What are your opening hours and do I need to make an appointment?
Hannah Elizabeth Bridal operates by an appointment only service to ensure that all of our brides receive full exclusivity of the boutique, as well as our dedicated time, care, and attention for the duration of their appointment.
Tuesday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Late night by appointment only – 8:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
How far in advance should I order my dress?
As soon as you feel you are ready to purchase ‘The One’! We would advise that you start looking for your dress a year in advance of your wedding date. Most of our designer bridal gowns have a 6-8 month turnaround time to be made and you want to ensure you leave around 6-8 weeks for alterations to be made to your gown before your big day. Any dresses ordered under 6 months prior to your wedding will incur a rush fee.
For more information, see our wedding dress buying timeline here.
What happens if I don’t have 6 months until my wedding or even less?
If you have less than the minimum required order time of 6 months in advance of your wedding date, we are still able to look into ordering your Bridal Gown as a “Rush order”, which is sometimes an option at an extra cost. Please do not hesitate to get in touch – we are here to help you!
Alternatively, if you need an ever faster turnaround on your dress or you would like to see costs down, we’d recommend exploring our Sample Dresses that are reduced in price and off-the-rail, ready to be taken away with you that day! The sizes of these samples vary between 12 & 14 and can be altered up to two sizes smaller or larger. Check out our guide on dress alterations here to ensure you have enough time for those too.
What is the price range of your Bridal Gowns?
Our range of gowns start from £1,200 and go up to £4,000 with the average dress being from £1,900 – £2,200.
What sizes are your sample gowns?
Our sample dresses are generally between a UK 10 and UK 14. After purchasing your gown, we will order your gown in the size suited to you and your personal body measurements, unless you are specifically buying a sample dress.
How many guests can I bring with me?
We ensure that our brides receive full exclusivity of the boutique in which to find ‘The One’. To ensure that you are comfortable in our bridal haven, we allow up to a maximum of 3 guests. We promise that less is more and will make the experience much more enjoyable for you.
Check out our blog on ‘The Pros and Cons of Bringing the Guests’.
If I have not bought a gown from your boutique can I still come along for an ‘Accessory Appointment’?
Yes of course – we warmly invite brides to make accessory appointments within our boutique! You may find it helpful to bring an image of your bridal gown with you to help us in guiding and styling you with the perfect accessories from our stunning collection of designers.
At Hannah Elizabeth Bridal we are proud to stock Kiri & Belle, Hayze Bridal, Harlo Australia shoes and more beautiful accessory designers that truly bring your bridal vision to life.
What happens if there is a specific gown which I would like to try by a designer you stock and you do not have this gown in the boutique?
Some of our designers offer a loaning service, giving our brides the opportunity to try on a gown that they may have spotted within a collection which we do not necessarily have in the boutique. The charge to loan a gown is £50.00 which we do deduct off the cost of your gown should you decide to order on the day that you loan the gown.
Please do let us know if you’d like to see a specific gown by any of our designers and we can tell you whether we stock this design and, if not, whether we are able to loan it in for you to try.
Further, if you have a specific designer that you love, keep an eye out for our trunk shows where you’ll have the opportunity to try a wider range of dresses from your favourite designer.
Is there parking near the boutique?
Yes, there is a car park situated behind the Dolphin Pub which offers 2 hours free parking, no ticket needed. This is less than a two-minute walk from the boutique. If you wish to stay in the area longer, you must register your car in the pub.
We are also a 10 minute walk from Botley Train station and a 15 minute taxi ride away from Southampton Airport Parkway.
If you could tell me anything about shopping for a wedding dress, what would it be?
Whether you bring guests with you, or decide to go it alone, the most important opinion is always your own. Over the years we’ve seen hundreds of beautiful brides turn away from their dream dress because of the opinions of their bridal party, mothers or friends.
At Hannah Elizabeth Bridal, we strive to ensure that the bride’s wishes are always put first. We’ll support you, help you select only the most perfect of dresses and allow you to see yourself as the empowered woman you deserve to be.
Can I come on my own?
Of course!
We relish the opportunity to support indepedent brides who have a vision they want to create. And besides, with Kelly and Hannah ready to support you, no bridal experience is ever truly solo. Trust us to support you through this exciting and memorable time, effortlessly. Enjoy a luxury experience, time to unwind and a bespoke service that’ll have you ready to take to the aisle.
Check out our guide on bringing guests to your appointments here.
What should I look at before my appointment?
Seek inspiration from bridal magazines, social media, Pinterest and designer websites.
We would advise that you have a rough idea of fit and style before you come to us, but can also advise on the best style for you, your wedding and your body. Check out our lookbook of our designers here.
After booking your appointment at Hannah Elizabeth Bridal, you will be sent an interview questionnaire whereby we ask you to let us know your style interests and if there are any specific designers/dresses you like from our website. This helps us to tailor our appointment to you specifically and to make suggestions based on how we perceive your style.
Visiting lots of bridal boutiques can be overwhelming and confusing, so we recommend that you find some inspiration online first. Brides come to us for specific designers, luxury collections and the most couture of wedding styles. If you’re looking for designer pieces, curated lookbooks and catwalk styles, we can help you make an exquisite choice.
If you could give my entourage three pieces of advice for our appointment what would they be?
1. Take care to know exactly what it is that your friend or family member is looking for. If you can see that they’re seeing something they’re in love with, try to keep your own opinions aside. Please resist the temptation to suggest other styles if they haven’t asked.
2. If you’re already married, endeavour to leave your own bridal experience at the door. Whether it was positive or negative, allow your wonderful friend to experience this herself for the first time.
3. Remember that trying on clothes can be a difficult experience for some women. Put on your most supportive hat and be ready to dish out the compliments.
Why do you charge for your appointments?
For all appointments we charge an appointment fee (excluding collection appointments or second visits). Hannah Elizabeth Bridal introduced this charge to create a calmer, more tranquil experience. We find it allows our stylists to work personally with each bride, all the way through each appointment.
During your appointment there might be some cross over with other brides and their guests however you will be in your very own private bridal suite with your guests and host.
Do you have an in-house seamstress and will I be charged extra for alterations?
We do not have an in-house seamstress at Hannah Elizabeth Bridal. From the moment you purchase your gown at HEB, we will take your body measurements to get as close as possible to your perfect fit, however, bridal gowns are always ordered with alterations in mind.
We have an array of amazing seamstresses in the surrounding areas that we can/will recommend to you for your alterations.
We recommend you allow 8 weeks for your alterations. Please note as this will take place via a separate business, this will come at an additional charge to your dress cost from us here at Hannah Elizabeth Bridal.
Is there anything I need to bring to my appointment with me?
After booking your appointment, you will receive an appointment confirmation email with a PDF attachment that takes you through next steps; from what to wear, to what to bring and everything in-between! This will help you truly prepare for your appointment at Hannah Elizabeth Bridal. Please keep an eye out for this appointment confirmation email and get in touch with us if you do not receive this.
What is a 'Trunk Show'?
Trunk Shows are wonderful and exciting events to attend, they are exclusive events dedicated to one of our specific bridal designers.
They are hosted within the boutique and are normally held over the duration of a weekend.
During the event, the selected designer sends in a large selection of their gowns which we do not normally stock in the boutique for our brides to preview and try.
Trunk shows are a fantastic opportunity to try on a large selection of gowns by one of our designers that you otherwise may not be able to source. We always offer an ‘Exclusive Discount’ for the event to any bride who finds her dream gown!
These events are always very popular and due to high demand do get booked up far in advance. To prevent any disappointment, please do book your appointment if you have a specific designer that you are drawn to.
What happens if I find 'The One' during my appointment?
When you have had that special moment and found ‘The One’, we will then take your body measurements and go through your order paperwork with you. We require an initial payment of 60% upon the ordering of your gown, with the final balance due when your gown arrives in approximately 6 month’s time. 90 days following your initial payment, you will be required to make your final dress payment.
If you are purchasing a boutique sample wedding dress to take away with you, we do require full payment up-front.
TAILORED FOR YOU
Your bridal appointment
Our award winning boutique is located in the charming Hampshire village of Botley, home to our carefully curated collection of beautiful, elegant gowns. From the streets of Paris, to timeless lace and luxury, we’ve selected the finest designers from across the globe, all specialising in delicate designs, sheer elegance and exclusive styles. Your bespoke experience starts the moment you make contact with us. From our first phone consultation to your exciting and luxurious bridal appointment. We lead you with our expertise and passionately provide an unparalled and inspirational, blissful bridal shopping experience.
@hannahelizabethbridal
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5 High Street, Botley,
Southampton, Hampshire,
SO30 2EA
As seen in the Directory of Southampton Wedding Dress Shops
