About Maisie Darling
Maisie Darling began as an idea in 2013 – the dream has been evolving since then and is now coming alive!
Charlotte has always been a romantic and loves ‘love’ – she even has a heart wall in her home! Charlotte also loves dresses, shoes and handbags – Maisie Darling is the perfect combination! As Charlotte could not continue to buy wedding dresses for herself, she decided that the next best thing was to help others find their ‘meant to be’ dress (as well as talking love stories, drinking coffee and eating cake!).
Charlotte spent the first 15 years of her working life teaching Dance. After being surround by creatives, theatre, costumes and make up, she decided to take a side step and throw love in as well! She is a creative soul and loves putting different dresses and accessories together to result in a unique and personal look.
Charlotte creates a personal, friendly and trust worthy experience for all Brides, making them feel at home and relaxed in the boutique. She believes that each Bride deserves a wedding dress that mirrors them in both style and personality – in essence, their signature gown.
The British designers that were picked to live at Maisie’s House provide Brides with styles and/or designs that offer something slightly different. Maisie Darling is throughly British for Modern women.
So Who is Maisie
Maisie Darling is Charlotte’s Grandmother and was the most glamorous and chic woman that Charlotte has ever met. With a fabulous vintage 50’s style, Maisie would not leave the house without her lipstick on and her handbag over her arm. She inspired the boutique and the atmosphere that Charlotte has created. The boutique also features lots of Maisie’s own possessions, helping us to keep her glamour alive.
“Planning a wedding during a pandemic is a little bit of a challenge. I was recommended Maisie Darling by a dress brand as they said that they were doing virtual appointments. I didn’t really know how this would work but my goodness, it worked like a dream and I felt like a princess”
Jemima
Faq
When is a good time to start looking for my dress?
This is different for every bride, some like to be super organised, others don’t want to look to early! We would recommend starting the search 12 months prior to your wedding. This ensures that you have plenty of time to find your perfect dress. Some brides find it in the first shop, for others it takes a little longer.
Please don’t panic if you only have 6 months before your wedding, because we work with British designers, we can turn things around quickly if we need too!
Do you sell ‘ready to wear’ dresses?
Yes, our Kelsey Rose label is ready to wear. If your size is in stock, you can take the dress home on the day! If it is not in stock, we can usually git it for you within 1-2 weeks.
We also have a selection of last chance to buy wedding dresses which are available to purchase and take home on the day.
What sizes are your sample dresses?
We try to have a large range of sample sizes in the boutique, as every bride is different. Currently we have dresses in sizes 8 – 20. Bridal sizes are very different to highs-street sizes so please don’t worry if you go up a couple of sizes.
What is the price range of your dresses?
Our main ready to order collections are priced £1200- £3000
Our ready to wear collection are priced from £499 to £899
Do I have to book to try on wedding dresses?
Yes please, we operate on an appointment only basis. This ensures that we can give each bride are undivided attention during their appointment and they have private use of the boutique.
How many guests can I bring with me?
Our boutique is quite intimate, so we recommend bringing not more than 2-3 guests with you.
Dress shopping is a very exciting and momentous experience. But it can be very confusing if you bring too many people with you as they may all have different ideas and opinions.
If you would like to bring more guests with you, please contact us directly at info@maisiedarling.co.uk
How many dresses can I try on and how long will the appointment be?
We don’t limit that number of dresses that you can try on. However, we recommend that you start with 4 or 5. This will help us to learn what you like and what suits you and then we can suggest some more.
Where are you based and is there parking?
We are based in Lutterworth, South Leicestershire. We are 2 minutes from junction 20 on the M1.
There is lots of parking in Lutterworth. We recommend street parking on Stoney Hollow, across from the boutique. There is also a car park at the top of the high street, Station Road car park.
If I find ‘the one’, what happens next?
If your perfect dress is a made to order dress, we require a non-refundable 50% deposit on order and then the remaining balance is due once the dress arrives at the boutique. This is usually 12-16 weeks prior to your wedding.
We do also offer payment plans, so please don’t panic if you are not able to pay the 50% deposit straight away. Please ask for more details during your appointment.
If your perfect dress is from our ready to wear collection, we require payment in full and you are able to take the dress away with you.
Do you offer an alterations service?
Yes, we have a recommended seamstress that we work with. Most wedding dresses will require alterations, and this is chargeable. Once the dress arrives in the boutique, you will have a fitting with the seamstress, and she will talk through what alterations are required. This is paid directly to the seamstress as she works independently.
When ordering the dress we are able to give you a rough cost guide for alterations.
What can I expect?
At Maisie Darling Bridal Boutique, we have a separate dressing suite. Once you have had a chat with your Bridal Stylist, you can select some dresses that you would like to try on and we go from there!! It is a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere at Maisie Darling, we will ensure that you have a wonderful experience.
What underwear should I bring?
You can come in whatever you feel comfortable in – there is nothing to feel self-conscious about. However, if you have nude underwear it does help to get a better feel of the dress and see what it will look like without your polka dot bra!
What about shoes?
If you have already bought your wedding shoes – please bring them!! We love shoes and would be excited to see them! However, if you have not yet bought yours, don’t worry, we have plenty for you to try on with the dresses! We really do love shoes!
Can I wear make-up and jewellery?
Yes of course, however if any jewellery is quite sharp we may ask you to remove it. Also if make up does need to be removed with have lots of lovely products in our ‘Powder Room’!
I’m really nervous…
DON’T BE! We will ensure that you have the most wonderful experience at Maisie Darling. We will chat, giggle, drink coffee, try on beautiful dresses and hopefully find your ‘meant to be’ dress. It will be fabulous!