FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is there an appointment fee? 

First appointments are secured with a fee of £30 for a weekday appointment and £45 for a Saturday or evening. This secures your time with a Halfpenny London stylist who will guide you through your options and your journey with us. Please note, this fee is non-refundable.

There is no fee for return appointments but if you fail to attend, or cancel your return appointment with less than 48 hours notice, you will be charged a £30 cancellation fee.

Can I bring friends and family to the styling appointment or dress fittings?

You may wish to bring a special person with you to your appointments and due to space we welcome up to three guests maximum for styling appointments, and one guest only for fittings. Please note, we don't have space to accommodate push bikes/buggies. If you have any accessibility requirements please get in touch to discuss with the team.

Are children allowed into appointments?

You may find it more relaxing to arrange childcare, however, if you can’t please call us in advance so we can help.

Can I use skype/facetime in the appointment to show important family members?

Yes. This is a lovely way to involve family or friends who are unable to be there in person.

Is there CCTV in operation at Halfpenny London and will the appointment be filmed?

CCTV is in operation at our premises but please rest assured your privacy is of paramount importance to us and there are no cameras in the changing areas. Images are being monitored and recorded for the purposes of crime prevention and public safety. This scheme is controlled by: HALFPENNY LONDON. For more information, contact: 020 7388 7300.

How much is a Halfpenny London wedding dress?

More details on our price range can be found here: www.halfpennylondon.com/price-guide. Always let us know what your budget is and our experienced stylists will do their best to help find your dream dress.

Are the dresses made to measure?

No. The dresses are made to order to a standard UK dress size, then our expert team of seamstresses will tailor the garments to your body during the fitting process (if you choose our alterations package). 

Do you offer bespoke gowns?

Yes. Halfpenny London founder and designer, Kate Halfpenny, offers a small number of bespoke commissions each year. You will work closely with Kate to design and make the dress of your dreams. View our bespoke price guide here: www.halfpennylondon.com/price-guide

Do you hold samples in a range of sizes?

Halfpenny London is an inclusive brand and we like to carry a cross section of sizes from UK8 to a UK22. We don’t have every style in every size so we ask you to let us know of styles that you are keen to try on so we can check availability as they can occasionally be lent to magazines for photoshoots or to one of our stockists. Letting us know your choices in advance means we’ll have a head start when you come in and will allow you more time to try dresses in store.

What happens during my styling appointment? 

One of our expert stylists will work with you throughout your journey with us. They will prepare your chosen styles in advance and always offer their styling advice to help you find your dream look. We encourage you to stay open-minded and to try dresses on you may not have normally considered. Now is the time to have fun and experiment.

What can I do to prepare for my appointment?

We suggest you wear nude underwear for the styling session, and a strapless or low-back bra if you are considering a style of dress which would require it. If you think you may choose a backless dress, it’s a good idea to try stick-on cups or a low-back bodysuit. You may wish to try wearing them for your day of appointment to see if they would be comfortable and work for you on your wedding day.

Do I need to bring shoes with me?

Please bring your own pair of heels to compliment your look should you plan to wear them on the day. We would normally have shoes available for you to borrow but are unable to do so at this time. Please note, once you have chosen your dress and return for your fittings, you must bring your wedding shoes with you.

How long is the appointment?

First appointments are usually 1 hour. For a returning appointment to revisit your favourite styles please allow 45 mins. 

Please arrive at your scheduled time as we are unable to facilitate any early arrivals. This also means that we are unable to run over so please arrive punctually to make the most of your appointment time.

How far in advance should I order my dress?

In general, it’s best to allow 6-8 months for a gown to be made and altered in time for your wedding. If you have less than 6 months we may be able to arrange a priority service for an additional fee. Please note, for some rush orders, it may not be possible for us to facilitate your fittings. Please discuss your wedding timescale during your appointment. 

Do you offer alterations?

We do offer fittings and alterations in our atelier by our team of skilled seamstresses and these are charged in addition to the dress purchase price. Prices start at £575 and fittings typically commence 6-8 weeks before your wedding date. Any additional style changes that you wish to make will incur additional costs. You are more than welcome to use another alterations company or tailor if you prefer and we are happy to recommend. 

What happens if I change weight, or get pregnant before the wedding?

If you suspect your measurements will change before the wedding then please advise us and we can schedule to take your measurements as late as possible. Unless you choose to have a bespoke or made to measure dress, your dress will be made to order to a standard UK dress size most appropriate for your measurements taken at that time. Your dress will then be tailored to your body during your fitting (should you choose our alterations package).

We strongly advise you maintain consistent measurements, particularly after your first fitting. If your measurements continue to change after the fitting date, or are plus or minus a full size (or more) to those taken during your measure appointment, you will incur additional fees to provide extra fittings and alterations.

Where are the dresses made?

We are proud to make all of our bridal pieces here in London, UK.