Frequently Asked Questions
Wedding Dress Shopping
Should I make an appointment before I come to look at wedding dresses?
We do recommend making an appointment to ensure you have the full attention of one of our personal Bridal Consultants, who will make sure that you have an absolutely, amazing shopping experience with us.
View our bridal gown collections
Click here to make your appointment now.
Do we buy used dresses?
No. We are not a consignment shop. We only sell new merchandise.
Do you rent wedding dresses?
No. We want to ensure your dress is in perfect condition!
Do you provide cleaning and preservation services?
No, we do not offer this service. We do have preservation garment bags available that will protect your dress from dust and sunlight.
The Appointment
How much time will I have to try on dresses?
Your Bridal Appointment will be a full 90 minutes with a personal Bridal Consultant who will help you find the dress of your dreams while providing the memorable experience you deserve.
Should I bring in pictures of my favorite wedding dresses or share my Pinterest board of wedding dresses?
Absolutely! We want to learn about the dress you have envisioned so we can show you gowns you’ll love. We encourage you to keep an open mind while shopping. Many times our brides have said yes to a dress that looked nothing like what they originally envisioned. Once we get to know you, your style, and your vision for your wedding, our consultant will use their knowledge of our inventory to find the dress that makes you feel more beautiful than ever before.
Can I bring my children to my wedding dress appointment?
While we love little ones, we know a 90-minute appointment can feel like an eternity to them. We never say no to bringing children, but we want to caution you that we have found that it is difficult for the bride and her guests to focus on the shopping experience if small children are there. If you do bring them with you, we do have some little books they can look at to help pass the time!
Is there anything I should bring with me to try on dresses?
We recommend wearing a nude-colored strapless bra and nude underwear so you can comfortably try on many styles. To prevent accidental damage to the dresses, please plan to try the dresses on without shoes.
Who should I bring with me to my wedding dress appointment?
Bring the people in your life who know you really well and always have your best interest at heart. One or two trusted friends and a parent or sibling is the perfect mix for your entourage! It is always a good idea to bring whoever is paying for the dress with you as their opinion may be important in your decision making. Remember, too many people = too many conflicting opinions which can make things stressful for you.
What sizes of dresses do you have to try on?
We have a nice selection of dresses from size 6 to 26 to try on. Rest assured, even if the stock dress is too big or too small, we will use the clips and bumpers we have to give you the best possible idea of what the dress will look like in your size.
Can I take pictures of my favorite dress(s)?
Of course! We just ask that you wait until you’ve narrowed down your choices to 3 or 4 dresses. Taking photos of every dress really slows down the appointment and we want you to have time to try on all the dresses you want. Besides, no one wants a bunch of pictures of dresses they don’t even like cluttering up their phone, right???
View our wedding dress collections
Ordering the Dress
When do I need to order my dress?
Most of our brides order their dresses but all of our dresses are available for you to take home the same day. If you choose a dress we need to special order, we recommend shopping for it 9-18 months before your wedding date.
My wedding is very soon. Can I still get a wedding dress?
Absolutely! When you choose your dress from our in-house collection, you may take it home today! If you fall in love with a dress that isn’t part of our in-house collection, ask us if we can rush order it, as some designers will accommodate this request!
How do I know what size to order?
Our experienced personal Bridal Consultants will take your measurements to ensure your dress is sized correctly. In the event you fall in between sizes, we will generally order the larger size and allow a seamstress to work her magic on it. Keep in mind, your wedding dress size may not be the same as your clothing size. Bridal sizes tend to run small and different designers use different measurement charts, so a size 8 in one brand may be a size 10 in another.
What are the prices like at Marilee’s Bridal?
We have a carefully curated collection of stunning dresses from talented designers. With competitive prices, our dresses range between $1000 to $3000 with our average price being $1800. We also offer “limited edition” and “designer deal” dresses for sale starting at $600. When you arrive for your appointment, just let your personal Bridal Consultant know how much you’re willing to invest in your dress so she can find a dress that you love and respects your budget.
Can I order a dress from a designer that you do not carry in your store?
Marilee’s Bridal cannot order dresses from collections we do not feature in our boutique. We can however order any style from a collection that we carry even if we don’t have that style to try on in our store. Sometimes, we can borrow a sample for you to try on (a small fee applies). Please ask us about this option a minimum of two weeks before your appointment so we have time to check on the availability of the sample and have it delivered to the store.
Will my wedding dress come in my length?
Most wedding dresses are designed for a 5’7” woman wearing three-inch heels. Many of us do not fall in this category, so it is possible to order extra length for an additional charge or to alter a dress to a shorter length. A seamstress that we can refer you to will be happy to assist you in perfecting the length of your dress.
I’m planning on losing weight. When should I shop for and purchase my wedding dress?
Most brides plan on buying their wedding dresses 9 to 18 months before their wedding day. You should do the same even if you’re planning to lose weight. We recommend buying the dress that fits your current weight, and if you reach your weight goals, a seamstress can alter the dress to fit you perfectly.
What if I gain/lose weight and the dress is too big/too small when it arrives?
We take your measurements and order based on your size at that time. Since seamstresses regularly take dresses in or let them out a bit, gaining a few pounds or losing up to 20 pounds usually isn’t a problem. In some cases, depending on the style, dresses can be taken in up to 3 sizes; however, doing so incurs extra charges and does require reconstruction of the dress to maintain the integrity of the design.
How much do I have to pay to order a wedding dress?
Most brides pay for their dress in full at the time of purchase but we do have a 60/60 payment plan option where you can place a 60% down payment, including any rush fees, with the 40% remainder due in 60 days. This plan require a small administration fee of $25. Dresses with extra length and custom changes do require payment in full prior to ordering.
Do you offer a layaway plan?
Yes, we do offer layaways with a minimum deposit of 25% down with the balance due in 4 equal monthly payments. There is a $25 administration fee for a layaway. Payments are non-refundable. If a layaway is not fully paid for and picked up within 6 months, the dress will become the property of the store and any payments will be forfeited.
What forms of payment are accepted?
We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Debit, bank e-transfer and cash.
If the wedding is canceled, can I get my money back?
We know how painful such circumstances can be; however, due to our agreements with designers, we’re unable to offer refunds, exchanges, or cancellations. There are no exceptions.
What if I find the dress of my dreams. but I’m not ready to order it yet (financially or because I want my mom to see it)?
Since we have no control over when a designer discontinues a dress, we’re unable to guarantee a dress will be available to order later. To ensure you get the dress of your dreams, we strongly encourage you to shop when you have the people you love most with you, as well as the investment needed to make it yours.
Can you put a dress on hold for me?
We will hold a dress for you for up to one week.
If I order a dress and do not like it when it comes in, can I send it back?
We will make every attempt to ensure you are 100% confident in your decision prior to accepting your order. Please understand, we’re unable to offer refunds, exchanges, or cancellations if you change your mind. There are no exceptions.
What happens when my dress order comes in?
We will contact you once your dress has been inspected and steamed lightly. You will then book an appointment to come in to try it on and take it home. We ask you to pick up your dress within two weeks of the notification. If you are unable to come in to pick up your dress yourself, you can designate someone else to pick it up for you or we can arrange shipping.
Do you provide storage?
We strongly recommend that you pick up your dress in the two weeks after notification as we do not have a lot of room in our store for storage. However, if you require this service, we can store your dress for up to a year for a $25 a month storage fee. If you do not make storage arrangements and we have not heard from you for 6 months after you have been notified of your dress arrival or the dress has been on layaway, your dress will be considered abandoned and will become the property of Marilee’s Bridal. No refunds will be issued.
Do you have a seamstress to complete my alterations and are they included in the price of the dress?
Alterations are a separate cost due to the individual requirements necessary to fit your dress perfectly to you. We do not have our own seamstresses in our boutique but we do have experienced seamstresses that we can refer you to.
View our wedding dress collections
Bridesmaids Dresses
Do I need an appointment?
We recommend an appointment to look for bridesmaid dresses. This way we’re able to ensure you’ll work with one of our personal Bridal Consultants who is able to reserve a changing room(s) sized for your party, answer every question, and coordinate your bridesmaid dress experience from start to finish. Your experience includes everything from demonstrating proper fit to choosing materials, colors and styles, as well as taking measurements, and making sure the dresses arrive on time. Schedule your Bridal Party appointment now.
What if all of my bridesmaids can’t come to an appointment?
We have a client portal where you will be able to register your event and bridal party members. Your portal will enable you and your bridesmaids to view our dresses in our lookbook online, select their favourite(s), submit measurements and order their dresses and check the status of their order(s).
When should I shop for my bridesmaid dresses?
We recommend placing your bridesmaid order at least six months before the wedding date. Shopping early ensures there is plenty of time for your bridesmaids to take care of any necessary alterations. In the case of a shorter timeline, we can order dresses and have them in as few as 4 week (depending on designer) for an extra fee. In addition, all of our bridesmaid dresses are available to purchase the day of your appointment but we generally only have one of each style, colour and size. Keep in mind: it is best to order all of the dresses together to ensure they are each cut from the same color dye-lot.
What designers do you carry?
We currently carry designers Sorella Vita and Kanali K. Our designers offer a wide range of prices, styles, materials, and color options suited to complement any bridal style.
How do I know what size to order?
When your bridesmaids come into our store, we will take their measurements so we can ensure a proper fit. If a member of your party is unable to come into the store to be measured, we ask that they have their bust, hip, waist, and height measurements taken by a professional seamstress or tailor. Please keep in mind, the size on the label of a bridesmaid dress often does not match the size worn in everyday clothing, so don’t be surprised if you need to order a couple of sizes up or down from what you usually wear. Also, please note, most dresses are designed for a 5’7” woman in heels. If you are 5’8” or taller, we will typically recommend adding to the length of your dress. The measurements can then be submitted by phone, email or through the client portal.
Can I place an order from another city or province?
Yes! We’re happy to accept orders over the phone or through the client portal. If your bridesmaids are not able to come into the store to be fitted, please instruct them to have a professional seamstress or tailor take their bust, waist, hip, and height measurements to ensure an accurate fit. All bridesmaids’ dresses are shipped to our store. Since we’re unable to ship them elsewhere, please have one person in your party pick up the entire order at the store and distribute the dresses as needed.
Can I make payments on my bridesmaids’ dresses?
Most of our customers make full payment upfront for bridesmaid dresses, however we do offer a 60/60 payment plan where you can pay 60% down and pay the balance within 60 days or when the dress is picked up (if earlier). There is a small administration fee to use the payment plan. We accept cash, Debit, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and e-transfers. Payments can be made in person, online through the client portal, by bank e-transfer or on the phone.
View our bridesmaid collections
Mother, Flower Girl and Special Occasion Dress Shopping
Do I need an appointment?
We recommend an appointment to look for a mother, flower girl or special occasion dresses. This way we’re able to ensure you’ll work with one of our personal Bridal Consultants who is able to reserve a changing room for you, answer every question, and coordinate your dress shopping experience from start to finish. Your experience includes everything from demonstrating proper fit to choosing materials, colors and styles, as well as taking measurements, and making sure the dress arrives on time. Schedule your appointment now.
When should I shop for my dress?
We recommend placing your Mother dress order at least two months before the wedding date. Shopping early ensures there is plenty of time to take care of any necessary alterations. In the case of a shorter timeline, we have many beautiful styles available to purchase the day of your appointment. For flower girl dresses, we recommend ordering no more than 2 months out from the wedding so that the dress will still fit due to the little ones growing!
What designers do you carry?
We currently carry dresses suitable for Mothers from designers Alex Evenings, SL New York, Sorella Vita and Kanali K. Our designers offer a wide range of prices, styles, materials, and color options suited to complement your personal style. Our flower girl dress selection is by Rosebuds.
Can you hold a dress for me?
We will hold a dress for one week in case you need to think about it or show someone for their opinion.
Can I make payments on my dress?
Most of our customers make full payment upfront for mother, flower girl and special occasion dress orders, however we do offer a 60/60 payment plan where you can pay 60% down and pay the balance within 60 days or when the dress is picked up (if earlier). There is a small administration fee to use the payment plan. We accept cash, Debit, Visa, MasterCard, American Express and e-transfers. Payments can be made in person, online through our client portal, by bank e-transfer or on the phone. All orders and in stock sales are final.
View our Mother and Special Occasion Collections
View our Flower Girl Collection
Accessory Shopping
What kind of accessories do you carry?
We have a beautiful selection of accessories including veils, headpieces, hair vines, crowns, combs, hair pins, dress straps, belts and jewelry. We also have garters, fur capes and wraps and the Bridal Buddy.
What’s a Bridal Buddy?
It is an ingenius invention that enables you to use the bathroom at your wedding in privacy. Check it out!
Do I have to make an appointment to purchase accessories?
An appointment is recommended so that our bridal consultant can help you with your selection and to ensure we have a viewing area for you to see how you look with your accessories on.
Can I buy accessories and take them home the same day?
Yes, all of our accessories are available in stock, or we can order them for you if you would prefer.