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When do I begin dress shopping?

It's never too early or too late to start dress shopping at Ruby Frances Bridal, as unlike other bridal stores, all of our dresses are sold off the peg, meaning you can take your dress away with you that very same day if you wish. So whenever you feel ready is a good time to start.

 

OUR STORE

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What's the store address?

Ruby Frances Bridal, 79 High Street, Minster in Thanet, Ramsgate, Kent, CT12 4AB

Is there any parking?

There is some free street parking located directly outside the shop, or you can find a free car park located on Monkton Road which is approximately a 1 minute walk away.

What are your opening times?

Monday:          10am - 4pm

Tuesday:           10am - 4pm

Wednesday:      Closed

Thursday:          2pm - 7pm

Friday:             10am - 4pm

Saturday:          9am - 6pm

Sunday:            Closed

 

OUR GOWNS
 

What does ex-sample mean?

Ex-sample dresses are discontinued shop stock from other bridal boutiques, and have not ever been worn outside of an appointment. This also means the majority of our dresses are one of a kind and can no longer be ordered, so they are just waiting to be discovered by their perfect bride.

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As the dresses are ex-sample, what condition are they in?

All of our dresses are professionally cleaned before arriving on our rails and are personally checked by us to ensure they are in excellent condition.

What sizes do you stock?

We range from bridal sizes 6 - 24. So we recommend shopping one or two dress sizes above what you would normally wear, as wedding dresses are known to come up small.

What are the price ranges of your gowns?

Here at Ruby Frances Bridal all of our designer dresses range from £199 - £99 (on gowns which would normally retail for up to £3000). 

Do you have an alterations service?

We recommend local seamstresses who we work closely with. They are able to offer alterations either in their alterations store or at your home. You are welcome to use either of our approved seamstresses or one of your own choosing.

 

Do you stock any bridesmaid, mother of the bride or prom dresses and accessories?

Yes, we stock a collection of ex-sample occasion wear dresses. All of our dresses are discounted one off ex-sample dresses so perfect for prom, mother of the bride, maid of honours and single bridesmaids. Our occasion wear dresses range from sizes 4 - 18, £50 - £150.

 

YOUR APPOINTMENT

Do I need an appointment?

Yes we are appointment only, so please call or email us to book an appointment. We tend to get booked up several days in advance so please do contact us in advance to ensure we are able to offer you your preferred date and time.
 

How should I prepare for my appointment?

We recommend wearing nude underwear and a strapless bra to your appointment, but don’t worry if you don’t have either of these, it isn’t essential. We have a range of heels you can try with the dresses but you are also welcome to bring your own if you wish. We do ask that you wear minimal make up and refrain from using fake tan or heavy creams before your appointment. While we understand you want to feel amazing trying on the dresses, we also want to be able to keep the dresses in perfect condition as these are the dresses you will be buying.

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What should I expect from my appointment?

As soon as you walk into Ruby Frances Bridal we hope to make you feel as comfortable as possible, as we know picking your dream dress is not always as easy as the movies. As we run by appointment only, the shop will be solely yours with a trained bridal consultant who will guide you through the process.

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Can I take photos in my appointment?

Of course, you are welcome to take as many as you like.

How many people can I bring to an appointment?

Our store comfortably seats up to 3 guests. If you are planning to bring more than 3 people please let us know in advance. For health and safety reasons the maximum amount of customers we are able to accommodate is 6, as we are a small and intimate shop. We also understand that sometimes children and babies need to attend appointments too but equally we know from experience that brides always find it less stressful if childcare arrangements are in place so that everyone can relax and focus on the bride.

How long will my appointment last for?

Most appointments usually last around one hour but at Ruby Frances Bridal we give you one hour and a half, giving us time to get to know you and your wedding, and most of all make it a relaxed and 'all about you' experience.

 

Am I obliged to buy on the day?

Absolutely not. We understand that buying a wedding dress is a huge decision, so you are more than welcome to go away and think about it before committing. However please do bear in mind that all of our dresses are one of a kind and we cannot guarantee how long it will stay in store for.

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Can I bring bubbly to my appointment?

If you would like bubbly and an extra special VIP appointment we suggest booking one of our VIP Appointments, which cost £50 and take place Monday - Friday. This appointment includes a bottle of bubbly, canapes and lots of other VIP perks! More information on this appointment can be found on our Other Services page. 

BUYING YOUR DRESS 

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept Visa, Visa Debit, MasterCard, Maestro, American Express and Cash.

Do you offer a payment plan?

Yes we offer flexible, interest free payment plans. If you would like to pay in installments please let us know and we can talk you through your options.

 

Do you offer storage?

Dress storage is complimentary for all Ruby Frances brides should they wish to use this service. We then suggest you collect your wedding dress 3 months before your wedding date to arrange your fittings.

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What happens next?

Once you purchase a dress from Ruby Frances Bridal you will be provided with an after care leaflet which explains all the next steps in your wedding dress journey; from booking alterations to choosing your accessories. However we are always here should be you need any more support or advice. Then, after your wedding we love to hear how it all went and to see your photos so don't forget to send them over to us!

Do you accept returns?

No, unfortunately due to the nature of our business we are unable to accept returns or exchanges.

I'm getting married abroad, how do I transport my dress?

We do recommend bringing your dress in for us to pack into one of our bridal boxes, for a fee of £25, which fit most airline dimensions and can be carried on to the plane with you. These boxes can also be used to store the dress in after the wedding, and are also available to purchase for this purpose. We are also more than happy to pack your dress into a cabin size suitcase for a fee of £10, or complimentary for our brides.

Do you offer a steaming service?

Yes, all gowns bought from Ruby Frances will be steamed before collection. However if you have a gown that needs steaming regardless of whether this was purchased from us we will be happy to do this for £25.

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