Found the dress!

huttonj

Hi all!

I ventured out yesterday to FINALLY try on dresses. I waited a little while, but couldn't wait any longer.
Just thought I'd share my experience.

I made my first appointment at the Bridal & Tuxedo Shoppe. Cute little shop, I had been at the Chesapeake City Bridal show last weekend and they were the ones who put on the fashion show so I decided to check them out first. I had pics of the style I wanted and the lady that helped me was great! Super nice and listened to all my opinions. She pulled dresses in the style I wanted and I tried on about 7 or so. She let me know the designers as I went, didn't ask me my budget until we were almost done which seemed a little off to me, but that was fine. All of the dresses were beautiful but I didn't get that "This is my dress, I NEED to have this dress" feeling. So she wrote down the top 3 I liked and I told her that I would have to go back through the pictures my mom took to see if any of them were "the one." I also didn't want to make a decision that day, knowing that I had another appointment later in the afternoon at Brides & Grooms. Overall a nice first wedding dress experience.

So I went to Brides & Grooms later in the afternoon. It wasn't too crowded at all, I had called a week ahead of time to come in though just in case. My mom ended up knowing one of the dress consultants which was great. Again, I showed her pics of the style I wanted and she began pulling them right away. She did ask me my budget right off. I told her I wanted to stay under a thousand. She found a gorgeous gown that was a little over and asked me first if I wanted to try it on, she said she didn't want me to try it unless I was comfortable with the price, which was nice.

She pulled 5 or 6 gowns. The first one I tried on I LOVED. It was actually a discontinued style so if I liked that one I would be getting the one I tried on. Wasn't crazy about that idea since I'm sure a lot of other people have tried it on. But if I loved it, I would definitely entertain the idea. I tried on the next few and loved them all. (And I began thinking how I was ever going to make a decision). Then I tried on "The One." She said it was brand new to the store, Private Label by G gown. I tried it on and I knew it was it! Exactly the style I wanted, a princess ball gown with beading detail on top, a pick up style bottom and long, but not too long train, with gorgeous beading work on that as well. It fit perfect (besides the length, I'm 5'2" so I knew no matter what dress I would get would need to be taken in). The price was a little over what I wanted to spend. The retail tag said $1,058. She talked to another lady and asked if I wanted this one, I could take this one home today if I wanted for $800 including alterations. (In the back of mind I was thinking of the reviews I read about their alterations... but, it was the one I wanted a great price.) So I bought it! I never expected to buy one that day, nonetheless take it home! (Well ultimately to my grandmother's house for safekeeping and to avoid peekers).

Great experience at Brides & Grooms. Not only did my consultant treat me like her own daughter, but all of the other consultants gave their opinions as well and were very helpful. I brought my 5 year old along with me and my mom, and they treated her great! Let her come in the dressing room with me to "help" (She loved helping with the veil and tiara). Attention spans on children are not very big, but they treated her just like they treated me, GREAT! 

I was tossing around the idea of a second shorter reception dress and she let me know I'll get 15% off that dress, all my BM's dresses, my mom's dress and I can't remember the tux deal, but it was a deal. I would recommend them to anyone who still hasn't found their dress! So happy and relieved to get that check out of the way!!!

Looking for any positive stories about their alterations... the only thing I'll need it the hem and a bustle done. I've heard some bad stories but looking to set my mind at ease here! Thanks Knotties!

Don't have the pics yet, but here's the pic from their website:

http://www.privatelabelbyg.com/#/main/collections/bridal/privatelabelbyg/1395

Santorini2011

Very cool! Congrats

EiDuffy

congrats!!! it's very pretty 

Ms.BriarRose

Congrats!  What an exciting check!

I know you said you need a hem and a bustle, but while that may seem simple, can be anything but.  Does the dress have any lace/beading/anything at all around the hem?  If it does, then that has to actually be removed, then the dress hemmed, then the lace or whatever was on the bottom reapplied.  Depending on the type of dress, the material, your height, and other factors, the bustle could end up being pretty complicated.

Since you got it for such a great price (even if it did include alterations), what I would suggest doing is taking it to other seamstresses and getting a quote.  That way, you are aren't locked into getting them done at the store or at another seamstress, you can see what kind of ideas they have versus the store, and see where it will go over all. 

I know saving money is important, trust me!  But the last thing you want to happen is have your hem uneven, have your bustle not be even, not be the right type, or worst of all, break right away.  The other thing to check is while they quoted you including alterations, does that include steaming and cleaning?  Sometimes, it doesn't...make sure everything is exactly what it should be, and getting quotes won't hurt!

And as far as the deals they offer, BRIDES AND GROOMS ROCKS!!!  We got 15% off all my girls dresses, the grooms tux is free with 6 or more rentals (GM, Dads, RB, and I think the grooms is included in that number, but I may be wrong).  Plus, if you get a certain number of tuxes (I think it's 8), then the bride gets a free pair of shoes.

Another final tip for you, before you order your girls dresses- Brides and Grooms also price matches, including online.  So, once you hae settled on each dress for each girl, call around, go online, and find out other quotes.  Once you find the cheapest (Brides and Grooms may be the cheapest, but you never know), just call the store and tell them you had found the dresses there, but found them elsewhere for cheaper.  Then, you get the best price PLUS the 15% discount! 

FYI, price matching is good on any and all dress in the store- FG, Mother, BMs, and Bridal.  The 15%, however, is not good on FG (only on BMs and Mother), unless they have changed that policy.

I love that store.  They were absolutely wonderful to deal with, and I would not only recommend them to anyone, but would redo my experience in a heartbeat.  Remember brides- if they (or any store, for that matter) is an authorized seller for a brand, they can get any dress from that brand even if they don't have the sample in the store.  So, if you want to try on a particular dress, find the sample, find the price, then call Brides and Grooms- if they carry your dress brand, then they can get it and will not only price match, but will most likely be the cheapest (ie, they carry Alfred Angelo but not the dress I wanted to try.  Went to AA in Lancaster, found my dress, AA wanted originally $800 on sale for $650.  Called Brides and Grooms and they sold me it for $520!  Almost $300 off the original asking price, and from the designer themself no less!)

I heart Brides and Grooms.  Congrats on finding your dress at a great vendor!!!

huttonj

Thanks ladies!

And thanks MBR! Great advice, I will shop around beforehand, I won't need it altered til March or so, so I've got some time. Good tip on the BM dresses too. The dress I liked from Alfred Angelo was about 20 cheaper at B&G than B&TS.

Congrats goes out to you too MBR. I know from reading all of your posts that you've put a lot of time and effort in to your wedding and the pics are gorgeous! Congrats again

JayElleJayCee

It's a beautiful dress!! Oh the dress... the best thing about your wedding day besides marrying your best friend! haha. I did the same thing ( bought the dress same day) haha. When you know you know.. You don't want that dress going anywhere!

soontobeschooley

Thanks for the post and advice everyone!!  I have an appointment to shop for my dress in November.  I wanted to go to them because of all the good things I've heard on this board.