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FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
Deliberately off the beaten bridal track of Glasgow & Edinburgh, exclusively for intrepid brides willing to go the extra mile to find something less common.
Situated in the coastal town of Ayr, 36 miles from Glasgow with a regular direct train service, we are less than 1 min walk from the station and benefit from free on street parking, if you choose to drive.
Knowing it's a little more effort to visit, means not everyone books which in turn keeps our styles more exclusive.
51 Kyle Street, Ayr, KA7 1RS
Our bridal gowns range from £1200 - £4000
We have a small selection of mini/midi/civil looks that are under £1000.
Weddings are expensive, and quality, white gowns, from slow fashion are no exception. We are acutely aware of the economic climate so have gone above and beyond to source the most stylish and highest quality dresses we could find while keeping the majority of our gowns under or around £2000.
Actual pricing of each of our gowns is listed on our website as we believe in full transparency!
We will do our utmost to respect your budget during the appointment. And will always consult you if we think you will like something that is over budget.
Shopping in advance can help with budgeting as we offer low deposits and monthly instalments for brides order more than 10 months in advance.
Bridal samples NEVER fit anyone perfectly.
We try to list sample sizes on our styles carried by each designer on the website as a guide but take them with a pinch of salt as sizing varies across brands.
Most of our samples fall between a UK size 8 and 18, majority being 12 & 14's, although we have some up to a 22. Usually you can try on a dress that is at least 1-3 sizes too small or too big with clever pegging and get a good enough idea if it suits you or not.
Dresses can be ordered in pretty much any size and we will advise in store if your designer works by standard sizing or made to measure. Made to measure / split sizing usually carries a fee and we will discuss in store if its worth it vs the cost of alterations to make the best decision.
ALL dresses will require further adjustments on arrival to have it fitting perfectly and these are not included in the cost.
Slow fashion takes time - and it’s worth every second.
We need at least eight months from order to wear date, so don’t leave dress shopping too late.
The sweet spot? Visit two or three carefully chosen boutiques over one or two weekends - ideally after doing your homework on what they stock.
Here's the math behind it: we take pride that all our wedding dresses are 'slow fashion' and made only to order, not sitting in stock. This longer, but more sustainable approach means that dresses take up to 6 months to arrive.
Our recommended seamstress kindly requests that you allow 3 months for alterations.
We add in a buffer of 1 month to allow for the dress to arrive in store, be checked over by ourselves and give you time to organise collecting it before starting alterations so that equals a 10 month minimum order time.
However, anytime between 8 and 18 months is normal and most brides and bridal stores settle at the 12 month mark as the god standard of advice. 8 months might restrict some dress choices and mean less time for alterations and is our absolute cut off.
If you have less than 8 months then we, unfortunately cannot help you with a new dress/styling appointment, but we can recommend good off the peg shops for you to try instead.
We understand brides are excited to dress shop, but do not recommend shopping too far in advance with the intention of ordering later down the line as styles get discontinued all the time with little to no notice, you will never want something more than the minute you find out you cannot have it! So we strongly advise booking between 10-18 months in advance and only at a time you are in a position to commit, should you find the one.
You MUST have secured your wedding venue and date as we cannot advise which dresses will be available in time without this information and you will not be able to envisage your dress without knowing exactly when and where the wedding will take place.
The price and availability of a gown is only valid during your appointment, if you need to revisit us later we cannot guarantee it will be available or the same price. At a time of high inflation and fluctuating currencies this likelihood of disappointment has never been higher!
Yes, we are in the heart of Ayr and there is now free parking for up to 2 hours on the streets of Ayr, including Kyle Street right outside our shop (except the last 2 spaces on the street which are reserved for taxis, I've already had a ticket!!)
You need to validate your parking by entering car reg into the machine and waiting a short pause for the green tick prompt. The surrounding parking lots are not included in the free 2 hours. On street parking is also free on a Sunday, you don't need to validate your stay at the machine first.
The nearest parking lot of approx 50 spaces is under the red brick buildings on the right hand side across from the shop (on google maps as Kyle Street Parking) is £1 an hour payable up front.
There is also the pay as you leave, parking basement parking underneath the shopping precinct 'Ayr Central' which is directly behind us.
Alternatively we are under a minutes walk from the train station, which is connected to Glasgow central with at least 2 trains an hour with a journey time of under 50 mins.
Please remember - not all bridal shops are created equally - not every store and dress is worthy of your time!
A diligent bride who has researched shops that fall within their budget and vibe should be able to find the one within 1-3 stores. Don't waste your time hunting down specific gowns you found on Pinterest, there's about a 90% chance it's either long discontinued or £8000. Use Pinterest to gauge the things you are repeatedly drawn to and find the shops that look like they have your kind of style, in your budget, and shop from there.
If you are travelling a distance to visit, leaving us till last will make it easier to say yes on the day and save a second journey as you will be able to rule everything else out.
If any part of you or your guests want to see you in a 'big princess gown' or something much more traditional be it serious or just for fun, we recommend visiting a larger traditional store first, so you can get this out of your system.
We do not try to be everything to everybody, so although we might look like a smaller store, if you are only interested in plain and plain-ish gowns you will find a larger choice of gowns that you actually want to try on with us vs anywhere else. Because we also have niched out into less traditional dresses, we do not recommend making us your first visit, especially if you are unsure of what you will like.
Try keep your appointments grouped across 1-2 weeks as it is always sods law your favourites will be in different stores and much easier to compare if there aren't months between trying them on.
Beware of over shopping. You will desensitise yourself to the experience, the gowns, and ultimately have a more complicated than necessary time. F&F will also grow weary of thinking of new things to say. Time is money and when nearly all bridal shops charge for appointments too, think of what else you could treat yourself too with those extra booking fees!
If you are struggling to find the one after a few shops, ask yourself if you are doing the same thing and expecting different results. For example, you booked shops and asked to try on specific dresses, but just aren't falling for anything. Open up your parameters on fabrics and styles and let the consultant dress you instead, you might surprise yourself!
No.
Serving alcohol in an unlicensed premise is illegal. (I think I know of maybe one bridal boutique in the whole country that is actually licensed, so the rest are simply breaking the law and risk being shut down in doing so)
But more than that, we do not believe serving booze, which loosens inhibitions and enhances emotions, is morally right in a sales environment. We want your reactions to be completely organic.
We do provide some sweet nibbles and a self-serve mini fridge with various artisan soft drinks, iced coffees and water for you and your guests to enjoy if you want them. Much more refreshing than some cheap plonk, imho!
Typically around 3-4 months before your wedding date. Unless specifically requested, if it arrives early, we will hold on to it until this time as it is safe, insured and out of harms way.
We will email you to advise it is here so you can book a collection appointment. It is your responsibility to advise us if your email address changes and make sure we do not go into junk folders.
All our gowns and accessories are lovingly hand made by highly skilled teams based around the world including Europe, China, India, South Korea and the UK.
We only sell dresses, separates and jumpsuits for the bride.
At present this is something we do not offer, but may in the future. Our exclusive selection of unique veils, jewellery and shoes are only available to our brides.
We do not operate a waiting list, but do post last minute weekend cancellations on our instagram page.
Our diary shows availability up to 3 months in advance, so if you are trying to book for later than this you will need to set yourself a reminder to come back later.
Due to our unique styles and excellent reputation, we enjoy a client base the length and breadth of Scotland, making appointments, particularly weekend ones, in hot demand, often filling up, up to 3 weeks in advance.
Unfortunately we do not offer rush orders.
We do have a wide selection of "off the rack" ex sample gowns in great condition, that have only ever been tried on in store.
These are only available to purchase online via Vinted - search @unbridaled and have photos, size and condition info. There are over 100 in various styles and sizes. We do not have room for these dresses in store, so they are pre-packaged away in storage ready to ship out. They are full payment only. You can try on at home and have 14 days to return for refund if unsuitable, less p&p.
We do not offer in house alterations due to the vast majority of our brides not being local.
Alterations are always extra and always required, even for made to measure gowns, to have it fitting perfectly. We recommend factoring in around £500 into your dress budget for these, more if you are planning on major changes or customisations. You can reach out to companies direct for more accurate estimates with current prices, but a 10 layer princess ball gown with beading is going to cost a lot more than just doing the hem and straps on a sheath crepe gown.
Alterations are up to you to organise in a timely manner for your wedding date. Ideally these should be booked as soon as you purchase your dress, using 12 weeks before wedding date as ETA of your gown as a guide.
The majority of our brides use Elizabeth Wallace in Kilmarnock who offer a professional fitting service and accessory store with a highly skilled and friendly team.
The designers we carry are, at time of writing, exclusive to us in the whole of Scotland, so no other bridal shop is authorised to be quoting you on the gowns we carry.
However, you may see prices online by designers direct or bridal shops outside of Scotland. Different countries = different prices. If viewing designers own website, for example, remember that any order from the USA, for example, is subject to approximately 40% import tax & VAT, shipping, insurance and clearance fees on arrival. In the USA, even Americans, dont pay the price shown online, sales tax is added at checkout depending on which state they are living in. So it may look cheaper, but it isn't actually.
Suspiciously low priced websites are not the genuine article, therefore we do not price match.
We would not publish our prices online if we were not confident that they were the most competitive out there.
Many bridal shops are passion projects ran by people who just love dresses. I came from a corporate world, trained in accounting and economics, with an accute understanding of how tight the margins we work with and the costs of running a healthy business. Any shop that is materially undercutting runs a significant risk of not existing the following year when you want to pick up your gown.
Our prices online are a guideline and are subject to change at any time.
Don't hold off booking your bridal appointment, talk to us instead so we can discuss your individual situation, timeline and requirements. There isn't a one size fits all answer to either of these, but delaying till you're a certain weight or x months postpartum will leave you with far fewer options.
We have a strict 12+ policy for all appointments.
This isn’t because we don’t love children - it’s because our appointments are intentionally calm, focused, and centred entirely around the bride. Wedding dress shopping can be emotional, vulnerable and deeply personal, and we work hard to protect that atmosphere.
There are also practical considerations. Appointments can last a while, and younger children rarely enjoy sitting for that length of time. The boutique environment isn’t designed with toddlers in mind either - heavy mirrors, mannequins, pins, clips and the occasional button on the floor simply aren’t a safe or suitable setting for little ones.
The only exception to this policy is a newborn “babes in arms.”
We understand that in those early weeks, the only caregivers you may feel comfortable leaving your baby with are the very people you’d bring to your appointment, or you may be navigating feeding schedules. In those specific circumstances, a newborn who will remain in arms is welcome.
Where possible, we always recommend arranging childcare so you can be fully present and enjoy the experience without distraction. However, if that’s not realistic in the newborn stage, we will absolutely accommodate the brides babe in arms.
Outside of this, guests must be 12+ and are part of your guest limit booked.
Our priority is creating a calm, supportive space where you can focus on how you feel: uninterrupted; safe; and completely centred on you.
No, designers do not provide updates on individual gowns. If something is wrong, we will know about it, but otherwise we work on the basis of receiving your dress 3-4 months before the big day (or the timeline agreed in store if circumstances dictated that) and we need flexibility due to external factors such as delivery and customs.
We recommend pencilling in alterations well in advance using 12 weeks as your pick up date, and can always change nearer the time if necessary, its easier to bring an appointment forward, than push it back.
Over the years we have fine tuned a bespoke automated system to make sure everything is ordered and checked off when it arrives when it should, with alarm bells raised if it is not. And a manual back up system incase technology fails us.
You dress ready email comes from an automated system and as such accounts like hotmail in partcular, sometimes filter them out as spam, you need to add us to safe senders list to avoid missing important updates.
Pick up appointments are 30 mins long, we will quickly try on dress as this is the easiest way to inspect it. Make sure everything is exactly as ordered. If you have other items you have since purchased that you want to check look good with it, you are welcome to try those on at the same time. If you did not order a veil during original appointment, we usually have enough time to try these on too.
The dress will still likely not fit perfectly, but as long as your weight hasn't fluctuated then it should be much better than the sample you tried.
Alterations are an essential part of your bridal journey.
Every single body is different and wedding dresses are not stretchy every day wear that are deliberately designed to get away with being a bit big or small.
You may hear lots of terminology during dress shopping, and while they all sound very different, none of them eliminate the need for alterations.
Even if you commission a fully custom gown from a dressmaker, complete with multiple toile fittings (a mock-up version of your dress used to perfect fit and proportion), there will still be one or two appointments once the finished gown is complete to refine and adjust it. Fabric behaves differently from calico. Bodies fluctuate. Perfection lives in the final tweaks.
Alterations are not a sign something has gone wrong - they are simply part of creating a garment that fits a human being rather than a mannequin.
Here’s what the common terms actually mean:
Off the peg / off the rack
You purchase the exact dress you tried on and take that very sample home.
Ready to wear
A garment in a standard size (8, 10, 12 etc.) taken from pre-made stock.
Made to order
A gown commissioned for you in a standard size. It isn’t sitting in stock, but it also isn’t made to your personal measurements.
Split size
A gown ordered in two standard sizes combined (for example, size 8 on top and 10 on the bottom).
Made to measure
A gown cut to your individual bust, waist and hip measurements (sometimes height as well). It’s proportioned for you — but still not immune to final adjustments.
Custom
A gown created to your own design, often involving several toile fittings before the final dress is produced.
Regardless of which route you choose, fittings are part of the journey. You will move differently. Stand differently. Breathe differently. And your dress needs to move with you.
Whether it’s a simple hem, a strap adjustment, or detailed reshaping during multiple fitting appointments, those final refinements are what take a dress from “beautiful” to “that’s mine.”
Price heaviliy influences the method as well, pre-made stock benefits from economies of scale and is usually the most affordable option. Custom is time and labour intensive and often the most expensive.
When comparing the price of 2 gowns, remember that more intensive alterations on a standard size may outweigh the saving vs made to measure that just needs tweaks.
Every alterations specialist will have their own timelines and protocols, so we recommend researching direct well in advance to avoid being caught short. The seamstress that we recommend likes 3 months minimum (longer if you know you want to do things like add sleeves or make significant changes) to allow for a smooth and stress free journey. The last thing you want to do is rush alterations on your beautiful dress.
Good seamstresses are in hot demand!! As soon as you have your dress get pencilled in using our 12 week guideline, so that you are in their books!
Can I just take it to any seamstress? Sure, but bridal specialists tend to have adequate insurance, more space and cleanliness for your pristine white dress!
If the designer provides a branded garment bag/hanger/box then you will receive that. However many do not, so we provide you with an Unbridaled garment bag at no charge.
Travel boxes are available for purchase.
If you have purchased a 'big' dress then you will have your garment bag adequate for storage/transport, but we recommend purchasing a duvet cover to pick it up from its final alterations with seamstress as the garment bags will simply crush and crease it.
What if I’ve had a change of heart? What if I’m pregnant? What if the wedding is postponed or cancelled?
Once your 7-day cooling off period has passed, your order becomes non-changeable and non-refundable for any reason.
We completely understand that life happens. Emotions evolve. Circumstances shift. Weddings can be postponed, bodies can change, and sometimes you simply sit with a decision and feel differently later.
However, once your gown is ordered, production begins. Whether your dress is made to order, split size, made to measure or custom, it is commissioned specifically for you. Fabrics are cut, timelines are allocated, and we are financially committed to that order with our designers. At that point, it cannot be cancelled, amended or refunded.
If you’ve had a change of heart, quite often this is simply wedding jitters, we welcome you come come try it on again, if we still carry the sample, to reassure yourself. If you still don't feel the same, we can advise you on how to sell the dress on to recoup some losses, but advise you find your replacement before doing anything.
If you become pregnant - congratulations! - do let us know ASAP, if we can change the size for free/small fee we will always try, if too late, we can often source matching fabric to expand the dress. Alterations can usually accommodate body changes, and we will guide you through that process.
If your wedding is postponed, your gown will still be valid for your new date. If it is cancelled entirely, the dress remains yours.
Saying yes is a commitment - just like the one you’re making to your partner. We want you to feel confident and certain before placing your order, which is why we never pressure and always encourage thoughtful decisions.
Once the cooling off period has passed, your dress is officially yours.
We offer an entirely private, low key, relaxed and authentic bridal journey. We promise to truly listen and respect your desires, concerns, feedback and budget.. We bring over 10 years of expertise and an array of modern fabrics and cuts to allow you to discover the dress that is YOU as a bride, rather than just you in a wedding dress.
We don't recommend visiting us as your first try on experience, just due to the fact we have a very niche selection of plain and plain-ish gowns. However, some brides are certain they will not tolerate lace or sparkle, so if that's you and its your first time trying on styles, we will make sure we cover a range of necklines and silhouettes, even if its only to rule them out. I'll pick up on things you like and don't and suggest gowns that play on these.
At the end we like to revisit the top one or two favourites and then play around with veils and accessories to complete the look and hopefully narrow it down and say yes to the dress!
If you have already been shopping elsewhere we will lean in on what you have discovered so far and jump straight into concentrating on what you like but I will still throw in the occasional wild card just in case!
An open mind and a credit card!
We do not provide shoes and they are not essential for your appointment, but if you have your actual shoes or a similar height to what you will wear on the day itself then please bring them along as it will help with more accurate dress length.
NUDE SEAM FREE PANTS that are not too tight and cutting in. Black or white underwear will ruin the look completely and are very difficult to see past, often resulting in brides having to rebook and retry with proper underwear.
If you do not feel comfortable going braless on your wedding day then please put thought into bridal underwear solutions before dress shopping, especially if you want a backless gown. Many dresses have cups built in, but these are often not adequate for larger busts. Its better to know before spending ££££'s on a dress that the lowest backless bodysuit you can find is going to sit under the back of the dress. Ender Legard, Spanx and Skims all have bridal collections. A website called The Pantry (https://thepantryunderwear.com/pages/bridal-solutions)carries a range of nude options.
We are completely immune to all parts of the human form, but if it makes you feel more comfortable then skin coloured nipple covers can usually be picked up in primark. We also don't give two hoots about matching undies, scars, tan lines, eczema or anything else you are worried about, so don't panic. We have a WC stocked with hygiene essentials if you forget.
Photography and videography is NOT permitted on our property. Booking an appointment is acceptance of this condition.
We want to offer an organic, memorable bridal appointment and this just isn't possible with people taking awful photos from angles and focal lengths that warp and distort your figure.
Your guest(s) should be looking at you and listening to you, offering support in real time. Allowing our honest, constructive advice to be heard and considered by yourself while letting your eyes, instinct and heart guide you through the decision making process.
If you need to take a photo to remember it, then forget it, its not the one!
Your guests should have their phones away during the appointment. If there was any specific situation that needed a photo, we will take them for you.
Our staff have the right to privacy while at work on private property and anyone seen sneaking photos or videos during the appointment is breaking the law and will be asked to leave, without hesitation.
With over 10 years in the game it is our lived experience that on collection of their dress, typically 6-12 months after saying yes, our brides number 1 feedback is their heartfelt gratitude that we didn't allow photos!
The one is the one, not because you ruled out everything else, but in spite of everything else. Still need to keep looking to feel sure? That's the no.1 sign that it is, in fact, not the one!
I know it sounds cliche, but when you know, you know. You might not burst into tears, usually for our brides it's more a feeling of relief or a quiet confidence from within. If you still feel like you don't know - it's just cause you haven't found it yet.
Ignore external influence - weddings and what you wear, are matters for the heart and as personal to you as the human you've chosen to marry, no one else's opinion should even come in to it.
Being decisive is cool. Society wants to infantilise you into thinking it's some big complicated decision with massive repercussions, it's not.
Feeling good = looking good = FIBI.
A typical appointment will allow for a bride to try on around 5-10 dresses, with most appointments finding the one within 7. Your appointment allows for time to arrive and get settled, find out a bit about you and your wedding, before we pull dresses based on that information, you will have around an hour for actually trying on dresses.
Number of dresses tried will vary depending on how far along you are in looking, a first appointment will see us trying on far more than if you've trailed through 5 stores and ruled out a lot of things already.
We reserve the last 30 mins for measurements, placing the order, answering any questions, taking payment etc.
You’ve chosen the love of your life. You’ve been dressing yourself brilliantly for decades. Congratulations! you are more than qualified to choose what you wear on your wedding day.
At Unbridaled, we do not believe a bride needs “approval.” The idea that you require permission to say yes is rooted in traditions designed to keep women small.
You are, of course, welcome to share this experience with a few people you love. But sharing a moment is very different from seeking validation. You do not need agreement to choose the dress that makes you feel incredible.
Did you consult a panel before saying yes to your partner? Unlikely. That decision carries lifelong consequences. The dress is for one extraordinary day and it should feel entirely, unapologetically yours.
If you want or need to shop alone - I love that. Solo appointments are my favourite. The focus stays exactly where it should be: on you. Your reaction isn’t filtered through anyone else’s opinions, expectations, or facial expressions. And despite what you might think, shopping alone is far more common than you realise.
If you’d like to celebrate your decision afterwards, you can always book a follow-up appointment with 1–3 trusted friends or family once you’ve already chosen your dress.
If you'd rather shop with some moral support, choose people who want to support rather than influence.
Red flags to avoid:
• Anyone who would feel offended not to be invited. That’s about pecking order, not your dress.
• Anyone who says, “You can trust me to be honest.” That often translates to unnecessary or unkind commentary dressed up as virtue.
Our guest limit is 1–3 people in addition to the bride, all aged 12+. We don’t make exceptions or allow guest swapping. This keeps the environment calm, focused and completely centred on you.
And lastly - you are my walking advertisement. There is no universe in which I would let you leave here looking anything less than the absolute 10 you are and deserve to be.
You need a dress that feels like you...and I'll do my best to find it for you and even recommend where to look if I do not.
Yay! Congrats!
We accept all major cards including AMEX.
Due to the high value of our transactions we do not have a till / accept cash as standard. If a generous gran has a tin of money stashed away for this very moment, you can simply pay into your own account and then pay via card terminal or online invoice with us.
We offer 2 options:
Full payment at time of order -
Nice and simple, you have either already saved up or repay your credit card on your own timeline.
Equal monthly instalments, by a recurring subscription -
Instalments are only available to brides who have 10+ months from order to wedding date. Instalments are spread over 6-12 months depending on how early you shop - the final instalment must be completed 4 months before wedding date.
Note that in the event of cancelling an order outwith the cooling off period, every instalment will still be due.
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