Please plan to arrive at your scheduled appointment time. Our team often assists brides in back-to-back appointments—especially on Saturdays—so we may not be able to accommodate early arrivals. We appreciate your understanding as we give each bride the time and attention she deserves.

Mara has worked with several professional bridal seamstresses over the years. We've found a few that we really love partnering with. Although we don't do alterations inside our boutique, we have all the confidence in the tailors listed on our website here. It is customary to call your seamstress well in advance of your wedding date and let them know when your event is and when you expect to receive your dress. You'll likely then be "loosely" placed on their calendar until your dress arrives, and the wedding date is about three months away.

To ensure you receive the personalized attention you deserve, we highly recommend appointments at Mara for bridal gowns, mother-of-the-bride dresses, and tuxedo shopping. Prom dress shopping is walk-in only. We welcome prom shoppers on a first-come, first-served basis during regular store hours at Mara Prom (101 North Main Street).

Following are our recommended lead times for each of our categories: Bridal Gown 10-12 months in advance of the wedding Suits & Tuxedos 4-5 months in advance of the wedding Mothers Dresses 2-4 months in advance of the wedding Veil & Accessories 2-3 months in advance of the wedding Shoes & Undergarments 1 month in advance of your fittings starting (Your bridal alterations should begin 3-4 months in advance of your wedding)

You’ll be paired with a dedicated stylist who’s here to bring your vision to life—feel free to bring along any gown inspiration you love. We also recommend nude undergarments, your wedding shoes (or something similar), and a hair tie or clip to help you see the full look.

We receive new gowns year-round as our designers release their latest collections, so there’s always something fresh and fabulous arriving at the boutique. Whether you're visiting for the first time or returning, you’re sure to discover something new and exciting!

A trunk show is an exclusive event where a designer showcases an extended selection of their collection. Often, special offers or incentives are available during the event to encourage purchases.

Choosing who you invite to this experience deserves some careful thought. Make sure you surround yourself with the people you want to celebrate with. But keep your tribe positive, uplifting, and light. This is your decision, so as much as you might want others' feedback, you are the one who has been envisioning this day for yourself. We definitely want this day to be all about YOU. That being said, our private bridal suites comfortably fit up to 6 guests, plus the bride. If you plan to bring more than that, please contact our team in advance to ensure we can make the necessary arrangements.

For special-ordered dresses, we require a 50% down payment before we will order the dress. Then you can gradually make payments on the dress, leading up to its arrival, or wait until it arrives. Once the dress arrives, you have 30 days to pay the remaining balance and pick it up. If you're purchasing an off-the-rack wedding gown, we require full payment.

Our curated collection of wedding gowns ranges from $1,199 to $3,999, with most brides finding their dream dress around $2,000. In addition to our made-to-order styles, we also offer a rotating selection of sale wedding dresses available off the rack at discounted prices. Explore our Sale Wedding Dress Collection to find your perfect match.

Our bridal appointments are 1.5 hours in length, with the exception of our Very Important Bride (VIB) Appointment, which is a private shopping experience and is 2 hours.

Yes, our Initial Bridal Gown Appointments are complimentary. However, if you’re looking for an extra-special experience, our VIB (Very Important Bride) private appointments are available for $150.

We’re honored that brides travel from near and far to experience our boutique. To make the most of your time in Charles City, we suggest stopping for a bite or a drink before or after your appointment. Local favorites include Aromas Coffee, The McCoy Smoothies & More, Tellurian Brewing, The Pub on the Cedar, & Dean Treats. If shopping with us is just not enough for you, our charming downtown is filled with locally owned gems. Browse stylish finds at our sister store, Cardigan, or explore favorites like Otto's Oasis, Prologue Books & Wine, Saxony, & Charles City Art Center. Whether you’re here for bridal gown shopping or a full weekend getaway, we hope you fall in love with our small-town charm.

We offer private shopping experiences on Sundays by appointment only. Click to learn more about our Very Important Bride (VIB) Appointments.