Please read the entire faQ below before booking and coming
in for your appointment.

AND IF YOU STILL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE EMAIL US BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT DATE. WE’RE HAPPY TO HELP AND
WANT TO MAKE YOUR EXPERIENCE SUCH A LOVELY ONE!

Our Vintage Wedding Dress Collection.

  • Yes! We have one of the most comprehensive collections of vintage bridal wear in the UK with over 200 beautiful and very rare, one-of-a-kind, true vintage wedding dresses dating from Edwardian times through to the 1990s in the boutique, in a wide range of styles, lengths and fabrics.

    This means they are all unique, one-off pieces with their own historical significance, true rarity and romantic history.

    Our wedding dresses have all been hand selected and have been sourced by our expert buying team from all over the world. They’ve also all been professionally cleaned and restored to their former glory before they arrive in the boutique.

    All of the dresses in our collection have been chosen because we’ve fallen in love with them and because they are beautiful, elegant and glamorous dresses which are wonderful examples of each era’s styles and fashion history. Each dress is also selected because of the high quality of its condition, design, fabric and craftsmanship.

    Our wedding dresses look very different to modern wedding dresses not only because fashions were different but also because people’s weddings were different.

    They’re a little bit quirky, modest, stylish and fun, so they provide the perfect alternative to modern wedding dresses. We specialise in beautiful, easy to wear, romantic dresses you won’t find anywhere else.

    Please remember that because our dresses are real vintage pieces they aren’t vintage ‘style’ modern dresses. This means that you won’t find current bridal trends or designs in the collection, for example you won’t find sheer designs, very fitted dresses, 2 piece sets, crop tops, backless or deep v front designs, or very sparkly rhinestone covered designs. These are all modern trends, and dresses like these won’t be part of a vintage collection like ours for some considerable time yet.

  • We always try very hard to have the widest selection of sizes of wedding dresses available in the boutique as we can find, but sadly it is true that vintage wedding dresses are a lot smaller than current/modern dresses. This means that most of our collection tends to range in size between a modern UK size 2 to a modern UK size 12/14.

    Because our dresses are so old, we find it very difficult to find true vintage wedding dresses above a size 12/14 because people were so much smaller in height, bone structure and build in times gone by. Our figures have changed a lot over time as a result of our lifestyle and eating choices, and we must remember that many generations ago, from WW1 right through to 1954 in the UK, people had to live during periods of food rationing which impacted right into the 1970s.

    However, because our stock changes all the time, and we are always sourcing new dresses and adding to our collection, it’s always worth checking about size availability with us.

    It is also true that there are many ways a skilled dressmaker can make dresses fit when they are too small or too big, and they can also be re-modelled to your taste.

  • We usually have around 200 vintage wedding dresses in stock in our collection at any one time.

  • We have a beautiful range of vintage bridal accessories in stock, ranging from veils, tiaras, headdresses, hats and handbags, to jewellery, gloves, parasols and fur wraps, stoles and capes. A selection of these can be found in both our vintage bridal and vintage fashion boutiques (which are right next door to each other) so if you’re interested in finding out more about our accessories collection please just get in touch and we can tell you all about what we have available and advise you as to whether you need to make an appointment or not to come and see them.

  • The price range of our vintage wedding dresses varies depending on the style, rarity, designer, quality and historical significance of the individual dresses we have in our collection at any one time. Our prices also reflect the complex curation and restoration processes involved in creating our wonderful collection.

    • Our mid/full length wedding dresses range in price from approximately £950 up to £3000

    • Our shorter wedding dresses (knee length/mini) range from approximately £550 to £1500

    • Please note that our antique, older and very rare dresses will start at a higher price point of £1500+

Preparing to shop for a wedding dress.

  • This is up to you, every bride is different. We would normally recommend from 12 months before your wedding date onwards. And importantly, when you have already booked your wedding date and venue and are ready to purchase your wedding dress. This is because the time of year, and the venue you choose can have an impact on the style of dresses you might want to have a look at.

    We have brides who visit us up to a year in advance of their wedding day, and brides who visit when they are only a few weeks or months away from their big day. Because our dresses are one-off vintage pieces they are available to purchase in the boutique there and then, and unlike modern dresses they don’t have to be ordered or made in advance for you, so when you find your perfect dress you take it away with you right after your appointment.

    Finding your dress is one of the most fun and most important parts of your wedding planning process. And once you find your dress it can help you plan other aspects of the day’s style around it, such as your theme, your flowers, your hair and make-up and your bridesmaid dresses.

    We would ask you to please refrain from booking an appointment if your wedding is over 12 months away, and unless you are seriously looking to find your dress.

    Because our collection of vintage bridal wear is so rare, and every piece is a precious one-off item that will eventually be worn by a real bride on her wedding day, we would kindly ask that you please don’t just visit us for a fun girly day trip, just to try things on. Unlike a modern wedding dress shop, our dresses are not sample dresses and as such aren’t able to withstand being tried on continuously. We need to protect them for the brides-to-be that will choose to buy them and wear them on their wedding day.

  • It can be helpful to have had a think about what era, style, fabric and colour of dress you think you might like and that would suit your type of wedding, and to be aware of what styles suit your body type, but don’t get too hung up on what you think you want. Don’t come along glued to the idea of wearing a particular design of dress you’ve found on Pinterest or in a magazine because you need to remember that our dresses are one off vintage pieces so you’ll never find the exact same style as one you come across.

    Equally it’s also ok to come along and visit us having no clue at all about what you think you’d like to wear. We’re here to help you and love working with you to make sure you find your special dress.

    Always be open to any suggestions about trying on gowns your bridal stylist has for you. Remember they are experienced bridal stylists who know the collection inside out so they will know what styles will and won’t work for your body type.

  • Because our collection of vintage bridal wear is so rare, and every piece is a precious one-off item that will eventually be worn by a real bride on her wedding day, we would kindly ask that you please don’t just visit us for a fun girly day trip, just to try things on. Unlike a modern wedding dress shop, our dresses are not sample dresses and as such aren’t able to withstand being tried on continuously. We need to protect them for the brides-to-be that will choose to buy them and wear them on their wedding day.

  • It is a core principle of our business that we are inclusive and we celebrate weddings of all sexual orientations, genders, races, and abilities.

    It is extremely important to us that everyone should feel welcome and comfortable in our boutiques so if you or any of your guests have any special needs, disabilities or requirements please feel free to chat with us before you come in for your appointment and we will do our utmost to help.

    We are really sorry to say that because both our vintage bridal wear and our vintage fashion boutiques are situated in very old basement premises with steep sets of stairs required to access them, they are not accessible for wheelchair users. And unfortunately, because these buildings are so old and are historically listed buildings, it is impossible to modify or alter our entrances. However, we would hate for anyone to miss out on the opportunity to find their dream vintage wedding dress, so if you are unable to access our shop because of this, please just contact us. and if possible, and if you are Edinburgh based, we can perhaps arrange to visit you for an at home appointment (please note this service is subject to an additional appointment fee & travel expenses).

THE BRIDAL APPOINTMENT.

  • Yes, our bridal boutique is open on an appointment only basis so you do need to book an appointment to visit us.

    Our appointments are one hour long and are very relaxed and fun and you will be the only bridal party in the boutique at that time. Each bride has a private appointment with a dedicated bridal stylist so that you have our undivided attention and access to our full collection.

    We are open by appointment only on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

  • Yes we do charge a fee to book an appointment. This is because of our specialised one-to-one service and rare and specialised product.

    • We charge a £50 booking fee for a private one-hour long wedding dress consultation appointment.

    • We charge a £25 booking fee for a private, 30 minutes long return appointment, to re-try a few favourites from an initial appointment.

    • We charge a £25 fee for a private, 30 minutes long, bridal accessories appointment.

    Our booking fee applies at booking and ensures your appointment is confirmed.

    The fee is redeemable against the purchase of your dress at your appointment, or your bridal accessories at an accessory appointment, and is otherwise non-refundable if no purchase is made or if an appointment is cancelled. This fee is also strictly non-transferrable if an appointment is re-scheduled with less than 1 week’s notice.

  • Our vintage bridal boutique is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday each week.

  • We would recommend making an appointment at least 2-3 weeks in advance from the date you’d like to visit, especially for appointments on Fridays and Saturdays which are always super busy. However, we’re happy to make bookings up to 2 months or even further in advance if you’re travelling to see us and need to plan your trip. As soon as you decide you would like to visit us simply hop on over to our appointment booking page and complete our booking form with some dates and times that would work for you, and we’ll quickly reply with some available appointments.

  • All of our wedding dress consultation appointments are scheduled for one hour, return visits are 30 minutes and accessory appointments are 30 minutes.

    Please be on time. Each day’s appointments are tightly scheduled and there is no room for appointments to start early or to run on late.

    If you arrive late, that time will be deducted from your scheduled hour. For example, if your wedding dress consultation appointment is scheduled for 10:30 am but you arrive at 10:45 am, then you will only have 45 minutes left for your appointment to shop.

    We unfortunately don’t have a waiting area in our bridal boutique so we won’t have the flexibility to start your appointment early. If you do arrive early, please feel free to have a wander around our sister store Those Were The Days Vintage Fashion Boutique which is located right next door to our bridal boutique.

  • We have a strict two guests policy. So this means a bride can invite up to two guests to come along with them to their appointment.

    We are a small intimate boutique, and don’t have lots of room or seating for a large group.

    While some brides might want to bring their whole bride tribe, we find this can be quite overwhelming and stressful for the bride, so this way we can focus on you. We believe trying on dresses should be fun and stress free and have found that the opinions of a few trusted people always makes for a far more enjoyable shopping experience for our brides.

    Remember, it’s your day and it’s your dress so you should first and foremost listen to what you think. This isn’t a day for other family members to re-live their weddings or to choose dresses they would have liked. By choosing key trusted people to come with you, you’ll have a fun and positive experience.

  • Our bridal boutique is not suitable for children. This is because of the rarity and specialised nature of our collection, the white dresses, our private service, wall hanging mirrors, our furniture and the intimate size of our boutique. We also don’t have a customer bathroom. Therefore we don’t allow babies or children under age 16 into our bridal appointments.

  • No, we don’t allow any photos or videos to be taken of our dresses during the appointment.

  • No, unfortunately we will not be able to let you try on any dresses if you wear fake tan or heavy make up to your appointment. Please also remove your lipstick and don’t wear any perfume. We need your help to keep all of our dresses in pristine bridal condition because they aren’t samples and will all be another bride’s wedding dress one day.

    Please ensure you do wear deodorant to your appointment

  • We would recommend you wear nude / skin coloured underwear to your appointment as any other colours might show through the dresses. Smooth, seamless underwear is also a good choice to wear under a wedding dress to help ensure a smooth line under the fabric. But most importantly wear underwear you don’t mind being seen in because one of our bridal stylists will be in the changing room with you to help you in and out of our dresses.

    If you already have the shoes you’d like to wear on your wedding day, or have shoes with heels the height you think you would like to wear, then it’s a good idea to bring them with you to help you gauge dress lengths.

  • Sorry no. To help us look after our collection of vintage wedding dresses please refrain from bringing any food or drinks into to the boutique.

  • We ask that you kindly leave dogs at home, unless they are a service dog.

boutique policies.

  • Unfortunately, because we only stock one-off pieces we aren’t able to reserve dresses.

  • Yes, all brides who find their dresses take them home with them after their appointment. Due to the size of our boutique we unfortunately aren’t able to store dresses for our brides.

    We will pack your dress into a breathable gown bag so that you can transport it easily. You can also store your dress in this gown bag at home. Please note that because these gown bags are made from a breathable fabric they are not waterproof.

  • We take payment in full at the time of purchase.

    We accept all major credit and debit cards (except for American Express) and also Apple/Google pay. You can also pay in cash or by bank transfer.

  • No, all sales are final. Because our pieces are vintage, no refunds or exchanges are available. All vintage pieces are sold as seen.

  • No we don’t buy back any wedding dresses or accessories.

alterations, looking after your wedding dress, Wedding party outfits

  • We do not offer alterations.

    We don’t have an in-house seamstress because when our vintage wedding dresses fit most of our brides tend not to need any alterations, or only require minimal alterations. And if they don’t fit, because they are all unique pieces we’re unfortunately not able to get you another size and alter it to fit. However, we’re always happy to recommend our favourite local alterations experts.

  • All of the wedding dresses in our collection are professionally cleaned before they arrive in the boutique so unless you have a disaster before the wedding there should be no need to re-clean your dress before you wear it.

    Never attempt to wash your dress at home yourself or to use a domestic iron on it. Always take it to a professional and recommended specialist dry cleaning company and please be aware that all dry cleaning carries some risk to a vintage garment.

  • Our sister store, Those Were The Days Vintage Fashion Boutique is located right next door to our bridal store and has a wonderful selection of vintage cocktail and evening dresses, and dress suits that make perfect bridesmaid, mother of the bride and groom, and wedding guest outfits. It’s open Wednesday to Saturday and you don’t need an appointment to pop in and view our fashion collections.

    Check out Those Were The Days Vintage for more information!

editorial styling LOANS & CREATIVE COLLABORATIONS

& WORKING WITH bridal stylists

  • We love to collaborate with other creatives on their fashion projects. We have vast collections of exciting, rare, iconic and collectable vintage bridal pieces dating from Edwardian times through to the 1990s in both our current collections and in our archives that we are happy on occasion to loan out.

    If you’re a stylist, photographer, costume designer or consultant working on an exciting fashion editorial, stage show, or TV / Film work etc, and are interested in using some of our vintage fashion pieces from either our current collections or our archives, please just get in touch with us to discuss your project’s requirements and our editorial loans Terms & Conditions.

    And if you have an interesting creative idea and would love to collaborate directly with us on an editorial shoot or project just get in touch! Our founder Claire is an experienced stylist and regularly collaborates with other creatives on fashion editorial projects.

  • If you are a bridal stylist and are shopping for a private client and haven’t worked with us before, then please contact us via our contact form with some information about what you are looking for and your client’s budget and dress measurements. We can then discuss initial style options with you.

    If you would then like to go ahead and book an appointment for your client we will arrange that for you through our normal booking process.

    Please don’t book an appointment for a client without reaching out to us first and making us aware you will be attending with them.

We can’t wait to help you find your dream vintage
wedding gown.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT