Welcome to the Twelve South Bride Guide, your essential roadmap to starting the wedding dress journey with confidence! Here, we cover everything you need to know, from setting timelines for gown selection to understanding sizing, alterations, and custom options...
Your Gown-Journey
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The Initial Appointment:
Experience a 90-minute private consultation led by a dedicated bridal consultant. During your visit, you’ll enjoy exclusive access to our contemporary and tranquil studio, where you can explore our thoughtfully curated collection at your own pace. Your bridal consultant will be there to offer expert guidance and support, ensuring a purposeful and tailored experience.
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The Return Appointment:
A 60-minute consultation allowing you to revisit your favourite gowns, providing invaluable perspective and reassurance. If you decide to purchase, our team will assist you in taking your measurements and completing the necessary contracts. This session is designed to ensure you feel confident and supported in your choice, helping to solidify your decision in a pressure-free environment.
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The Gown Collection:
The moment you've been waiting for has arrived! This intimate appointment allows you to experience your wedding dress for the first time. Our dedicated consultants will guide you through this special experience, celebrating with you as you prepare for your big day.
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Timeline
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Our talented team of designers requires approximately six months to create your gown from start to finish with a standard lead time. We also recommend allowing an additional minimum of eight weeks for final alterations. Rush orders with shorter lead times may be available upon request, however are subject to approval and will incur additional fees of up to 10% of the gown price. For a seamless and pressure-free gown journey, we recommend starting your shopping one year ahead of your wedding date. This timeframe allows you to explore various styles, accommodate design customisations, and ensure ample time for fittings and alterations.
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12+ months:
Wedding bells on the horizon? Let the gown-journey begin! In our experience, a well-researched bride has the best gown journey. Your first steps are to discover designers, their gowns and their stockists.
9-12 months:
Commence gown shopping at your stores of choice. Consider a bridal boutique closely before visiting. Select those which align with your style, core values and all-important budget. We recommend attending initial appointments with a trusted advisor & revealing your favourite few to the whole entourage at a late date.
7-10 months:
Try your gown on more than one occasion prior to purchasing. If the feeling’s right then our talented staff and designer team will begin the busy task of making your dream dress a reality.
6-12 weeks:
Your gown is now ready for collection. From here it will be taken to one of our recommended industry experts for necessary alterations.
Wedding Day:
Congratulations! Pop the Prosecco and enjoy. Your gown journey is now complete.
"Above all, remember how a gown made you feel;
not only how it photographs"
Sizing
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All measurements at Twelve South Bridal are taken firmly, allowing for a fingers-width of space behind the tape to ensure comfort. You can choose to have the measurements taken over your undergarments or fitted clothing, depending on your personal preference. This process is collaborative, culminating in approval through the signing of the contract. Should you have any concerns, please feel free to discuss them with your dedicated stylist. Pending the designer, your gown will be crafted using one of the following methods:
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Made to measure:
The gown is crafted according to your specific measurements. Depending on the designer, this service may be offered at no extra cost or may incur additional fees.
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Made to size:
The gown is produced to a standardised size chart.
Split Size:
The gown is created according to a standardised size chart but is adjusted proportionally across the bust, waist and hips. This method provides a more tailored fit that accommodates varying body proportions. Depending on the designer, this service may be offered at no extra cost or may incur additional fees.
Alterations:
All gowns, including those made to measure, will require alterations to achieve the perfect fit. Upon arrival at the boutique, your bridal gown will not be considered 'wedding ready,' and it's important to expect that it may run slightly loose. Given the significance of these garments, our designers take a cautious approach, allowing for necessary adjustments to ensure the perfect fit.
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Alterations are completed externally and may incur additional fees of up to $1,500. Following your gown purchase, our boutique will recommend preferred suppliers to assist with these alterations.
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Helpful Tips​
​Our curated tips aim to guide you through essential aspects of selecting your dream dress, from choosing the right undergarments to knowing when to stop your search. With careful planning and thoughtful considerations, you can approach this significant milestone with confidence and joy, ensuring that every moment spent in our boutique is tailored to your unique needs and desires.
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Choose the Right Underwear:
Opt for seamless, nude briefs to ensure there's no distractions. If you’re looking for extra support, consider the above-knee shaping shorts from Skims—just remember to size up!
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Start Early:
To avoid last-minute stress, begin your gown search 9 to 12 months before your wedding. This timeline allows you to enjoy the process without feeling rushed.
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Limit Your Visits:
Be intentional with your time and energy by visiting a maximum of five bridal stores. This will help you stay focused and make thoughtful decisions.
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​Try Your Gown On More Than One Occasion Before Purchasing:
At Twelve South, we believe that revisiting your favourite gown can provide invaluable perspective and reassurance. Trying on the dress again allows you to evaluate how it feels in a different setting, helping to confirm that it truly resonates with you. This practice not only enhances your confidence but also solidifies the decision that this gown is indeed "The One." Embrace the opportunity to experience the gown from various angles and lighting, ensuring it consistently evokes the emotions you desire on your special day.​
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Stop Searching Once You Find 'The One':
To prevent dress regret, it’s essential to stop looking once you’ve found your gown. Trust your instincts and the process.
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Remember the Experience:
Keep in mind that the gowns you try on may not be wedding-ready; they might not be in your size, colour, or customisations. While phone photos can be useful, they don’t capture a gown's true essence. When reflecting on your visits, prioritise how a gown made you feel over how it looked in photos.
" My experience with Twelve South Bridal was an absolute DREAM! I cannot recommend this beautiful store enough! Grace & Olivia are both absolutely delightful humans – they exude warmth, peace and amazing expertise. I was originally quite nervous about choosing my wedding dress – I can be quite indecisive, I felt the time pressure of ordering something in time, and had previously had some negative experiences dress shopping for friends’ weddings. However, as soon as I stepped into this beautiful store, I instantly felt at ease. Liv was so calm and encouraging. She understood my vision (even better than I did!) and went above and beyond to bring it to life!! I truly felt like the only bride in the world, and that’s the beauty of this store – it’s such an intimate experience, so catered to each individual bride. Not to mention the GORGEOUS, great quality, and reasonably priced gowns! I’m genuinely so grateful and will be recommending Twelve South to all my friends! " - Georgia