Wedding Dresses in Harrogate

A spa town with the Dales on the doorstep

Harrogate's elegant streets and the open green of the Stray make a lovely backdrop, and many couples here marry in grand hotels in town or in country houses and barns towards Nidderdale and the Yorkshire Dales. The setting should guide the style. A formal ballroom can carry a dramatic gown, while a Dales barn may call for something you can walk across a field in.

When to start

Begin nine to twelve months before the wedding. Gowns made to order can take months to arrive. Alterations usually start two to three months beforehand, with a final fitting a week or two before.

Booking

Bridal shops mostly see brides by appointment, and Saturdays fill first. Ask how long you will have, whether a fee applies and how many guests you can bring. Brides often add appointments in Knaresborough, Ripon, Ilkley or Leeds, which are close enough to combine in one day if you keep the list short.

Dales weather changes quickly and can be cool even in summer. Ask about sleeves, capes or wraps, and a bustle for trains on grass and gravel. Bring your wedding shoes to every fitting.