1. What is a pre-loved wedding dress?

A pre-loved wedding dress is a gown that has been worn before, either by a previous bride or as a sample dress. These dresses are carefully curated to ensure they are in excellent condition, offering brides a sustainable and affordable way to find their dream dress.

2. What is the difference between vintage and pre-loved dresses? 

A vintage wedding dress is typically 20+ years old and often has unique design elements from its era. A pre-loved dress, on the other hand, may be more recent but has been worn or owned before.

3. Why should I choose a pre-loved or vintage wedding dress?  

Choosing a pre-loved or vintage wedding dress is a great way to embrace sustainability, find a high-quality designer gown at a fraction of the original price, and wear something with a unique story.

4. How do you ensure the quality of the dresses? 

We carefully inspect every dress to ensure it meets our quality standards. Dresses are cleaned and, if needed, minor repairs are done to restore their beauty before they are made available for purchase.

5. What is the price range of dresses?

Of course, all brides have a different budget for weddings and dresses. Therefore we try our best to offer a varied range of prices in our collection, usually starting at around €100 and going up to €1500. All prices reflect the original price of the dress, any defects, any cleaning fees that have been incurred, and include packaging.

6. Do I need to book an appointment to try on dresses?  

Yes, we operate by appointment only to ensure each bride receives a personalised, relaxed experience. This allows you to have the time and space to find your perfect dress.

7. Do you charge an appointment fee? 

Yes, we charge €30 for a Bridal Trial appointment. This fee is not redeemable against purchase of a gown. The appointment is one hour and 30 minutes long, and includes a one to one private and personalised styling session, and free drink for you and all your guests. If after your appointment you are still unsure and would like to come back for a re-trial of one or two favourite dresses, the fee is €15 and your appointment will last one hour.

8. What are the payment options?

Payments can be made by MBway. After you contact us to make your appointment, date and time will be confirmed, and payment details will be sent over. Please note, appointment slots will be held for 24 hours until payment is made. Please note, there is a charge of €10 for garment bags. All dresses are gift wrapped and placed in a box when purchased.

9. How many people can I bring to my appointment?  

We recommend bringing 1–3 guests whose opinions you trust. A smaller group helps create a more focused and enjoyable experience, and helps to avoid overwhelming the bride with various reactions!

10. How long is my appointment?

A Bridal Trial appointment is one hour and 30 minutes long, and you can try on as many dresses as you’d like during this time. If after your appointment you are still unsure and would like to come back for a re-trial of one or two favourite dresses, the fee is €15 and your appointment will last one hour. 

11. What is your cancellation policy? 

Appointments can be cancelled or rescheduled free of charge up to 24 hours before your booking. Any appointments cancelled after this are non-refundable and will be charged 100% of the booking fee. If you need to contact us, please complete the website form or email hello@socoolbridal.com.

12. What sizes do you carry? 

Our collection includes a variety of sizes, but as pre-loved and vintage gowns are one-of-a-kind, availability may vary. We always do our best to offer a diverse selection and provide alteration recommendations if needed. All dresses in store are also on our website with details of sizing, however if you are unsure of the sizes available please send a message so we can discuss in more detail.

13. Do you have shoes and accessories? 

Yes we do! We carry a small selection of pre-loved and vintage shoes, veils, hair accessories and jewellery in the boutique. These are not listed on the website, however you can find details of them on our social media or get in touch if you want to know more.

14. What should I wear to my appointment?

It can be hard to know what to wear to your appointment, the most important thing is to be comfortable. Please wear nude underwear, and do not worry too much about the bra, as you will likely try on without this as it will show underneath the dresses. In terms of make up, we request that you wear minimal to no makeup (including body make up such as fake tan). These are not sample dresses, and any damage or stains from makeup can ruin the dress and cost money. Please be respectful that these are very special, pre-loved and vintage gowns.

15. Can I alter a pre-loved or vintage dress? 

Yes! Most wedding dresses can be altered to achieve the perfect fit. We can recommend skilled seamstresses who specialize in bridal alterations.

16. Do you offer a return policy?  

Due to the nature of pre-loved and vintage wedding dresses, all sales are final. We encourage brides to be certain about their choice before purchasing, and offer a retrial appointment if you’re not completely sure after your Bridal Trial. 

17. Can I sell my secondhand dress to you? 

Yes! We do have a ‘Resale’ option if you’d like to sell your dress after your wedding. If you’d like to give your gown a second life, contact us for more details on how to sell your dress through our boutique.

18. How far in advance should I buy my dress?  

Because our dresses are ready to buy, secondhand pieces, you don’t need to allow as much time as traditional wedding shops in order to purchase ahead of your special day. However, please allow at least 2–3 months for alterations.

Still have questions? Get in touch, we’re happy to help!