To ensure NBL Brides enjoy the best experience, I have put together some of our most frequently asked questions below. If you can’t find the answer to your questions, please feel free to contact me . Remember, I am your personal bridal expert, and I am always here to guide you through every step of your bridal journey with care and attention.
Where is Nancy’s Bridal Lounge?
Nancy’s Bridal Lounge is a private bridal studio located in the peaceful cul-de-sac neighborhood of Bromley Heath, Bristol.
Close to the Avon Ring Road A4174, M4 and M32. Bus 462 also stops nearby, or a 10 minute drive from Cabot Circus shopping centre.
What should I wear to my appointments?
I recommend wearing nude underwear and, if you have one, a nude strapless bra. Don’t worry if you don’t have one—most dresses have built-in cups for support, so a bra isn’t always necessary.
Please avoid heavy makeup, especially foundation and bright lipstick, to ensure the gowns remain in perfect condition for you and other brides who may wish to purchase on the day.
I also recommend skipping perfume, as brides trying on the dresses after you may have sensitivities.
To keep all our dresses in pristine condition, we have a no-shoes policy inside the VIP bridal suite. Feel free to wear your favourite socks to stay comfortable during your appointment.
Finally, remember that you might just find THE ONE during your appointment. So, wear something you’d love to be photographed in for your “I said YES to the dress” moment! ❤️
I only have a few weeks/months until my wedding, can you help me find my dress?
Sure! At Nancy’s, I stock a range of gorgeous off-the-peg wedding dresses ready to take away on the day. So even if you only have a few weeks left, don’t panic, I’m here to help.
What are off-the-peg wedding dresses?
Off-the-peg wedding dresses are pre-made gowns available for immediate purchase, unlike custom-made dresses that are made to order. Most of our off-the-peg dresses are brand new, featuring the latest designs, and are still available for order.
Unlike other boutique shops that typically offer discontinued or last season’s ex-sample or ex-display gowns, which may require dry cleaning at the buyer’s expense, our dresses are kept in pristine condition with no need for additional dry cleaning. They offer great value and are perfect for budget-conscious brides.
Our Budget-Friendly Off-The-Peg Bridal Gowns allow you to save money without forgoing quality or style.
What does made-to-order mean when ordering my gown?
Made-to-order means that making of the gown begins once you place your order.
The most important thing to note is that made-to-order gowns are ordered to the closest numerical dress size or S/M/L/XL sizing (dependent on designer), based on measurements taken at Nancy’s Bridal Lounge.
The gown is not made to exact measurements (which is referred to as “made-to-measure”)- to achieve the perfect fit, the bride should seek help from a bridal seamstress or tailor.
What size wedding dresses do you stock?
I currently stock samples ranging from size 6 – 24 (see our dresses tab ).
These can be altered by a seamstress and can usually go up/down by a size or two (depending on each dress).
Our collection changes regularly, with dresses selling fast, so the sizes we stock also vary over time.
Bridal sizes tend to be on the small side, so don’t be put off if you have to go up a size or two compared to what you would normally wear.
I have a range of plus-size gowns specifically designed for curvier brides, available for immediate purchase or to order up to size 26.
What prices are your dresses?
All our designer wedding dresses are offered at exclusive studio prices with incredible discounts, delivering significant savings off RRP.
Most dresses at Nancy’s Bridal Lounge are priced under £1000 (RRP under £1500), with high-end designer options available for under £1500 (RRP under £2000), depending on the dress and designer.
Our Budget-Friendly Off-the-Peg Bridal Gowns are priced at £899 and under, while our Affordable Made-To-Order Designer Gowns range from £799 to £1499.
We also offer a selection of sale wedding dresses starting from just £399.
Why do prices for the same designer vary between different shops?
Prices for the same dress can vary across shops due to factors such as rent, staff costs and other overheads.
Do I need an appointment to try on dresses?
Yes, an appointment is needed for you to come to my exclusive home-based private studio.
I take appointments on weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays or evenings. You can make an appointment by clicking the button below.
How do I make an appointment?
We have an online system for booking here. If you can let me know when booking what type of dress you’re interested in, your wedding date and venue, your budget and dress size, I will have everything ready when you arrive!
Do you charge for appointments?
There is no charge for your VIP bridal appointment during our standard opening hours (Wednesday to Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm) .
If there are any changes to your appointment, please let me kow as soon as possible, ideally 48 hours in advance, so that other brides can benefit from my complimentary bridal styling service.
My Evening (6pm–8pm) and Sunday (10am–4pm) appointments require a £25 redeemable booking deposit, which must be confirmed at least 48 hours before your appointment.* Once your appointment is booked online, I will reach out via email to arrange the deposit.
Please note that the deposit is fully refundable if you inform me of any changes or cancellations at least 48 hours in advance.
Can I cancel or reshedule my appointment?
Yes, please provide at least 48 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your bridal appointment. I appreciate your understanding, as I take a very limited number of brides each day, especially weekends.
How many guests can I bring?
I can comfortably accommodate up to three guests in my private bridal suite, as I understand how important it is to share this special moment with your loved ones.
I believe your bridal appointment should be as intimate and focused as possible. Too many opinions can make a bride feel overwhelmed.
By keeping bridal parties small, I am able to provide you with the best possible service and experience.
Can I bring children?
My studio isn’t ideal for toddlers or young children, and they may distract you while you are making your decision.
I kindly ask that unless your child can sit quietly and stay entertained for the duration (usually 6years+), or they’re a small baby sleeping in a car seat or pram with a caretaker (not by yourself), please consider leaving them at home for a more relaxed experience for you and your guests.
How long will my appointment be?
Your first VIP bridal appointment is scheduled for one hour and thirty minutes, but rest assured that if we run over I will happily make a follow-up appointment.
What is the start-to-finish process of purchasing a dress from Nancy’s?
Your initial appointment includes a personalized one hour and thirty minutes dressing-up session with me, your dedicated bridal expert and senior stylist with over 10 years of bridal styling experience.
You’ll have the chance to try on off-the-peg gowns and samples while enjoying non-alcoholic refreshments and your favourite music playlist. If you find your dream dress on your first visit, we’ll celebrate with a complimentary bottle of Prosecco for you and your guests!
If you choose an off-the-peg gown, I’ll carefully pack it up for you after payment is made, and you can take it home with you on the same day.
If you choose to purchase a made-to-order gown, I’ll take your measurements and order the closest dress size. Once your gown arrives, you’ll return for a collection appointment to complete a final inspection and pick up your dress.
After your purchase, I’ll also be delighted to provide details of our highly experienced, recommended seamstresses to ensure your gown fits perfectly.
Do you offer custom gowns?
Dreaming of a one-off dress and the chance to add your own design?
I’d love to help bring your vision to life. Our gowns are customisable—either by the designer when made-to-order or by the bridal seamstress/dressmaker during your fitting & alteration.
Please note that customised gowns may be more expensive than off-the-peg and made-to-order options and will require additional time to create.
How do I pay for the dress?
We require payment in full by bank transfer or in cash if you want to take your gown away on the same day.
When ordering a gown we require a 50% deposit. The balance is due when the dress arrives at Nancy’s Bridal Lounge.
How long do I need to order my dress?
Depending on the designer, our made-to-order gowns typically have a short lead time of 12-16 weeks. If you have selected a customization service, your gown may take longer than the usual timeline.
I also have lots of amazing off-the-peg gowns that can be taken home on the day if you do not have enough time left to order.
Do you offer bridal gown storage?
Due to space limitations, I kindly ask that customers collect their made-to-order gown within 4 weeks of being notified of delivery to Nancy’s Bridal Lounge.
Off-the-peg gowns should ideally be collected on the same day, but can be held for up to one week. After a week, storage charges may apply – we can discuss the details based on your specific needs.
Please note that while I take every care to protect your gown during storage, Nancy’s Bridal Lounge cannot be held liable for any losses or damages. Gowns are stored with us at your own choice and risk.
For sale or clearance events, all sale gowns must be collected on the same day.
What happens with my fittings and alterations?
I work with some highly recommended local seamstresses who have specialized in bridal dress fitting and alterations for over 20 years.
During your bridal appointment, I can provide bespoke design ideas and fitting suggestions, along with an approximate quote for any alterations.
After your purchase, I will provide seamstress contact details and you can schedule a convenient time to take your dress to them.
The seamstresses are self-employed and will require payment once the alterations are completed.
I recommend getting in touch with your bridal seamstress as soon as possible after purchase. The first fitting is usually 6-8 weeks before your wedding, but the seamstress will give specific guidance based on your dress and needs.
If your wedding is sooner than 7-8 weeks, don’t panic! Please contact me directly and we’ll work together to find a solution.
Nancy's Bridal Lounge 