Where to buy my dress?

mforrestall

Hi everyone! I posted this in my local board as well, but as there is much less traffic over there I wanted to post here as well. I realize this is an international board and so I don't think any of you will have the answer to part b, but I'm hoping to get some opinions on part a! Thanks. My fiancee and I are planning an October 2014 wedding, so I need to get on this dress business ASAP. I currently live in the Burlington, VT area, but we are actually planning on getting married in Concord, NH (where Im from, about 2.5 hours apart by car). I guess I have two questions: a) should I be looking at buying a dress here at home (VT) or closer to where we will get married? Initially I was thinking it makes more sense to buy here so that I can deal with alterations and all that a little bit easier. b) Can any of you recommend a place to go? I've asked friends and they seem to all have gone to David's Bridal in S. Burlington. I've heard some terrible things about that store so I'm hesitant. Other than David's, are there any places I should definitely plan to go to? I'm so new to all of this, so I really appreciate any advice from those of you who have "been there" already. Thanks!

QueerFemme

I have no advice for salons, but absolutely, buy your dress closer to home. You may end up with 1-3 fittings. You'll want to do that closer to where you live.

Sugargirl1019

Google "burlington bridal boutiques" and see what's around. I personally favor boutiques over David's bridal.

kjvaracalli

I did all my planning 5hrs from where I currently live including buying a dress, so everything was done not in my current home, but where we were/are getting married.  While there were 2 fittings for my dress, I coordinated other wedding-related stuff (vendor visits, bridal shower, hair/makeup trials etc), in with the dress fittings to maximize the weekends.  This may or may not be possible for you but it's doable.   Another point to contemplate:  if you buy a dress where you live, you will have to transport your dress to the place where you will be married.  Not sure if you want to deal with all that?  Just my two cents though. 

I can't offer any advice on bridal shops but maybe pickup a bridal magazine (knot!) and see if they list local shops/boutiques.  

Good luck! 

hyechica81

ok i can help you as i live on the east coast and in the new england area and i did some extensive research to find places to look for gowns

marryandtuxbridal.com mary and tux bridal 100 daniel webster highway nashua nh 03060
they have tons  regular sizes but they also have an extensive selection of plus size samples i am not sure if you are needed regular or plus

Country Bridals and Formal Wear.
17 Main Street, Jaffrey, NH 03452. they also have regular and plus samples

fiori bridal located in essex junction vt 

sewly yours gowns by amy kuschel

2 Church Street  

Burlington,   Vermont     05401

.needlemansbridal.com needlemans bridal and formals 

85 north main street st albans vt

100 main street newport vt

south burlington 10 dorset street 

A Day To Remember 1 North Main Street in Concord, New Hampshire.

these are just a few places to check out i live in connecticut and i was able to find something local but i was ready to take a drive to nh

if you find you dress in nh and you dont want to drive back and forth for alterations you can pick up your gown when it comes in and find someone local in vt who can do the alterations

doeydo

Do you have any designers in mind?  For example, I like Maggie Sottero so I looked at their website so I looked at their store locator to find salons near me.

mforrestall

Thanks everyone!  Looks like I was on track in my thinking.  kjvaracalli if I do end up buying in NH, I will definitely coordinate to maximize the weekend time!  

At this point i don't really have anything in mind.  I've looked at lots of pictures, but nothing is really standing out to me either way.  I think I really need to just put some dresses on!

Thanks for the list hyechica81!  I will not use marry and tux or a day to remember due to horrible personal experiences in both stores (marry and tux as a bridesmaid and day to remember when I was looking for prom dresses).  The other places you listed were all ones on my list, so I will plan to check them out.