First appointments last 1hr 20 minutes, during which you can expect to try on 6-8 gowns. The boutique will be exclusively yours so you can relax and enjoy! We are happy to have your VIPs with us to inform your dress choice, but our advice is to keep it to 2 or 3 cheerleaders who share your vision so you can zero in on what you love and what makes you feel confident. We operate a Bride + 3 VIP max policy. Babies-in-arms and children aged 12 and over are welcome but do need to be supervised. We love kids, are mothers ourselves, but we aren’t insured for younger children in the boutique. Our opening hours are flexible, so if we can accommodate a specific time, we will where possible. We run a mix of weekday evenings and weekend appointments and are typically closed on Sundays and Mondays (although exceptions can be made by special request). If you would like to book a peak appointment (evening or Saturday) we suggest booking 4-6 weeks in advance. Bridal appointments carry a £20 booking fee, which is redeemable against a purchase and will be refunded if you do not find your dress with us. If you have a specific question or request, contact us. Need some info on how to find us.

Your first appointment lasts 1 hour and 20 minutes - long enough for you to try on 6–8 gowns in complete privacy. The boutique is yours alone, so you can relax, take your time, and truly enjoy the experience.

You’re welcome to bring friends or family along to help you choose and we suggest limiting it to 2 or 3 VIPs who share your vision. Our policy is: Bride + up to 3 VIP guests. This keeps things peaceful and focused so you can find what you absolutely love.

Can I bring children or babies?

We adore little ones, and you’re welcome to bring babies-in-arms and children aged 12 or over as long as they’re supervised. While we’re parents ourselves and love a family atmosphere, we’re not insured to accommodate children under 12 on the boutique floor.

Our opening times are flexible. We usually offer a mix of weekday evenings and weekend appointments. Typically, we’re closed on Sundays and Mondays though we may be able to make exceptions upon request. If you’re hoping for a peak slot (Saturday), we recommend booking 4–6 weeks in advance.

Yes — all bridal appointments carry a £20 booking fee to reserve your slot.

• The booking fee is redeemable against a purchase.

• If you don’t find your dress with us, the fee will be refunded.

• If you cancel or amend your appointment with less than 48 hours’ notice, the booking fee becomes non-refundable.

Whether you’re looking for a specific style, want to try on something in particular, or need help choosing a time — just let us know via the contact link.

Start when you genuinely feel ready to find the one — emotionally, financially, and in terms of style. For many brides, 12–18 months before the wedding is ideal: this gives you time to explore styles, order the gown, and complete any necessary alterations without pressure. 
That said, if your wedding is closer, don’t worry, we offer some beautiful gowns and designers who can deliver in as little as 2 months for a rush fee. So if you need a dress quickly, we’ve got you covered.

If you feel drawn to a dress before that 12–18 month window but aren’t quite ready to commit, you’re welcome to browse. We kindly ask, though, that you come prepared to decide because when “the one” appears, it’s best to secure her.

• Nude, seam-free underwear is ideal — but don’t stress too much if you don’t have it.

• Shoes aren’t essential — we have a podium so you can see the full length of any gown perfectly.

• Have a browse online (our website, Instagram, etc.) to get a feel for our collection — but the best advice? Come with an open mind. It’s often the gown you never expected that steals your heart.

We can also help with appointments, styles, sizing or rushed timelines — just ask!

Click here to get the Pre-appointment checklist PDF guide!

We carefully curate collections from designers offering beautifully fashion-forward gowns with most priced in the £1,200–£2,500 range, and many around £1,200–£2,000. Every gown we carry is designed to be just as wearable as it is stunning, so you can truly enjoy your day with comfort and confidence.

Some gowns will be specially made to order, which can take up to 8 months. But if your wedding is sooner, don’t fret — we also work with designers who can deliver “the one” in as little as 2–4 months, for a Rush Fee.

We’re also proud to offer an extensive collection of ready-to-go sample gowns in sizes UK 6–26, priced from £600–£1,400. Our current “off-the-peg” collection (the Rivers Bridal Vive line) typically holds around 100 gowns at any time. If your big day is coming up or you’re simply looking for an incredible gown for less, this is a wonderful option. Sample gowns are often adjustable - usually down around two sizes, or up by one size making them a versatile and budget-savvy choice. 

For our made-to-order gowns available in the boutique (sizes UK 6–22), we celebrate every bride — we love to see beautiful curves of all shapes and sizes and believe every bride deserves to feel radiant in the dress of her dreams.

If you have your eye on a particular dress we stock, we’d be thrilled to help. Contact us ahead of your appointment - if we don’t have it in your size, we’ll do everything we can to bring it in especially for you.

You’re welcome to take photos but we gently discourage it. Many brides find that looking back at pictures taken during fittings can actually make the decision harder (or less joyful). Sample gowns are often clipped or pinned to fit temporarily, and photos rarely capture the true flow, fit, or atmosphere of how you felt in the dress. 

A snapshot of the moment - how the dress felt, how you moved in it, and the reactions of those you love is often far more valuable than any image. That “feeling” tends to stick with you long after the mirrors are cleared. 

If you really want a visual memory, we’d be delighted to record a short video clip for you (which tends to better capture movement, light, and how the gown flows). We can then send it to you via AirDrop for safekeeping.

If you’re ready to book, simply go to our booking form and complete the quick enquiry which helps us get to know you a little and understand your style, wedding date, and what you’re imagining for your dress. Prefer another way? No problem, you can also email us, phone us or send us a DM, and we’ll be happy to help organise your appointment. Once we hear from you, we’ll confirm a date and time that works best for you, and then you’re all set to come in for your private, relaxed appointment.

Want to get a feel for what to expect — and how to prepare for your “Yes!” moment? Check out our Instagram highlights for helpful tips and inspiration.

At Rivers Bridal, we work with a selection of experienced bridal seamstresses - trusted professionals, many of whom run their own studios or use the boutique for fittings. You’re also welcome to use your own tailor if you prefer.
Typical cost & what it includes:

• Standard bridal alterations generally cost between £220–£300, covering adjustments like shortening straps, altering hems, fitting the waist/bust, adding a bustle, and final fitting tweaks.
• If you want more complex design changes, such as restructuring, re‑shaping, or bespoke modifications, the cost may be higher depending on the work required

Most brides have 2–3 fittings. The first is usually around 2–3 months before your big day. Once you’ve collected your gown from us, we will put you in touch with one of our seamstress partners, and you can arrange your first fitting appointment directly with her, making it straightforward and stress‑free for you. All fittings and payment for alterations are handled directly between you and the seamstress (they operate independently from Rivers Bridal).

We’ll always offer honest, helpful guidance but final alteration quotes and arrangements must come from the seamstress, once she’s seen the gown in person. Each dress and body shape is unique, so only she can provide an accurate estimate.

• Your wedding shoes ideally the ones you plan to wear on the day so the hem of the dress can be altered to the correct length 
• The underwear you intend to wear under your gown (especially if you’ve chosen a fitted design), to ensure everything fits beautifully

Congratulations — we couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of your journey!

• Once you say yes, you’ll place a 50% deposit to confirm your order. (Off‑the‑peg gowns are paid in full on purchase.)

• We can offer payment plans for the remaining 50%; just let us know if you’d like to arrange one.

• We’ll place your order with the designer and be in touch to confirm the estimated delivery date.

While you wait, you might find that veils or accessories arrive before your gown so if you’d like your veil ready for your hair trial, just ask.

When your dress arrives, we’ll invite you in for a collection appointment (approx. 30–45 minutes). Please note: we can only store your gown for 2 weeks. After that, uncollected gowns will be subject to a £10/week storage fee (insurance reasons).

At collection, you’ll try on your dress. We’ll take detailed notes on fit and any elements you’d like adjusted, then you’ll pay the remaining balance and take your gown home. Once you’ve got your dress, we’ll put you in touch with one of our trusted seamstress partners (unless you prefer your own tailor), to arrange your first fitting for alterations. We also offer a handy PDF guide full of tips and what to expect on your bridal journey for you to download and keep.

Please take a moment to read our full Terms & Conditions before booking your appointment. By proceeding with your booking and especially if you purchase a gown from us, you are agreeing to those Terms & Conditions in full. When you confirm a dress purchase, you will be required to sign an agreement acknowledging that you have read, understood, and accepted our Terms & Conditions. This ensures clarity and transparency for both you and Rivers Bridal.