Vintage Wedding SERVICES & Frequently asked questions
PURCHASING A VINTAGE WEDDING DRESS OR SERVICE
When you come to Vintage Bride you will see and have the opportunity to try on unique dresses that represent the "ideal" dress to be wed in times throughout the twentieth century. All of the dresses in our collection are one of a kind to our store and as such may need alteration to fit their new owner. With the exception of some very small dresses with specific designs, alterations are always possible regardless of the size of the bride.
A cleaning and full restoration is included in all dresses purchased at Vintage Bride. Since the dress is antique, it may have some age associated conditions that require repair. Such things as zipper or button replacement and lace reconstruction are included in the cost of your dress to bring it back to its original state. Likewise, the dress will be freshly cleaned for your special day. Dresses will be lighter in colour and a more vibrant tone after cleaning as years of fabric oxidation are lifted.
We also offer cleaning and restoral for heirloom vintage and antique dresses. This includes things such as; lace repair, stain removal, cleaning and laundry treatment specifically tailored to the fabric content and style of each dress. Only in rare cases can nothing be done to restore a vintage dress to a wearable state
After your appointment you are able to hold a dress or service spot for up to four days while you think about it and possibly return to the shop with members of your bridal party to assist you in making the big decision. After the four days, a 50% deposit is required to hold the dress or service further. This deposit is non refundable but is transferrable to another dress or product at Vintage Bride.
frequently asked questions
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Do I need to make an appointment to visit the salon?
Yes, please. We are a small atelier and can only focus on one bridal group at a time. If you come by unannounced we likely be unable to take you due to other scheduled appointments or commitments. Want to come by today ? Give us a call to see if we have any appointments available on short notice.
How long are the appointments?
Initial bridal appointments are 75 minutes long. Any additional appointments to browse accessories our dress revisitation are 45 minutes long.
What is the price range of your collection?
The price of a vintage gown depends on mainly two things: quality and scarcity. Therefore, a silk gown with handmade lace from the 1920s (rare) will be more expensive than a polyester cocktail dress from the 1970s (common). That being said, the average price of our gowns is about $2500, with the range being from $2000 to $5000.
Do I need to bring anything?
Initial appointments do not require any additional items but are encouraged if you have specific personal items that you feel would aid in coordination with our dress collection
Can I bring guests?
Guests are always welcome! Please note that as we are an atelier, we can accommodate up to 5 people comfortably.
I have a personal vintage gown that I would like to redesign. What is the process?
We take in few redesign projects a year. If you would like to redesign a vintage gown sourced from outside of our store, we recommend booking an appointment.
Throughout the appointment we will talk about feasible alterations that can be made within the scope of the dress and what you would like done. All alterations to the dress will be made at cost.
What is a vintage wedding dress exactly ?
In the last few years the term “vintage” has widely been used as a popular catch phrase to describe things that simply have a retro style and as such are not truly vintage. Within the authentic vintage and antique industry a wedding dress is considered vintage if it is 30 years or older and antique if it is 75 years or older.
The wedding dresses at Vintage Bride are authentically vintage or antique and not just “vintage inspired.”
Do you accept donated dresses?
We only accept dresses that are 30 years or older in order to maintain the true meaning of vintage.
Where do you get your vintage dresses ?
The most common source is people in the community that have a long stored family member’s or personal gown that they want to rehome. Often the dresses have been kept for years with the hopes that another family member will want to wear it in the future. When that is not the case, they bring it to us to find a new loving home and so the love carries forward.
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When do alterations begin?
We start alterations once the dress has been fully paid for and 4 months before the date of your wedding. We generally work within 2 to 4 fittings, each appointment being 45 minutes long.
This allows up to date changes for design and size and keeps alteration costs down by minimizing the possibility of doing things more than once.
How long will it take to get my vintage wedding dress?
When you purchase a vintage dress from Vintage Bride it is one of a kind and you are buying the very dress you try on. If alterations are not required, it will usually take only a week or two for the dress to be cleaned and ready to wear on your wedding day.
If alterations are required, it normally requires a minimum of three fittings to complete the changes to perfection. Timelines do vary according to project and season.
If you are interested in a sustainable couture dress at least three months and preferably five is required to source fabrics, consult on design and fit it to you.
When will my dress be ready to take home?
Unless you’ve purchased your dress less than two months before your wedding, we strive for you to receive your dress 30 days before your wedding date. This 30 day grace period allows for contingencies and guarantees less stress for you as your wedding day approaches.
What is included with my alteration?
Restoration, cleaning and couture sleeve design are all included in the cost of the dress. Additional alterations cost include size alterations and modifications to the dress such as neckline redesign and hemline alterations.
What should I bring to the fittings?
Please bring any undergarments that you are planning to wear, this includes bustiers or other accessories that are crucial to the structure of your gown— we recommend bringing them to the second fitting appointment so that we can proceed with alterations accordingly.
Please ensure to also bring the shoes that you will be wearing on your special day or shoes with similar height before your last appointment so that we can make the appropriate hem alterations.