When should I buy the First Communion Dress?
First Communions tend to take place between January and July in every year so you need to be aware that these dresses are not stocked all year round. To get the best selection (which is especially important if your daughter does not have standard proportions) you will need to order early in the season because many dresses are designed for that season and then discontinued, meaning that when they are sold out, that is it. If you leave it late in the season then your choice will be extremely limited given that Communion sales drop off rapidly after April, retailers will not be re-ordering and any left over stock may well be put into storage for the next year.
Are there any special requirements or restrictions?
First of all, check with your priest whether there are any requirements or restrictions. Some priests will say a veil is compulsory; others will prohibit a veil. For some an ivory dress might be acceptable; for others, it must be white. It might have to be full length or not and possibly plain or there is no such restriction.
Check with other mothers what was standard practice in previous years.
On the whole, the dresses we sell are 99% white and 50:50 long to ballerina length. The length seems to be a personal preference rather than any particular fashion but will also depend on your daughter's proportions.
Check with other mothers what was standard practice in previous years.
On the whole, the dresses we sell are 99% white and 50:50 long to ballerina length. The length seems to be a personal preference rather than any particular fashion but will also depend on your daughter's proportions.
What accessories will I need?
You do not need any accessories in particular but you may have a particular preference for one or more of the following:
1. A veil - this may be compulsory, prohibited or voluntary so please check with your priest first. We tend to sell veils to 50% percent of our communion customers. Veils attached to headdresses are by far the most popular.
2. A tiara - this is often a substitute for a veil - and very popular amongst girls of this age group. You can also have both with the veil sitting juts behind the tiara. An alternative to the tiara is a bunwrap which is a mini tiara designed to wrap around a bun. It looks particularly good with the sort of buns you wrap round the foam doughnuts. Equally popular are alicebands which are simple to wear and can often be used again after the big day.
3. A bolero jacket, cape or wrap in case it is a chilly day.
4. A pair of tights or socks, again depending on the temperature.
5. A bag - a popular style is the dolly bag with a drawstring to go over the wrist. This is for your prayerbook and rosary beads. Other styles of bag asre also available.
6. Gloves - we sell these to about 20% of our communion customers. They look best with a plainer style dress.
7. Shoes - these can be plain satin bridal style shoes or more elaborate designs. Again it comes down to budget and personal choice.
1. A veil - this may be compulsory, prohibited or voluntary so please check with your priest first. We tend to sell veils to 50% percent of our communion customers. Veils attached to headdresses are by far the most popular.
2. A tiara - this is often a substitute for a veil - and very popular amongst girls of this age group. You can also have both with the veil sitting juts behind the tiara. An alternative to the tiara is a bunwrap which is a mini tiara designed to wrap around a bun. It looks particularly good with the sort of buns you wrap round the foam doughnuts. Equally popular are alicebands which are simple to wear and can often be used again after the big day.
3. A bolero jacket, cape or wrap in case it is a chilly day.
4. A pair of tights or socks, again depending on the temperature.
5. A bag - a popular style is the dolly bag with a drawstring to go over the wrist. This is for your prayerbook and rosary beads. Other styles of bag asre also available.
6. Gloves - we sell these to about 20% of our communion customers. They look best with a plainer style dress.
7. Shoes - these can be plain satin bridal style shoes or more elaborate designs. Again it comes down to budget and personal choice.
How much should I expect to spend?
Good quality dresses start at around £60 but you can find a pretty dress that does the job from about £40. Most of the dresses we sell are in the £60-£110 range although some people are happy to spend much more than this given the importance to them of the occasion.
The more embroidery and beading on a dress the more costly as such a dress involves a lot of work the part of the person making it. A plainer dress often costs less.
Veils generally cost from about £20, bags from £17, gloves from £9, tiaras from £12, shoes from £22, jackets from £15 and tights or socks about £6
The more embroidery and beading on a dress the more costly as such a dress involves a lot of work the part of the person making it. A plainer dress often costs less.
Veils generally cost from about £20, bags from £17, gloves from £9, tiaras from £12, shoes from £22, jackets from £15 and tights or socks about £6
Where can I buy a First Communion Dress?
Communion dresses are sold:
*online at specialist sites such as http://www.heavenlycommunions.co.uk/
* in independent childrenswear shops
* in larger branches of department stores such as Debenhams and BHS (although they generally offer a very small selection that sell out very fast)
*online at specialist sites such as http://www.heavenlycommunions.co.uk/
* in independent childrenswear shops
* in larger branches of department stores such as Debenhams and BHS (although they generally offer a very small selection that sell out very fast)
* in bridal salons although often it is ordering from a sample
* at communion sales
* second hand on Ebay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/)
* at communion sales
* second hand on Ebay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/)
Should I buy a dress online?
Buying online gives you a much wider choice of styles, sizes and budgets than shopping on the high street as we are able to order from a huge catalogue of styles and not just a small range that you find in even the larger shops. You also have the benefit of being able to order your entire outfit to match.
If your child is a non standard shape, we would strongly recommend that you contact us first as our knowledgeable assistants will be able to guide you towards particular styles that are cut differently and suit different shapes.
When you buy online then please measure your daughter and then consult the size charts carefully as they do vary between styles. If you have any doubts or need advice, then e-mail and they will be only too happy to guide you in your decision.
Our website has easy to follow diagrams and advice on measuring your child which can be found here: http://www.heavenlycommunions.co.uk/how-to-measure-8-w.asp
You will need to allow an inch or an inch and a half for comfort between your daughter's chest measurement and the dress. Then check which length corresponds with the chest size. If there is a large discrepancy then you would be advised to e-mail or telephone for advice. If not then you can compromise a little on the length if your daughter is slim by going down a size from what would be her normal clothes size. But you can't easily go up a size to get a good fit around the bodice because the waist would be in the wrong place.
If the discrepancy is small, then you could go for a ballerina length dress worn longer than it ought to be.
If the discrepancy is small, then you could go for a ballerina length dress worn longer than it ought to be.
