Overview & Vibe
Fairytales Bridal Boutique is a family business that has been selling wedding dresses since 1995 and now runs three shopfronts - Maribyrnong and Nunawading in Melbourne, and a regional boutique in Wodonga that exists specifically to serve border brides. It is the official Melbourne stockist of Maggie Sottero Designs, and publishes one of the largest gown catalogues you will find.
Dress Styles & Designers
382 gowns are published across eighteen labels. Maggie Sottero leads with 85, followed by Tania Olsen (53), Rebecca Ingram (49) and Sottero & Midgley (48), with Purple Fox, Bluaster, White April, Maya Bella, Jean Fox, Gilded Rose, Heirloom Bridal and Veni Infantino behind them, plus La Premiere’s Couture, Luxe and White lines and an Inbal Dror collaboration. The catalogue is browsable by silhouette - A-line, ballgown, fit-n-flare and sheath - and by lace, beaded, long sleeve, simple, coloured, mini and plus size.
Ideal For
Brides in Melbourne’s west and east, and - unusually - brides in Albury, Wodonga and the surrounding border country, who would otherwise drive three hours to Melbourne. It also dresses the whole party: bridesmaids, mothers of the bride, flower girls, veils and bridal jewellery. Brides wanting a second look for the reception can hire a mini dress rather than buy one.
The Need-to-Knows
Appointments are strongly preferred and bookable online 24/7; walk-ins yield to booked brides. Bring 2-4 people, a hair tie and nude underwear, and no fresh spray tan - but not heels or a strapless bra. Every gown is a standard size, not made to measure, so alterations will be needed; the in-house alterations team works out of Maribyrnong and is an additional. Wodonga offers lay-by. Mini dress hire runs Thursday to Monday on a refundable bond.
Standout Feature
The Wodonga boutique. A Melbourne bridal house maintaining a third shopfront in a regional border city - with parking and wheelchair access, and open four days a week - is the difference between a Riverina bride choosing from eighteen designer labels locally and driving to Melbourne to do it.