Book Your Appointment with
Brides by Donna Rae
Congratulations, lovely!
You’re on your way to finding your dream dress, and we’re thrilled to be a part of your journey. Booking an appointment with us is easy, and we’re here to make sure it’s as fabulous as you are. Our one-on-one styling sessions are designed to make you feel pampered and supported every step of the way.
Just pick a time that suits you, and we’ll have everything set up, ready for you to shine. If your preferred appointment date and time is not available, please feel free to send us a message, or add yourself to the waitlist, as there may be other appointments available.
Our schedule can fill up quickly, especially on weekends, so don’t wait too long to lock in your spot.
We look forward to meeting you and your loved ones, and to share this exciting time in our relaxed, fun atmosphere.
Donna xo
Your dream dress journey begins here and we’re thrilled to be part of it! Enjoy a 1.5-hour private appointment where Donna and her team act as your personal bridal stylists, guiding you to the gown that takes your breath away. With seating for up to 6 guests, this unforgettable experience is all about YOU. A $60 consultation fee secures your spot. Let’s make this one of the most magical moments of your bridal story.
Elevated & Curated is our most indulgent bridal appointment, created for brides who want a truly personal and luxurious experience. Enjoy two uninterrupted hours with Donna as your dedicated stylist, thoughtful styling guidance tailored just for you, celebratory pink bubbles on arrival, your chosen playlist, and a complimentary Something Blue Bridal Emergency Kit. Perfect for brides seeking confidence, support, and an elevated, relaxed dress-shopping experience.
The Secret Confidence Session is a private, one-on-one styling appointment for brides who want to explore their shape, style, and comfort level before involving family or friends. It’s a pressure-free space, just you and your stylist to try dresses, discover what truly suits you, and build confidence without judgment. Perfect for brides who quietly worry about how they’ll look, this session helps you feel excited and ready to try on dresses with your loved ones.
Our most anticipated event of the year is back and appointments always book out fast! This is your chance to walk away with a designer wedding dress for a fraction of the price. For one week only, our sample gowns are on sale with up to 70% off. With sizes 8–24 available, this is the perfect moment to find your dream dress without the designer price tag.
Your dream dress has arrived! In this 30 minute appointment, you’ll try on your gown for the first time and explore accessories to complete your bridal look. No need to bring shoes or bridal lingerie, just your beautiful self. 🤍
Congratulations, beautiful! Your sample gown is fully yours. This appointment is for collection only, so you can finally take your dream dress home. 🤍
Already found your gown and need the perfect veil or accessories? Or still searching and want expert guidance from Donna? This 30 minute appointment is designed to help you complete your bridal look. 🤍
If you would like to come back and try on your top three wedding dresses, we’d love to see you! This second appointment is for 30 minutes and free of charge.
Your Yes Moment, Handled with Love
Preparing for Your Bridal Appointment
We know finding “the one” is more than just about the dress; it’s about the whole experience. We want you to feel as fabulous as possible, so here are a few tips to make sure your appointment is all you’ve dreamed of — and then some!
Dress Comfortably
You’ll be trying on a variety of gowns, so we suggest something easy to slip on and off. A strapless bra and nude undergarments can be helpful, but don’t stress if you don’t have them. This is all about feeling fabulous, not fussy.
Your Inner Circle
As for your entourage, it’s best to keep it small. Bring along a couple of trusted friends or family members whose opinions mean the most to you. Too many voices can make it harder to hear your own, and trust us, your voice is the one that matters most here.
Bring Inspiration
Bring along any dress inspiration you have, whether it’s pictures, Pinterest boards, or even just ideas you’ve been daydreaming about. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed with choices, relax — that’s what we’re here for. Our stylists are experts at spotting what suits you best, even if you’re not sure yet. Think of us as your bridal fairy godmothers, ready to turn dress dreams into reality.
Let the Dress Find You
Finally, the best advice we can give? Keep an open mind. Many brides fall in love with a gown they never expected. Our job is to help you discover a style that truly makes you feel like the best version of yourself, even if it’s a little unexpected. This is your moment, and we’re here to make it unforgettable.
Ready to Say Yes?
We can’t wait to meet you and be part of this exciting chapter. When you step into our boutique, you’re not just a bride; you’re our bride, and we’re here to make sure your experience is unforgettable.
Ready to find your perfect dress? We’re just a click away.
BOOK HERE
Questions? We’ve Got You Covered!
We understand that you probably have questions, and we’re here with answers! Let’s start with the most common ones.
To ensure you receive our undivided attention and personalised service, appointments are necessary.
Bridal consultations typically last between one to one and a half hours.
Yes, our styling fee is $60. This includes a dedicated personal bridal stylist who will work with you one-on-one to find your perfect wedding dress. If you schedule additional appointments within one month of your first visit, they are free of charge.
Our wedding dresses range from $2200 to $5,600, with most gowns priced between $2500 and $3,500. We hold sample sales twice a year, usually around March and Jul. Dresses are heavily reduced by up to 75%.
Bring pics of dresses you’ve seen on our website, pinterest, or that you’ve tried on elsewhere. Light-coloured underwear is recommended. A strapless bra isn’t necessary as you won’t need to wear one on your wedding day. Feel free to wear nipple covers if you’d like to keep some modesty while we’re in the changing room with you.
We recommend bringing one to three close friends or family members whose opinions you trust and value. Bringing more than three people can sometimes take the focus away from the bride. We have seating for a maximum of 5 guests.
We have samples ranging in sizes 8 to 24.
We kindly ask that guests stay present and enjoy this special moment with the bride, rather than taking photos during the fitting. Don’t worry, we’ll capture some beautiful shots and share them with the bride to treasure and pass on
Deciding at the time of ordering your gown is helpful to complete the look. However, we carry a selection of veils that can be purchased at a later stage.
Absolutely! Many brides find their dress on the first visit and also select their veil, headpiece, and jewelry to complete their look.
It can take between 5 to 7 months for your wedding dress to arrive, with rush options available on some dresses. We recommend starting your search at least one year prior to your wedding date. If you have a shorter timeframe, all of our 350 sample wedding dresses are available for purchase off the rack.
We accept MasterCard, Visa, Eftpos, and online banking.
If you’re ordering your gown, we require a 50% deposit at the time of order. When the gown arrives and passes our quality check, the remaining balance is due.
Love Letters
Our Boutique
98 Leven Street, Invercargill
Every Bride Has a Story, Let’s Start Yours Together
For nearly a decade, Brides by Donna Rae has been helping brides from all over New Zealand find their dream dresses. Whether you’re local or travelling to us for that “Yes” moment, we’re here to make your experience special, joyful, and all about you.
If you’re ready to find a dress that celebrates you and makes you feel like a queen, then we’d love to meet you.
Donna x
Posted on Mary McLaughlinTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The best place to find a dress 🤍 I was so nervous about finding my dream wedding dress and thought I would have to settle for something I didn’t love, but the first dress/veil Donna put me in was everything I wished for 😍every dress I tried on was designed by Donna and I wanted to buy all of them they were just gorgeous! It was such a fun and beautiful experience she really is amazing at her job 🤍Posted on Liz McLaughlinTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Donna is amazing 🤍 My daughter found the perfect dress for her February wedding. Every dress she tried on was one of Donna’s designs and they were all gorgeous, she just knows what people want, right down to the veil. Donna makes the whole experience special for the bride, she goes above and beyond. I would recommend her to anyone looking for the perfect dress. Thank you so much Donna, I can’t wait to see Mary in your beautiful gown on her special day🤍 💍👰🏻Posted on Casey YoungTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Donna is an absolute vibe! I was so unbelievably nervous about trying on bridal dresses. Being close to 40 I was anxious about looking silly in a white dress. I also was nervous about what would work with my curves and “wobbly parts”. My idea of what I wanted for my dress was taken and respected by Donna, but this lady knows her stuff, and she found me other dresses that worked with my figure. After two appointments- one alone and one with my bridesmaids, I had “the moment” and found “THE dress”! Donna’s patience, vision, knowledge and positive attitude made both appointments amazing and I’m so excited for the big day knowing I’m ready to walk down the aisle! Thank you for making my experience more than 5 ⭐️. I couldn’t recommend Donna more!!!!Posted on kayla kempTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had my first ever bridal appointment recently & I even said yes to my dream dress 🙈 as soon as we walked through the doors Donna Rae was incredible! from nerves, excitement, laughter + tears all in one appointment ❤️ she made me feel so comfortable while trying dresses on as I'm quite self conscious, I honestly couldn't recommend a better place to find your dream dress for your special day!! an incredible/amazing experience for myself & my support team 🥰 a bridal moment I'll never forget ❤️Posted on sam bradinTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Rochelle and Donna were absolutely great with my consult today and went above and beyond to help me find my yes dress i 100% recommend the ladies at brides by Donna RaePosted on Chevana-Leigh SuddensManiapotoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Absolutely, phenomenal. The greatest service and definitely listens to the client, very professional. Thank you so much xxPosted on BeeTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. So great! Beautiful dresses, amazing service! :)Posted on Jaylee SuddensTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Amazing absolutely amazing 👏Posted on Lissara WilsonTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fun, vibrant, beautiful shop. Donna is lovely and patient. She said yes to the dressGoogle rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 213 reviewsVerified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
