Frequently Asked Questions

• Create Account

You can create your account and login

• Forgot Password

Just reset your password

• How do I close my account?

Already bought or sold your dream dress? Email us and we'll close your account

• I need help. How can I call customer service?

Blossom Bride is an online only platform and all of our customer service is done through email. Please reach out to us with your questions and/or concerns.

• Why is Stripe holding my buyers payment?

We have heard about Stripe holding funds before, a sellers or buyers account may be flagged by Stripe, they provide a help service.

We recommend that you as the seller call Stripe to discuss the above to get a more concrete answer on what you can do to get the funds released. 

• My PayPal invoice failed, what do I do?

Please try:

• Resending the invoice
• Send an invoice to your buyer directly from PayPal

• What payment methods are recommended?

We only recommend Stripe for transaction. These methods are safe, secure and offer protection for both the buyer and the seller. 

• How are buyers protected?

Use a safe payment method (we recommend Stripel) and you'll be fully protected if your item doesn't ship, or arrives and isn't exactly as described. Tips on how to avoid scams link

• How are sellers protected?

Use a safe payment method (we recommend Stripe) and funds will be transferred to you safely and securely. You'll also have a recourse in the unlikely event the buyer disputes the transaction.  

• How do I avoid online scams with buying and selling used or new wedding dresses?

We would all like to think that everyone is trustworthy when you’re talking about love and weddings, but that’s not always the case.  The internet can be a place where people aren’t always looking out for your best interests.  We believe knowledge is power when buying and selling online, and to protect our buyers and sellers we have provided recommendations on how to safely transact, such as Protected Forms of Payment and Tips on how to Spot a Fake Inquiry, and Tips for Buyers on How to Avoid Online Scams.

• How can I purchase safely?

There are a couple of ways you can protect yourself during a transaction. The first and most crucial one is to use a safe payment method (we recommend Stripe and have integrated it into our site, the seller can invoice directly inside your conversation) and you'll be fully protected if your item doesn't ship, or arrives and isn't exactly as described. 

The second is to get as much detail as you can: confirm its current condition (it is ok to ask for pictures of it as of today), the size & alterations done, and ask if they offer a return policy. 

Lastly, when you receive the dress take pictures of you unpacking the box and then inspect it and try it on. If you receive a dress that was not as described (damaged or different size/designer than listed etc) we recommend attempting to resolve it with the seller. If they are not willing to resolve it directly with you, you’ll want to navigate to the resolution centre on Stripe to begin the process of getting a refund. 

It is important that you buy a dress within your size range. It is much easier to take a dress in a size or two than to try and let it out. Especially if the dress has already been altered; most manufacturers only leave 1/2-1" of materials to allow for letting a dress out. 

• How can I tell if my buyer is real?

The fastest way to tell if a buyer is sincere is to look at her payment method.  If she's not willing to use a protected payment method there may be an issue.  And of course, you can always email us with a question about a specific inquiry. We'll get back to you in 24 hours (or less!)

• How do I transact with my buyer?

You can do everything from your Blossom Bride account! We have integrated Stripe with our site so that you can create an invoice directly from any mailbox conversation.

• How do I report a suspicious listing?

Blossom Bride wants buying and selling to be safe. If you believe a listing to be fraudulent, offensive or infringing your copyright, please report it to us immediately.

• How can I safely sell my dress?

We believe knowledge is power when buying and selling online, and to protect our sellers we have provided recommendations on how to safely transact, such as protected forms of payment and tips on how to spot a fake inquiry. It is impossible to avoid scammers when selling online, but when you know what to look for and what to do if you find something suspicious, you can safely sell your dress.

We strongly recommend you keep all communication on our messaging platform and reach out to us if you ever have any concerns or questions about a buyer or the selling process.

When you are ready to invoice your buyer, go through all of the details of your gown with them (make sure the tag size you listed is what the dress actually is, confirm that she understands the alterations done on it, etc). If your gown is in a preservation box, please review it to make sure the cleaning service did indeed remove all possible stains (sometimes they get missed). 

Finally, take pictures of the gown before you ship it and take a video of it as you pack the gown. This will be a good record of you sending the gown in the agreed-upon condition.

We also always recommend receiving full payment for your dress before shipping your dress to the buyer. If your payment is being held by Stripe, give them a call. This happens sometimes and they will let you know which account was flagged and the next steps for releasing the funds

• How are the dress prices so low?

All wedding dresses on Blossom Bride are sold by individuals or shop owners. Sellers would rather free up their closet space and let their beautiful dress bring joy to another bride than keep a gown that will never be worn again.  This means that all wedding dresses you find here are being sold at great prices and most have only been worn for a few hours during a ceremony. Some are even brand new or sample dresses with the tags still on.

• How much should I pay for a used dress?

Prices Blossom Bride are already some of the best deals you will ever find. Asking prices are clearly marked on each listing, but there may be some room for negotiation with the seller. Most listings include the original purchase price, so you can see how much of a discount you are getting off the original retail price. Factors like shipping costs, which vary for each buyer depending on proximity to the seller, also contribute to the cost of your dress.

• How can I get notified when the dress I want is listed?

Looking for a specific wedding dress? Register your email to be instantly emailed when it's added to the site.

• What's your return policy?

Every seller sets her individual return policy. Please check the listing or inquire with the seller for details. Remember, when you pay with Stripe you'll always be able to return an item if it's not exactly as described in the listing.

• How do I search for a specific dress I want?

You can refine your search by different filters such as size, style, and price. Start your search by visiting the Search page and selecting attributes that are important to you, or try entering a keyword search bar at the top right of the page. Alternatively, browse through the listings that are new this week.  Looking for a specific wedding dress? Register here to be instantly emailed when it's added to the site.

• How do I find dresses near me?

If you want to try-before-you-buy or reduce shipping costs, you may want to start your search locally. To find wedding dresses for sale near you, hover over Buy at the top of the page. In the drop down, select By City. Select the nearest city. Alternatively, find the Location filter on the left. Click Near me. Enter your Postcode and desired Search Within distance to see nearby dresses.
 

• Can I try the dress on?

We suggest sellers make time for local buyers to inspect and try on their wedding dress but it's completely up to the seller. Please contact the seller directly for more information.

Confused about the difference between a mermaid and trumpet silhouette? Want to learn more about different neckline and styles to learn more. Silloutte guide link.

• What's the difference between street size and label size?

Label size is the size the designer includes on the dress label. This sizing varies greatly among designers. Street size is the size you'd typically wear at a mainstream store like Marks and Spencer’s. Our listings include both label and street size information.

How often are new wedding dresses listed?

New dresses and accessories are added hourly! Check the site to see our newest additions.

• I'm ready to buy, what's the next step?

Congrats! Finding the item you want to buy is exciting. Here are your next steps for a safe and smooth transaction.

• How do I contact a seller?

You found a dress you love. Hooray! To contact the seller, visit the dress listing page. Click the Email Seller button. Complete the form, enter your message, and press Send. When contacting a seller, avoid including contact details such as email addresses or phone numbers. All communication should stay within your message portal.
 

• I can't reach a seller, can you help?

Please give a seller up to 5 days to respond to you. If you haven't heard from her by then, email us and we'll follow up on your behalf.

• Can I rent a wedding dress?

You might be surprised to find that you can often purchase a preowned wedding dress for less than the cost of renting.  Not to mention the other benefits of buying vs renting.  

• Do you have a store location?

Blossom Bride is online only. So you can browse our listings 24/7 from anywhere. Use our Advanced Search filters to find items in your local area.

• What is my wedding dress worth?

Want to know what your new, sample or used wedding dress is worth?

It is difficult to say but I would go for half the value of what it cost you and then negotiate with the buyer by e-mail. You set the price you feel is right. You can e-mail us if you are not sure.

What can I sell on Blossom Bride?

Your wedding dress of course! We accept wedding dresses of all shapes, sizes and colours, whether it's been worn or you simply changed your mind. If you loved it, chances are someone else will too. Sellers may also list wedding accessories, bridesmaid dresses, and mother's dresses for sale on our site. Each listing may advertise a single dress only.

Business listings: We welcome businesses to list their preowned or sample wedding gowns, and do receive a multiple listing discount. However, businesses may not list made-to-measure or retail stock. If you are unsure, please send us an email.

Counterfeit items: We do not allow dresses from known counterfeit websites to be listed for sale on Blossom Bride. This includes non-authorized dealers and Chinese-based wedding gown websites that sell knock-offs of famous dresses. They are banned to avoid buyer disappointment. 

• How do I list my dress?

Listing your wedding dress and/or accessories for sale is quick and easy. Create an account and follow the Sell Now button on this page. If you have any trouble listing your dress, please send us an email.

• How will buyers contact me?

Buyers will contact you using using the Blossom Bride message portal. You will be notified by email each time you receive a new message, so make sure your email address is up to date as well as your notification settings in your Blossom Bride Dashboard. To access your messages sign in to your Blossom Bride account.

How long does it take to sell a wedding dress?

Some wedding dresses sell in under 24 hours. Some take 6 months or more. The average sell time on our site is 70 days. And with our one time listing fee your item will remain posted until it sells.

• What does it cost to list a wedding dress?

We charge a one-time £15 listing fee for wedding dresses.

• What's the cost to list a bridal party gown or accessory?

Bridesmaid, Mother's, Flower Girl and Wedding Accessory listings are only £5 Your item remains posted until it sells!

• I'm not able to send an invoice to my buyer.

Sometimes PayPal generates this error when there is a delay between account sign up and invoice generation. As this is a new offering for PayPal, we are working with them to remedy the bug. In the meantime, you can go directly to Paypal.com and issue an invoice to your buyer there.

• What do I do if my designer isn't listed?

If your designer isn't listed, select "Other" from the designer drop down list and then write the designer name (and the style number if you know it) in the style field. That way, the designer name will appear in all searches and results.

• What photos should I use for my listing?

Professional photos from your wedding day are a great way to show off the beauty of your dress. Buying a wedding dress is an emotional sale and seeing a picture of you looking stunning is sure to catch a buyer’s attention. At a minimum it's best to include a full length shot to show off the silhouette, close ups for details and flaws, and a clear photo of any distinguishing features and embellishments. Including clear, high resolution photos is very important.

• Should I offer a return policy?

Our research shows that offering a return policy increases your chance of sale.

If you decide to offer a return policy consider these terms:

1. The buyer must notify you of her intention to return the item within 2 days of receiving it. The item must be returned in the exact condition in which it was sent.
2. The buyer must provide a tracking number for the return shipment within 5 days. The return shipment must be insured for the purchase value and returned at the buyer’s expense.
3. The refund will not be provided until the seller receives the returned item and confirms its condition.

Also 
Include your return policy terms directly on your Stripe invoice and specifically review them with your buyer in advance of the transaction.

Photograph your item prior to shipment as a record of its condition.

• Do I have to clean my dress before listing?

Dry cleaning your dress will help preserve it and make it look as beautiful as it did the first time around. We strongly suggest dry cleaning your dress before listing on Blossom Bride.

• Can I sell my accessories, veil, shoes, slip with my dress?

Choosing a veil or hair accessory to go with a bride's wedding dress is an intimate choice, much like shopping for a wedding gown! 

You can include the veil/hairpiece/slip with the sale of your dress but be prepared for buyers to opt-out of buying them. If you don't want to inflate the price, make a note in your dress description like  "Veil pictured can be included for an additional $(price). Please email me to let them know if you would like it with the dress!". We recommend listing your accessories separately for only a £5.00 listing fee.

We do not recommend selling shoes with your dress - it is highly unlikely the bride-to-be wanting to buy your dress will both love the style and fit it.

• How do I edit my listing?

Login to your Blossom Bride account and click "edit listing" to make changes. Of course, you can edit your listing as often as you'd like. There's never a fee.

• How can I optimize my listing?

Optimize your listing with 3 important things: 1) Use great images.  2) Include a detailed description 3) Have a reasonable asking price.

• Can I change the dress in my listing?

Each listing may feature a single dress only. The dress advertised may not be switched for another one, even if the original is no longer available or hasn't sold. There are a couple of reasons for this. Your listing may appear in a buyer's watchlist, viewing history, email notification, or message history. Changing the dress in your listing, means the wrong dress is displayed in these areas. We spend a portion of each listing fee advertising Blossom Bride the dresses and accessories listed, and re-targeting buyers who have seen your dress to come back and take another look. Advertising multiple dresses for a single listing fee increases this cost, which isn't fair. If you have several dresses to sell, please email us for details on our Multiple Listing Program.

• How can I freshen my listing to attract new buyers?

To freshen your wedding dress listing see our tips for listing optimization. and take advantage of our Featured option. For a £5 fee, your listing will get the following benefits:

• - Homepage "Featured Listings" Placement
• - "Featured" Tag Added to Listing
• - Higher Priority On Search Pages
• - Included in "Featured Listing" Buyer Email

Head to your My Items For Sale page to feature your listing!

• What Is A Listing Feature?

To freshen your wedding dress listing take advantage of our Featured option. For a £5 fee, your listing will get the following benefits:

• - Homepage "Featured Listings" Placement
• - "Featured" Tag Added to Listing
• - Higher Priority On Search Pages
• - Included in "Featured Listing" Buyer Email

Head to your My Items For Sale page to feature your listing!

• How do I get my dress featured on Blossom Bride social media?

All dresses featured on our social media feeds are selected by our team. These are not paid placements. If you'd like your dress to be considered, please follow the steps below. Placement is not guaranteed. List your wedding dress for sale on Blossom Bride Upload the best picture of your wedding dress to your Instagram account. Tag us with @Blossom Bride Include these two hashtags #Blossombride #wedding dresses and the hashtag of the designer of your dress. Example #pronovias
Include a link to your Blossom Bride listing so we can easily find it. We will repost our favorite dresses!

• I have an interested buyer, now what?

You've found a buyer! We recommend Stripe for a smooth and safe transaction.  

• When does my listing expire?

Your listing automatically expires every 12 months, but prior you receive an email alert where you can keep your listing live and active at no cost. We do this to ensure only available dresses are shown to our buyers. If you miss the alert and find your dress expired, just email our team and we will make it live again. 

• How do I pause a listing?

Send us an email and we'll help you pause your listing.

• Can I communicate outside of the Blossom Bride messaging portal?

It's important you communicate only via the Blossom Bride messaging system, so we can monitor for suspicious activity. We cannot monitor direct emails you send or receive. If we detect suspicious behaviour, we'll suspend the user, post a message to your conversation and close it in an effort to keep you safe. To benefit from these safety features, avoid sending direct emails and conduct all conversations through your Blossom Bride dashboard instead. If you are sending additional photos you can upload them directly to your conversation on Blossom Bride using the camera icon.

• Who pays for shipping?

Typically buyers pay for shipping and that cost is added to the seller's asking price. Shipping costs depend on the size of the box and the distance between the buyer and seller. Use our shipping cost calculators here to get an estimate.

• How much does shipping cost?

Shipping costs will depend on the size of the box and the distance it is traveling. You can use Royal Mail, Parcelforce, Hermes, Yodel.

• What's the best way to ship a wedding dress?

Use a box that is just right for the size of your dress and you'll get the most efficient shipping rate. A box that is between 18 x 16 x 9 and 24 x 18 x 5 typically work well. Purchase one at a local post office or UPS location. Read all of our shipping tips and find ship cost calculators here.

• Can I ship my wedding dress internationally?

Definitely. Just be sure your buyer is aware of any potential customs/duty charges that will be her responsibility when the dress arrives.

• What happens if the dress arrives with a damaged box?

If your dress package arrives with damage that occurred during transit from a ripped open or wet box, the person who arranged the shipment (seller, typically) will need to contact the shipping company to open a claim. Blossom Bride strongly recommends all sellers to ship their dress with insurance so that they are protected in the event a situation like this occurs.

When should I clean my wedding dress?

The sooner you clean your gown after your wedding, the better. That way, visible and invisible stains can be removed before they damage your gowns delicate fabric.  

Who do you recommend for wedding dress cleaning?

You can use a good local dry cleaner. If you try to clean it yourself it may damage the delicate fabric. It may cost more but you can recoup the money by selling it including the cost of dry cleaning.

Take it Out of the Preservation Box

We recommend removing your dress from the sealed box to take photos to show the buyer its current condition. Buyers will want to confirm if there are any small flaws (like a missing button) before purchasing, and these are details that can go unnoticed before it was sealed. These images also allow the buyer to assess the current condition so that they won't have any surprises when they purchase. 

You can always include pictures of your dress in the box, and then remove it and put it on a hanger to take a couple of extra shots to show how it looks currently and to check the tags. Make sure to wash your hands and not add hand lotion before handling the dress as body oils and lotions can be damaging.

Get the Right Box

Any old box will not do when it comes to shipping a wedding dress. And you probably won’t know exactly what size and sturdiness you need (unless you are in the shipping business). The best place to get a box to ship your wedding dress is at the bridal shop where you bought it. 

You see, most bridal shops receive wedding dress deliveries every day. And luckily for you, they typically save some boxes for when they have to ship gowns out. These are the perfect boxes to ship a wedding dress because it is what the designers use to ship gowns to the boutiques. 

If you cannot get a box from a bridal boutique, then you can get one from a local Post office or DIY shop. You will want to get a box that is a little bigger than your gown when it is folded in half. Don’t get a box that is too small because then your dress will have to be crammed into it which may cause damage, and for sure will cause wrinkles. This will make the presentation of your gown when it is unboxed look horrible. 

Most wedding gowns will fit into a box that is 18 x 16 X 9.inches.

Prepare Your Gown

We all know what happens with boxes when they are put into the delivery trucks or onto a plane. Ever watch luggage being loaded and unloaded onto a plane? Or watch your local delivery driver set boxes down in the rain? What! In order to protect your gown from damage, you should take the time to prepare it properly before you box it up. 

If your wedding dress has beading on it you will need to wrap it with some type of muslin cloth. Doing this keeps the fabric from getting caught on the beading which results in snags, pulls, and runs. You definitely don’t want that!

Once you wrap it up, the next step is to fold it. If your bridal shop will help you then request that they turn it inside out before folding it. Again, if there is beading they will need to add the muslin cloth before turning it inside out. This is a little unknown tip that most people don’t know! (you can thank us later). Why is turning it inside out important? If your box gets damaged, crushed, or worse...wet during the shipping having the gown inside out will protect the outer layers. The layers that would be affected would be the lining and tulle instead of the outer, pretty parts of the gown. 

Once it is inside out, place it into a clear, plastic garment bag. Your bridal shop should have these and while they may charge you for it (only a couple of bucks) it will help protect your gown should the box get wet. 

Next, then you can fold it; bodice to the hem. This should allow it to fit nicely in the box.

The Presentation

This part is critical. Don’t just shove your wedding dress into the box in a messy way. Make it look pretty so that the person that bought it will enjoy unpacking it. Use some acid-free tissue paper to line the box and wrap around your gown. Something pretty like a soft pink tissue paper or light blue would be great!

Seal It With A Kiss

Once your dress is properly prepared and wrapped neatly in pretty tissue paper your next step is to seal the box. Make sure to use heavy-duty packing tape. Seal down the length of the centre of the flaps that open and down each side. This helps to keep the box from popping open during shipping (you know if they are throwing it into the truck and plane). 

If you are shipping it to another bride, you may want to consider adding a little thank you note inside the box. Your new bride will love this extra special touch. 

Note: if you receive a box from the bridal boutique it is a used box. There may be some small holes from other deliveries. Make sure to tape over these as well. It’s just an extra precaution. 

Label It

This is not an absolutely necessary step, but we feel that it can help with how your dress is handled during the shipping process. 

Get yourself the biggest sharpie you can find and write (neatly) “wedding dress” on the outside of your box. 

Insure It

Do not miss this step! And do not skimp on how much insurance you put on it. The best thing for you to do is to add insurance to the package for the “full value” of the wedding dress. This is essential if the package gets lost or stolen. 

Sign For It

Another helpful tip is to add the “signature required” to your package. Yes, this is an added fee but if you do not require a signature to receive the package it will just be left at the door. If it sits at the door waiting hours for someone to come home it could get stolen. 

Speedy Delivery 

In order to limit the amount of exposure to damage that your wedding dress gets, you should consider shipping it the fastest way possible. Rather than going snail mail, or ground delivery upgrade it to overnight or two-day shipping. 

That’s it! How to pack & ship a wedding dress from start to finish. Our final tip may be the best of all. If you don’t have to ship it - don’t. If you are having a destination wedding travel with the gown yourself.