Your Bridal Questions Answered
Brides by Donna Rae
We understand that you probably have questions, and we’re here with answers! Let’s start with the most common ones.
We’re an appointment only boutique so we can give you the full uninterrupted experience you deserve. Your appointment is completely private, with your own stylist, fitting room and space for you and your loved ones to relax, try on and truly enjoy the moment.
First appointment is 90 minutes, giving you plenty of time to try on a selection of gowns and find “the one” without feeling rushed.
Yes, we have a $60 consultation fee, which secures your private appointment and a dedicated stylist to assist you throughout your visit.
Our gowns typically range from $2,300 to $5,000, depending on the designer and detail. We also have two sample sales a year in March and June/July.
We offer a range of appointment options to suit every bride’s journey.
Our most popular appointment is our Bridal Consultation, where you’ll enjoy a private fitting room, dedicated stylist and access to our extensive collection of gowns.
We also offer:
- Secret Confidence Sessions for brides who would like to try on gowns before bringing family and friends.
- Elevated & Curated Appointments with Donna, a premium styling experience with extra time, personal guidance and special touches with Donna.
- Second Appointments for brides returning to revisit favourites.
- Thursday Treat Day Appointments on Thursdays receive $250 off their gown purchase, making it the perfect day to say yes. It’s the same full experience just with a little extra treat at the end.
- Community Hero’s We’re proud to support our community heroes by offering a 10% discount to our Nurses, Doctors, Paramedics, Firefighters, Police and Hospital staff
Bring yourself, an open mind, and nude underwear if you have it. No need to purchase a bra as you won’t be wearing one under your dress. We have nipple covers available for you.
We recommend bringing 2–3 of your most trusted people those who support you and your vision. Too many opinions can get overwhelming, and we want this to feel fun and positive.
We carry a wide range of sample gowns, typically in sizes 10–24. Our experienced stylists are experts at helping you envision the perfect fit, even if the sample isn’t your exact size. With clips, panels and a few bridal boutique tricks, we can often make a gown look and feel amazing even when it’s up to four sizes too big.
We ask that guests leave the photos to us during your appointment. Often, photos taken from the seating area can be unflattering and don’t always capture the gown the way it truly looks. Our stylists know the best angles, lighting and moments to photograph your favourites, and we’ll happily take beautiful images for you to keep and share.
We recommend choosing your accessories after you’ve found your gown, ensuring everything compliments your bridal look perfectly. If you’re ordering a new veil or headpiece, it’s best to allow a similar timeframe to your gown. We also carry a beautiful selection of veils in-store, which can be purchased at your collection appointment if you prefer to make your final accessory choices then.
Absolutely! Many of our brides find their gown, veil and accessories all in one visit. We’ll guide you through styling so you leave feeling confident in your full look.
Wedding gowns are made to order and take around 5–6 months to arrive, depending on the designer. We always recommend allowing at least 4-6 weeks for alterations after your gown arrives. Some designers offer rush options should you have a shorter lead time.
A 50% deposit is required to place your order, with the remaining balance payable when your dress arrives. We’ll guide you through all payment options during your appointment.
We offer flexible payment options, including lay-buy, to make things easier for you. All gowns must be paid in full before they are collected.
