Shopping
Why do I need to make an appointment to try on wedding gowns?
In order to give you the full attention of our experienced consultants, appointments are necessary.
How long is my appointment?
Bridal gown appointments are 1 hour. During sample sales, the appointments are half an hour.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Bring pictures of dresses you’ve seen on our website, in magazines, on social media, or that you’ve tried on elsewhere. And bring an open mind: don’t be surprised if you find “THE DRESS” on your first visit to Raffaele Ciuca.
Who should I bring to my appointment?
Bring the closest friend or family member whose opinion you value and who knows you well and with whom you want to share the experience of buying your gown. Bringing more than 3 others can take the focus off of you.
What size gowns are available for me to try on?
Most of our samples are generally sizes 8-14. We also carry the largest selection of designer plus-size gowns which are 16+. Click here to view plus-size gowns.
May I take pictures of the gowns while I try them on?
At request by our designers, no filming or photography of our gowns within our store.
When should I order my veil and/or headpiece?
Special-order designer veils have a 3-4 months lead-time, so making a decision at the time you order your gown is helpful.
Can I complete my entire look in one appointment?
Absolutely! Not only do many brides find their dress on their first visit to our emporiums, but they also find all their accessories (veils, headpieces, shoes, jewelry etc) on their first visit.
Do I need to make an appointment to look at accessories?
You may walk in at any time to try on accessories.
Which designers can I find only at Raffaele Ciuca?
We have a number of designers who are exclusive to Raffaele Ciuca. Maggie Sottero, Sottero and Midgley, Berta Bridal can only be found in Melbourne at Raffaele Ciuca Bridal.
Buying
How far in advance do I need to buy my gown?
It’s best to allow 8-10 months before your wedding to order a gown
What is a special-order gown?
Most of the gowns we sell are special-order. A special-order gown is made specifically for you by a designer, based on the measurements we take from you, the designer then uses their pattern that is closest to your measurements to create your gown. We then fit it to perfection for your body.
When should I expect to receive my gown?
Your gown typically arrives 8-10 weeks before your wedding date. The dress is delivered to us directly from the designer and we perform a thorough quality control check on each gown. Once we are satisfied the gown is perfect, we’ll call you to schedule a first fitting, arrange shipping and final payment.
How do I pay for my gown?
We accept MasterCard, and Visa, as well as cash. If you are ordering a special-order gown, we require a 50% deposit at the time you order your gown. When the gown arrives at Raffaele Ciuca and passes our quality control check, we’ll contact you to let you know and to schedule a fitting. At that point, we require payment of the remaining 50% balance. If you are buying a sample gown off the rack, we require 100% payment and you must take the dress home with you that day.
What are the price ranges for your gowns?
Our special-order gowns start at $2099, but are more frequently in the $3500 range or higher. Off-the-rack samples can be much less, discounted up to 70% off.
Fittings
When shall I schedule my first fitting?
We’ll contact you when your dress is in and ready for you to schedule a fitting; generally, that will be about 4-6 weeks before your wedding day.
What should I bring to my first fitting?
You should bring the shoes and undergarments you’ll wear on your wedding day in order to have your gown properly fit through the bodice and hemline.
How many fittings will I need?
Usually, brides require 2-3 fittings to ensure a perfect look. After the final fitting, we will press and pack your gown for you to take home.
Shipping
Will you ship my gown out of Melbourne for me?
Not a problem. We can ship a dress within Australia and participating countries outside of Australia. Shipping fees apply.
Other
What is a trunk show?
A trunk show is a special in-store event, lasting one to three days, where you can view and buy from a designer’s latest collection months before they hit the stores. If you find the dress of your dreams at a trunk show, be prepared to make a decision that day, as the gown will not be in the store once the trunk show is over. Click here to view our trunk show calendar.
HELP! I’m getting married less than 4 months – is it too late to get a gown from you?
No, it’s not too late, but every second counts! Your options include buying one of our samples off the rack or working with a consultant to determine which designers can meet your time frame for a “special order” gown, which could include an additional rush charge.
What is a rush order?
If your wedding date is sooner than the time we typically need to have a special-order gown made, we’ll need to consult with the designer and place a “rush” order, for an additional fee. In this instance, your gown may arrive 1-3 weeks before your wedding and details will be outlined in your contract.
What if I’m not happy with my consultant?
That’s not acceptable: we want your experience in our store to be as memorable as your wedding day. If you find that you are not bonding with your consultant, please – ask to speak to a manager right away. We’ll make arrangements for you to work with someone else to make sure you have a memorable experience.
