Which dress for your wedding? Traditional or bohemian? Lace or sequins? To your image or to please the groom or bride-to-be?

Who among you hasn’t asked these questions when first thinking about their future wedding dress?

But do you know what a wedding dress means by the way?

For a very long time, women didn’t have a specific dress, they simply wore their most beautiful dress when they got married, no matter what the color. It was called the Sunday dress. It is only from the Renaissance onwards that the white dress made its appearance, a symbol of purity and especially of chastity in the highest classes of society only at the beginning. White also represents light and perfection. If you wish to have more information on the history of the wedding dress, this site is very well done.

White is mostly chosen in Europe and America. In Asia, red predominates in the choice of colors, white being associated with death. In some countries, the tradition wants the bride to change even several times her dress during her wedding day…

Now that the request has been made, it’s time to question… How to make the right choice? Who should I talk to? Is it imperative to take her mother with her during the fittings? How much time before the day-do you take it? What budget should be planned?

We will try to answer some of your questions by having 4 of our fetish stores talk. Let us introduce them to you!

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1. Let us tell you about the Belle en Blanc boutique in Lausanne

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR BOUTIQUE?

It’s a reputable boutique, which has been on the market for 10 years. Brides-to-be can come with their loved ones, as we have a lounge area to welcome them, so that everyone feels as comfortable as possible during the fittings. We offer quality dresses and services. The dresses are made by designers who have a lot of know-how, who are carefully chosen, from various countries (Israel, England, Australia, Poland and USA in particular). Our brides are cosy-chic, they feel comfortable and happy wearing them!

WHAT ARE YOUR ASSETS? WHAT MAKES YOU SPECIAL?

Quality above all! Our dresses are very well cut, with a lot of precision. The materials are noble, the dresses are adjusted in the atelir and fall perfectly on the brides. We have a large choice and you can customize your future dress at your convenience: it will be unique and will be YOUR dress (this year, we already have 30 dresses in preparation!). The boutique has its own atelier on the spot, which allows much shorter delivery times. An example: we had to completely redo a dress for a pregnant bride a few weeks ago, and this took only 3 weeks: a challenge!

WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU? WHAT ARE YOUR OPENING TIMES?

We are located in Lausanne, at avenue du Léman 34 and there are parking spaces available in front of the boutique.

The boutique is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00 (weekdays) and 17:00 (Saturdays).

DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN TRADE SHOWS? IF YES, WHICH ONES?

At the beginning of our activity, we took part in the fairs of Lausanne and Geneva, but now we prefer the personalized welcome of our customers directly at the boutique.

WHEN TO START LOOKING FOR YOUR DRESS?

Normally, we advise you to order your dress 8 months before your wedding date. The designers take about 6 months to make and deliver the dresses to the boutique. It then takes 6 to 8 weeks to adjust the dress perfectly to the silhouette. 

In our atelier, however, we can create custom dresses with shorter lead times. 2-3 months minimum, depending on the chosen season … get married in winter 😉 … and the work already in progress.

It is important to take your time! The sooner the better! These moments in the choice of the dress are very important and bring a lot of emotion to the bride-to-be and the people accompanying her.

WHAT SHOULD WE PAY ATTENTION TO?

First, look for some images on the Internet for inspiration, but be aware that these photos are often retouched, that models wear those dresses and that a whole film crew is busy for many weeks making these photoshoots.

Come to the fittings with an open mind and let yourself be guided by the advice of professionals. Choose the dress that suits you, that makes you feel the most you!

Pic by Christelle Naville Photographie

MORPHOLOGY ? PERSONALITY ? SEASON AND WEATHER ?

It is our role at the boutique to advise you, we are trained for that and we have the eye! No matter what your silhouette, we will know how to adapt your dress to your personality. With a few starting indications (mermaid or not mermaid, fluid or not fluid,…), we will guide you in the choice of your dress. Our observation and conversations will help us to make magic happen!

It’s not the most beautiful dress that will make us the most beautiful, it’s the one that suits you!

Concerning the season and the weather, it is not difficult to add extra pieces: for example, you can wear a strapless dress, but also a nice bolero just in case! We also see more and more mixes with a jeans jacket or even a perfecto! 

WHAT BUDGET SHOULD BE PLANNED?

For the ranges of our store, the prices vary from CHF 2’500.- to CHF 5’000.-. 

Since November 2020, we will have the chance to offer dresses of the Berta brand (a little bit like the Aston Martin is to the car); there, the budget will be from CHF 6’000.- to CHF 12’000.- each.

DO YOU NEED TO PROVIDE ACCESSORIES? BRIDAL VEIL ? HANDBAG ? JEWELS ? BRIDAL BOUQUET ?

We guide our brides in their choices, whether they are classic or rock&roll, we have something to please them!
This year, earrings are again very trendy. Putting them on brings the eye back to the face (the most important part of every woman…). Currently, we find a lot of silk earrings with floral patterns.

The veils are now rather accessories, rather than the symbol of virginity. More and more women choose to have their hands free for their bouquet (or wreath) of flowers, rather than having a handbag.

Pic by Aria Snaps

And finally, the question everyone asks: what to do with your dress after the wedding?

Half of our clients don’t want to part with it. Some of them think that they don’t even need to have it cleaned, and in some countries, they even reuse the bridal veil to make the cradle of the first born.

The other half of our clients bring us their dress, we have it cleaned at the dry cleaners, then we let the brides sell it online (private sale, Facebook group,…) or in second hand stores.

Thanks to Olga, who you can find at the boutique Belle en Blanc, Avenue du Léman 34, in Lausanne. You will be inspired by other photos on her website.

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2. Here is the boutique For Ever in Echandens

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR BOUTIQUE?

A boutique on the first floor, to ensure your privacy, spacious and bright to welcome your accompanying persons. An on-site sewing atelier is available.

WHAT ARE YOUR ASSETS? WHAT CHARACTERIZES YOU?

Without a doubt our irreproachable welcome and our experience for 18 years. Our team is composed of 4 people, including 2 passionate and meticulous dressmakers to personalize your dress for the big day. We offer a choice of collections at very accessible prices and we also dress generous morphologies as well as pregnant women.

WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU? WHAT ARE YOUR OPENING TIMES?

Since 2016, we are located at route des Toches 3 in Echandens.

We are open from Monday to Friday, from 09h00 to 12h00 and from 14h00 to 18h00. Saturday from 09h00 to 14h00. Fittings are by appointment only.

DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN TRADE FAIRS ? IF YES, WHICH ONES ?

Yes 1 year out of 2, we participate in the Wedding Show of Lausanne and Geneva. We also participated in the Salon Dites vous Oui at Portes des Iris.

WHEN TO START LOOKING FOR YOUR DRESS?

About 9 months before the wedding, our order time being about 4 months. It is ideal to have the dress at least 2 months before the wedding.

WHAT SHOULD WE PAY ATTENTION TO?

To transmit a color sample to the future husband so that he avoids choosing a real white shirt when all dresses are sold in ivory …

MORPHOLOGY ? PERSONALITY ? SEASON AND WEATHER ?

The dress must bring out your personality and character without disguising yourself. We dress all morphologies, we have many collections of all styles. For weddings in winter, we propose warm stoles, and for summer we favour models of sleeveless and light dresses.

WHAT BUDGET SHOULD BE PLANNED?

Most of our collections are between CHF 1’000.- and CHF 3’000.-; this is a budget to which you have to add the price of alterations which varies greatly from one client to another and according to the models.

DO YOU NEED TO PROVIDE ACCESSORIES? BRIDAL VEIL? HANDBAG ? JEWELS ? BRIDAL BOUQUET ?

It is better to keep your hands free for the bouquet… so no handbag. The veil makes a little comeback for the more romantic. The dresses being relatively elaborate, the necklaces will be very discreet; especially privilege the comfort for the shoes… in order not to end the wedding barefoot…!

And finally, the question that everyone asks: what to do with your dress after the wedding?

We propose a second hand store to our customers who wish to resell it… otherwise you have to keep it and take it out from time to time to remember the beautiful memories of this incredible and memorable day 😉

Thanks to Myriam, who you can find at the Boutique Forever, Route des Toches 3, in Echandens. You will be inspired by other photos on their website.

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3. And to finish the boutique With Love in Bremblens

 

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR BOUTIQUE?

Warm, it feels “like home”, lots of natural light.

We like to take the time to drink a good coffee or tea to get to know each other and talk about your wedding project. We have set up our boutique with love for you and your loved ones, to live quality, unique and unforgettable moments.

Pic by Christelle Naville Photographie

Pic by Christelle Naville Photographie

Pic by Christelle Naville Photographie

WHAT ARE YOUR ASSETS? WHAT CHARACTERIZES YOU?

Joie de vivre, passion, smiles, sharing, complicity, honesty, benevolence, professionalism…

WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU? WHAT ARE YOUR OPENING TIMES?

In Bremblens, a two steps away from Portes des Iris , at the rue de l’église 4, in the former classroom of the Village School, which we have renovated to welcome you.You can contact us using the form on our website www.withloveboutique.ch. We can make the boutique private for you and your loved ones. By appointment only.

 

Pic by Pauline Falik Photography

 

DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN TRADE SHOWS? IF YES, WHICH ONES?

For the moment, we’re focusing on intimate, exclusive salons. In exceptional venues like Portes des Iris. We once took part in the Salon du Mariage in Beaulieu, because we really like Philippe and Maureen who organize it, but we’ve since decided to give priority to our appointments with brides-to-be in the boutique…

WHEN TO START LOOKING FOR YOUR DRESS?

As soon as you say YES!

As soon as a date and venue have been set… Knowing the location and season of the wedding is a huge help in planning. Ideally 8 to 12 months before the big day! Know whether you want an intimate wedding… A religious or secular ceremony… But we advise you to come ready to say YES to THE dress!

WHAT SHOULD YOU PAY ATTENTION TO?

To come with your loved ones, those with whom you want to share these special moments. Surround yourself with people who know you well and who care about you.

Take the time to prepare this unforgettable moment! Come with your desires, your inspirations. It’s important to know if you’re buying THE dress or if it’s a gift, and to know if you have a budget to stick to or if it’s ‘à coup de coeur’! We’re here to accompany you and advise you on the important choice of your dream dress.

Pic by Pauline Falik Photography

 

MORPHOLOGY ? PERSONALITY ? SEASON AND WEATHER ?

Find the dress that will make you look your best today, that will highlight your assets and match the bride you want to be. Romantic, elegant, feminine, bohemian, trendy, sexy, glamorous, it has to reflect your personality.

It’s also important to think about the season of your wedding: you won’t wear the same dress in summer as in winter, and your accessories won’t be the same. Treat yourself! Dare to shine! Dare to be yourself! We’re delighted to be able to dress women of all shapes and sizes.

 

Pic by Alex Dim Photographe

 

Pic by Jessica Amber

DO YOU NEED TO PROVIDE ACCESSORIES? BRIDAL VEIL ? HANDBAG ? JEWELS ? BRIDAL BOUQUET ?

The most important thing is to accessorize your dream dress with accessories that you like and that go perfectly with it. We like to dress up the hairstyle with a pretty comb, jewelry or natural flowers or even dried/stabilized flowers (ultra trendy). Don’t hesitate to include your floral designer in your choices! The bouquet should match the mood of your wedding; we like to favor seasonal flowers.

The veil can match the dress (identical lace) or be light and airy with crystal sparkles, for example, for a touch of light… We’ll be happy to take the time to advise you.

When it comes to jewelry, it’s great to wear a family heirloom, a gift from a loved one, or even from your fiancé/e.

To complete your look, we’ve chosen trendy, glamorous or bohemian jewelry to make you stand out on the day.

Indulge in personalized, embroidered accessories, from made-to-measure denim jackets to hand-embroidered veils… But above all, let your heart speak and listen to your desires!

 

Pic by Diana Baccini

 

And finally, the question everyone asks: what to do with your dress after the wedding?

Many women wish to put again their dress but very often, after the wedding, it is more difficult to change it, because one wishes to preserve the dress as it is. We recommend a dry cleaning service to make it look like new again. There are also boxes to keep it, but the pretty cover that we offer to our brides also fits perfectly.

Thanks to Laetitia & Léa, who you can find at the boutique With Love, Rue de l’Eglise 4 in Bremblens . You will be inspired by other photos on their website.

 

So in conclusion, we hope to have your opinion, because we, the Portes des Iris coordinators, can’t agree and we would like to know what YOU are going to do/have done with your beautiful dresses? Send us an e-mail at .

Corinne Salvisberg Perrone, October 2020 / revised April 2025