Suggestions on where to shop for a wedding gown?

knottie8796556f9ed8657d

I am starting my search for my wedding gown. What has been everyone's experience online versus instore? The whole at home try on sounds kinda fun and then my grandma can be there too.
Looking for help.

MobKaz

knottie8796556f9ed8657d said:

I am starting my search for my wedding gown. What has been everyone's experience online versus instore? The whole at home try on sounds kinda fun and then my grandma can be there too.
Looking for help.

You have to be very careful when shopping via online websites.  Unless it is a reliable store, such as BHLDN/Anthropology or Nordstrom, you could find yourself with a returns nightmare.  The other downside to trying dresses on at home is you won’t have someone with you that is trained in how to “adjust” the dress on you to give you a better idea of how it would look when fitted to you. 

If you want your grandma to participate in the experience but it is hard for her to be there physically with you, you can always face time her when shopping. 

MesmrEwe

MobKaz is correct - When it comes to shopping online, you have an incredibly limited and very specific rules return policies to deal with.  Consider you pay for return shipping (can't take it to a store) which can add up to nearly the cost of the dress(es) involved in some cases because they're not domestic sellers, and even if they are, even small boxes can get pricey!  Even companies like Nordstroms, Eloquii, etc. that offer a wedding gown line have very specific rules and TINY return windows!  You should also know this policy differs from the rest of the items they sell because of how many people out there will buy a formal dress, wear it for the pictures/wedding/event, then return it the next day used..  People also have pets, dust, lint, etc. that can get all over even by accident rendering the dress harder/impossible to resell.  The next issue is a dress that is shipped to you is NOT going to be steamed out.  This can cost $$$ for a local shop or dry cleaner to do because it is time consuming.  Yes, you can do this yourself with a good steamer, but know dresses can lay entirely different along with in general looking considerably different once steamed out properly (The "fluffiness" can entirely transform when underskirts are steamed!!). 

Online is however great if you're someone who knows exactly what they want, from where, or has a fitting challenge (Some companies you can send your vanity measurements (i.e. your measurements plus the "give" for normal movement) into and they'll make the dress to size so your alterations bill can in fact be reduced.  For myself, the $20-40 add-on fee is worth every penny when I've had to order formalwear online.  However, I also accept that I'm pretty much "stuck" with whatever the maker ships if it's slightly off in size or a design difference (in one case they didn't continue the pattern to the back side of the dress so the front was all pleated/gathered and nothing in the back..  Then comes potential fitting needs and finding a seamstress willing to work on a dress purchased online.  

The benefits of in-person shopping - you're supporting your community and a storefront business.  With David's going out of business in most areas, there is a gap in the formalwear In this area we have everything from formalwear consignment shops to high end and everything in-between.  Going in-store you can try on "no risk" multiple different styles and make sure you're properly measured when placing an order for a dress.  

knottie8796556f9ed8657d

Thank you for the help.