Always and Forever Bridal International
About
Overview & Vibe
Always and Forever Bridal International sits on Level 1 of 340 Collins Street, in the middle of Melbourne’s fashion precinct. It is a family-run business with more than 28 years in the industry and a second arm in London, and it carries one of the largest gown collections in the city. Its own promise about how an appointment runs is the unusual part: “no maximum time limit, no limit to the amount of gowns you may try”.
Dress Styles & Designers
The label list is long and international — Ian Stuart, who is exclusive to Always and Forever in Australia, plus Pronovias, Rosa Clará, La Sposa, Sophia Tolli, Mori Lee, Madeline Gardner New York, Ellis Bridals, Romantica of Devon, Ronald Joyce, Badgley Mischka, Eva Lendel, Dando London, Gabbiano and Wendy Makin’s French Collection. There is also a custom design service for a gown built from scratch, from vintage through boho to modern.
Ideal For
The bride who wants to see a lot of designer gowns in one place, and who does not want to be rushed — the no-time-limit policy is the point of difference. Also for anyone who wants alterations handled in the same building: the in-house team fits hundreds of gowns a year and takes you through three to four fittings, bustle and hem included.
The Need-to-Knows
- Appointments are scheduled for an hour and are needed to try gowns on. Extra time is offered where possible, but not guaranteed on weekends.
- Start looking 8 to 12 months ahead. Most gowns are special-order and made to a manufacturing lead time; rush delivery exists with some designers, for a fee.
- Allow 3 to 4 months for alterations, over three or four fittings. Bring the exact shoes you will wear to every one — without them the hem fitting is rescheduled.
- Your gown is ordered to your largest measurement, so it will not fit perfectly at the first fitting. That is expected, and is what the fittings are for.
- Prices change roughly every six months with currency movements, and the store price-matches other Australian websites on stocked items.
- Open Monday to Saturday 10am–5pm and Sunday 11am–4pm.
Standout Feature
No time limit on an appointment, and no cap on how many gowns you try. In a category where 60 to 90 minutes is the norm, that is the whole proposition — and Ian Stuart is not stocked anywhere else in Australia.
Contact
Appointment Policy
- An appointment is needed to try gowns on, and is scheduled for one hour with a dedicated consultant.
- There is no maximum time limit and no cap on how many gowns you try; extra time is offered where possible but not guaranteed on weekends.
- Bring one or two close family or friends, and any inspiration images you have gathered.
- Accessory appointments can be booked separately to try shoes, veils and headpieces.
- Alterations run over three to four fittings. Bring the exact shoes you will wear on the day to every fitting — without them the hem fitting is rescheduled.
- Opening hours are Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 11am to 4pm.
Dress Designers
- Ian Stuart. Description: Exclusive to Always and Forever in Australia.
- Pronovias. Description: Stocked in store.
- Rosa Clara. Description: Stocked in store.
- La Sposa. Description: Stocked in store.
- St Patrick. Description: Stocked in store.
- Sophia Tolli. Description: Stocked in store.
- Mon Cheri. Description: Stocked in store.
- Mori Lee. Description: Stocked in store.
- Madeline Gardner New York. Description: Stocked in store.
- Ellis Bridals. Description: Stocked in store.
- Romantica of Devon. Description: Stocked in store.
- Ronald Joyce. Description: Stocked in store.
- Peter Trends. Description: Stocked in store.
- Fara Sposa. Description: Stocked in store.
- Oppulence. Description: Stocked in store.
- Victoria Jane. Description: Stocked in store.
- Mark Lesley. Description: Stocked in store.
- Badgley Mischka. Description: Stocked in store.
- Eva Lendel. Description: Stocked in store.
- Dando London. Description: Stocked in store.
- Gabbiano. Description: Stocked in store.
- Ariamo. Description: Stocked in store.
- Adriana Alier. Description: Stocked in store.
- Goddess by Nature. Description: Stocked in store.
- French Collection by Wendy Makin. Description: Stocked in store.
- Enchanting. Description: Stocked in store.
Dress Experience
- Always and Forever Bridal International has traded for more than 28 years and is family run and owned, with stores in Melbourne and the United Kingdom.
- The appointment has no time limit: "we don't make any demands, no maximum time limit, no limit to the amount of gowns you may try, we are here purely for you."
- Bridal consultations are scheduled for an hour with a dedicated consultant. Extra time is offered where possible, though not guaranteed on weekends, which are busiest.
- Bring one or two people whose opinion you value: "too many differing opinions can make the experience overwhelming for you."
- The stylists are named and introduced on the site, each with their own advice for brides — Jean the director, Lauren, Ruby and the rest of the team.
- Sample gowns in store cover a range of sizes, smaller and curvier, and consultants use clips and panels to show how a gown will look in your size. Each gown's sample size is published alongside it online, so you can check before you come in.
Dress Styles
- a-line
- ballgown
- fit and flare
- mermaid
- sheath
- boho
- vintage
- modern
- minimalist
- lace
- long sleeve
- bespoke
Dresses
Nearby Landmarks
- 340 Collins Street, Melbourne — the store is on Level 1, in the city's fashion precinct.
- The Collins Street and Elizabeth Street corner is a two-minute walk, and Flinders Street station is about five.
Price Notes
- No gown prices are published. Prices are quoted in store, are in Australian dollars and include GST.
- Prices are revised about every six months, and more often on some gowns because of currency movements. You are charged the price at the time of purchase.
- The store price-matches other Australian websites on a stocked item — contact them if you find it cheaper.
- Rush delivery is available from some designers when your date is close, and usually carries a fee.
- Alterations are quoted at your first fitting, after the seamstress has seen the gown and what it needs.
- Sales on existing stocked gowns are the store's own suggested route to value.
Price Range
Purchase Options
- Made To Order
- Off The Rack
- Sample Sale
- Bespoke
- Express Ordering
Services Offered
- Bridal styling by appointment, with no time limit on the appointment and no cap on the number of gowns tried.
- A custom design service to build a gown from scratch, from vintage through boho to modern.
- In-house alterations — the team fits hundreds of gowns a year across three to four fittings, including hem, bustle and a final press and pack.
- Bridesmaids and formal wear, evening and prom gowns, and mother-of-the-bride.
- Accessories, veils and headpieces, and Badgley Mischka shoes to try with your gown at an accessory appointment.
- Price matching against other Australian websites on stocked items.
Size Range
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