We feel we offer a second to non service which time and time again is reflected in the feedback we receive from very satisfied customers.
We have listed below some frequently asked questions for your assistance and links to our designers own websites.
Whilst we would love to see you unfortunately we cannot offer the best service to you or your bridesmaids if we do not know you are coming to see us. We work by appointment to give you the best possible service. The room is booked for one approx hour (or a time agree/suitable for your needs) just for you and your family. We go through all possible options and styles and advise you on all the possibilities. Once the room is booked we try to ensure that no other customers come into the rooms so that you have the exclusivity of both the room and our service. Our website hopefully gives enough information to brides before their visit to see if its a worthwhile trip.
For viewing gowns we usually request that you start your visits no earlier than 12 months (unless clearance sale in progress). This allows you plenty of time to see all the gowns for the season of your wedding, means that there is plenty of ordering time but also means that we can fit each bride and give them fair booking appointments based on the distance of their wedding date to the appointment. For example if your wedding date is in 2010 and you wanted an appointment in 2008 we would give priority to brides getting married in 2008 to be fair.
We like you to be made aware of bridal gown costs in our studio we do not do this to be upsetting or offensive simply to assist if you have a budget in mind and the dress prices exceed this.
Prices would depend on the designer and the fabric as well as the ordering service i.e.. standard made to order size, made to measure, made to measure with a calico toile fitting. But as a guide for standard sizing 10-16...
Nicola Anne - start at approx £750 - £1200 averaging at £895
Alan Hannah gowns - start at approx £1175 - £2500 averaging at £1600.00
Sassi Holford gowns - start at approx £1250 - £4000 averaging at £1600.00
Suzanne Neville gowns - start at approx £1400 - £4000 averaging at £1800.00
Bridesmaids gowns - Start at £225-395 averaging at £265
Tiaras range from £40-400 and shoes £175-200.
We have an expert team at Frangipani with a seamstress and tailoress of over forty years of experience with a workroom/alteration room on the premises. Alterations to the bridal gowns would be included free of charge where-ever possible when ordered through Frangipani* but we also try to offer the most competitive price for all other alterations and pride ourselves with possibly one of the best alteration services nationwide. We are known and well regarded for our attention to detail and our customer service. * weight fluctuation may incur charges, if special sizing cut required i.e.. mixed size or made to measure may incur charges made by the designer. Alteration service may not be included in clearance sale gowns.
Bridal gown designers preference is minimum 12-16 weeks ordering time and we usually like to get the gown into the studio 8 weeks prior to the wedding date to allow for alteration time and busy periods. Therefore an overall timescale of six months or more before the wedding date is the preferred timescale. Designers can sometimes offer "rush cut" which enables us to complete a dress in less time if needed however this may incur further charges and at busy times may not be an option if the designer has no space to fit your order into the work diary. We would suggest to any bride to give yourself more than 6 months ordering time to enable your order to be accepted with no problem, if you are choosing a hand beaded dress give your timescale a further months allowance. For viewing gowns we usually request that you start your visits no earlier than 12 months. For example if your wedding date is in 2011 and you wanted an appointment in 2008 we would give priority to brides getting married in 2008 to be fair (unless clearance sale in progress).
When you have decided on the gown you want to order we arrange with you a time to come in and be measured for the gown to be made for you. If you are losing weight a deadline measure date can be arranged to suit. Payment of a 50% deposit is usual when ordering your gown and the remaining 50% is payable on the arrival of the gown from the designer to Frangipani. If you prefer to split the deposit into two installments of 25% we can offer this to customers who have a reasonable amount of time before their wedding date (further information available on request). Your gown order is placed with the designer and we receive the confirmation back from them with a swatch of your fabric. Once we have checked over the information you receive your swatch and arrival information in the post.
Links
Here are links to the websites of our designers shown on this website......
www.richarddesigns.co.uk - veils and tiaras