Private Appointment Bookings for Gown Fittings

We welcome walk-ins during the week, so no appointment is needed during standard opening hours. However, we also offer private appointments outside of regular hours for a more personalised and relaxed experience.

Our private fittings are available for all types of gowns, including wedding dresses and school ball gowns. These sessions are especially popular for school students who prefer a quieter space to try on dresses without the usual in-store rush.

With only three fitting rooms available, Saturday mornings can be very busy. Booking a private appointment gives you exclusive access to the store, creating a calm, comfortable, and enjoyable experience.

These appointments are also perfect for groups of friends, allowing you to enjoy the moment together, try on gowns, and make it a fun and memorable experience.

Private bookings are ideal if you’re travelling from out of town, including areas like Picton and Blenheim, as you can choose a time that suits your schedule.

How to Book

• Select your preferred time using the button above
• Add the booking to your cart
• Enter your phone number in the “Special Instructions” box
• Proceed to checkout and complete your details

Private Appointment Hours

• Saturday: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
• Sunday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Tuesday – Friday: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Closed: Mondays and Public Holidays

What to Expect

• Your appointment includes one hour of exclusive access to the store
• The shop will be closed to other customers during your booking
• You’ll receive one-on-one assistance from an experienced staff member
• You may bring up to 4–5 guests, making it perfect for a small group outing
• Your appointment fee is refundable if you purchase a gown on the day

If you need more time, you’re welcome to book back-to-back appointments.

Location

We are located at 265 High Street, Motueka, New Zealand, at the front of the arcade, just opposite The Warehouse.

Important

If you do not receive a confirmation email, your booking has not been received.

Buy to Try

(For New Zealand and Australian Customers Only)

Bay Bridal and Ball Gowns is excited to offer a "Buy to Try" service. Please read the details below carefully.

How it Works:

When placing your order, please include "BUY TO TRY" in the notes section.

We understand that event dates can sneak up on you, and shopping online can be challenging. That’s why we’re offering this service to make things easier:

Important: This offer does not apply to Infinity Gowns or our Premium Bridal Range.

With Buy to Try, you can purchase 2-3 gowns. After choosing the gown/s you want to keep, you can return the other gown/s for a refund.

Note: If you decide to return all the gowns and keep none, the lowest-priced gown will be converted into a store credit. This store credit has a 2 year expiry date and can be used for future purchases. The store credit will be equal to the price of the lowest-priced gown minus a $10 return fee.

Important Return Guidelines:

• Try on gowns after showering, without makeup, perfume, or deodorant.
• Protect gowns from cooking smells, body odours, and pet hair.
• Gowns must be in re-sellable condition. If additional cleaning is needed, please contact us.

Payment Process:

• Pay for all gowns at checkout. We recommend paying by bank deposit to avoid processing fees, which would be deducted from your refund.
• If paying via Afterpay or Credit Card, any processing fees will be deducted from your refund, since we cannot recover those fees.

Return Process and Fees:

• When returning gowns, you’ll need to cover the return shipping costs. Your refund will be processed after the gowns arrive and pass inspection, with the following fees deducted:
  
  A $10 return fee per dress
  Any applicable processing fees (if paying by card or Afterpay)
  
  

Examples:

Example 1: Paying by Bank Deposit

• Dress 1: $150
• Dress 2: $200
• Dress 3: $250
• Total: $600

You decide to keep Dress 2 and return Dresses 1 and 3. You ship them back within 5 working days.
Once received and inspected, we will refund:

• Dress 1: $140
• Dress 3: $240
• Total refund: $380

If you return all 3 gowns, you will receive:

• Store credit for the lowest-priced gown (Dress 1): $140
• Refund for Dress 2: $190
• Refund for Dress 3: $240

Example 2: Paying by Afterpay or Credit Card

• Dress 1: $150
• Dress 2: $200
• Dress 3: $250
• Total: $600

You decide to keep Dress 2 and return Dresses 1 and 3. You ship them back within 5 working days.
Once received and inspected, we’ll deduct the processing fees (2.5%-3.2% for Credit Card, 6.3% for Afterpay) and refund:

• Dress 1: Refund minus $10 return fee and processing fee
• Dress 3: Refund minus $10 return fee and processing fee

If you return all 3 gowns, we’ll issue:

• Store credit for Dress 1 (the lowest-priced gown): $140
• Refund for the other two gowns minus the $10 return fee and processing fees.

Example 3: Using Store Credit for Future Purchases
Store credit has a 2 year expiry date. It is transferable if you would like to gift it to a family member or friend.

Faulty Gowns:

In the rare event you receive a faulty gown, and wish to keep it, we will cover the return shipping and send a replacement.

Exchanges: 

If you wish to return all or some of your gowns and exchange them for others, please contact us via email at baybridal.nz@gmail.com Let us know which gowns you’d like to return and which ones you’d like to receive in exchange. We will assist you in finding the most cost-effective solution. Additionally, please provide your event date so we can ensure your exchange is processed in time. Alternatively, use this returns' portal to let us know what you would like to exchange.

Our return address is as follows:

RETURN ADDRESS

New Zealand Address:

Bay Bridal and Ballgowns

265 High Street

Motueka 7120

New Zealand

Australian Return Address:

Bay Bridal and Ballgowns

10 Glimmer Road

EGLINTON

WA 6034

AUSTRALIA

We will contact you once we receive your returned parcel. Please keep your tracking numbers handy in case of any delivery issues, as Bay Bridal cannot be held responsible for lost parcels.

Select your size based on your bust measurement alone. Although this may seem a little unconventional, it works for most body shapes. If you have a more rectangular body type, with less than a 5cm difference between your bust and waist, we recommend choosing one size up.

For plus-size individuals, it’s common to need one or even two sizes larger than what you would usually wear in other clothing. To measure, wrap the tape around the fullest part of your bust, making sure it’s snug. For the best fit, tighten the tape by about 3cm more to ensure a supportive and comfortable fit.

Now, with this bust measurement, refer to our size chart. Don’t worry if your waist and hip measurements don’t align perfectly with the chart — everyone’s body is different, and our sizing chart is based on average general body proportions.

If your bust measurement is between sizes, go with the larger one. If you need your gown urgently and are uncertain about sizing, take advantage of our "Buy to Try" option. This lets you order two sizes and return one for a refund. Just make sure to review the instructions on how this works here.

We have a great track record with sizing and are happy to assist you. Email us at baybridal.nz@gmail.com with the dress name (e.g., Malika or Tia) along with your bust and waist measurements, and we’ll guide you to the best size. We also have a helpful bust sizing video here