Bridal Gown Shopping

What specifics should I tell my bridal consultant to help them find the right wedding gown for me?

The more information that you can give to your bridal consultant when you are starting to select your gown the better. It would be very helpful to show her clippings of designs that you're liking, to give her an indication of your budget and also to tell her if you have any style or fabric preferences.

Which is more important-a bridal shop's selection or service?

The most important thing about bridal shopping is both how you are treated and the selection that they show you. It can be a very stressful process choosing a bridal gown. If your consultant is sympathetic to you and helpful and listens, you will find the whole process much easier.

Why should I visit expensive bridal shops?

It is a good idea to look at some expensive gowns as well at some cheaper gowns just to really see what you like the most. But it is not a good idea to go and try on a lot of gowns if they are completely out of your price range, because this can be very frustrating for you if you fall in love with a gown that you then can not afford.

When are the best days to visit bridal gown salons?

The best day to visit a bridal salon is if you can possibly manage to take time off from your job during the week and visit on a weekday. You are much more likely to have the salon to yourself and be able to take your time and for the consultant helping you to be able to concentrate just on you and give you full good quality service.

Should I call ahead when going to visit a bridal gown salon?

It is very important that you call ahead before going to visit a bridal salon, because this ensures that you have fitting room space allocated to you and a bridal consultant to help you. It is extremely difficult to choose a bridal gown just by yourself. You need expert help.

What are wedding gown 'try-on' fees?

Wedding gown 'try-on' fees are something that may be charged typically by a higher-end salon. It is to try and discourage you from just playing and trying on dresses when you're not really serious about buying them. Also, a 'try-on' fee might be charged if you have purchased a bridal gown somewhere else and you're wanting to come and choose accessories with another store. They are charging you to compensate them for the time and the fitting room space that you are taking up with your gown.

Why is it important that a bridal salon be an authorized dealer for the gown I want?

It is imperative that a bridal salon be an authorized dealer for the gown of your choice. If they are not an authorized dealer, it often means that they may be trans-shipping gowns, or that they may be making a counterfeit gown, which is unlikely to be as beautiful as the sample gown you have seen.

What is a 'closed stock' bridal salon?

A "Closed Stock" bridal salon is a bridal salon that, sometimes, they call "sales from the back." This means they will ask you questions about the styles of gowns that you are liking and they will bring gowns forward for you to look at and try on. It does not give you access to every gown that that particular store will carry. With a "closed stock" bridal salon, you are relying on the bridal consultant's interpretation of what you are looking for in a bridal gown and she may not fully understand or have what you are wanting.

Should I take notes when shopping for my wedding gown?

It is a good idea to take notes when you are shopping for your wedding gown, but overall if it's a good salon, they will do all that work for you. They will keep the information sheet with your information, your personal information, and they will write on that sheet any bridal gowns that you are interested in. The best advice for you to take on that day, after you've tried on all your gowns, is if one or two gowns keep popping back into your head, those are the gowns that you should try on again.

Will bridal salons let me take pictures of a wedding gown I like?

It is most unlikely that bridal salons will allow you to take pictures of the gowns you like, until the point where you have purchased the gown. And there are many reasons for doing this. Typically, it is to make it a little harder for you to identify the gown and therefore shop around for pricing. And also there are very good reasons why you need to be cautious when looking at photographs of yourself taken in the gowns within the bridal salon. Typically you are not wearing the correct size and the gown will be clipped or held at the back and also it may not be the correct color and you will probably not be wearing the hair style and makeup that you will be wearing on your wedding day.