When I was searching for my wedding dress, I learned about RK Bridal, Pearl's Place, and other discount sites here, so I wanted to return the favor and leave my feedback!
Having "THE dress" was very important to me, but the costs were hard to wrap my mind around! I'm typically a clearance rack shopper! I tried on "MY dress" in several area bridal shops before ordering, which I think is key! I definitely wouldn't order just based off a picture online! I contacted several places for pricing in addition to my local stores. I ended up ordering through RK bridal using their price match program. I printed their order from their website, and listed the price match information in the comments box. Additionally, I attached a screenshot from my dress designer's website showing the store I was price matching to as an authorized retailer. I e-mailed in my order and received a receipt back by e-mail. My receipt did not indicate the custom length I requested, so I called them back, and they sent me a new receipt to confirm that my custom length was ordered (side note, Casablanca dresses come with a free custom length, another big money saver!!!).
I was responsible for selecting my own size which I went back and forth on. In my area, the stores don't measure you unless you are placing an order there at the time of measurement, so I visited a local tailor who did it for free as well as measured myself multiple times to check. It would have been nice to have someone to help me more on picking the perfect size, but at the same time I feel like many stores try to order you a bigger size in order to make money on the alterations, so I wouldn't have entirely trusted them either! I'd recommend consulting your alterations person if you can. They would not allow me to order the dress with custom measurements because RK didn't want to be responsible for the sizing. My bust to waist ratio doesn't match up to the size chart, so that's really the only way I could have gotten away with no alterations I think! I'm still coming out ahead even with the alterations cost.
My dress was projected to arrive at their store in New York on September 22nd and then be shipped to me. I had it in in my hands on September 2nd after ordering on June 17th!!! Local retailers were saying that I might have to pay a rush free, and now I have my dress in plenty of time!! The dress arrived via UPS with a required signature. It was wrapped in a plastic dry cleaning type bag and folded into a cardboard box. A garment bag and hanger were also included with the shipment. The dress will need a little steaming, but wasn't a wrinkled mess or anything. Remember the dress has to be shipped to your local store too!
The only negative from ordering from them was that trying it on at my house squeezing in by my mirror wasn't as special as trying it on when it arrived a bridal shop with the big mirrors and atmosphere. Would that experience have been nice? yes. Does saving hundreds of dollars make up for it? ABSOLUTELY!!
Even if you prefer to order from a local store, I will say I definitely recommend price shopping the boutiques in your area. Two stores I visited were $325 more than I paid, but one local shop wanted $500 more! Additionally I didn't have to pay shipping or tax which adds up on a big purchase!
I ordered my bridesmaid dresses from Pearl's Place (saved about 40%) and will update after those are received on that purchase!
Hope this helps someone else who is hesitating what to do!