Choosing a Bridal Shop
From LoveToKnow Weddings
Choosing a bridal shop can be a fun and exciting experience for brides-to-be. Read on for tips on how to find the best shop for you.
Choosing a Bridal Shop-Where to Begin?
When it comes to shopping for a wedding or bridal party gown, it's important to choose the right shop. Some bridal shops are large, some small, some offering a wide selection, some offering primarily made-to-order gowns. So where to begin when choosing a bridal shop?
Pre-Shopping
Before choosing a bridal shop, you might want to do a bit of pre-shopping. Browse the Internet] and look through magazines and books. Try to get an idea of styles that might fit your tastes and the style of your wedding. Doing so will help you to narrow down dress selection and help you not to be overwhelmed when you do go to bridal stores.
Location
Once you've done a bit of dress style pre-shopping, you'll want to find out what bridal shops are available in your area. Locating shops close to your area is preferable to save drive time -- the phone book or Internet Yellow Pages are good placess to start. Asking friends, relatives, colleagues, and even acquaintances for suggestions on choosing a local bridal shop is a good idea -- you'll get honest feedback on what they did and didn't like about a shop.
Sales Staff
Once you've established what bridal shops are in your area, you may want to consider calling and asking a few questions. Not only will you get valuable information about the shop, but the phone conversation may be a good indication of what the sales staff is like in person. Are they eager to help you and answer your questions? Courteous and friendly? Choosing a bridal shop with rude, pushy salespeople will most likely result in a miserable shopping experience. Since this is one of the most memorable expereinces of your life, don't hesitate to patronize a store with better service.
Price Range and Inventory
One of the first questions you may want to ask a bridal shop is the average price of their dresses. The price range should be affordable for your budget. At the same time, however, the inventory should be extensive enough to allow you plenty of options in styles and sizing. You may also want to ask:
- If alterations are included in the price
- Any guarantees on the dresses
- If they carry specific designers or styles you are looking for
- Whether or not accessories, such as veils, are available at the shop
- Store hours
Most brides visit at least a couple of different bridal shops before they decide on their dress. Remember, just because you set foot in a bridal store doesn't mean you have to give them your business. If you're not sure about a certain dress, you can always visit other stores and go back if you decide it's 'the one' for you.
The Bridal Shop Itself
Another important factor to consider in choosing a bridal shop is the shop itself. A good bridal shop should be clean, well-organized, have good lighting, and have plenty of mirrors so you can see yourself from all angles. A bridal shop should also have ample enough space for you to walk around and test different movements in your dress. After all, you'll be dancing, hugging, standing, sitting, and more on you wedding day.
Deal or Devestation?: Choosing a Bridal Shop That's Going Out of Business
While some brides have found rock-bottom deals from bridal shops going out of business, others have horror stories of shops going out of business - taking their perfect dress, and sometimes even a portion or all of their money. For this reason, it is advisable to be cautious of bridal shops that may be going out of business. A good idea when dealing with any bridal shop is to pay for your dress via credit card rather than cash or layaway, so you can file a dispute claim if necessary. If a shop is going out of business, it may be a red flag.
Asking About Policies
With any bridal store, it's a good idea to ask what types of policies the shop has in place in regards to such things as fires, bankruptcy, and other potential factors that would force the store to shut down. Checking with the Better Business Bureau is also a good idea. If other brides have been burned by the shop in the past, most likely they'll be complaints lodged against them with the BBB.
Many brides take along a close female friend or family member when trying on dresses. She can provide emotional support, honest feedback about the dresses you try on, and if she's in your wedding party, you have the added bonus of having her there to try on a bridesmaid's dress once you find a style you like for the bridal party. Bridal shopping, like the rest of your wedding planning, should be fun and memorable. Choosing the right bridal shop can help pave the way for your perfect day!
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