About Us

ABOUT US

DOLLY'S BRIDAL BOUTIQUE

Nestled in the cute countryside courtyard you will find the boutique. In a peaceful, rural location in Bedfordshire, Dolly's was created by Gemma to offer brides-to-be a local alternative & a truly special bridal experience.

Gemma recently got married & it was her own experience of shopping for her perfect wedding gown that inspired her to set up her own boutique.

Having finally found her prince after over 30...erm something years & accepting his very romantic Parisian proposal, she could not wait for the dress shopping. She loves to dress up & you can rely on Gemma to always be overdressed so here was her chance to really go for it...send in the sparkles, diamantes & as much glitz as you can find!

All little girls dreams of being a bride. Beautiful bouquet, flowing veil & the most stunning wedding dress. However for Gemma, the reality of dress shopping was an anti-climax.

"I was so disappointed. Mum & I went off with a stomach full of butterflies & Dad's cheque book in hand. There was no consultation of what style of dresses would suit me (& my curvy body), no glass of fizz & no fun. The dresses were covered up, we couldn't browse & have a look for ourselves & we were given dresses that they thought would suit me, but didn't. Some of the more 'snooty' shops made us feel unwelcome, you daren't look at anything & certainly wouldn't dream to touch!

After the first store, I wanted to go home. I'd told them that I was a girly girl & yet there I was standing in an unflattering gown resembling an old sack with no sparkles in sight!"

Thereafter the lightbulb moment came & Dolly's was born. Having worked in marketing for 19 years, Gemma decided she needed to market bridal boutiques better. Wouldn't it be nice if you could visit a boutique & have it to yourself? A boutique that was unpretentious where they don't push unflattering gowns on a body that doesn't suit. And wouldn't it be nice if it met all of those expectations you had as a little girl playing 'weddings' in the playground with your pals!
HELLO DOLLY!

Here at Dolly’s, We only open by appointment and only open for you. There’s ample free parking and there is no rush. It’s the moment you’ve waited for all of your life and you need the time to enjoy it.

Book an appointment at our boutique and we lock the doors and pop the cork off the bubbly!

Your happiest day of your life starts with a trip to find your perfect bridal gown and we will do our best to make it as special as every bride deserves.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

"How many of my friends and family can I bring along?"

Our boutique is intimate and we can accomodate yourself plus UP TO 3 guests. Any extra members of the Bride Tribe are encouraged to join via video call so they don't miss any of the fun!

Bear in mind Dolls, sometimes the more of your Tribe you have join you on your appointment, the more opinions and therefore the more overwhelming it can get. Granny likes long sleeves and high necks, Bridesmaid picks the dresses she really likes (for herself!) and Mother-in-law wants you to look like Auntie Flo's toilet roll holder! I'm joking, kind of, but you get the idea. 2 or 3 guests works best. You're here to find 'The One' so choose your team wisely.
"I'm nervous about my appointment, how will it work?"

Firstly, DO NOT be nervous, trying on pretty dresses is so much fun! We will start with a consultation. Tell me all about your wedding and let’s get to know each other better. Once I get a feel for the styles that will best reflect your ideas and personality, TOGETHER, we will select some gowns for you to try on.

(please note that photography is not allowed in the boutique unless a dress has been purchased)

Our bridal boutique is not "off the peg". All gowns are ordered based on your measurements and therefore can take up to 6 months to arrive back in the boutique. Therefore, if you would like an appointment but are on a tight timescale, please give us a call to discuss your options.

Try and leave the kids with Dad for the appointment. Whilst white dresses and sticky fingers do not mix, we also want you to relax, enjoy yourself and have the best of times without worrying about the ankle biters!
"What underwear should I wear?"

Sports Bra's, black thong's...we've seen it all!

Wearing good underwear is vital when trying on wedding dresses. It’s always best to wear the underwear that you would like to wear on your wedding day or failing that a good pair of nude knickers are recommended! Dresses with low backs might not be suitable for a pair of big black knickers however some dresses shine with a nude pair of Spanx underneath! Some dresses do/do not require a bra so you’ll want your chest to feel fully supported!
"Can I pop into the boutique at any time?"

Because I want to give every bride my undivided attention, bookings at Dolly’s are by appointment only. It’s the most exciting time for you and I want to ensure that you have the most personal and private time. Please arrive on time and I will lock the door, pop the prosecco (or get the kettle on if you prefer!) and get chatting. There is a 48 cancellation policy so please bear this in mind if for any reason you cannot attend the appointment as it gives another bride to be the chance to take the available slot.
"What's the price range at Dolly's Bridal Boutique?"

The dresses at Dolly’s are all carefully selected and hand picked to ensure that there is a collection for everyone's budget without compromising on quality.

Prices range from £1500 - £2600

Book an appointment to come and see them...and us!

"Will my body fit into the dresses?"

Sample dresses range from UK sizes 8-18 but it’s not an issue...with a bit of creative licensing and imagination you should still be able to find your dream dress. Once you’ve decided on your gown, it’s then ordered specifically to suit your size and shape.
"I said yes to the dress, what are the next steps?"

Decision made, congratulations, you’ve found 'The One'. At this point we will take your measurements to determine the specific size and will require 50% deposit to get your dress ordered. Some collections can take a while to arrive so please bear this in mind when making an appointment. Most dresses once ordered will take approximately 5-7 months to arrive back in the boutique.

You may then want to think about accessorising your bridal look. Dolly’s stock a range of tiaras, hair accessories and jewellery from Ivory & Co and can order any extra items from their stunning range into the boutique.

Do you want a veil? Again, I have a range of Veils and work with Richard Designs who create the most beautiful veils to complement any bridal look. Once your dress arrives back into the boutique, we will have another fitting to check it all over. You’ll then arrange a visit with one of our recommended Seamstresses who will fit your dress to ensure it suits your body perfectly. Alterations are charged on a bride by bride basis depending on how much altering there is to do. Whilst you are not obliged to use one of our preferred Seamstresses, each of our ladies comes highly recommended with many years experience in bridal alterations. Be sure to take your wedding shoes with you at your first fitting.

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