Tips & Information

Where do you begin -- tips on shopping for your wedding dress:

 

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  • SHOP EARLY. Think ahead and shop well in advance.
    • Most designers require four to six months, but remember to add in shopping time and time for alternations -- so you should be shopping at least nine months in advance. Shopping early will give you the most choice.
    • Remember that independent bridal salons can offer a wide range of choices and can help you customize your dress to your dream dress.

 

  • APPOINTMENTS. Most bridal salons prefer to have brides make appointment, and some require it.
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      • Contact the store and consider playing hooky from work during the week. Weekdays provide the most time and availability.  Weekends are usually very busy and crowded
      • If you need to cancel or reschedule the appointment please contact the store as soon as you know so the store can schedule another bride

 

  • NO COMMITTEES PLEASE.   Be selective with who you bring with you!
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      • Bring one or two trusted people with you.  Selection by Committee can often lead to confusion and hurt feelings.  Remember this is YOUR decision, and you need to be able to listen to your own instincts about what dress makes you feel great. Its easier to hear what your heart says if you don’t have a crowd with you.

 

  • STICK TO YOUR PRICE RANGE. Decide on your budget before you go anywhere near a bridal store
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      • Communicate to the Bridal Consultant what your budget is and resist temptation to try on more expensive samples just for fun. Falling in love with a dress that’s out of your price range will either break your budget or break your heart.

 

  • GET A BABYSITTER. Unfortunately a bridal salon is no fun for the kids.  There is nothing for them to play with and often has pins from alternations that only children can find. 
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      • Shopping for a flower girl or junior bridesmaid dress schedule a special outing so they can feel like a princess for the day!

 

  • DESIGNER NAMES. What is in a name? 

·          Don’t be too dazzled by a big designer name. You can expect top quality from a top designer, but judge the gown, not the label. Your mission is to find the gown that will take the Groom’s breath away and make you feel beautiful.

 

  • PROPER ATTIRE. What should I wear to my appointment?
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      • Be prepared with proper undergarments as most bridal salons staff will be assisting you in and out of gowns so be considerate. Wear small button or stud earrings. Leave food and drinks outside the store.

 

  • SHOES. Should I wear heels to try on dresses?
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      • Wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off.
      • You will usually be standing on a platform or stool as wedding gowns are cut long. Dresses are cut for a 5’9” person. 
      • If you are having a fitting/alternations you will need the shoes that you plan to wear.  Think beautiful but comfortable.  ACHING FEET CAN RUIN YOUR SMILE!!

 

  • BE REALISTIC ABOUT SIZE. It’s just a number on a tag!
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      • Every bride and/or wedding attendant wants to lose some weight – GREAT go ahead.  We recommend that you order the size you are at the time of ordering.  Gowns can be taken in but it is much more difficult (and usually expensive) to let out gowns.  Plus its good for your ego to tell people ‘they had to take in my dress!’

 

  • BRIDAL STORE STAFF. Our staff will be with you every step of the way.  We will select the dresses based on what you describe, help dress you and help you accessorize with veiling and jewelry.  We will make you feel like a princess for the day!  ENJOY THE ATTENTION!!

 

  • COMPARING. Different salons have different sample selection
    • If you find yourself comparing dresses from different salons, make sure you have a clear understanding of what services will or won’t be included in your purchase price. Consider all related costs so you’re comparing true totals. A price that looks higher might in fact be very competitive by the time you add up all related costs.

 

  • COMMITMENT / FINAL SALE.  When is the dress my dress?
    • Be sure you understand that when you order your wedding dress it is a final sale (bridesmaid dresses too). The designers that we carry make the dress when the order is made.  So it is different then buying a mass-market T- shirt that you can return if you change your mind. So make sure you are sure, but don’t let it scare you.

 

  • GUARANTEES AND SERVICE.  Is this an original? 

o        Be aware that many designers will only guarantee their gowns if they are purchased through an authorized full-service bridal store. There are too many fakes / “knock off gowns” being produced and circulated thru the Internet for them to take any other approach. A number of manufactures have actually filed lawsuits for copy right infringements….so please beware.

 

·          ALTERATIONS. What size should I order?

o        Wedding and formal dresses are more closely fitted than ordinary garments. Dresses are made to standard sizes (which can vary from one designer to the next), so unless you’re having a couture dress designed especially for you (and paying couture prices!), expect the fit of your dress to be close but not exact when it arrives. It’s normal that your wedding dress will need to be altered to achieve the perfect fit for your unique contours. (Bridesmaid Dresses, too).

NOTE: Most salon bridal staff will measure you and ordering

will be based on the largest part of your body and compared to the size charts supplied by the manufactures themselves for both wedding gowns and bridesmaids. As like stylish Jeans, Bridal and Bridesmaids gown sizes vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so don’t be shocked should the bridal store consultant suggests a size or two larger. 

o       Allow for alterations in both your budgeting and your time planning. Some bridal stores handle alterations in-store: others will refer you to independent services. Altering a bridal gown is skilled and delicate work, and the SEAMSTRESS IS ONE OF YOUR MOST IMPORTANT PARTNERS. Note that it’s the complexity of the alterations that will determine the price, not the amount that a seam has to be taken in.

o        Question the bridal consultant about their alternations staff and experience. Who and where the gowns are being altered and weigh the risks of having your wedding gown alternation work performed outside of the responsibility of the storeowners. 

o       Be aware that many manufacturers charge for extra sizes in certain styles. Be sure to ask about that so you know all costs to expect.

 

ENJOY YOUR CHOICE: Once you’ve decided which dress is THE ONE, stop looking at other dresses and don’t try to second-guess yourself! Have faith in your own judgment, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from having one of your most special decisions looked after.

 

Smile you look Gorgeous!!!!