Brides of Dorset is open by appointment only. This allows each bride 2 hours, with exclusive use of the boutique and one to one with Tracey, to allow plenty of time and opportunity to try a selection of dresses in a private and relaxed environment.  We can offer appointments on weekdays but are closed on Wednesdays.  Appointments can be made on Saturdays and Sundays and evening appointments can also be offered.

The made to measure dresses we stock are by a British designer Louisa Jackson Bridal.
The off the peg ex sample dresses are a mixture of different bridal designers. You can find further information on the designers and an image of all the dresses we stock, on the dress section of the website.

Brides of Dorset offers dresses to suit different budgets. The ex sample/stock designer dresses range from approx £200-£1000 and the designer made to measure Louisa Jackson Bridal collection range from approximately £900 – £2000.

The bride and her entourage will be warmly welcomed to the boutique by Tracey. Some personal details will be taken and Tracey will chat to the bride about what she is looking for and advise on size etc. Tracey will show everyone around the boutique. Refreshments will be offered whilst the bride and her entourage start browsing the dresses and picking out dresses to try on. The entourage will be made comfortable whilst the bride is taken to a dressing room to start trying the dresses on. After a chance of personal reflection on each dress, the bride will enter the main room to show off the dress to her entourage in front of the beautiful mirror. Here the bride will have a chance to see the dress in its full form with plenty of space to show off the train/back of the dress. Tracey will discuss with the bride and her entourage thoughts on each dress to help eliminate or decide on styles which suit the bride the most. Remember it is not just how the bride looks in the dress but how you feel in it. Tracey will then help suggest further dresses for the bride to try. The bride may find ‘the one’ during this process and end up ‘saying yes to the dress’, or she may finish the appointment without finding her dream dress. This is okay and the bride will be encouraged to visit other bridal shops but take with her the knowledge and experience she has gained at Brides of Dorset, to continue in her journey to finding her dream dress.

Yes, we are happy for you to take photographs to help you decide on your perfect dress.

The off the peg designer dresses can as a general rule be altered up to two sizes down if it is too big and one size up if it is too small. This may depend on the dress itself though and the seamstress can advise. The made to measure dresses will be ordered in a size closest to your body measurements, according to each designer’s size guide. Dresses can then be altered by the seamstress to ensure a perfect fit.

The Louisa Jackson Bridal collection are made to measure dresses. They take approximately 3 months to make and arrive back to store, timings can be quicker or longer depending on how busy it is at that time of year.

Most dresses can have a bustle put in by the seamstress so that the train can be attached to the back of the dress ready for an evening of dancing!

Although children are welcome at Brides of Dorset, the advice is to think carefully about bringing them. From experience, Babies and children get bored very quickly in these environments seeing dress after dress and with a two hour appointment this is a long time to expect children to sit quietly. The focus of the appointment should be on you, the bride, so to be able to have a completely relaxed and enjoyable experience, it is recommended not to bring children to your appointment where possible. Should you need to bring children along, again it’s recommended you bring an appropriate form of entertainment for them and have someone willing to look after them.

Brides of Dorset unfortunately is not licensed for alcohol on the premises so will be unable to provide or accommodate alcoholic beverages at your appointment.