Our
Story
I started the journey of Novella 10 years ago with the search of the perfect dress for my own wedding. During this journey I found that dresses can come in all shapes and sizes, but the effect that it should have should be truly magical. It should give you confidence and make you feel as if you are a princess. I believe that a dress should not just highlight the beauty on the outside, but most importantly it should show the beauty on the inside and make you a true Bella Donna.
To find the magical effect can be daunting as it is usually accompanied with a hefty price tag. Therefore I wanted to create a space where you can find the ultimate dress, but with a price tag that could fit even the smallest of budgets.
Finding the right dress is very important, but for me it is more than that. It is one of the monumental steps when planning a wedding. For me it was the beginning of chapter 1 of my own fairytale come true. For this reason I named the company Novella ( Spanish for Novel).
My wish for every lady that comes to Novella is that you would be treated like a princess for that is what you are. May you be blessed to write your own fairytale with confidence and love.
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The Novella experience begins with a one on one consultation to discuss the dream dress you have always wanted. Body analyses as well as a colour analysis will be done to ensure the perfect fit for you. Once you have selected what you want a contract and payment plan will be selected that will suit your budget.
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We stock a variety of dresses that can be rented or bought. If you do not find the one between the dresses we have, we will design your dream dress with the choice to rent or buy.
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Our Policy:
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We at Novella strive to ensure that every experience is a dream come true. We will implement this by adhering to the following principles:
- All dresses will be top quality with a reasonable price tag.
- All customers are to be treated with dignity and respect.
- Payment plans are available and will be formed around the clients needs.
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The
Process
FAQ
What is the Cost of a Wedding Dress?
Prices are dependent on the quality fabric used and specific details on the dress. Our prices range from R 8 000 - R 35 000 with most dresses between R 15000 - R20 000 for a design from scratch and R8000- R15000 for a Ready to Wear.
How long before my wedding should I start looking for my dress?
6-12 months before your Wedding date.
Do I have to make an appointment to view/fit dresses?
Yes, work by appointment only with a non-refundable consultation fee of R200.
How many guests can I bring to my fitting?
We allow a total of 3 guests ( the bride +2 guests). No children under the age of 12 years are allowed.
How long is a consultation?
A consultation is 60-90min long
How many dresses may I fit?
We limit you to 5 dresses.
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What underwear should I wear?
Please wear appropriate underwear, a panty that will cover your whole front and back- no g-strings. You will not be allowed to continue a fitting if you are commando, and will forfeit your consultation fee.
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Can I fit dresses if I am on my period?
No, you will not be allowed to fit dresses if you are experiencing your period due to hygiene as well as health and safety risks. You will not be allowed to continue and will forfeit your consultation fee in this instance.
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How long beforehand should I book an Appointment?
We would recommend to book as soon as possible as our slots tend to fill quickly.
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What happens if I need to cancel my appointment and have already paid?
For any reason a bride does not arrive to her scheduled appointment, her appointment will be forfeited and the consultation fee is non refundable. A new appointment would need to be made and a new consultation fee would need to be paid. If a client would like to change her appointment time, we will accommodate one change if it is made 7 days before her appointment. We only allow one change per client and then a new appointment will need to be made and a new fee would need to be paid.
How many fittings will I have if I make a dress?
You will have 4 fittings: 1. Measurements (15min), 2. Corset Fit (15 min) 3.Zip and Seams ( 30min) 4. Collection (15min)
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What if my dress needs altering?
We have skilled seamstresses that will assist with any alterations a ready to wear gown may need. Alterations are typically done 4-3 weeks prior to your wedding date
When will I receive my dress?
We typically release dresses that are bought 2 weeks prior to the wedding. If you opt for the renting option the dresses are released the day before the wedding, however the final fit was done 2 weeks prior to ensure everything fits as it should.
Should you have any other questions, please contact us.