Are Appointments Required?
Yes! We schedule appointments to ensure our clients are given 100% of our attention in the search for the perfect gown and/or dress. Because your wedding dress purchase is a once in a lifetime event, you deserve the time and our full attention and a relaxing experience. Appointments are approximately 1-2 hours long and you can try as many dresses as you like. We charge a Consultation Fee of R 200.00; this amount is allocated towards keeping our Showroom Dresses in excellent condition.

What Should I bring to my Appointment?
You may want to bring a couple of photos of the style of dresses you are most interested in and a note pad. Please Note: that we kindly request that you don't wear perfume, lipstick, foundation, anti-perspirant or no tanning products to your appointment - this is to safeguard our Showroom Dresses during fittings.

Who Should I bring to my Appointment?
We recommend that you bring one or two people who are key in helping you choose your Wedding Gown; perhaps your mother or your best friend (or both). We can accommodate four people comfortably in our boutique.

Can I bring Children to my Appointment?
Due the exclusive boutique environment we kindly request that children are not brought to your appointment. Should you need to bring children, we ask that you bring someone with to keep an eye on them and to please let us know ahead of time (prior to your appointment).

Can I take Photographs at my Appointment?
We don't recommend this, as the photo quality doesn't display the exquisite detail of our dresses (owner's discretion is given).

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What is the Process to Order a Wedding Dress?
Once you have decided on your Wedding Dress, we will take your measurements, select your colour and fabric choice. We then compare your measurements taken to that of the Designer's Size Charts and select the best suited standard dress size. We will then invoice you via email. Full payment is required (unless arranged otherwise). Once we have recieved payment, we will then place the order with the relevant Designer. All payments are non-refundable. This however does not apply to Manufacturer damages, as we guarantee the quality of the finished product to you as you are purchasing an international couture item. The lead time for a wedding gown to be made once ordered is approx 16 weeks, plus 5-7 business days to arrive at our boutique (barring any Customs delays). Once your Wedding Dress arrives at our boutique, we will arrange an appointment for you to see it and try it on. If any alterations are needed, we usually schedule an Initial Fitting with our seamstress (costs involved are charged independently by the seamstress), followed by a Final Fitting and a Collection Date.

How Long does it take for my Wedding Gown/Dress to be Ready?
The standard lead time for Wedding Gowns is 16 weeks, plus 5-7 business days to arrive in South Africa (barring any Customs delays). In-stock Inventory dresses from our designer's can be ordered and arrive in South Africa within 7-10 business days.

How Far in Advance should I Shop for my Wedding Dress?
We usually recommend shopping at least 8-10 months prior to your Wedding Date.

Can I Order/Buy a Wedding Dress if I have Less than Six Months before my Wedding?
We recommend ordering from our Designer's In- Stock Inventory dresses. These are ready made dresses available for immediate shipping to South Africa; arriving within 7-14 working days. Alternatively, if there is a Showroom Dress at our boutique that fits you perfectly, we will do our best to accomodate you.

Can I Order a Dress even though I Don't Live in Gauteng or South Africa?
Of course. We have many clients that don't live in the surrounding areas of our boutique or live in neighbouring countries (e.g. Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia). If you are unable to visit our boutique, we suggest you email us with all your details and we can discuss your Wedding Dress planning via email and/or telephonically. We can arrange via a courier/postal service for your dress/es to be delivered to you (cost to client). Please note that delivery to neighbouring countries outside of South Africa is excluding your country's custom duties & taxes.

What are the prices of your Wedding Dresses, Bridesmaid Dresses, Mother of the Bride Dresses and Evening Dresses?
Our Wedding Dresses range between R7,000 to R23,000. Our Bridesmaid Dresses range between R1,800 to R4,000. Our Mother of the Bride Dresses range between R3,800 to R10,000. Our Evening Dresses range between R3,800 to R23,000.

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I'm Getting Married on a Beach or Abroad, what should I consider?
A lightweight fabric can make all the difference to the comfort factor for your big day. Dresses suitable for weddings abroad are known as Destination or Informal Wedding Dresses. These dresses are usually made from a chiffon fabric; which is easier to transport and less prone to creasing. These dresses either come with very small trains or none at all. Any dress can have the train removed by our seamstress if you prefer. We will advise you on the dress options; according to the location, season (time of year) and style of your wedding.

Do you Hire/Rent Wedding Dresses and Evening Dresses?
We offer a hire option on selected dresses. This is at the owner's discrection due to the delicate fabrics and beadwork of the dresses. Our hire option is unique, in that we do not re-hire dresses worn by other clients; unless by a client's request. The 'Made-to-Hire' alternative is a cost effective option; whereby we order a NEW dress just for you, in your size and selected colour, (the same process as a Cut-to-Order dress), only you pay a fraction of the purchase price (20-30% less). This will ensure the dress is affordable and you will be the first and only person to wear the dress. A refundable deposit is required (Terms & Conditions apply).

How Much Time should I allow for Ordering my Bridesmaid Dress or Evening Dress?
We recommend at least 6 months to prior to the event date. Bridesmaid and Evening Dresses lead time is between 12-16 weeks (this varies by designer and design of the dress), plus 5-7 business days to arrive in South Africa (barring any Customs delays). In-stock Inventory dresses from our designer's can be ordered and arrive in South Africa within 7-10 business days. You will also need to allow time for any alterations your dress may needed (at least 2-3 weeks before the event date). Selected dresses are available on a Rush-Cut basis, at an extra cost.

How do I Place Orders for Out-of-Town Bridesmaids?
You will need to supply us with your Bridesmaid's details (e.g. names, date of arrival and measurements). Your bridesmaids will need to take their own measurements (see measurement guide: Tips & Advice). We can discuss what dress styles and colours to order during your appointment or correspond via email. If possible, photos of your bridesmaids can be emailed to us; to assist us in advising on the best styles to suit their body shapes. Alterations fittind dates will also need to be scheduled prior to the wedding date. Priority/last minute alterations are charged extra.

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Do you offer an Alteration Service?
Alterations can either be done by our professional seamstress or with your own. Alteration costs are additional. Alterations are usually done approximately 3-4 weeks before the event date. Alterations on wedding dresses usually take one week (during peak season this may extend to two weeks). Priority/last minute alterations are at an extra cost. If any alterations are needed, we usually schedule an Initial Fitting with our seamstress, followed by a Final Fitting and a Collection Date. Alternation payments are made directly to our seamstress. Crystal Brides is in no way responsible for alteration estimates, quotations, invoices, time factor; delays or final alteration quality due to alteration work.

Do you offer a Cleaning Service?
Yes we do. This is an additional cost; approximately R300 - R1200 (cost varies according to dress fabric, weight, delicacey and how soiled the dress is).

What does Made-to-Order Mean?
The term Made-to-Order (or Cut-to-Order) means that a dress is ordered and put into production to be made (from scratch) at the manufacturer's standard dress size (alterations are usually needed to scuplt the dress to the perfect fit).

What does Rush-Cut Mean?
A 'Rush Cut' means that your dress will be manufactured in a shorter time frame than the normal manufacturing lead time. The manufacturer usually interrupts their normal cutting schedule in order to put your dress through as a priority. Rush Cut are at an extra cost; this will vary from one designer to another.

What does In-Stock or Inventory Stock Mean?
In-Stock or Inventory Stock dress means that certain dresses are currently available (ready made) at the Designer's warehouse/store room. These gowns/dresses are available for immediate shipping (delivery) from Europe or the USA and can arrive in South Africa within 7-14 working days.

Buying Online - Beware!
Many brides who have ordered their gowns over the Internet at "discount" prices have sadly been faced with receiving an incorrect style or size, wrong or different colors, defective dresses, used gowns, and in some extreme cases- the bride does not receive a gown at all. By doing so, you will be receiving a counterfeit/replica gown/dress of much lesser quality that looks nothing like our original sample. Please do not let this happen to you!While we understand that in today's difficult economic times, finding the "best deal" is important, we also know that compromising quality and service to save a few dollars can result in a dress disaster. It is highly suggested that in order to ensure that you receive an authentic quality dress, you should only buy from an authorised stockist/retailer.

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