BRIDAL CONSULTATIONS
Nestled in the heart of the historic town of Atherstone, Warwickshire, Rachel Ash is a luxury bridal boutique boasting exciting collections from the very best in British and International bridal couture.
We operate on an appointment basis so each bride has our undivided attention and benefits from the use of one of our private dressing rooms. Each appointment will last approximately 1.5 hours so we have enough time to talk through your ideas and help to bring them to life with our diverse range of beautiful bridal dresses.
“Come by, play dress-up and have some fun at Rachel Ash...”
Lots of people can feel a little nervous about their first appointment but there really is no need. We have answered some common questions below to help you best prepare yourself. To reserve your appointment contact us on, 01827 713515 or drop us a line at, info@rachelash.co.uk
WHEN SHOULD I START SHOPPING FOR MY DRESS?
Twelve months before your wedding is usually a good time to start looking for your dress. You should look to order your dress at a minimum of 6 months before to allow time for it to be made, delivered and fitted. Some designers will accommodate shorter time-scales but there is usually an additional charge for this service. Some of our designers also have 'stock ready' dresses meaning if you really have left it to the last minute, we can usually get your dress delivered within 2 weeks. Alternatively, we have a range of sample-sale dresses which are 'off-the-peg' and ready to take away.
WHO SHOULD I BRING WITH ME & HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?
We know that you may want to capture this moment by bringing your mum, BFF, Aunt Val, grandma, future mother-in-law, sister, and all your bridesmaids, but if you can limit this to a couple of key people, we promise that your shopping experience will be that much more enjoyable! It's hard to hear your own voice when you're focused on pleasing too many opinions. Bring people who know you well and whose opinion you value and trust. We'll never rush you through the process, in fact we are one of the few shops that schedules all of our appointments for a full hour and a half. For many, this is enough time to find your dress (yep, even on your very first visit) and if you're not ready to decide after 90 minutes, it's probably a good idea to give yourself a well-earned rest.
Do I need to bring anything with me?
Nude or white underwear will work best under the dresses. If you have a strapless bra, that can be handy but a lot of our dresses have in-built support so they aren't always needed. A hair-band or clip can always be useful too if you are thinking of wearing your hair up. We have plenty of shoes for you to try on with our samples so bringing your own shoes isn't necessary.
WHAT SIZES ARE YOUR SAMPLES?
Our dress samples are sizes 8-14, but the majority of them are a size 12. Don't worry if that's not your size, there's lots of little tricks to give you a good idea of how they will look when they are in your size and fit properly.
A lot of our designers also offer a petite range or a made-to-measure service. This is at a slight additional cost but is a great option when ordering your dress.
WHAT IS THE PRICE RANGE OF YOUR COLLECTIONS?
Our dresses range from £1000 to £3500. Separates start from £750. We usually also have a collection of 'sample' dresses which start from £500.
HOW DO I PLACE MY ORDER?
To place your order, we require a non-refundable 50% deposit. The remaining balance is then due when your dress arrives 10-8 weeks before your wedding.
HOW DOES THE FITTING PROCESS WORK?
It is likely that your dress will need a few tweaks here and there to get to fit perfectly. All of your fittings and alterations will be carried out in-house by our self-employed seamstress, Katrina. The fitting process usually starts around 8 weeks before your wedding and basic alterations cost approximately £180.
Quite often people also want bespoke alterations. Perhaps you would like the back lowered, or a lace cap-sleeve adding, we can offer this service. Katrina has been a dress-maker for longer than she'd like to tell you, and it shows in her work. She is a true perfectionist and you, and your dress, will benefit from her knowledge and experience in the bridal industry. Bespoke alterations at your request are at an additional cost.
We offer a late Thursday and Friday evening (until 8pm) for fittings as we can't accommodate fittings in the shop on a Saturday during busy times.
WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE RACHEL ASH?
We are passionate about the dresses we carry and the service we offer to our brides. We truly believe it isn't just about choosing a beautiful dress, at a good price, it's about all the little details that we put in to make the whole experience stress free and fun. Which of course it should be. The whole process, from choosing your dress, to the alterations and steaming of your gown, is managed by us, in-house.
WHAT ARE YOUR OPENING HOURS?
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 12pm-6pm
Thursday: 12pm-9pm
Friday: 11am-8pm
Saturday: 9am-6pm
Sunday: 10am-4pm (Selected Dates Only)