You’ve Said Yes to the Dress...Here’s What Happens Next

First of all: congratulations. Choosing your wedding gown is a huge moment, and we’re so honoured to be part of it. Once the excitement settles, it’s completely normal for a few questions (and nerves!) to creep in, especially while you’re waiting for your dress to arrive.

This guide is here to walk you through exactly what happens next, so you can relax, trust the process, and focus on the fun parts of wedding planning ✨

The Quiet Phase (and Why It’s a Good Thing)

Once your gown is ordered, there’s often a calm period where you won’t hear from us — and that’s by design.

Unless we need specific information from you, no news really is good news. Your gown is being made by the designer, following their production schedule, and during this time there aren’t any updates for us to pass on.

We always aim for dresses to arrive around 6–8 weeks before the wedding, which gives you plenty of time for alterations and final fittings. This is the latest we would expect your dress to arrive — unless it’s a rush order.

Many factors affect arrival timing, including:

  • The designer’s production schedule

  • International shipping

  • Customs clearance

Most of these are completely outside of our control, and unfortunately we don’t receive live tracking or interim updates during this stage.

“When Will My Dress Arrive?”

We know this is the big question — and the honest answer is: we won’t know until it physically ships from the designer.

Even once dispatched, shipping and customs delays can still occur. When your dress arrives with us, it goes through our quality control process to ensure everything is perfect. During busy periods, this can take a few days.

As soon as your gown has passed QC, we’ll email you straight away and invite you to book your collection appointment.

If you’re getting married abroad or travelling well ahead of your wedding date, please let us know — we’re always happy to plan around that.

A Note on Rush Orders

If your gown is being made on a rush basis, timelines are naturally tighter and less predictable. In some cases, dresses can arrive as little as two weeks before the wedding or departure date.

We’ll always do everything possible to move things along, but flexibility is key. Rush timelines can also affect alterations, and some seamstresses may charge additional rush fees — so it’s a good idea to contact your tailor early and give them a heads-up.

Your Dress Collection Appointment

Once your gown arrives, you’ll be invited to book a 30-minute collection appointment, available Tuesday to Friday.

This appointment is for:

  • Trying on your dress

  • Making sure you’re happy with it

  • Showing whoever’s helping you on the day how to get you into it properly

You’re welcome to bring up to two guests.

We’ll lightly steam your dress beforehand, but don’t panic if lightweight fabrics crease easily — your tailor will do a final steam or press at your last fitting.

Your gown will be packed in one of our breathable garment bags, and if you’re travelling by public transport, we can fold it into a carrier bag for you.

What to bring:

Your wedding shoes

Nude, high-waisted underwear (no VPL, ideally)

What to avoid:

Makeup, spray tan, or anything that could transfer onto the dress

What This Appointment Isn’t

To keep expectations clear and stress-free:

  • This is not a fitting

  • No seamstress or tailor will be present

  • Alterations are not done at this stage

You’re welcome to purchase accessories, but the appointment is time-limited, so decisions will need to be fairly quick. Final choices are best made during your first alteration fitting.

A Gentle Reminder About Fit

It’s completely normal for your dress not to fit perfectly when it arrives. Alterations are expected and part of the bridal process.

Common alterations include:

  • Hemming

  • Taking in sides

  • Strap adjustments

  • Adding cups

  • Bustles or wrist loops

  • This is all very standard — nothing to worry about.

Alterations & Fittings

Alterations aren’t included in the gown price, and we don’t offer them in-house. We recommend choosing someone from our trusted tailor list and arranging fittings directly with them.

A few helpful tips:

  • Contact your tailor as soon as your dress is ordered

  • First fitting should be 6–8 weeks before the wedding

  • Most brides need 2–3 fittings

  • Keep your schedule flexible in the final weeks

Rush orders may require tighter fitting schedules and additional fees.

Storing, Travelling & After the Wedding

  • Please collect your dress within 14 days of notification

  • UK insured shipping is available (£35); international shipping on request

  • Always carry your dress in hand luggage when flying

  • Ask your venue about steaming facilities — or consider a handheld steamer

After the wedding, we recommend Terrington Burchett, who specialise in bridal gown cleaning. Many dresses don’t have care labels, so it’s important to use experienced bridal cleaners — especially for silk or embellished gowns.

We’re Always Here

We hope this guide helps you feel calm, confident, and supported while you wait for your dress to arrive. If you do have a question that isn’t covered here, please don’t hesitate to get in touch — we’re always happy to help.

Trust the process. Your dress is on its way 🤍

Jamila Ali