Wedding Shops and Salons

From LoveToKnow Weddings

With the wedding industry booming, there are more wedding shops and salons than ever. Choose one that gives you the most for your money, as well as has everything you need right in the salon.

Salesclerks can be a great help when choosing a dress.

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Customer Service at Wedding Shops and Salons

Unless you want an exclusive, custom dress, most wedding shops can offer you a large selection of designer wedding dresses in a wide price range. A large part of the difference between shops and salons is the customer service you receive. Because they are in charge of one of the most important aspects of your wedding day, you want to trust and respect the salon you buy from.

To find good customer service, ask newly married friends and relatives where they purchased their dresses. Local wedding message boards can also offer online reviews of customer service. Look for a local message board through regional newspapers or larger online communities. When you dress shop, consider the following when you evaluate the customer service:

Are you greeted at the door?
Is a representative assigned to you alone, or is she handling several clients at once?
Does the clerk give you time to adequately browse, or are you hurried into a dressing room?
Does the clerk offer you other dress suggestions based on the styles you chose?
Are you only shown dresses shown in the highest price range?
Are you pressured to buy that day?

The answer to the above questions can tell you if the wedding salon has good customer service. You want to find a bridal boutique that caters to your personal needs. If you have no idea what you want, getting a knowledgeable representative is imperative. On the other hand, if you have a clear idea and want to be left alone, you may be more comfortable in a salon that gives you more opportunity to browse independently.

Good customer service also includes a call when your dress arrives, along with scheduling several fittings to be sure you are comfortable with the fit of your dress. Giving you a clear receipt and outline of purchase policies is a must. A wedding salon that hesitates regarding any of their purchase or pricing policies is waving a red flag and should be avoided.

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Value and Affordability

Weddings can be expensive. Therefore, you want to be sure you are getting a good deal on your wedding dress. If you find a dress you love, wait until you can investigate further before purchasing. Check out the manufacturer’s website for a suggested retail price or price range. Call several other shops to see what their sticker price is. Dresses can vary several hundred dollars by salon.

However, if you plan on buying your other wedding accessories at the salon, you should take any discounts applied into consideration. Even if your dress is more expensive at one particular salon, getting a 10 to 20 percent discount on accessory purchases can more than make up any difference.

Most bridal shops and salons offer a discount for buying bridesmaid dresses after your wedding dress purchase. This can save you money if you are choosing to offer the dresses as a gift to your maids, or you can pass those savings onto your bridal party.

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Invitations, Menswear, and Other Necessities

For brides who are pressed for time, choosing a wedding shop that includes a number of services can help make the entire wedding planning process easier. Excellent customer service is important at these salons, as they will be handling a number of your wedding related purchases. Extra services to look for at these wedding salons include:

Invitation printing
Tuxedo renting
Limousine services
Wedding DJ, florist, photographer, and caterer referrals
Ceremony rentals (candelabras, arches, etc.)

Value plays a part in getting all of your services at one place. You could qualify for discounts on referred services. Be sure to mention the wedding shop when booking your wedding reception, DJ, or caterer if your salon recommended them.

To find the boutique that best fits your needs, visit several early on in your wedding planning process. Once it comes time to make your final purchase, the number of wedding shops and salons to visit has all ready been narrowed.

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