Frequently Asked Questions

Booking an appointment in advance is preferred to give our consultants enough time to prepare for your visit. Making a booking ensures that we can provide you with your own consultant. They will be able to guide you through your bridal journey by providing recommendations and assisting you in finding or creating the dress of your dreams.

Walk-ins may be accepted on weekdays when we are less busy. On weekends we tend to be booked out, so it’s important to make an appointment.

Our initial bridal consultations are typically scheduled for one and a half hours. This provides us with enough time to hear the details of your wedding and have a genuine conversation with you. Based on this we will know what you are looking for in a gown and better be able to guide you to your dream dress.

We offer 1-hour second appointments which are complimentary designed for brides returning to revisit and retry their favourite gowns from their initial session. This dedicated time allows you to refine your choices with the guidance of your stylist and move closer to saying “yes” to the dress.

During a wedding dress appointment, your stylist will take the time to understand the details of your wedding, learn about your personal style, and find out about the atmosphere of your wedding. This will help allow them to find you a gown that reflects both you and your wedding effectively.

Your stylist will be there to help dress you and give you recommendations for making your dream dress a reality.

We’re also dedicated to making a wedding dress that’s uniquely yours. During your appointment, we will provide you with extra information on how to complete your bridal look with a veil and accessories and provide you with options to customise your gown.

The cost of a wedding dress appointment will vary based on how many consultations you opt for and which boutique you are going to. Initial appointments at our Melbourne and Canberra boutique is $50. At the Adelaide boutique its $35. The fee is non-redeemable and non-refundable if cancelled within 48 hours of appointment date/time.

Please note an appointment on a Sunday at our Melbourne boutique is $100.

Second appointments are complimentary and free of charge. However the initial appointment fee is non-redeemable off any purchase. You will be assigned a consultant who acts as your personal stylist and helps you navigate our extensive and ever-changing collection of bridal gowns.

If you require an appointment beyond your second consultation, each one will incur a charge of $50.

There are a few main things that are recommended to bring to your bridal appointment. Nude or skin-colour undergarments are preferred for trying on your wedding dress. Additionally, bringing any accessories you plan on wearing during your wedding helps show the stylist how you will look on your special day. However, there will be a platform to stand on so shoes are welcome, but not a necessity.

Inspiration photos and mood boards may also be helpful in giving your consultants a clearer vision of your wedding. They may include everything from wedding dresses to flower and bridesmaid colours. All of it can be useful for the purpose of creating an understanding of what you want your wedding to look like and the atmosphere you would like to create.

It’s also good to bring any friends or family that will be helping you to make your final decision. While we do have certain restrictions on the number of guests that are allowed to attend as an entourage, we do our best to accommodate. If you would like to bring more than the guest limit indicated, please request this when you make your appointment and we will find an arrangement that works.

At The Sposa Group, we offer a broad range of sizes in our boutique, ranging from size 0 to 24. We are also able to order up to a size 32 or request split sizes if necessary.

The prices of our wedding gowns range between $2,000 and $10, 000. We also have sample sales where gowns may be purchased for prices as low as $650. Alterations are not included in our gown prices.

If you are not in a position to pay for your dress deposit outright, we do have payment plans available. Please ask your consultant about what would work best for you.

Yes, the vast majority of our gowns are available in both white and ivory. Additionally, most of them also have nude, champagne, and blush variants. Certain special gowns are available in pink, blue, and gold. Please ask your consultant if you would like a custom colour.

All the gowns on our website are available at one of our three boutiques in Melbourne, Adelaide or Canberra. We are constantly swapping styles between stores, so please be sure to enquire about which store the gown is at during the time of booking.

If you would like to try on a dress located at one of our other boutiques, we are able to transfer it in time for your appointment. There is a $50 transfer fee ($100 for ball gowns) to have the gown sent. This is then redeemable on the purchase or order of any gown.

We offer demi-couture customisation options for our wedding dresses. This means we can offer changes to your gown, including change of colour, neckline, sleeves, adding glitter tulle, size of skirt, and length of train. As our beading and lacework is done by hand, we have control over these elements too.

We recommend you start looking for your wedding dress between eight and ten months before your wedding date. At The Sposa Group, we like to allow up to eight months from the time you find your gown to the time you see us for alterations.

If you require your wedding dress in a shorter amount of time, we are able to offer an expedited dress delivery and alterations process. However, a rush fee of $399 may apply.

Many decisions related to your wedding will be dependent on your wedding dress. It is recommended that your wedding dress is one of the first items you attend to.

Yes, most of the gowns in our boutiques are available to be purchased off-the-rack. We also have a large selection of sample sale gowns that are currently on offer with heavy discounts.

No, unfortunately we do not hire out our wedding gowns.

Our turnaround time for ordering a wedding dress can be up to eight months. However, we do have some express options available. These will typically have your gown arriving one month earlier than standard delivery time frames. Please factor in extra time if you are having a destination wedding or will be going overseas.

Two months may be enough time to get your wedding dress. We offer an express service for new gown orders if your wedding is less than three months away. This will depend on the style, colour, and size of your wedding dress. Additionally, an express fee will be applied to these orders. Be sure to discuss your options and time frame with one of our consultants.

It’s also worth noting that we have floor stock and sample sale gowns at discounted prices. These can be purchased and taken on the day.

Once you have found your wedding gown, your consultant will go over the options for your dress with you and take your measurements. We will go over the size chart with you and select the size that best aligns with your measurements. 

Our minimum required deposit for a wedding gown is 25%. Construction will start on your gown once your deposit reaches 60%. Your dress will arrive within eight months and we will contact you to arrange a pickup appointment.

We accept a range of payment methods including cash, bank transfer, EFTPOS, VISA, MasterCard and AMEX (in some locations only). Payments may also be made over the phone.

Please note that debit/credit transactions will incur a merchant fee surcharge of 1.2%  in Melbourne and Canberra and 1.4% in Adelaide. There is no fee for EFTPOS transactions.

We offer payment plans so that you are able to manage the wedding dress cost in a way that works for you. Please ask your consultant about the available options.

We offer a rush service which allows your gown to arrive a month earlier than standard delivery time frames. Please discuss your options with your consultant if your wedding is sooner than three months. It is worth noting that a rush fee of $399 applies to express orders.

Yes, the Sposa Group offers in-house alteration at our boutiques. Our experienced and professional seamstresses can tailor your gown for a perfect fit. Alterations are available for gowns that have been purchased from our boutiques and paid in full. A 50% deposit of the total alteration cost is required before any alteration work commences. An Alterations Service Fee is applicable on all first Alterations appointments which is non-refundable if you choose not to go ahead with your alterations at your local The Sposa Group. Please note that alterations costs are not included within the price of the gowns.

Alterations will commence between four and eight weeks before the wedding date depending on your local boutique. If you’re planning to have a separate photoshoot before the official wedding, please factor this in and let our team know when you book your alterations appointment.

Alterations are not included in the price of our wedding gowns. Please let our stylists know during your consultation if alteration costs should be factored into your overall dress budget. Your consultant will be able provide you with the average cost of alterations.

It is recommended that you wear nude or skin-coloured undergarments, or any specific undergarments or Spanx you’re planning to wear on the day. This is important to give a clear idea of how the gown sits and ensure nothing shows if your gown has cut-outs or sheer panels. 

It is required that you bring either the shoes you will be wearing on your wedding day or shoes of the same height. This ensures the hems can be measured properly. Failing to do so may mean you will be required to have another fitting.

It is recommended to decide on your veil, headpiece, and other accessories at least two to three months prior to the wedding. If you order your accessories along with your gown, you will be able to pick up your pieces together.

Our accessories come in silver, gold, and rose gold. Your consultant will be able to select a colour that matches your dress, ring and wedding decor.

If you order a lace or beaded veil, it will require at least 3 months for delivery if they are not available in stock. Meanwhile plain veils (no beading or lace) can be ordered 2 months prior to the wedding. Because of this, it’s best to order your veil at the same time as your gown.

Wedding gowns should be stored in an area that is cool, dark, dry, and free from heat, moisture and insects. Proper storage of wedding gowns is important to ensure the original appearance of the gown is preserved and to minimise the risk of damage occurring.

We also supply our brides with breathable garment bags, specially designed for storing and transporting wedding dresses. Please ensure that you keep your gown in this bag before and after the wedding to preserve your wedding dress. Additionally, make sure you use the attached hanging loops inside the gown to prevent the stretching of the shoulders.

We suggest getting your gown dry-cleaned prior to storage as watermarks and perspiration can yellow over time. We are happy to provide recommendations for local dry cleaners, depending on which boutique you are going to. Some companies even offer the professional framing of wedding gowns, allowing them to be displayed and appreciated as beautiful works of art.

Our opening hours vary depending on the boutique in question. Check the opening hours for the boutique you are planning to visit.

The accessibility and opening hours vary across Sposa’s boutiques.

Melbourne

Our Melbourne boutique has split levels with stair access to the main showroom. The main showroom is accessible from behind the store. Please contact us in advance so we can make sure the entry is prepared.

There is on-street parking in front of the boutique as well as large, public car parks behind the stores. Please be sure to check the parking signage.

The nearest training station is only a short walk from our boutique. Additionally, the number 16 tram stop is quite close to our location.

Canberra

Our Canberra boutique has small steps at the front entrance, so keep this in mind with the use of prams and wheelchairs. There is both on-street parking in the front of the boutique and car parks behind the building for your use. Please be sure to check the parking signage.

Adelaide

Our Adelaide boutique is on one level with no steps. It provides easy access to everyone. 

Two hour parking is available on Dunks Street within 50 metres of the boutique. Four hour parking is also available within 100 metres walking distance for free.

At The Sposa Group, we are proud supporters of the LGBTI+ community. We welcome anyone and everyone. Our goal is to make sure everyone who walks into our boutique feels beautiful and amazing in their own skin.

We don’t allow photos or videos to be taken in our boutiques. This is to protect the privacy of our staff, to prevent dress designs from being shared, and to focus all the attention on the brides. We would appreciate it if this policy is respected by all guests and brides who enter our boutiques.