He put the ring on your finger. You picked a date and location. Now for the best part...time to find the perfect dress. Most brides, unless they have been really closely involved with someone else's wedding, don't have any idea of what's involved with ordering a dress, what a bridal appointment is like, and what the bride-to-be needs to know. Dealing with brides everyday, we answer some of the same questions over and over so we thought we'd share with you.
Q: When do I need to start looking for a dress?
A: Our recommendation is generally to be ready to order about 8 to 10 months before the wedding. This time frame allows time for the dress to come, alterations to be completed, and bridal portraits to be taken without any worry about getting it all done in a timely manner. Most bridal gowns are special ordered which means they take some time to be produced, shipped and arrive in the salon. Most of our designers take about 4 to 6 months to produce a dress. Some dresses can come in shorter time frames, but it depends on the designer and the dress.
Q: Are appointments required?
A: Yes. Those who book appointments are guaranteed to have a consultant to help, answer questions and offer advice. If you walk in, we may not be able to accomodate you depending on how busy our schedule is. Our salon requires a consultant for all bridal appointments so an appointment is the best way to go. During the week we can generally take appointments booked within a few hours of the appointment time, but during the weekend, it is best to book as far out as possible because that is our busiest time.
Q: What do I need to bring to the appointment? What do I wear?
A: We recommend wearing something you can slip on and off easily. You'll probably have multiple appointments in one day, and a complicated outfit will get tiresome very quickly. Be sure the undergarments you wear are something you are comfortable with someone else seeing you in. At our salon we do not allow you to try dresses on without a consultant's help. The consultant prefers to be in the dressing room with you because some of the dresses require a little help to get in. We have seen just about every shape and size in just about every style of bra and panty so just make sure you are comfortable with what you're wearing. We have strapless bras that you are welcome to wear, and we have a pedastal for you to stand on to give you a better idea of what the hem will look like. Heels are generally not recommended to wear while you're trying on dresses because you can easily trip in a dress that's too long or rip a gown.
Q: Can I take picutres?
A: We love pictures at our store! A camera is always a good idea so you can remember your favorite dresses. Honestly, after hours and dozens of dresses, they will all start to look the same. However, be sure to ask on a salon-by-salon basis about taking photographs because some do not allow pictures.
Q: How long will my appointment last?
A: Our appointments are typically about an hour and a half. During that time you can try on a good number of dresses without getting overwhelemed or worn out. Sometimes we can accomodate longer appointments, but other times we have to be very strict about our time limits because of the number of booked appointments. Always show up on-time or just a few minutes early to make sure you have as much time as possible!
Q: Who should I bring with me?
A: The answer to this depends on you. Here are our suggestions based on the experiences we've had with brides and their entourages. First, bring people whose opinions you trust. You don't want to bring your kiss-up cousin who says you look great in everything nor do you want to bring your jealous sister-in-law who thinks you look awful in everything. Second, bring people who will let your voice be heard. You want honest opinions, but you also want people who can appreciate that this is ultimately your day and your decision. Sometimes a bride's likes, dislikes, wants and dreams get trampelled on by everyone else's likes, dislikes, wants and dreams. Third, keep your guest list to a minimum. The more people you bring, the more likely you are to get overwhelemed and stop focusing on what you really want. Also remember that you may not be the only one trying on in the salon at that time. Salons have limited area for trying on dresses, and if your guests take up all the space, another bride's family gets pushed out of the way.
Q: Are children allowed/welcomed during bridal appointments?
A: Stores like ours are not designed for children's safety and entertainment. Most children get very bored (and usually michevious because of their boredom) during bridal appointments. This is one of the most important decisions you will make during your wedding planning process, and we would like you, and any other people in the store, to be able to focus on that task.
Q: Can I bring champagne?
A: Yes! This is a celebration, and we encourage you to celebrate. We do ask that you bring your own glasses that cannot be toppled easily. (Champage flutes can easily be knocked over, but cups with a wide base are a little more stable.) We also ask that if you do spill or make a mess, that you make a member of our staff aware of it immediately.
Q: Is my appointment limited to just looking at bridal gowns?
A: You are welcome to look at everything in our store during your appointent. However, we have found that a seperate appointment for bridesmaid dresses, mother's dresses and flower girl dresses is a good idea. By the time you are finished trying on dresses, you will probably be mentally and physically wiped. Besides, picking out your dress is a special day! You can always come back to look at what else we have to offer.
Q: What size are the gowns I'll be trying on?
A: The designers' sizing is a little different that what you are used to seeing at your favorite stores, but when they are translated to what we call "street sizes," most of them are between a 6 and 10. We do have samples that are both bigger and smaller than these sizes. We are experts at making dresses that are a little too small or a little too big look more like they should. If you have concerns about the sizes of our samples, please let the consultant know when you book your appointment.
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