F.A.Q's..

Have a question? Not sure where to start or how finding your dream dress works? We have all the answers.. but if you do have any further questions please do not hestiate to get in touch!

When should I begin wedding dress shopping?

To relieve the pressure of finding your perfect dress, it’s advisable to begin looking for your dream dress approximately 12-18 months in advance to your Wedding date.

Charlotte Elizabeth Bridal has a wide variety of bridal gowns, but without you feeling overwhelmed we carefully select a few dresses to start with on your appointment to explore what you do and don't like first!

Gowns can take upto 6-7 months to arrive to our boutique and then it is advisable to allow a further 8 weeks for alterations. Reason for advising brides to order their gown a year before their wedding date!

If you have less than 6 months before your ceremony, it may be possible we can obtain certain designer gowns much sooner. But we do have our new 'Ready to wear Collection' upstairs in our new Lux Lounge, with over 100 gowns at 50% off which you could take home the very same day.

We also provide beautiful Bridesmaids dresses, perfect for your bridal party!

Do I need to make an Appointment?

Yes — all of our appointments need to be pre-booked in advance. This ensures you have exclusive use of the boutique and our full attention for the duration of your visit.

You can easily book through our online system, or just give us a call and we’ll arrange it for you.

To keep every appointment special and completely focused on each bride, we’re unable to accommodate walk-ins.

BOOK APPOINTMENT

How long is the appointment session?

Your Exclusive Bridal appointment will be up-to 2 hours, including our VIP Bridal appointments with Cake & Fizz!

Once we have an idea of the styles you love, we’ll handpick a selection of gowns we feel will truly suit and inspire you. Do keep in mind that gowns can look quite different on the hanger (or compared to images you may have seen online), so we encourage you to stay open to our expert recommendations.

At Charlotte Elizabeth Bridal, we’re passionate about making your journey extra special – helping you discover the dress of your dreams in the most memorable way.

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What dress sizes do you have and what size should I order?

We carry a variety of sample gowns in sizes 8 to 22 for you to try during your appointment. Don’t worry if a sample doesn’t fit perfectly — this is completely normal. We’re here to guide you and show you exactly how your own gown will look and feel once it’s made to your size.

When it comes to ordering your gown, we’ll take your measurements, compare them to the designer’s size chart, and give you expert advice on the best size to order. Most gowns can be ordered up to a size 32. With Charlotte’s seamstress experience, you’ll receive honest guidance on which size is most suitable, helping to avoid unnecessary alteration costs.

Bridal sizing is different from high street sizing and can vary slightly between designers. It’s very common to need a size or two up from your usual clothes size, so it’s important to stay open-minded.

Please don’t worry about the size on the label — what matters is achieving the perfect fit for you. We’ll always explain everything clearly at your appointment.

If you have a specific gown in mind and want to check which size we have available, please get in touch. We can also arrange to loan additional samples from our designers for you to try on.

How can you help me choose?

At Charlotte Elizabeth Bridal, we’re all about detail, personality, and a big dose of bridal magic. We’re proud to bring you the latest trends in every shade, style, and shape — because no two brides (or dresses!) are ever the same.

We know this moment is a big one, so we make sure you feel comfortable, confident, and totally at ease. Our styling advice is honest (sometimes brutally honest — in the best way ), and we’ll always encourage you to try gowns that flatter your shape… plus a few of our infamous “wild cards” that often turn out to be the one.

It’s not just about the dress either — with our expert eye for the perfect accessories and finishing touches, we’ll help you pull your whole bridal look together so it feels 100% you.

Our brides often say things like…

“If it wasn’t for Charlotte pulling out the ‘wild card,’ I never would’ve found my dress! It was nothing like I thought I’d go for — can’t thank the CE Bridal team enough!”

And the fun doesn’t stop there — if you want to come back for a second appointment to retry your faves, you’re always welcome. But when you get that feeling of not wanting to take a gown off… that’s when you know it’s YOUR dress!

How many guests may I bring to the appointment?

You’re more than welcome to come solo (lots of our brides do!), or you can bring up to three guests with you.

Our biggest tip? Choose people who will lift you up, support your vision, and keep the focus on you. Too many opinions can be overwhelming — especially if it’s your first time trying on gowns — and sometimes the voices of others can drown out your own.

We want this to feel like your moment, so bring the ones who make you feel calm, confident, and celebrated. That way, the only opinion that really matters — yours — shines through.

What do I wear to my appointment?

We recommend wearing seam-free nude underwear if you can — it helps you see the gowns at their best. But don’t worry if you don’t have any! Most of our gowns are designed with built-in support and structure, so you won’t usually need a bra.

Most importantly — please don’t feel nervous or insecure about what you’re wearing underneath. We are a fun, caring team of women who see brides every single day, and we’re not here to judge your body. We’re focused on how the gown fits you and how incredible you’ll look walking down the aisle.

For shoes, we have a selection in the boutique for you to try on, but if you’ve already found your dream pair, you’re more than welcome to bring them along so you can see the full effect!

How do I pay for my gown?

Once you’ve had your magical “Yes to the Dress” moment, we require a 50% deposit at the point of ordering your gown. The remaining balance is due when your dress arrives and is collected from the boutique. As soon as your gown is here, we’ll be in touch to arrange your collection appointment.

We also offer flexible payment plans to make things even easier — just ask us for more details, and we’ll be happy to guide you through the options.

To keep everything stress-free, you'll have access to your own 'MyBridal - Log in' where all payments, invoices, and gown details are securely stored for you to access anytime.

When should I visit the seamstress?

At Charlotte Elizabeth Bridal, we pre-book our brides with one of our highly recommended seamstresses once your gown has arrived at the boutique. This secures your slot in their busy diaries, usually around 6–8 weeks before your wedding day.

Our trusted seamstresses, such as Alexey Morozov (Derby) and Suzanne at Bella Figura (Matlock), will advise on what alterations are needed and provide you with clear pricing. Any follow-up fittings will then be arranged if required, ensuring your gown is the perfect fit.

With Charlotte’s own seamstress background, you’ll also receive honest, knowledgeable advice at your appointment and collection — from what can (and can’t) be altered, to when the right time is to start fittings. This means you’ll always have expert guidance you can trust before your gown even reaches the seamstress.

We also appreciate that many of our brides travel from further afield, so if it’s easier and more cost-effective, you’re welcome to use a local seamstress closer to home. Either way, we’ll support you every step of the way to make sure your dress is altered beautifully.

And most importantly, you're never left to navigate it all alone. We work closely with our seamstresses, keeping in touch throughout the process, so your bridal journey runs smoothy right up until your big day!

Do you offer Aftercare once I've said Yes?

Absolutely! At Charlotte Elizabeth Bridal, our journey with you continues well beyond your “yes” moment.

When it’s time to collect your gown, we’ll celebrate with you and present your dress all pressed, prepared, and ready for your big day. You’ll also receive one of our CE Bridal Aftercare Goodie Bags, with instructions on what happens next, which includes:

Information about our recommended seamstresses and when to book.
Pair of white gloves for your day to avoid any makeup marks when getting dressed!
Details of our Dress the Bride service (where we can be there on your wedding morning to dress you personally)
Advice on dress cleaning and aftercare following your big day!
Options to purchase wedding dress travel boxes and storage boxes to keep your gown safe for years to come

..along with special little personalised gifts from us!

We want you to feel fully supported from the moment you say yes, to walking down the aisle, and even after the celebrations are over.

With CE Bridal, you’re not just buying a dress — you’re gaining a team who cares about every part of your journey.

Other points to consider before your appointment..

Save any gowns you’ve fallen in love with and let us know which ones you’d like to try on during your appointment.

Macy & Alfie — our miniature dachshunds — are very much part of the CE Bridal family and a popular feature in the boutique. Brides adore them (and often sneak them into their “Yes to the Dress” photos ).

But if you’d prefer not to be around dogs, just let us know on your online booking form — we’re more than happy to keep them in the office during your visit.

Parking is available close to the boutique, and we’ll share full details with your appointment confirmation and your appointment reminder message so your journey here is completely stress-free.

And of course, if you still have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

We honestly can’t wait to meet you, Bride-to-be, and help you find the dress of your dreams!