Wedding dress shops frequently asked questions….
Coronavirus – how safe is it to shop at Bleu?
Trying on wedding dresses is an exciting and happy experience, Bleu appointments are run a little differently, so we keep you and your guests safe, but they are still great fun!! Disposable face masks are available if required, your consultant will wear a mask while helping you in the changing room just to be super safe.
Please call us if you would like to chat about the Coronavirus and what it means for you and your guests.
Where is Bleu Bridal Gowns?
Between Botley and Wickham in the Hampshire Meon Valley, a google map can be seen on the “Contact Bleu” page. If you are Southampton wedding dress shopping and Portsmouth / Fareham wedding dress shopping, Bleu Bridal Gowns are not far away. Hidden in the countryside with plenty of free parking and away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Just a few minutes from Portsmouth along the M27 take Junction 10 through Wickham, or from Southampton take junction 7 through Botley. If you are wedding dress shopping in the Winchester, Alton and Alresford area, Bleu Bridal Gowns Barn can be reached easily along the M3 or A32 towards Bishops Waltham.
For brides travelling from London, there is a direct train service from London Waterloo … call Sue for more details on 07748632723.
How long is an appointment and who should I bring?
When trying on wedding dresses whether vintage, romantic, classic or sassy in design, you will have 2 hours at Bleu to try on all the dresses that you like. There are no limits to how many you try either, relax and have fun! Some brides prefer to shop alone until they narrow down their choice and then invite friends and family to help make that final decision. Too many guests can confuse a bride, bring people who understand you and who you can trust to make wedding dress shopping stress free, brides are able to bring a maximum of 4 guests.
Please check with Bleu BEFORE the appointment, if you wish to bring children so we can discuss your requirements.
Why is there a charge for the second appointment?
Bleu introduced a charge for second appointments on the 1st of August 2022.
The first appointment at Bleu is free of charge, sometimes brides will find a dress they love but wish to think about it or to compare it to other styles elsewhere before ordering. Brides are very welcome to go away and have a think about their dream dress before purchase, it is a big commitment after all!
A second appointment is often when the bride will say “yes to the dress” in which case the second appointment is also free of charge. Should the bride decide that the wedding dress is still not “the one” then a small consultation fee of £25 is payable.
How do I pay for a wedding dress?
At Bleu and the majority of bridal shops near Southampton, Winchester and Portsmouth, we require a deposit at the point of ordering the dress, with the remaining amount due on collection. As most wedding dresses take a number of months to arrive, this will give you time to save before paying the outstanding amount.
I have bought a dress from Bleu, what happens next?
Congratulations! An email will arrive in the next week confirming your order and expected delivery date. Please double check the details against the order paperwork and give sue a call if anything doesn’t look right. Your wedding dress will be ordered and as soon as it arrives Bleu will text to arrange a collection date … please note collections are not possible over a weekend but Monday to Friday and late evenings are fine. The seamstress leaflet will be attached to your email explaining where she is, what to expect and when to contact her.
If you have purchased a sample gown you will have collected your beautiful wedding dress in its own special carrier. The fabric is breathable and will keep your wedding dress protected (you can store your dress in the back of the wardrobe for years without damage). An email will also arrive in the next week with seamstress details attached.
Now it is time to look for wedding shoes which you will need for your first seamstress appointment.
How do I store my wedding dress?
Your wedding dress will be in its own breathable dress bag, which you can hang in a wardrobe. As long as the wedding dress is kept away from sunlight, damp and cooking smells, it should be fine … for years! Be aware of moths, they are in the Hampshire area, research moth balls and be wary of strong scent as it will linger on your fabric.
After storage and alterations, your wedding dress will be a little creased. Bleu offers a steaming service, just ask your consultant for prices and details. Bleu can also steam bridesmaid dresses and guest outfits too.
When should I start wedding dress shopping in Hampshire?
Most wedding dress shops in the Southampton, Winchester and Portsmouth area, quote 4 to 6 months for a dress to be delivered depending on the designer. Add 2 to 3 months for fittings, start wedding dress shopping in Hampshire at least 9 months before your wedding! At Bleu, we can arrange a rush order of 6 weeks if you are in a hurry with the average gown taking 4/5 months to arrive plus dresses that can be bought on the day. Please note, with Covid restrictions in place, delivery times for dresses may take an additional 2 to 4 months longer than normal.
What dress style will suit me?
There are 4 basic dress shapes known as “A” line, mermaid or fishtail, fit and flare and ballgown. “A” line suits most brides the skirt shape resembles a capital A and will fit at the waist then fall gently, hiding tummy and hips. Fishtail and mermaid are the same shape, tight fitting to the knee and then flare outwards, be wary of looking stunning standing up always try and sit in a fitted dress to ensure you are still comfortable. Fit and flare is a softer version of mermaid, also fitted but usually to mid thigh and falling into a fuller skirt, lots more movement, very flattering to the figure and easier to sit in! Ballgown dresses are fitted to the waist the skirt fills out into a beautiful princess dress hiding tummy and hips. A drop waist ballgown is the most flattering as the waist is shown off rather than hidden under fabric. At Bleu Bridal Gowns we have all these styles for brides to try to see which they prefer.
Where can I have my wedding dress and bridesmaid,s dresses steamed?
We offer a wedding dress and veil steaming service to all our Bleu Brides and the date for steaming will be booked in when you collect your wedding dress. Remember to bring an old double or king size duvet cover when you bring your wedding dress in for steaming. The duvet cover is larger than the original dress bag so will reduce creasing after it is steamed. If you are not a Bleu bride call us for a quote, we want you to look beautiful on your wedding day too. Bridesmaid dresses and wedding guest outfits can also be steamed, please call us for details on 07748632723.
How do you lace up a corset wedding dress?
You Tube footage is a great place to start. Very hard to describe but the main points are to start at the top of the corset and work your way down. Divide the lace equally at the start, then work from left to right… leave enough time to lace up your dress on your wedding day and have a glass of champagne while your bridesmaid does all the work! (if you get really stuck, call Bleu and arrange to pop by, we are happy to show you how)
Where can I buy knee length and T length vintage wedding dresses?
Bleu Bridal Gowns stock the Rita Mae range of wedding dresses, each gown is available in knee length, T length (mid-calf) and full-length options. Rita Mae wedding dresses are available in Ivory, white and soft pink. If you are thinking of a marquee wedding, woodland vows or wedding abroad, a shorter length Rita Mae wedding dress would be a stunning and practical option. A small selection can be seen on the “Collections” page of the Bleu Bridal Gowns website. Visit the Rita Mae website to view the collections www.ritamae.co.uk.
Can you recommend a wedding make-up artist?
Frances Moore has a great You Tube video filmed at the Bleu Bridal Gowns Barn. The video can be seen on the Bleu Offers page. Beautiful make-up and Frances is a lovely person too
What wedding jewellery and wedding accessories do you stock?
White Ivy and Twilight jewellery, stunning bridal hair pieces, bridesmaid’s necklaces and earring gift sets, bride and bridesmaid’s tiaras, wedding shoes by Perfect Bridal Shoes, dyable bride and bridesmaid shoes. Beautiful diamante veils, crystal droplet veils, 2 tier and single tier veils by Bianco Evento. Feel free to book an hour appointment to browse and try on all the bridal accessories, even if you bought your wedding dress from another bridal shop.
Do you exhibit at wedding fayres?
Any wedding fayre attendance is advertised on the Bleu Bridal Gown facebook page. Very often there are special offers or Designer Day events advertised on facebook for you to share with friends and family. Venues that we exhibit at include Winchester Cathedral, Three Choirs vineyard in Shedfield, Botley Grange Hotel in Hedge End, Botley Park Hotel in Botley, Meon Valley Hotel and spa in Shedfield, Lysses Hotel in Fareham, East Horton Golf Club in Fair Oak, Marwell Hotel near Marwell zoo in Colden Common, Solent Hotel in Whiteley, Hilton at the Ageas Bowl in West End, Cams Hall in Fareham, Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, Chilworth Manor in Chilworth near Southampton.
What is a Designer Day?
Designers launch new collections all through the year and will loan their dresses to a bridal shop for a few days, so that brides can see everything in one place. Designer days are advertised through the Bleu Bridal Gowns facebook page and on instagram.
What else can I visit near Bleu Bridal gowns?
Situated on the A334, Wickham Vineyard and the Meon Valley Hotel, golf course and Spa across the lane from Bleu and great places to visit. Marwell Hotel and Marwell Zoo, East Horton Golf Course are ten minutes away. Visit Steeple Court Manor in Botley to see a stunning wedding marque in the grounds of a historic house. The Lysses Hotel in Fareham is a great location for a wedding where you can hire the whole hotel for your guests! All are fantastic wedding venues near Botley, Wickham, Bishops Waltham, Hedge End, Fair Oak, Whiteley, Curdridge, Fareham, Droxford, Alton, Alresford, Petersfield, Winchester, Basingstoke, Southsea and Havant.