely when booking!

Here's hoping they're as lovely in person!

Karen84 - So cheeky, right!! Luckily the place that I booked first, which carries the dress I'm really interested in, doesn't charge.

Each dress appointment I went to was around an hour. No retainer paid though, how cheeky of them!

When I found the one dress, I went back one evening to try it on again before I committed and was in there for another hour just in t he dress!! lol.

I made three appointments, I think they allowed 2 hours. I ended up only going to the first appointment, though, and cancelled the other two, as I found my dress at the first one. I think I maybe spend about 1 hour there? None of the shops I had booked an appointment with asked for a retainer, but none of them were super posh boutiques either. I wouldn't book an appointment with a shop that asks for a retainer like that.

Thanks for the responses ladies - much appreciated! I did think it was off asking for a retainer that's only refundable against a dress you with with them. Maybe it's a London thing *sigh*

Saw this thread and had to reply. I think it is a London/SE thing. Shop rents for businesses in London are extortionately high.

If you have never run a business there, and i have, you would not believe the prices landlords want. Even a small bridal shop is probably paying around £50000 a year rent. That's a £1000 a week just for rent! That is £200 a day guessing that most only open 5 days a week and most appointments are at weekends. If someone doesn't turn up for an appointment it's wasted time for the business and hence no profit to pay the rent. Bridal shops outside of London and the SE are incredibly cheaper to run. Where we are in Cardiff, you can get a small bridal shop for around £10-£15000 a year rent. But they are no cheaper to buy in than London shops from what I have seen!

My niece went up to London the other week to a tea length/retro dress specialist. They asked for a £20 deposit, fully refundable if she turned up or gave 7 days notice she couldn't make it. It wasn't dependent on her buying. My niece didn't buy but is going back in a month or so's time to buy as she has fallen in love with one she tried there. She got her deposit back within 24 hours.

After all, an appointment retainer, or deposit, is only a sign of good faith and seriousness on both sides.

I have no issue with putting a deposit down in case I'm a no show, it's the fact that the other two shops that I have enquired with for appointments want a deposit that is not refundable. You only get the money back (in a way), if you buy a dress from them, which I do not think is on.