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 gowns range from £1200 - £4000
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 to help demystify the industry!
We will do our utmost to respect your budget during the appointment.
Shopping in advance can help with budgeting as we offer low deposits and monthly instalments for brides order more than 10 months in advance.
Each appointment type has its own guest limit:
Bride + 0 guests - the limit is no guests
Bride + 1 guest - the limit is 1 guest
Bride +2 guests - the limit is 2 guests
Bride + 3 guests - the limit is 3 guests (very limited availability due to staffing required)
Children over 12 are part of the limit. Children under 12* are not permitted.
If you book for 2 and then find yourself needing 3, you must cancel and rebook the appropriate appointment.
However, if you booked for 2 and only 1 can make it, then you do not need to do anything.
We strictly operate this way to make sure there are enough staff members in for everyones comfort and safety and our insurance requirements. We also need to prepare in advance for refreshments.
There is no negotiation on this and we appreciate your cooperation. Arriving on the day with more people than you have booked will result in you being turned away at the door with no refund given.
Struggling to decide who to bring? Ask everyone to send a picture of the kind of dress they visualise you in - any that are way off the mark are just another hurdle to have to overcome, so easier for them and you to just surprise them later down the line.
Daytime tv has brainwashed people into thinking you need to bring lots of people or specific family members with you. It truly pains me that people don't understand that this is because lots of people = lots of drama = good tv. A bride coming with that 1 really supportive friend who appreciates their sense of style and finding 'the one' without a problem isn't a hit tv show, but it is a recipe for successful dress shopping and good for your own sanity!
A huge number of our brides also choose to shop alone either out of choice or necessity and we will gladly be your bridal bessie throughout the appointment and beyond.
*We understand that childcare of a newborn is difficult when often the people you would trust are also who you would bring to your bridal appointment. Where possible, childcare should be arranged for your own benefit of having a well deserved break and the attention properly focussed on you for an hour. But if not possible, the BRIDES newborn can be brought along as long as they are content in their pram or carry cot.
We have a double storm door entrance which is normally half locked over, so if you are bringing a pram or wheelchair, please put it on your booking form so we can make sure you have easy access on arrival.
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.
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.
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 plainer 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 know they just will not tolerate lace or sparkle, so if that's you and its your fries 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 nothings 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 ply 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 know you like but I will still throw in the occasional wild card just in case!
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 only plain dresses, we do not recommend making us your first visit, 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!
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!
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 a self-serve mini fridge with various iced coffees from London institution 'GRIND' and 'DASH' flavoured seltzer waters 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.
Absolutely, as long as you think your photography style and ethos is aligned with our brand, we loan out gowns to diligent and careful suppliers wishing to collaborate. Just send us an email with date, model photo and measurements, the kind of style you are after/moodboard and what the usage terms on the images will be. We require at least a small selection of images to be turned around within 10 days of the shoot.
Postage/collection/return is your responsibility and if dresses come back damaged or dirty then we will charge cost to bring back good. If you are known to us or a local supplier we do this on a gentleman's agreement, if you are not based in Scotland we will take a credit card swipe of the value of the dress as security.
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.
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.
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 often are 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 Luxury Legs 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.
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 at least a few hundred into your dress budget for these, more if you are planning on major changes or customisations.
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. So it may look cheaper, but it isn't actually.
Suspiciously low priced websites are rarely the genuine article and so 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.
Our prices online are a guideline and are subject to change at any time.
You’ve just chosen your life partner and you’ve been dressing yourself for years—you’re officially overqualified to pick your own wedding dress.
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Please don't let the internalised sexism of society infantilise you into overthinking a very simple decision.
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 feel like you don't know - it's 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.
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.