At AH we meet with so many wonderful brides every day and know that some of you may have worries about sizing and what options will be available to you. One thing we are absolutely committed to here at AH is making sure our brides feel at ease knowing we have a size inclusive sample […]
At AH we meet with so many wonderful brides every day and know that some of you may have worries about sizing and what options will be available to you. One thing we are absolutely committed to here at AH is making sure our brides feel at ease knowing we have a size inclusive sample range for our brides to try on in our showroom. Our sample dresses currently range in store from a size 8 – 22 and our team are continuously adding new samples in further sizes to broaden this range even further for our brides.
All of our collection pieces are available to order in any UK size or you can opt for our fully made to measure service which means your dress is made entirely to your own personal body measurements. It is our main focus to make sure every single bride feels amazing in our dresses, regardless of size, shape or height.
We often get asked questions about our size inclusivity and sample sizes so we thought this little Q&A would help offer some guidance and support but our team are always on hand to talk through our sizing with you too!
Why do most wedding dress shops only have one size in each style to try on?
It is difficult for a bridal store to have every single style in every size, including ourselves. Wedding dresses can be costly to make or purchase samples and not every store will have the budget or physical space to provide different size options for their brides. We also ensure we are only producing enough samples for brides to try on, to keep our process made to order, reducing waste and keeping our whole process sustainable. Often samples will be a size 12/14 and then pinned or adjusted to fit the bride. At AH we make all of our dresses ourselves in our London Studio, this means that we can easily make more designs in different sizes as and when we require them. Over the course of the past few years our collection has increased in size range greatly, enabling our brides to visit us with confidence and knowing they will be able to try on dresses that are close to their size giving a good representation of each style on their body.
Do you sell plus size wedding dresses?
The term ‘plus size bridal’ is often used to describe wedding dresses that are a size 16+. At AH we do not have a dedicated plus size range and this is simply because all of our designs can be made in any UK dress size, whether that be a size 4 or a size 24. None of our designs are limited by size, we choose to focus on you and what makes you feel amazing. We will guide you on shapes, fabrics and styles to find the perfect option that compliments your figure and that makes you feel the best version of yourself!
Do you have bigger size wedding dresses or plus size wedding gowns to try on in store?
Yes, we do! Our team have created a wide selection of size inclusive samples for our showroom ranging from a size 8-22. We are constantly adding new sizes both bigger and smaller to our showroom but if there is a specific dress you love and you want to find out what sizes we have available to try our team would be more than happy to help, just send us an e-mail and we can let you know. If we don’t have the right dress in a close size and we have enough time in advance of your appointment, depending on our workload we may even be able to make a new sample in your size to try!
What simple plus size wedding dresses would you recommend for a curvy bride?
We always talk to our brides about what shapes they feel more relaxed in, this really helps us to find the perfect style that you will feel comfortable and confident in on your wedding day. If you have a large bust for example we would suggest a design like our ‘Abby’ Dress which allows our brides to wear a supportive bra underneath – it is also a very adaptable design that can be worn with our lace overtops, capes and jackets. For a more form fitting look our bias cut shapes work beautifully to highlight the figure, our ‘Auden’ dress or ‘Elizabeth’ would be a great choice. For any bride who is looking to define the waist and create less emphasis on the hip a soft a-line shape would be a wonderful choice, some lovely examples would be our ‘Clement’ or ‘Saint’ designs from our Element’s Collection. All of these styles offer a simplistic, elegant and timeless feel for our brides. Throughout your journey with us here at AH we will be here to personally guide you with silhouettes, necklines, fabrics and details.
Do you offer petite wedding dresses and petite samples to try in store?
Yes, all of our collection pieces are available to purchase in smaller sizes/lengths. We would work with each bride individually to suggest the best fitting/alteration option for you. Sometimes a made to measure dress works well, proportionally we can then make sure everything sits perfectly for you and your frame, including the length of your dress. We have a selection of smaller samples in store to try and our experienced team will be able to pin/adjust each dress to sit well on your body so you can get an accurate representation of each style before you purchase.
Which styles work well for a petite bride?
We will always ensure that your dress style will not overwhelm you with fabric, making sure the dress does not feel too heavy on your frame. A slimmer design or soft a-line shape would be a lovely choice. We often find that a lighter strap and sheer/light laces work really well, for example our ‘Ines’ dress or ‘Clarice’ dress feel beautifully bridal but will not feel too heavy on slim arms or narrow shoulders. Our bias cut shapes are also a wonderful option as they can create a lengthening effect with the flowing lines of silk, our ‘Aerin’ design is a perfect example. Whilst you are trying dresses with our team we will always be honest and guide you with the right styles for your body shape and height.
I am a very tall bride, will your dresses work for me?
Absolutely! All of our sample dresses are made to a longer length which is helpful when trying our designs. All of our collection pieces can be made to a standard size with additional length if needed and we also offer a full made to measure service for our taller brides who also need longer bodice’s or waistlines. Rest assured your dress will be the right length for you, there will be no short hems here! (Unless, that’s what you’re after)
Made to order
All of our pieces are made to order by our in house team right here in London from natural silks and French lace. With sustainability at the forefront of our minds each dress will be made to order just for you, this helps to reduce waste and means we are only making dresses as and when we need to. Whether you choose a standard size dress or a fully made to measure gown you will get to work closely with our team to create your perfect dress. We pride ourselves on our meticulous pattern cutting and fitting skills and know that all of our brides will leave with a beautiful dress that fits and flatters the body perfectly!
We hope that gives you a little insight into how our sizing works here at AH! To put it very simply, we can make any dress in any size and length. Our team are here to answer any further questions you may have, whether that’s prior to your appointment or throughout your dress journey with us. You can contact us on e-mail and one of our team will be here to help!