Fairy Meadow, Wollongong · about an hour from Bowral and Mittagong
Wedding Dresses for Southern Highlands Brides
Looking for wedding dress shops in Bowral, Mittagong or the Southern Highlands? Sposabella Bridal is a wedding dress shop in Fairy Meadow, Wollongong, about 55 minutes from Mittagong and an hour from Bowral. Brides from across the Highlands make the drive down the escarpment for designer gowns, a free one-hour appointment and free parking at the door.
In our booking records, brides enquire with us from Bowral, Moss Vale, Berrima, Mittagong, Bundanoon and other Highlands towns. Choosing your dress is worth a proper day out, and this is what the drive down to the coast gets you.
An hour that is yours
Appointments are free, last about an hour and are booked just for you. Our team is beside you from your first gown to your final choice.
Parking at the door
Free on-site parking at 7-9 Princes Highway, Fairy Meadow, so you can go straight from the car into your appointment.
Designers in one showroom
WONÁ Concept, Eva Lendel, Pronovias, Enzoani, Mori Lee, Aire Barcelona and Veni Infantino, plus a Curve collection.
Room for your people
You are welcome to bring up to 5 family and friends, bridesmaids included. Sharing the drive makes the day part of the memory.
Alterations done in-house
Every gown you buy from us is eligible for our in-house alterations, carried out by our own team at the showroom, so one team looks after your dress from first fitting to final fitting.
Designers
Try them on in one visit
Try wedding gowns from a range of designers in one visit. Browse the collections online first, so you know what to ask for when you arrive.
Look through the collections online, note the styles you like, and tell us when you book. That way your hour is spent trying on, not deciding where to start.
WONÁ Concept
A Ukrainian label with bold silhouettes and fine detail. Narice is a fitted lace halter gown.
We hear from brides across the Southern Highlands. Here is roughly how far each part of the Highlands is from our showroom.
Mittagong, Bowral and Burradoo
The closest of the big Highlands towns. Mittagong is about 55 minutes away, Bowral and Burradoo about an hour, usually down the Hume Motorway and Picton Road.
Berrima, Moss Vale and Robertson
Berrima is about 1 hour 5 and Moss Vale about 1 hour 10. Robertson is the nearest of all, under an hour away over Macquarie Pass.
Exeter, Bundanoon and further south
Exeter is about 1 hour 15 and Bundanoon about 1 hour 25. Brides from the southern end of the Highlands often leave early and make a day of it.
Goulburn
Goulburn is about 1 hour 50, mostly on the Hume Highway and Hume Motorway, then Picton Road. We have had enquiries from Goulburn brides too.
The drive
Two ways down to the coast
The Hume Motorway and Picton Road
From Mittagong, Bowral or Berrima, join the Hume Motorway north and leave at Picton Road (B88), which runs down the escarpment to Wollongong. Then follow the Princes Motorway south to Fairy Meadow.
The Illawarra Highway
From Moss Vale or Robertson, take the Illawarra Highway east over Macquarie Pass to the coast, then the Princes Motorway to Fairy Meadow. It is a scenic road with tight bends, so allow extra time, especially in the wet.
Check before you leave
Both roads descend the escarpment and can be slow in rain or fog. If you are worried about conditions on the day, call (02) 4283 6077 and we will talk it through.
Heading home
Most brides head back up the same way, so you can take whichever road you prefer. Plan a coffee stop at either end.
A sample day
How a day out can work
01
Head down the escarpment
Leave the Highlands in the morning for a late-morning appointment. We open at 10am Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
02
Your appointment
Park for free at the door and take your hour. Tell us your wedding date, the venue and any gowns you have saved. Our team will help you choose gowns to try from the designers above.
03
Lunch by the sea
Fairy Meadow Beach and Wollongong Harbour are a short drive from the showroom, and the Wollongong Botanic Garden is close by if you would like a walk to talk over your favourites.
04
Home in the afternoon
Head back up to the Highlands, or stay the night in Wollongong and turn it into a weekend away.
Making the trip work
Turn the drive into a good day
A Saturday morning
We are open 10am to 4pm on Saturdays. Book a morning time, take your hour, then have lunch before heading home.
After work on a Thursday
We are open until 7pm on Thursdays, so brides who work can come after work instead of giving up a weekend.
Bring the bridal party
Bridesmaids and mums are welcome. If you would like to look at bridesmaid dresses on the same trip, we have Mori Lee and Nicoletta. See bridesmaid dresses
Plan your fittings
Fittings happen at the showroom, so tell us at your appointment where you are travelling from and we will talk through fitting times that make the most of each trip.
Timing
A rough timeline for your dress
A general guide only. Timing depends on the designer and the gown, so we confirm it for the dress you choose.
Nine to twelve months out
Many brides start looking about nine to twelve months before the wedding. Book a first appointment and see which shapes you are drawn to.
Six to nine months out
A common time to choose a gown. Many wedding gowns are made to order, so ordering earlier leaves more time for fittings.
Three to six months out
Fittings begin once your gown has arrived. Group them into trips that suit the drive, and ask about Thursday evenings.
Closer to your date
Wedding less than six months away? Tell us when you book and we will talk through what is possible. Selected sale gowns are available at reduced prices, and sale gowns can be bought online.
Real brides
Brides in our gowns
A few of the brides who found their dress at Sposabella.
Approximate driving times without heavy traffic, from the towns brides tell us they are coming from. Which road is quicker depends on where you start, and we describe both above.
Robertson50 kmabout 49 min
Mittagong68 kmabout 55 min
Bowral73 kmabout 1 hour
Burradoo77 kmabout 1 hour
Berrima86 kmabout 1 hr 5
Moss Vale71 kmabout 1 hr 10
Exeter80 kmabout 1 hr 15
Bundanoon86 kmabout 1 hr 25
Goulburn151 kmabout 1 hr 50
Approximate driving times without heavy traffic, from each town to our showroom.
By car. Hume Motorway and Picton Road (B88) from Mittagong and Bowral, or the Illawarra Highway over Macquarie Pass from Moss Vale and Robertson. We are at 7-9 Princes Highway, Fairy Meadow, with free parking on site.
By train. There is no direct train, so most Highlands brides drive. Bringing your people in one car also makes the day easier.
Bring your people. Family and friends are welcome.
Appointments are free and need to be booked. A morning appointment leaves time for lunch by the sea before the drive home. Public holiday hours can differ, so call (02) 4283 6077 to check.
Your bridal party
Bridesmaids, mothers and the finishing touches
Bridesmaid dresses
Bridesmaid dresses from Mori Lee and Nicoletta for your whole bridal party. See bridesmaid dresses
Veils, tiaras, headpieces, earrings and accessories to finish your look. See veilsSee accessories
Questions
Questions from Southern Highlands brides
How far is the showroom from Bowral?
We are at 7-9 Princes Highway, Fairy Meadow, Wollongong. Without heavy traffic it is about 55 minutes from Mittagong (68 km), about an hour from Bowral and Burradoo, about 1 hour 5 from Berrima, about 1 hour 10 from Moss Vale and about 1 hour 25 from Bundanoon. From Robertson it is under an hour. You can get directions on Google Maps.
Are you a bridal shop in Bowral or Mittagong?
No. We are a wedding dress shop in Fairy Meadow, Wollongong, about an hour from Bowral and Mittagong. If you are looking for wedding dress shops in the Southern Highlands, we are the shop that Highlands brides drive to for a free, private appointment, designer gowns from several labels in one place and free parking at the door.
Why drive down to Wollongong for a wedding dress?
Because of what the trip gets you: an hour booked just for you, designer gowns from WONÁ Concept, Eva Lendel, Pronovias, Enzoani, Mori Lee, Aire Barcelona and Veni Infantino plus a Curve collection, free parking at the door and in-house alterations by the team who sold you the gown. It also turns choosing your dress into a day out by the coast.
Which way should I drive from the Highlands?
There are two main ways down the escarpment. From Mittagong and Bowral, most brides take the Hume Motorway and then Picton Road (B88) to the Princes Motorway. From Moss Vale, Robertson and Bundanoon, the Illawarra Highway over Macquarie Pass is the usual way. Either way, we are on the Princes Highway at Fairy Meadow, with free parking on site. For live road conditions, check Live Traffic NSW, and you can get directions on Google Maps.
Is Macquarie Pass safe to drive?
It is a normal public road, and many locals drive it every day. It has tight bends and can be slower in rain or fog, so leave a little extra time and check conditions before you set off. If you would rather avoid it, Picton Road is the other main way down to the coast.
Can I get to you by train?
There is no direct train from the Highlands to Wollongong. Trains run from Moss Vale, Bowral and Mittagong towards Sydney, and the South Coast line runs from Sydney through Wollongong, with Fairy Meadow station on it, so the trip would involve changes. Most Highlands brides drive, and parking at the showroom is free. For timetables, see Transport for NSW.
Is the appointment really free?
Yes. Appointments are free, last about an hour and need to be booked. You can request a time on our booking page or call us on (02) 4283 6077.
What are your opening hours, and when should I book?
We are open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10am to 5pm, Thursday 10am to 7pm and Saturday 10am to 4pm. We are closed on Tuesday and Sunday. A morning start leaves time for lunch by the coast before the drive home, and Thursday until 7pm suits brides who work. Hours can differ on public holidays, so call to check.
How long does an appointment take, and what should I bring?
Plan on about an hour. Bring any photos or ideas you have saved, and tell us your wedding date and venue. Many brides wear or bring a nude strapless bra and shoes with a heel height close to what they plan to wear on the day. It helps you see how a gown will sit.
Can I bring my bridesmaids and family?
Yes, you are welcome to bring up to 5 family and friends with you, bridesmaids included. Parking is free on site, so everyone can arrive together.
Yes. We have a dedicated Curve collection of wedding gowns, tried on in a relaxed, private appointment. Ask for it when you book and our team will have gowns ready for you.
Can I try gowns from more than one designer in the same appointment?
Yes. All of the designers above are in the one showroom, so you can try gowns from several labels in your hour. Tell us who you would like to see and what you are drawn to, and our team will help you choose the rest, so you are comparing shapes and fabrics side by side before the drive home.
Can I make it a day trip?
Yes. Most Highlands brides do. A morning appointment leaves time for lunch by the sea before the drive home, and you will be back in the Highlands in the afternoon.
How do alterations and fittings work if I live in the Highlands?
Every gown you buy from us is eligible for our in-house alterations, carried out by our own team at the showroom. Fittings are at the showroom, so tell us your wedding date at your appointment and we will talk through how many fittings to plan and how to group them into trips.
How early should I start looking?
As soon as you have a date and a venue is a good time. Many wedding gowns are made to order, so the earlier you choose, the more time there is for ordering and fittings. At your appointment we will talk through what is realistic for your wedding date.
What if I do not know what style I want?
That is fine. Bring photos of anything you like, tell us what you do not like, and our team will help you choose shapes to try. Trying a few different silhouettes in one hour is the quickest way to find what suits you.
Do I need to know my budget before I make the trip?
It helps, but you do not need to settle on a number first. Tell us roughly what you have in mind when you book, and we will show you gowns to match. You can also look at our sale gowns page, which shows reduced prices online, before you leave home.
What happens after I choose a gown?
We talk you through the next steps for your gown and your wedding date, including ordering and fittings. Every gown you buy from us is eligible for our in-house alterations, so the same team looks after your dress until you collect it.
Do you have sale gowns, and can I buy online?
Yes. We have selected wedding gowns at reduced prices, and the prices are shown on our sale gowns page. Sale gowns can be bought online. Stock changes, so call (02) 4283 6077 or book an appointment to see what is available.
Do you have bridesmaid dresses and outfits for the mothers?
Macquarie Pass and Picton Road both descend the escarpment and can be slower in rain or fog. Leave a little extra time and check conditions before you set off. If you are worried about the drive, call (02) 4283 6077 and we will talk it through, or help you move your appointment. For live road conditions, check Live Traffic NSW.
Is there parking, and how do I book?
There is free on-site parking at the showroom. To book, request a time on our booking page or call (02) 4283 6077. Tell us you are coming from the Highlands, so we can help you choose a time that suits the drive.
Book Your Free Appointment
A free one-hour appointment with free parking at the door. Book a time that suits the drive, and bring family and friends.