Choosing a gown colour
When choosing a colour, don't be led by your hair colour too much. Although this is important, the skin tone is more crucial. This is probably the day that you bare more than any other, with strapless dresses being so popular. So when comparing colours hold them up against your bust, showing your chest, shoulders and neck area, aswell as your face and hair! See Coloured Wedding Dresses.

Very seldom do brides actually opt for white. In general white is a very harsh colour, due to the blue optic tones added to the dye to make it brighter. This results in the skin tone often looking drained of colour!
Most widely used colour is ivory. This is a much softer warmer tone, making it more flattering to the skin.

Brides with very pale skin often look better in deeper tones, such as antique ivory (similar to cream), or cafe creme (a buttery pale gold)or even the darker version, bridal gold. See Traditional Wedding Dresses.

A full swatch card showing all of the colours available for each silk type is available to buy from the Sample Department on the ''Collection Tab'' above.

Choosing a gown size
These measurements are approximate. Please remember that each outfit is cut and sewn by hand, and will vary slightly due to the nature of the product. All outfits will need to be fitted and adjusted by a qualified seamstress. Full instructions and guidance given!!

Gown Size Chart - Centimetres

	8	10	12	14	16	18	20
Bust	81	85	89	93	98	103	108
Waist	62	66	70	74	79	84	89
Hip	88	92	96	100	104	109	114
Nape to Waist	40.5	41	41.5	42	42.5	43.5	44.5
Waist to Hem	117	117	117	117	117	117	117

Gown Size Chart - Inches

	8	10	12	14	16	18	20
Bust	32	33½	35	36½	38½	40½	42½
Waist	24½	26	27½	29	31	33	35
Hip	34½	36¼	37¾	39¼	41	43	45
Nape to Waist	16	16¼	16¼	16½	16¾	17	17½
Waist to Hem	46	46	46	46	46	46	46

Tips on Measuring:
Bust: Around fullest part of bust with a level tape measure.
Waist: Around narrowest part of waist, standing upright and breathing normally. Add two fingers beneath tape for comfort!
Hip: Around the fullest part of the seat with a level tape measure. (This is usually approx 8'' below the waist)
Nape: This is the nobbly part of the lower back-neck!
Waist to Floor: Stand upright feet slightly apart. Measure from waist at a slight outward angle to the floor (to allow for skirt fullness), wearing shoes of a similar height!

Your size will be determined by the largest size indicated from your measurements. Remember that bridalwear is very fitted, with NO in-built tolerances, or ''room for movement'', which is present in everyday clothes. Remember to be generous with your measuring!

Also note that most ladies vary slightly from time to time during their natural cycle. This can have quite an impact on some measurements. If you know that you tend to swell at certain times, please remember to allow for this!

Choosing a Skirt Shape

Small A Line
This is fairly narrow with the smallest net underskirt. It has a brush train at the back which is only appros 12" in length.
Ideal shape for petite brides who don't want to be weighed down and need a smaller skirt to look in proportion!
Also useful for Weddings abroad.

Flat A Line
Our most popular style. Flat at the front with a pleated back and a medium sized net underskirt. The back pleasts allow for a much fuller train at the back - Approx 2-3 feet in length. This can also be bustled in the evening by simply hooking up inside the skirt onto a button. See Louise wedding dress and Anneka wedding dress for photographs of this shape.

Draped A Line
This is the same as the flat except that we have added a drape or swag effect to the front skirt This is remeniscent of the edwardian bustled skirt. It too can be bustled in the evening. See Alicia wedding dress for photographs of this shape.

Wrap Over A Line
This is the same as the A Line with an extra panel in the front which wraps from right to left, resting in a pleated swag on the left hip. See Tiahana wedding dress and Daniella wedding dress for photographs of this shape.

Narrow A line with Detachable Train
This is a very popular design. Fairly slim fitting with a small underskirt, this features a full length detachable train which unbuttons from the back waistband. See Xena wedding dress and Zara wedding dress for photographs of this shape.

Princess Line
This has a wider hemline as it is cut with three panels in the front and four panels in the back. It is flat over the hip all around. Almost circular in shape it offers a full skirt option but without the gathers around the waist and hipline. We do use this shape with embroidered panels as features down the back. See Paris wedding dress for photographs of this shape.

Wedding Veil Assistance

Help for Wedding Veils - Wedding Veil Tips and Advice

Choosing a Wedding Veil Length
All wedding veils are two tiers unles otherwise stated. The length and style of wedding veil you choose depends on the style of your wedding dress you have and the look you wish to create.
The actual finished length of the veil is from Comb to hem which is the same as the second tier length. All sizes are quoted in inches and are approximate.

Length	Face veil	Second tier
45'' - Shoulder	19''	26''
54'' - Waist	24''	30''
72'' - Hip	28"	44''
108'' - Floor	28''	80''
126'' - Train	28''	98''
144'' - Cathedral	28''	116''

PHOTOGRAPHS SHOWING DIFFERENT WEDDING VEIL LENGTHS

Roll over the thumbnails to enlarge the image!

	45"-Shoulder	54"-Waist
	72"-Hip	108"-Floor
	126"-Train	144"-Cathedral

WEDDING VEIL COLOURS

Veils are available in a wide variety of colours to suit the diverse tastes of bridal fashion. Although the veiling cannot be an exact colour match, the veil when draped in a single layer over the gown should be almost invisible, taking on much of the gown colour through it, unless of course you prefer a contrast!
This photograph will give you an idea of the shades and how they compare to each other. If you are not totally sure which colour to choose then please telephone for a veiling swatch. We will issue two colours free of charge 0845 4662266 - but if you would prefer the full selection of 8 colours then please purchase these from the sample menu on the main website here.

These photographs and colour descriptions are for guidance only. The choice of colour that you order is totally your responsibility. As veils are made to order they cannot be exchanged or refunded if they do not match your wedding dress.

Wedding Veil Colour	Wedding Gown Colour
White	Bright white polyester
Off-white	Natural whites, very pale ivory
Ivory	Ivory silks, very pale creams
Champagne	Dark cream, pale gold, cappuccino
Rum Pink	Rum pink, oyster, mink
Gold	Mid and darker gold, cinnamon
Red	Bright red / scarlet
Black	Black, dark gold, cinnamon

Choosing a comb style / Amount of gather at the comb

NO GATHER - FLAT is similar to medieval, or twenties styles where the veil was literally placed over the head, and attached by a comb.

	Roll over the thumbnails to view larger photographs
	Front	Back
	Side	With face veil

HALF GATHER - is more traditional, where the combed area has fullness of veiling which hangs in gathers around the shoulders. This is sometimes referred to as the ''Drop Shoulder'', as the sides of the veil fall onto the shoulders in folds.

	Roll over the thumbnails to view larger photographs
	Front	Back
	Side	With face veil

FULL GATHER - has these side folds gathered up into the comb, so giving a much fuller veil around the head

	Roll over the thumbnails to view larger photographs
	Front	Back
	Side	With face veil

Choosing a Scatter bead
Scatter beading is a way of adding decoration to your wedding veil. fairly plain veils can be enhanced with a little scatter beading. If your gown is beaded then you could match your wedding veil to the beading on your wedding dress! Scatter beading is available in pearls, crystals or diamante.

The pearls are available in white, ivory or black and will be added to match your veiling colour, unless specified otherwise.
ie; a white veil would be scattered with white pearls etc.

The Crystals are AB swarovski crystals. This means that they are predominantley classed as clear but shine with the colours of the spectrum (like a rainbow). These are particularly sparkly, but don't look too obvious against the gown.

The Diamantes are flat backed crystals mounted onto silver backs, therefore giving an overall silver appearance. These are sometimes referred to as Rhinestones.
They are more visible than crystals, and are better suited to silvery themes.

If you are unsure on which option to choose please e-mail your enquiry here

Wedding Shoe Assistance

Comparison of UK to European sizing

UK	EURO
10	28
11	29
12	30/31
13	32
1	33
2	34
2½	35
3	35
3½	35/36
4	37
4½	37/38
5	38
5½	39
6	39/40
6½	40
7	40/41
7½	41
8	42
8½	42/43
9	43
9½	44
10	44/45

Need your wedding shoes colouring?
Rainbow have a dedicated professional team of staff highly trained to colour your shoes to any swatch.
This process is done under natural daylight conditions and requires a 2'' x 2'' swatch of colour.
Dying of shoes will not be undertaken without a colour swatch.

Aftercare:
Your colour matched shoes will require waterproofing as the colours used are water based.
Coloured shoes cannot be exchanged, so please ensure correct fit before ordering.

To order select ''dyed to swatch'' from the options menu, select your size and input your ''required by'' date, then add to your bottom drawer.
After processing your order please send a 2'' x 2'' swatch of colour, along with your address, e-mail address and tel number to the us at the address on the contact page.

Wedding Underwear Assistance

Bra and Basque Size Chart

UK	30	32	34	36	38	40	42	44
USA	30	32	34	36	38	40	42	44
EURO	65	70	75	80	85	90	95	100
FRANCE	80	85	90	95	100	105	110	115
ITALY	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7

Brief and thong Size Chart

UK	8	10	12	14	16	18	20	22
EURO	36	38	40	42	44	46	48	50
FRANCE	38	40	42	44	46	48	50	52
ITALY	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7

Hosiery Size Chart

Size	Height (ft, inches)
Sml	4'11" - 5'3"
Med	5'4" - 5'8"
Lge	5'9" - 6'0"

DELIVERY TIMES

Normal delivery schedules

WEDDING GOWNS:
These are handmade to your own requirements and so need an order lead time of 6 months.
Remember that you will need to allow time for alterations once you receive your gown / seperates.
It is advisable to place your order approximately 12-18 months ahead of your wedding date, to allow enough time for planning, alterations, and avoid disappointment with dis-continued styles.
If you have a tight schedule and would like your gown earlier than 6 months please make enquiries with us when booking your design consultation.

WEDDING VEILS, GARTERS, AND POSY BAGS
These are handmade to your own requirements and can require a 3-4 week lead time, although our veil despatch times are now at 2-3 weeks (this may vary at peak times)

WEDDING TIARAS
These are handmade by one of our suppliers and are made to order also. As we are less "in control" of lead times please allow a 4-6 week lead time.

WEDDING SHOES, JEWELLERY
These are are usually despatched within 2-4 weeks.
Please alllow an additional 3 weeks for dyed shoes. We can accomodate rush orders please enquire by telephoning the shop on 01773 535885.

MULTIPLE PURCHASES
As the costs of delivery are calculated on the weight of your order, multiple item orders will be despatched when the order is complete.
If you require certain items earlier please order them seperately.All schedules given are for guidance only, although we generally deliver well within this timeframe!

Rush orders!

Wedding Gowns:
We can accomodate rush orders at a surcharge:
4-6 months is an extra £100
2-4 months is an extra £150

If you require a rush order, please order as usual, inputting your ''required by'' date. Depending on this date we will contact you for an additional payment as listed above.
Remember that you will need to allow time for alterations once you receive your gown / seperates.

Wedding Veils, Posy Bags & Garters
If you require your veil in less than 3 weeks please telephone your order through on 01773 535805. We will tell you if your order can be fulfilled and take your details and payment via telephone.
There is a surcharge for this service of £10.00

Wedding Shoes
If your shoes are required in less than 3 weeks please telephone you order through on 01773 535805 so that we can check both our stock and the stock of our suppliers before taking your order. If your shoes can be rushed there is a surcharge of £10.00 for this service. This will be taken on order by telephone.
Dyed shoes can be done quicker by using Rainbow's gold service (5 working days to despatch) at an additional £20.

DELIVERY METHODS

UK ORDERS
All UK orders upto 2kgs in weight are posted first class via ''Recorded Delivery''.
Orders over 2kgs will be sent via ''Parcelforce 48hour''.

OVERSEAS ORDERS
Orders posted overseas, incl Channel Islands, upto 2kgs will be sent via ''Airsure''.
Orders over 2kgs will be sent via ''Parcelforce Worldwide''.

Once items have been despatched we are no longer in control of that item. We do our best to ensure that items are despatched in plenty of time for your "required by" date - although we do not guarantee it! Please be realistic with your time schedules when placing your order.
We cannot influence the postel service, and we have experienced some problems from time to time with delayed or lost items. We will not refund your purchases because of late delivery. All items despatched can be tracked online. If you would like the tracking number please contact us.