FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How should I prepare for my appointment?

We can’t wait to welcome you! Before your visit, browse our collections and add your favourites to a Wishlist.

For the best experience trying on dresses, please wear:

A nude or sticky bra
Seamless underwear
Slippers or socks (no outdoor shoes, please)

How many guests can I bring?

For a regular Bridal Consultation, you may bring up to 5 guests plus the bride.
If you’d like to bring more than 5 guests, please book a Dreamy Appointment instead.

How many dresses can I try on?

During a regular 1.5-hour Bridal Consultation, you have time to try on 8–10 dresses.
If you’d like more time and the ability to try on additional gowns, consider booking a 2.5-hour Dreamy Appointment.

How far in advance should I order my wedding dress?

We recommend ordering your gown 9-12 months before your wedding. All of our dresses are made to order, and lead times vary by designer. This allows for a stress free dress experience, with no rush fees and plenty of time for alterations!

This timeline ensures enough time for production, shipping, and alterations.

Rush orders are often available, with the earliest arrivals typically 3–4 months, depending on the designer. Additional rush fees apply.

What if I’m short on time?

No worries—there are still options!

If you find a gown you love that fits you well, you can purchase it off-the-rack and take it home the same day for alterations. We can also sell select Made-to-order sample gowns Off-The-Rack. Please contact your stylist for more information.

Alternatively, most of our designers offer rush production for an additional fee. (Contact us for details.)

You don’t have the style I love in-store, but you carry the designer. Can you still order it?

Absolutely!
We can order any gown from the collections from our Made-to-order designers.

Made-to-order designers:

Milla Nova
Suzanne Neville
Oksana Mukha
Our private line: Dream Bridal

Off-the-rack designers include:
Alexandra Grecco, Chosen by Kyha, Berta Privee, Muse, Jolie by Berta, Tatyana Merenyuk, Liz Martinez, Vera Wang. These designers we cannot order any styles from. They are off-the-rack only.

If you fall in love with a gown and have a short timeline, ask your stylist about our sample purchase options.

Can I customize a dress?

Some designers allow customization!
Options may include changing the lining colour, closing a leg slit, adding straps, zipper or lace-up back and more!

Your stylist or seamstress can explain what’s possible based on the gown and designer.

Do you have an in-house seamstress?

We do not have an in-house seamstress, but we are happy to provide a list of trusted local professionals. Industry Recommendations

Can I order a dress if I’m not located near Ottawa?

Yes! We offer long-distance purchasing options.

You can purchase directly through our online shop or book a virtual appointment to learn more about our gowns and the ordering process.

For Online orders, we will contact you for sizing information to help confirm the best size according to the designer’s size chart. We will also send over the required sales agreements before completing your dress order.

Your gown will first arrive at our shop so we can carefully inspect it and make sure everything is perfect. From there, we can ship it directly to you, or you are welcome to book a pickup appointment if you would prefer to make a trip and collect it in person.

Please note that additional shipping fees apply.

Payment & Sales Policies

Bella Belle Shoes

We no not carry stock in Bella Belle Shoes. We have size samples in store which are marked with a banner online. If the shoes are sold out on the Bella Belle website we are unable to order them for you. Samples are available for purchase.

We accept returns within 30 days, with a 15% restocking fee.
Shoes must be in original condition with all packaging.
Returns only; no exchanges.
We recommend shipping with tracking for safe delivery.

Wedding Dresses – Off-the-Rack

All off-the-rack wedding dresses are final sale and must be paid in full at the time of purchase.
All samples are sold as-is.

Wedding Dresses – Made-to-Order

Made-to-order gowns are non-refundable. There is a 60% deposit upon order and the remaining 40% is due at the final fitting & pick-up.

Sizing is determined by the designer’s size chart and based on your largest measurement.
Gowns are not made to custom measurements unless specifically requested and there is an additional charge depending on designer.Customization is available for certain designers, such as Suzanne Neville, Milla Nova and Dream Bridal

Payment Methods

To make purchasing your dream dress easier, we accept:

Credit card
Debit card
Cash
E-transfer

We also offer installment payments through Afterpay. Please speak with your stylist for details.