One of the first things a bride must choose is a wedding dress…store. Wedding dress shopping is different than regular dress shopping. First of all, most wedding dress stores are specialty stores selling only formal wear, although many department stores and places like J. Crew do have bridal departments. Unlike dress shops, bridal stores often show samples, and they are not ready-to-wear. So don’t expect to find the dress you like, in the color and size you like, in stock. It will usually have to be ordered, and that can take up to 4-6 months. Therefore, you are trying on for style and look rather than fit. Find a place that has a variety of styles and brands to choose from. Then there is the price. This is a major purchase – wedding dresses can cost up to $4,000, with an average price of $1000 – so you want to buy from someone you can trust. (No wonder they are called gowns instead of dresses!) Finally, trying on wedding dresses can be a strenuous process – some of these things weigh up to 50 lbs -- so you need time and a place that is comfortable to try them on. For a preview of an ideal wedding dress shopping experience, I highly recommend watching a few episodes of Say Yes to the Dress. This reality series, which airs on TLC, (with back episodes on Amazon), shows real brides and an entourage of family and friends, as they seek to find the perfect wedding dress. For a more Southern style, watch the Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta version. The show’s website features a lot of videos from the show, as well a ton of helpful advice about choosing a dress.
What are some other factors in choosing a wedding dress store?
Since your dress will most likely need to be altered after it arrives, choose a store where the seamstresses or fitters, rather than the salespeople, get good reviews.
The types of stores range from small, locally-owned salons, to thrift shops, to giant chain stores like David’s. Think about where you are most comfortable shopping in general – the mall, a local mom and pop, or online – and start there.
Think about the kind of atmosphere you are comfortable in. Some stores are true salons, with carpet and plush seating; some are more like warehouses. The warehouse might be cheaper. Do you mind crowds and cold floors if you are getting a good deal?
Don’t feel like you have to make a trip to the big city to visit marquee stores like Kleinfelds, Vera Wang, or Filene’s Basement. Many local stores can order the same gowns. On the other hand, if you are in the South, both Charlotte and Atlanta have an abundance of stores to visit, including some of the big names.
Don’t wait until you lose a few pounds to find a store and start trying on dresses. Even though you see it on the show all the time, you cannot wait until the month before! It takes time to get your gown in, and it may need to be altered not once, but several times, and that takes time, too. A talented seamstress can handle any changes in weight, or size, that may need to be made, later.
Wherever you shop, do call ahead to make an appointment, and allow a couple of hours at each store. Don’t try to hit several stores in one day. The same is true if you are shopping online. It takes time to click through hundreds of styles, figure out what size you need, and place your order, so don’t think it’s something you can get done on your lunch break.
More dress advice in a future column…
For more information:
You, too, can shop at the store featured on Say Yes to the Dress Atlanta. Bridals by Lori is located off I-285 in Atlanta. Phone: 404.252.8767. Web http://bridalsbylori.com. Appts are highly recommended. They are closed on Wednesdays.
Want to be on a Say Yes to the Dress Show??
http://bridalsbylori.com/syttd/atlanta/tv-show-application
What are some other factors in choosing a wedding dress store?
Since your dress will most likely need to be altered after it arrives, choose a store where the seamstresses or fitters, rather than the salespeople, get good reviews.
The types of stores range from small, locally-owned salons, to thrift shops, to giant chain stores like David’s. Think about where you are most comfortable shopping in general – the mall, a local mom and pop, or online – and start there.
Think about the kind of atmosphere you are comfortable in. Some stores are true salons, with carpet and plush seating; some are more like warehouses. The warehouse might be cheaper. Do you mind crowds and cold floors if you are getting a good deal?
Don’t feel like you have to make a trip to the big city to visit marquee stores like Kleinfelds, Vera Wang, or Filene’s Basement. Many local stores can order the same gowns. On the other hand, if you are in the South, both Charlotte and Atlanta have an abundance of stores to visit, including some of the big names.
Don’t wait until you lose a few pounds to find a store and start trying on dresses. Even though you see it on the show all the time, you cannot wait until the month before! It takes time to get your gown in, and it may need to be altered not once, but several times, and that takes time, too. A talented seamstress can handle any changes in weight, or size, that may need to be made, later.
Wherever you shop, do call ahead to make an appointment, and allow a couple of hours at each store. Don’t try to hit several stores in one day. The same is true if you are shopping online. It takes time to click through hundreds of styles, figure out what size you need, and place your order, so don’t think it’s something you can get done on your lunch break.
More dress advice in a future column…
For more information:
You, too, can shop at the store featured on Say Yes to the Dress Atlanta. Bridals by Lori is located off I-285 in Atlanta. Phone: 404.252.8767. Web http://bridalsbylori.com. Appts are highly recommended. They are closed on Wednesdays.
Want to be on a Say Yes to the Dress Show??
http://bridalsbylori.com/syttd/atlanta/tv-show-application
RSS Feed
