Shopping for your PERFECT gown!

Engaged? CONGRATULATIONS! This is the most exciting time of your life and you want everything to be perfect and as stress-free as possible. We’re here to help you!

The first thing you will probably want to do is shop for your dream gown. Although most salons and boutiques will help you in every way they can, there are some things you should know before you step out the door.

1. It usually does not take a year or even six (6) months for your gown to arrive, even if it is special order (not custom, just special order). So don’t be intimidated by the sales consultant who exclaims “Oh, no! You’ve waited too long!” or something similar to that. Unless you want a gown worn by the Hollywood stars, you are probably in good shape. Most gowns require approximately four (4) months to be made.
2. Most stores will give discounts for multiple purchases. Make sure you ask for it! For example, if you have several bridesmaids, a flower girl, your mom and your future mother-in-law who will need gowns in addition to your bridal gown, the entire wedding party should qualify for a discount. Minimums differ per store, but make sure you ask.
3. Multiple tuxedo rentals for the same wedding party should also qualify for a discount although since men usually don’t have costly alterations associated with the rental, the discount may not be as much. Grooms are usually free with a minimum number of rentals. Again, ask your consultant.
4. Stay away from chain store-like bridal stores. This is the biggest and most important purchase of your life! The sales consultants are generally inexperienced and although prices may seem low, you may not receive what you expect. Ever heard the saying “You get what you pay for”? This most definitely applies here!
5. Most definitely, STAY AWAY FROM THE INTERNET-ONLY RETAILERS! Again, YOU GET WHAT YO PAY FOR! Although some brick & mortar stores (myself included) may occasionally sell discontinued gowns on the internet, we will not sell current gowns at deeply discounted prices and the internet is not the main source of our selling. Typically, people who sell current gowns at deep discounts generally are:

• NOT approved retailers of the gowns they sell
• do NOT have a brick and mortar retail store where you can preview the quality of any gowns that they sell (and so make a judgment as to whether or not they are a legitimate business you would like to make a purchase from)
• are receiving the gowns through a third party (this is called trans-shipping and is not allowed by most manufacturers)
• require you to pay in full before they order the gown
• since they are not approved retailers, you have no recourse if the gown is incorrect, damaged, poor quality, etc. In some instances, you may not even receive your gown!

Mistakes do happen that are out of the retailer's control (such as a problem at the manufacturer). An internet-only seller more often than not will not be responsive to these issues, but a genuine retailer will ALWAYS be able to work with the manufacturer if a gown arrives incorrect or damaged.

My advice to all brides is to work with a reliable brick and mortar retailer who stands behind the products they sell. You may pay a little more for your gown, but the rewards will be well worth the price!