You’re engaged! Cue the celebrations, the ring selfies, and the sudden realization that at some point soon, you need to find the dress.
If you’ve never stepped foot in a bridal boutique before, the whole process can feel a little mysterious. When do you start? How long does it all take? What happens if you fall in love with a dress that needs six months to arrive, but your wedding is in five?
At Brides by Solo, we’ve been guiding brides through the dress shopping journey for over 40 years, and we’re here to make sure your experience is as exciting, empowering, and stress-free as possible. Let’s walk through what to expect, what to avoid, and when to get started.
When Should You Start Shopping?
The sweet spot is about 12 months before your wedding. This gives you plenty of time to explore styles, fall in love with a dress, place your order, and leave room for alterations without any last-minute stress.
Most designer gowns take 3 to 6 months to arrive, depending on the brand. Then, you’ll want at least two months for alterations to make sure your gown fits like it was made for you.
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Allure Wilderly Bride
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But don’t panic if you’re working with less time! Some designers offer rush options or hold gowns in stock, and at Brides by Solo, we have 170-200 dresses in-store at any given time, ready for you to fall in love with even if your wedding is just around the corner.
What Happens at Your Appointment?
Picture this: You walk into a boutique, nerves buzzing, not quite sure what to expect - and you’re instantly greeted with warmth and calm vibes. That’s exactly how we want you to feel at Brides by Solo.
Each bride gets her own private changing room and seating area for up to three guests. (Trust us - three is the magic number. Too many opinions can make it harder to hear your own!) There’s no communal changing, and every mirror gives you a full view of the front and back, so you can truly envision yourself walking down the aisle.
During your appointment, your stylist will help you try on different silhouettes and styles (even ones you may not have considered) while listening to your feedback and helping you narrow things down until you find the one.
What If I Don’t Know What Style I Want?
Most brides don’t! And that’s totally okay. You don’t need to know the difference between each silhouette and fabric type before you walk in. Your stylist is there to help you explore, ask the right questions, and guide you toward dresses that make you feel incredible.
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Allure
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At Brides by Solo, we stock everything from timeless classics to boho beauties, including:
Allure Bridals (great for classic bridal elegance)
Wilderly Bride (for that free-spirited, boho bride)
Brighton Belle (for gorgeous tea length dresses)
We carry samples in sizes 8 to 26, so every bride can feel confident and comfortable from the first try-on to the final fitting.
What Comes After You Say “Yes”?
Once you’ve found your dream dress, we’ll walk you through the ordering process and match you with one of our talented bridal dressmakers. Whether you’re looking for standard alterations or custom tweaks like added straps, a matching jacket, or a bespoke veil, we’ve got you covered.
Alterations begin two months before your wedding, and we work with both in-house and regional seamstresses in Newmarket, Bury St Edmunds, and Cambridge. Even if you didn’t buy your dress with us, we’re happy to help with alterations - including second-hand or online gowns.
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Brighton Belle
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Why Brides by Solo?
With over 40 years of experience, Brides by Solo is one of the most trusted and established bridal boutiques in Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. We’ve helped thousands of brides find “the one,” and we pride ourselves on offering:
A huge range of styles, sizes, and price points
Dresses from £400 (off the peg) to £2000 (made-to-order)
A warm, relaxed, and supportive experience
Knowledgeable staff who really care
Private, spacious fitting areas designed for comfort
Whether you’re just getting started or already have a few ideas pinned, we’d love to welcome you into the boutique. Bring your closest supporters, enthusiasm, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Book your appointment with Brides by Solo today and let’s find the dress that makes you feel like the absolute best version of you!