The Experience – Modified for COVID 19

We Love What We Do
We love what we do and are committed to giving first-class customer service. We will treat you as our most important customer. We will go flat out to create a remarkable experience for you.
COVID 19
But COVID-19 has changed the way we do things for now.
Our priority is the safety and wellbeing of brides-to-be, prommers and staff in the face of the pandemic. For as long it takes, we will keep up with the latest guidance from the UK Government and will continue to adapt to stay on top of the challenges.
– SBB COVID Compliant Appointments
– Everything by Appointment
Until further notice, all visits to Sarah Belle Bridal are by appointment only. Sadly, for now, you can't come in unannounced to have a look around the store.
– Capacity
We are limiting the number of attendees at all appointments to three people plus one staff member. So, Brides-to-be and Prommers may have two guests with them.
– Arrive On Time
We ask that you arrive precisely on time. We need time between appointments to prepare for the next. If you are late we may have to reschedule. If you are early we may have to ask you to wait.
- By all means, if you have arrived early and are safely parked nearby, do call us. We can let you know how ready we are for you.
- By the same token, if you are running late, call us with an ETA, and we will see what we can do.
– Face Masks to be Worn
We request that everyone arrives for appointments wearing an effective face mask. As you know, this is a UK Gov mandate for now.
– Safety Questions
We will ask you and your guests if, in the last 14 days:
- If you have been in contact with anyone that has tested positive for COVID-19
- If you have experienced any Covid 19 symptoms:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhoea
– Hand Sanitising
We have several hand sanitising stations around the shop and fitting rooms. Please use the one by the door as you enter the store. Thereafter, go ahead and do it again as often as you see fit throughout the shop.
– Social Distancing
We require that everyone at the appointment practise 'social-distancing'. We have enough room in the shop to allow that. We will make a sensible exception for one of the guests to help you with dressing. zipping up, buttoning. It makes most sense if the helper-guest lives in the same household as you.
– Serious and Fun
It all sounds serious and quite strict. And, to be honest, it is and it needs to be!
But, we all tend to be at our best when we are up against it! So, we can have some fun too and make your special dress shopping experience memorable and happy.We are investigating how best to get your experience on line as it happens so that you can share it with a wider gang of friends and family. We plan to have this up and running soon.
What Can Brides-to-be Expect?
Initial Appointment (COVID Compliant)
Information Gathering
When you arrive, we will welcome you warmly. We will confirm when and where your occasion is, what style you may have in mind and your budget.
It's essential at this stage to be realistic. But whatever your limit, the chances are we'll bring you in within budget. Once we have an idea what you're looking for, we'll explain what we have in stock to match that. Then we invite you to delve through our extensive range.
Trying on:
You can try as many dresses as you want, but your preferred style and the time available will typically dictate how many. We allocate 1½ hours for each bridal appointment. Customers have the privacy of our fitting rooms to dress, often with the help of a companion. But, we are still on hand if you need help to dive into a dress and, of course, for the doing-up part.
Once you're in the dress, we'll help you onto our 'magic box'. It adds height and allows you to see how the dress will look once the hem is custom-fitted.
At this point, we'll chat through with you how the dress looks and feels. We will see how it complements your figure and may recommend some improvements. If you are happy that this could be the dress for you, we'll look for a suitable bridal tiara or hairpiece. Sparkle in your hair helps lift the sparkle in your dress and helps light it up.
We'll also try a veil. Don't under-estimate its power. Lots of brides say they don't want to wear one. But the moment they try it on, they change their minds. A veil helps to frame a dress and creates a dream-like halo. It can add extra sparkle and detail to the back of the dress too. So many of our brides-to-be are moved to tears the moment the veil goes on, Mums too.
2 – Trying on Appointment:
Your preferred style and the time available will typically dictate how many there are for you to try. We allocate 1½ hours for each bridal appointment. Customers have the privacy of our fitting rooms to dress, often with the help of a companion. But, we are still on hand if you need help.
Once you’re in the dress, we’ll help you onto our ‘magic box’. It adds height and allows you to see how the dress will look once the hem is custom-fitted
Ordering:
When you find the gown to match your dreams, we can measure you there and then and order it. Some brides like to have another month or two to reach their perfect bridal shape and weight. We agree on a date with them when to measure and have their dress made.
In either case, once we have final measurements, we will agree with you when you would like your dress in the shop. The shortest time is 12 weeks before the wedding; the longest time is one year. At this point, we request a 50% payment to place the order.
1st fitting (COVID 19 Compliant)
Dresses arrive from the Designer three weeks either side of the estimated date we quoted when you ordered. When your dress comes, we contact you right away to book an initial fitting. Our purpose will be to check that all is at it should be. We will gain a thorough understanding with you of nips and tucks the dress might need to make it perfect. Only then do we book a timely appointment for you with the seamstress. We will let you know what you need to bring with you for that.
By the time of your initial fitting, you will have a good idea of how you will be wearing your hair on the day. So, with your almost-ready dress present, it’s an excellent time to decide on shoes, hairpieces, veils, gloves, jackets, etc.
Once we’ve agreed on alterations and accessories, we will ask you to pay the balance or plan with us when you can clear it. The seamstress can start work and your dress released once you settle the balance.
If your dress arrives with us within six weeks of your wedding date, we have to dispense with an initial fitting. We book you straight into the seamstress instead. We’ll be there with you to get it all done in the time available.
Seamstress (COVID 19 Compliant)
A Stitch in Time has appropriate COVID-Secure protocols in place. These are independent of Sarah Belle Bridal.
We recommend that you see the seamstress 6 to 8 weeks before the wedding. You will be close to the body shape and weight you will be on the day.
The seamstress will take exact instructions on the alterations required to make the dress perfect for you. Hayley will quote a price and time frame to you too.
You don’t have to use our seamstresses. You can use any seamstress to make your alterations. If you do, we will still happily store your dress and give it a final steaming for you.
If you don’t use our seamstress, we can't guarantee to assist in cases of damage or dispute.
Final Fitting (COVID 19 Compliant)
This fitting is usually a direct arrangement between bride-to-be and seamstress. Pay her once you are happy with the fit of your dress. The amount will be in-line with the quote you received at the initial fitting.
This approach saves everyone time and money. The seamstresses are generally willing to see you outside the shop’s regular opening times. They give you their undivided attention.
The final fitting aims to make sure that the dress is a perfect fit. If there’s anything at all you’re not happy with, speak up and let us know in the shop right away. The seamstresses can work wonders. They want, every bit as much as we all do, for you to look flawless and feel beautiful on your great day.
Once happy with your dress, tell the seamstress. She will deliver it back to the shop for final preparation.
Some dresses may not need final steaming. If you’re ecstatic with your dress and can’t wait to get it home, you are welcome to collect it directly from the seamstress. But, if you want to avoid the stress of storing your dress until the wedding, we are more than happy to look after it. Most brides-to-be ask that we do.
Picking-Up Your Dress (COVID 19 Compliant)
When you make your appointment with the seamstress, we will have agreed a date and time for you to pick up your dress. It isn’t set in stone, though. If you need to bring the date forward or push it back let us know in plenty of time.
Two days before your pick-up, we will give your dress a final inspection and steam, letting it dry overnight.
When you come for it, very short-term parking is available to the front of the shop.
We will explain what you need to do when you get home with it and how do-up your dress on the wedding day. An incorrectly corseted dress looks terrible. A troublesome zip on it can cause unnecessary stress on the wedding day. So pay attention, and plan to set aside enough time on the day.
We will make sure you understand how to hang your dress for transportation. Allow enough room in the car to get your dress hanging flat. For instance, from the rear suit jacket hook and across the entire back seat. Or the passenger-seat folded down to a near flat position. Don’t plan to pick up the monthly shop from Tesco on your way home. Try to avoid having to load the car with dogs and children on board too. We’ll help you load your dress in the car.
Then its big smiles and elbow bumps and pleas from us to see your wedding pics when you finally return to Earth.