where to buy? (bicoastal planning)

ajopus

Hi everyone, I'm getting married in San Diego in August 2010, but I'll be living in Washington DC until May 2010. I originally found the dress at a store in CT, where my parents live. Where should I order this dress?? I'm not sure how often fittings happen and such, so I'm not sure if I should just order the dress where I found it in CT and go back there for fittings and then take it to Cali with me... OR if I should try to find it in the DC area and take it out to Cali with me.. OR if I should order it in Cali (although this makes the least sense to me). The other complication is that I will be in Santa Barbara for the 3 months immediately proceeding the wedding. How would you suggest managing any final fittings (which I assume do happen during those last 3 months)? THANK YOU!!

BostonLady

I live in Boston, but am getting married in Philly - so not as far apart as DC and SanDiego, but still a hike.  At first I thought about shopping and buying my dress in Philly but as it turns out I am SOOO happy I bought my dress in Boston.  Alterations on my dress have turned out to be really complicated and I would NEVER had been able to travel down to Philly enough times to get things sorted out.  You can always get some of your alterations done in DC and then have the final fitting(s) in San Diego - just take advantage of the DC and SD boards to make sure you find people who are really good at alterations to make this work out!  Also, don't worry about getting your dress across country.  IF you go with a store that has multiple locations (I am using Priscilla of Boston, although maybe other chains like David's does this too) they should be able to ship the dress store-to-store for you.  When mine is ready they are shipping it to Philly, and having it steamed there.  Even if you go with an independent place, you should be able to bring your dress to a shop in San Diego when you get there to get it steamed if it wrinkles at all going from DC.  Good luck!!!  (by the way, what dress are you thinking about buying???!)

Vikki2pay

Where ever you get your dress from, just make sure you have it when you move so you can have your fittings locally.  If you found your dress in CT I see no reason not to purchase it there, just make sure you either bring it home with you so if it has to be altered it can be done locally.Since usually alterations are done about 1 month before the wedding going from San Diego to CT for a fitting might be kind tough.

elishabelle

Santa Barbara sounds like it would make the most sense to me. I am actually in a semi similar situation I live in N. Virginia, but we're getting married in Santa Rosa. I am going to be buying and having all my fittings in the Bay Area of CA, because we visit there often (family). Good luck! I am originally from Santa Maria, CA and Mary Linn's and Anna Maria's are two SB shops that have been recommended to me. I plan to shop there in two weeks while I am visiting my parents in SM. I've also heard that Camarillo has some good shops.

[Deleted User]

I would do the fittings in Santa Barbara. I am also a long distance bride. I live in London and am getting married "at home" outside Philadelphia. I bought my dress in Philadelphia and it is hanging in my old room at my parents house. I will do one fitting in Dec and then the last one the week of the wedding in May.

jenmcg

I live in DC, wedding is in NC, I bought the dress here in DC and am having all fittings done locally by Angie in Fairfax.  I think the question is whether you think you'll lose/gain in the last 3 mths before the wedding, since if you could need more last minute alterations.  Personally I think it's way easier to get it done where you're living than to have to schedule trips to do the alterations, and I think the standard is 3 fittings. Keep in mind the amount of time to get the dress, I ordered mine in mid-July and it'll be in sometime between November and January.