After-hours appointments on Wednesdays and their refundable booking fees

Just a wee note to explain all about how our appointment system works for late nights.
We open Tues - Sat during the day with late nights on Wednesdays (normally until about 8pm or 8.30pm) and for any appointments booked in for a Wednesday evening after 5pm, we take a £25 booking fee.

This fee is refunded
a) when the bride arrives for her appointment, or
b) if she has to cancel and gives us prior notice.  (Normally 24 hrs, but if she contacts us first thing in the morning when we open we will go ahead and refund)



I implemented this three years ago after a string of no-shows (three on one particular night!!)  It's a problem we have every week during the daytime, but it's even more frustrating when you have given up your evening with your family to stay on late at work and don't get any notice that a bride will not be attending her appointment.  It does work.  In the 3 years we have been doing this, I've had one no-show who lost her £25.  I've also let two slip the net who gave me excuses why they couldn't pay, and both let me down which is why I am very strict about taking the booking fee.  No fee, no evening appointment!!  I hope this explains why we do it.  Most people are very understanding and are happy to pay.  We do get the odd protest about it, but I hope anyone reading this will see why I brought this system in.

If you are booking a late night, you'll have to ring the shop on 02871 813682 so that we can get your credit or debit card details (we don't like people sending details by email!!) .  Alternatively , you can pay by paypal at beautifuldaybrides@hotmail.com (you'll need to request an invoice from us via email), or you can call in in person to the shop.

Let me know if you have any questions!!

Sale day tips and advice to get your dream dress at a bargain price!!

We have set a date!!  It will be on Friday and Saturday 25th and 26th April, from 10am to 5pm both days.  This time we are operating an appointment-only system with 50 min slots, so you MUST BOOK IN in advance to guarantee that you will be able to try on dresses.  

All sale dresses reduced by AT LEAST 50%.  

Many reduced by up to 75%

Many dresses will be from our current collection and will only be reduced for the 2-day sale and will then revert to full price once the sale is over.  So remember to bring your purse and your helping crew!! 

People always ask me about sale days and what advice I would give anyone looking to come to one, so here's a list of top tips that I've put together which should help you to on your quest to find a dream dress at a bargain price!

Top tips for attending a sample sale..

1. Get out beforehand and try dresses on.
Don’t make a sample sale your first bridal shopping trip.  The girls who come prepared with ideas from trying on beforehand are the girls who have the most success at getting a bargain.  You will be restricted to the number of dresses you can try on (5 max!!)  so you don't get the normal private consultation to try and figure out what shapes and styles you prefer and which ones flatter your figure.  When you come to a bridal sample sale, you should already have a good idea of what style you are looking for, what size you need and what suits your shape.

2. Bring a friend

Don’t bring a whole entourage, but bring someone who will be brutally honest. Weddings are expensive and any discount you can get, especially if it’s on your dress, is well worth it - but only if you will be happy with it. Brief your friend to be brutally honest and listen to  her (or him!)  And remember that on a 2 day sale,  you can't go for a look and come back again the next week.  So if you need your friend/sister/mum with you to help you make the final decision, then make sure she comes with you to the sale event. 

3. Wear the right underwear
This is a wedding dress appointment necessity regardless, but make sure you wear the right undies! You need to do everything you can to see how the dress will fit you.   

4. Bring your purse!!!!!!!!!!!

You'd be surprised at how many people don't think about this one - remember, it's a two day sale, and we don't hold items over.  So bring your purse (we accept all major credit/debit cards) so that if you do find 'the one' then you can actually buy it!!! (and many of the dresses will be reverting to full price after the event)

5.  Ask the sales assistants about sizing.

Bridal sizes are generally a bit smaller than high street sizes, so when you are looking, bear that in mind.  But also, don't be afraid of looking at dresses which are a little bit bigger as they can always be taken in.  If in doubt, ask one of our sales assistants for guidance on the sizes when you are looking through the dresses.   All dresses will be grouped in sizes to make it easier.

Part-time job at Beautiful Day Bridal Cottage

We are recruiting a new member of staff to work at Beautiful Day and anyone interested should apply directly to the shop by sending their CV to us in person, by post or by email at beautifuldaybrides@hotmail.com.  The closing date is Fri 21st March at 12 noon.

People often think that it's quite a glamorous job working in a bridal shop, but I want to let you know that it is a very physically demanding job and it's hard work!!  The successful candidate should be energetic, hard working and physically fit.  A good eye for detail and an eye for fashion is essential as the job involves helping brides pick out dresses and matching accessories.  And as the job involves working closely with a bride and her helpers, then good interpersonal skills and enthusiasm is essential!!  Experience working in a bridal shop would be an advantage, but is not essential, however we would expect at least a year's experience working in retail.

Whoever gets the job will be expected to work most Saturdays from 9.30am until 5.30pm and must be able to do an occasional day outside this too (eg to cover holidays, help with wedding fayres, sale events or to lend a helping hand if we have a particularly busy week) so flexibility is a must.

Interviews will take place in the week commencing 24th March.

Good luck!! And if you have any questions, please drop me an email or ring the shop on 02871 813682.