Byron Bay, New South Wales
Aluuna is a couture and tailoring house in Ballina, and bridal is where it started. Its founder learned to sew before she learned to ride a bike, from a grandmother…
By appointment
Bridal Dress Stores · Byron Bay, New South Wales · Visit in person
Country Brides
About
Overview & Vibe
A main-street bridal shop in Alstonville, in the Northern Rivers behind Byron Bay, run by Janelle Power, who “has been dressing beautiful brides for more than 20 years”. It trades today as Country Brides, formerly Mary Vidler Bridal — a rename the shop states on every page. The proposition is plain and complete: “A gown for every occasion.”
Dress Styles & Designers
Fourteen labels across the whole party. Bridal from Jean Fox, Purple Fox, Gilded Rose, Nicolina and International Couture; bridesmaids, formal, debutante and mother-of-the-bride from Wendy Ann, Tania Olsen and Tina Holly; veils by DreamtimeDesign, hair accessories by Peter Trends, shoes by Glamour Plus; flower girls and pageboys from ExecUKids; and for the groom, Berkeley suits with Ensign ties. Gowns run white or ivory, from traditional to casual for beach, garden and resort weddings.
Ideal For
The bride who wants her entire wedding party dressed in one shop, in a town rather than a city — and the bride who does not want to be asked her size first. Bridal runs sizes 6 to 30.
The Need-to-Knows
Open Tuesday to Friday 10am–4pm and Saturday 9am–noon, closed Monday, with after-hours appointments by arrangement — call Janelle. The shop asks for a quick call or email first to arrange a suitable time. Delivery is unusually fast when stock allows: gowns are generally delivered overnight if the supplier has them, and 6 to 10 weeks if the gown has to be made. Gown prices are given in store.
Standout Feature
It refuses to publish a size chart, on principle. Asked directly in its own FAQ whether it has sizing charts, the answer is: “Generally no — sizing isn’t always consistent between brands and our goal is to find the perfect dress regardless of size. All gowns are fitted for you when you purchase, and can be altered if necessary.” And the alterations are not conditional: “we do alterations regardless of whether or not your gown has been purchased from Country Brides.” For a bride in the Northern Rivers, that is a shop that will fix a dress bought anywhere.
Appointment Policy
- Opening hours are Tuesday to Friday 10:00am to 4:00pm and Saturday 9:00am to noon; closed Mondays.
- The shop is open to visitors but asks for "a quick call or email to arrange a suitable time".
- After-hours appointments are arranged by phoning Janelle on 0414 809 931.
- Appointments are also requested through the shop's own Book an Appointment page.
- Walk-ins are welcomed on the shop's own terms: "pop in to our new store in Alstonville to discuss your requirements".
- The shop styles the whole bridal party in one visit, including the groom and groomsmen.
Dress Designers
- Jean Fox — A bridal label named on the boutique's own bridal page and FAQ.
- Purple Fox — A bridal label named on the boutique's own bridal page and FAQ.
- Gilded Rose — A bridal label named on the boutique's own bridal page and FAQ.
- Nicolina — A bridal label named on the boutique's own bridal page and FAQ.
- International Couture — A bridal label named on the boutique's own bridal page and FAQ.
- Wendy Ann — Bridesmaids, formal, debutante and mother-of-the-bride, per the boutique's own FAQ.
- Tania Olsen — Bridesmaids, formal, debutante and mother-of-the-bride, per the boutique's own FAQ.
- Tina Holly — Bridesmaids, formal, debutante and mother-of-the-bride, per the boutique's own FAQ.
- DreamtimeDesign Veils — Veils, per the boutique's own accessories page and FAQ.
- Peter Trends — Hair accessories, per the boutique's own accessories page and FAQ.
- Glamour Plus — Shoes, per the boutique's own accessories page and FAQ.
- ExecUKids — Flower girl and pageboy outfits, per the boutique's own FAQ.
- Berkeley — Men's suits, per the boutique's own groom page and FAQ.
- Ensign — Men's ties and accessories, per the boutique's own groom page and FAQ.
Dress Experience
- Country Brides is a bridal and formal shop at 83a Main Street, Alstonville in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales, behind Byron Bay, run by Janelle Power, who has been dressing brides for more than 20 years. It trades as Country Brides, formerly Mary Vidler Bridal. It carries wedding gowns in sizes 6 to 30 in white or ivory, from traditional styles to casual gowns for beach, garden and resort weddings, and dresses the whole party -- bridesmaids, flower girls, pageboys, mothers of the bride and groom, debutantes and school formals -- as well as the groom and groomsmen. Its labels are Jean Fox, Purple Fox, Gilded Rose, Nicolina and International Couture for bridal; Wendy Ann, Tania Olsen and Tina Holly for bridesmaids, formal, debutante and mother of the bride; DreamtimeDesign veils, Peter Trends hair accessories and Glamour Plus shoes; ExecUKids for children; and Berkeley suits with Ensign ties and accessories for men. It offers no size charts as a matter of policy, saying sizing is inconsistent between brands and that its goal is to find the right dress regardless of size, with every gown fitted on purchase. It carries out alterations whether or not the gown was bought there. Gowns in stock with its suppliers are generally delivered overnight; gowns that must be made take six to ten weeks. The shop is open Tuesday to Friday 10am to 4pm and Saturday 9am to noon, closed Monday, and arranges after-hours appointments by phone, asking clients to call or email first to arrange a suitable time.
Dress Styles
- a-line
- ball gown
- fit and flare
- sheath
- column
- maxi
- midi
- tea length
- romantic
- classic
- modern
- boho
- beach
- lace
- sparkle
- beaded
- tulle
- satin
- low back
- long train
- cathedral veil
Dresses
No details available.
Formerly Known As
- Mary Vidler Bridal
Nearby Landmarks
- Main Street, Alstonville – The village's main shopping street, on the Bruxner Highway
- Ballina and the coast – About fifteen minutes east
- Lismore – About twenty minutes west
- Bangalow and the Byron Bay hinterland – About thirty minutes north-east
- Byron Bay – About forty-five minutes north-east
Purchase Options
- Off The Rack
- Made To Order
Services Offered
- In-House Alterations
- Alterations For Gowns Bought Elsewhere
- Bridesmaid Dresses
- Flower Girl And Pageboy
- Mother Of The Bride
- Debutante Gowns
- School Formal Dresses
- Menswear And Suits
- Veils And Accessories
- Bridal Jewellery
- Wedding Shoes
- Whole Bridal Party Styling
Size Range
- Wedding gowns from sizes 6 to 30 in white or ivory. Every gown is fitted on purchase, because sizing is inconsistent between brands.
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By appointment
Contact
- Website
- countrybrides.com.au
- Phone
- 0414 809 931
- Address
- 83a Main Street, Alstonville NSW 2477
83a Main Street, Alstonville NSW 2477
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