Frequently Asked Questions
When should I buy my wedding dress?
Every wedding is different, but we advise brides to start looking for your dress around 12 months in advance. This gives you plenty of time to look at all the options there are available for brides, allowing you to choose the perfect dress for you.
Gowns typically take 6 months to arrive in store, and alterations generally require 8 weeks. However, designers are able to offer a quick delivery at an extra cost, so if your wedding is within 6 months we are always able to help if you'd prefer a made-to-order dress. Alternatively, we have a great selection of off-the-peg dresses available for you to take home today!
What sizes are your sample dresses?
We have a wide range of sample dresses, starting from a UK10, going up to UK22 and beyond. Bridal sizing tends to be slightly different, so don’t be deterred if you have to go up or down a size. It is rare that any bride will fit perfectly into a sample dress, so we have plenty of options to make our sample dresses bigger or smaller so you can get a clear vision of how you will look in it. If you’re worried about the sizing or selection, then please get in touch and we can discuss this with you.
Do I need an appointment to try on wedding dresses?
Yes! Lily Francis Bridal is proud to be an appointment-only service, allowing you to visit our shop with your family and friends and feel comfortable in your environment. Appointment-only bookings allow us to provide you with the personal, attentive service that you deserve when making such an important decision!
How many dresses will I get to try on, and how long will my appointment be?
Your appointment will be 90 minutes long, providing you plenty of time to try on lots of dresses. The dresses always look different on hangers, so be open minded to trying on different styles. You have plenty of time, so there is no rush. We certainly don’t want you going home thinking “I wish I’d tried that dress on”! But most of all, be honest about what you like and how you feel about each dress.
What prices are your dresses?
The made-to-order collection at Lily Francis Bridal starts at £850 and goes up to £1500. We are totally transparent about budgets and ask for you to guide us. We don’t want to put you in a dress way over your price range and ruin your experience.
Our off-the-peg dresses start from £500-£800, depending on designer and dress design. Periodically, we will have a sale of ex-sample dresses in the shop, but these will be advertised on our website and social media pages in due course.
How many guests can I bring to my appointment?
We offer private appointments at Lily Francis Bridal, which can comfortably accommodate up to three guests. As exciting and tempting as it sounds to bring everyone along, sometimes too many opinions can be conflicting and overwhelming for the bride, so we suggest a maximum of three guests. You’ll want to bring guests who understand your true style, give supportive feedback, and will help you look your best. If you want to bring more, or want to bring children, please give us a call to discuss your requirements, so we can make this appointment as easy and comfortable for you as we can.
What do I need to wear for my appointment?
It’s always advisable to wear a pair of seam free nude knickers, if possible, and a nude strapless bra. However don’t panic if you don’t have either as with most dresses you don’t need to wear a bra due to them being boned and padded and we can work with the knickers that you have on. If you are super organised and have already purchased your dream wedding shoes please bring them along, but if not, please wear shoes similar to what you will be wearing on your Wedding Day, i.e. flats, sandals, heels or wedges.
What will my appointment be like?
The ethos at Lily Francis Bridal is to ensure our brides are relaxed and confident in a comfortable environment, whilst making this process as fun as we can! Being an appointment-only boutique, you can relax knowing you are surrounded by those you care for, and who are there to help you choose the right dress. If you already have some ideas about your dream dress, feel free to bring along pictures, and if you’re coming in with no idea what you want yet, we can work with that too. Appointments are 90 minutes long, allowing you plenty of time to try on as many dresses as you can, because you want to feel confident and sure that you’ve chosen the right one for your big day.
How and when do I pay for my wedding dress?
For made-to-order wedding dresses, we require a 50% deposit at the point of ordering and then the remaining balance is not due until your dress arrives into the boutique, which is around 16 weeks later. Please be aware that we are not able to offer refunds or exchanges and that all sales are therefore final. Please note that off-the-peg, sample sale gowns, accessories and veils must be paid in full at the time of ordering.
Do you provide a fitting service?
There isn't a dedicated seamstress that works at Lily Francis Bridal, but we are able to provide brides with a list of seamstresses in the local area who they can contact directly. We often advise to book your dates for the fitting as soon as you have found your dress. Seamstresses get so booked up, particularly during busy months, If you already have a seamstress in mind to work on your dress, that is perfectly ok too!
Do you have parking?
Of course, right outside the door! And it's free!
Where abouts is your shop?
We are based just outside Brampton, Huntingdon. About 2 days before your appointment, you will get emailed directions so we're nice and easy to find!