Wedding Dress Shopping!

asf5017 · August 2010

It's 11 months till my wedding and I'm dying to go dress shopping! I blame this on watching too many episodes of 'Say Yes to the Dress'.

Tell me about your dress shopping experience! How far from your wedding date did you start shopping? What were your favorite places in the Philly area to shop at?

Thanks for the help and the stories girls!

caraellen23 · August 2010

SYTTD had the opposite effect me... I was terrified to go dress shopping!

Best advice is to visit a few different places, trying lots of different styles, even if its something you are pretty sure you'll hate or you don't like how it looks on the hanger. And trust your gut when you know its right. Don't let anyone talk you into anything.

My wedding is early October, I went shopping in Jan/Feb and ordered mid-Feb. I had good experiences at Wedding Shoppe, Sposabella and La Bella Moda. I never quite made it out to Bridal Garden, but I hear they are the Kleinfeld's of New Jersey.

asf5017 · August 2010

I can see how SYTTD would scare you haha. It scares my mom. She's convinced I can't get a wedding dress for under $5,000 because of that show and freaked out. I"m staying positive though!

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll definitely look into those places

Amerbutt81 · August 2010

I got engaged in August, set the date for July and started shopping at the end of September-- I think I purchased my dress in mid to late October.

I love getting dressed up and having people give me attention sooo dress shopping was a lot of fun for me. haha. I started off at David's Bridal in Plymouth Meeting. I also went to Coronets and Country Bride and Gent in Bensalem. I had a really awesome experience at all of them, and I highly recommend Michelle at Country Bride and Gent. She has been doing this a long time and knows the vibe of most area venues. She made me try dresses on that I didn't think I would be interested in because she said they would compliment the venue-- and she helped me find the one!

Northstar1808 · August 2010

I started a month after being engaged, so I was 14 months out from my wedding date. It took me 3 months and I ordered it a year before the wedding. I went to 30 stores and I ended up getting it at Wedding Belles in Northfield, NJ. I went to sooo many places, Irma's, Bridal Garden, Aimee Michelle's (all in Marlton, NJ), Macy's bridal salon in Cherry Hill, NJ, Tesi's in Margate(?) somewhere near the shore, Franny's in Atco, I went to some place in Princeton, two places in Newark, Danielle's Bridal in Philly, another place in northeast Philly, The Sample Rack on South Street and I can't remember any others.

Bridal Garden's okay. They bring dresses out to you like Kleinfield's but they don't let you look through the dresses like Kleinfield does after the consultant can't find anything the bride likes. I didn't find anything I liked there. I also thought they sucked when I went to go look for my BM dresses. They treat you wonderfully when you're looking for your gown but when it comes to BM dresses they don't really care.

taccoten · August 2010

My dress was on SYTTD twice and I got it for less than $5,000 so you definitely don't have to spend a fortune to have a beautiful dress! I got mine at Bridal Garden in NJ, but honestly, I'd recommend going to Kleinfeld's. They have all the same dresses, plus a million more - and I'm sure the people there are much nicer than at Bridal Garden.

I'd recommend bringing one or two people with you, not a whole entourage. Don't let anyone sway you in one direction because ultimately, it's your day, your dress and your pictures for the rest of your life! Buy the one you can't live without!

I went to 4 stores: Jay West, Irma's, Country Way and Bridal Garden - all in NJ. For my taste, Bridal Garden had by far the best dresses and Country Way came in a close second - just a really small selection.

Good luck and have fun!

caraellen23 · August 2010

You went to 30 stores?? I went to 4 and thought my head was going to explode!

Ms.BriarRose · August 2010

I got my dress at Brides and Grooms in Newark, DE. Love them. We ordered my dress (Alfred Angelo style 1141, with Cobalt Blue) from them. Price tag: $520 (which is over $100 less than the Alfred Angelo store in Lancaster). We also got my bridesmaid dresses from there (if you order your gown there, your girls get 15% off their dresses), and didn't have a problem with those, either. We are also getting our tuxes from there.

In terms of service, I was very happy every time we went in there; they always made sure to have a chair for me to rest, they were always so nice (I am not the most confident person because of my weight) and encouraging, and we were very pleased overall. We dealt with Susan and Faith.

It's a hole in the wall, but they are in the midst of expanding into the store next door to them. Thank goodness, because they need the room! Overall, I would highly recommend them.

ETA: I got engaged Dec 2008, and bought my dress Jan 2009. It came in July 2009. I am getting married October 2010 (what can I say, I loved the dress).

Northstar1808 · August 2010

ah!! Brides and Grooms that's the one I went to. I think I had Faith too, she's younger and the daughter. They were super nice there and really really affordable!

Cara- yes I went to 30 stores. It was ridic. I just went by myself and if I found something I liked I would bring my mom back.

asf - another word of advice, if you buy in Jersey or Delaware there is no tax on wedding dresses. For Jersey they consider it clothing, I guess no one figured out that it's not a necessity yet otherwise they'd be taxing that asap! lol

nicole8586 · August 2010

I was engaged July 09, started dress shopping Nov 09. I started off at DB in Deptford because I am "hippy" with a small chest so I wasn't sure what style I would actually like on myself. I want to say I tried on 10 or so dresses. The last dress I tried on I fell in love with. It was simple, looked great and was "my style". So I didn't go any further then that. I do wish I would of went to a few more places to try on dresses but that's just because I like to play dress up no because I don't love my dress!

Oh and I ordered it that day, it was a Saturday, I received a call Tuesday that my dress was in.

asf5017 · August 2010

Thanks for the awesome suggestions everyone!

NorthStar - I didn't even think about taxes but that is awesome advice! I guess PA doesn't consider a wedding dress clothing item? With such an expensive item, it's great to save on the taxes.

benmel31 · August 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-philadelphia_wedding-dress-shopping?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:105Discussion:06ac241f-7449-415f-84da-acf099bea8d2Post:0ad5c18c-bed7-4fa2-b5d3-814d50f10a2f">Re: Wedding Dress Shopping!</a>:
[QUOTE]I got engaged in August, set the date for July and started shopping at the end of September-- I think I purchased my dress in mid to late October. I love getting dressed up and having people give me attention sooo dress shopping was a lot of fun for me. haha. I started off at David's Bridal in Plymouth Meeting. I also went to Coronets and Country Bride and Gent in Bensalem. I had a really awesome experience at all of them, and I highly recommend Michelle at Country Bride and Gent. She has been doing this a long time and knows the vibe of most area venues. She made me try dresses on that I didn't think I would be interested in because she said they would compliment the venue-- and she helped me find the one!
Posted by Amerbutt81[/QUOTE]

<div>amer, i got my dress at country bride also! i tried on gowns that i was uncertain of too just to get ideas of what i liked! great experience there!</div>

Bean32 · August 2010

ASF - I'm just starting dress shopping too! My mom and MOH are coming into town for Monday and Tuesday and we are packing in as many appointments as we can fit. SYTTD has me really excited and totally nervous. I'll let you know if the places we visit are great/not so great.

asf5017 · August 2010

Thanks Bean! Do you find it is easy to make the appointments?

Bean32 · August 2010

I did... but all my appointments are on Monday and Tuesday during the day. It might be harder if you are trying to book for a weekend. I can't imagine there would be a problem if you try to book a couple weeks out.

Ms.BriarRose · August 2010

Just an FYI, pretty much no matter where you go, places are going to be crowded on Saturdays and Sundays. My heartfelt suggestion, from someone who has waited in the Saturday rush (with an appointment, no less), is to try and go during the week, with an appointment.

rachelk456 · August 2010

I'm also at about 11 months away from my wedding. I started dress shopping about a month ago and I do wish I started sooner. Not that you should feel that way, I just have a lot going on in the next couple months and I think I thought I would have had the dress picked out by now.

Anyway, I went to grad school in New York so I visit all the time and went shopping there first. I went to Kleinfeld and it was pretty cool- I met Randy and Pnina Tournai. I've been to a few places in PA but about an hour North of Philly, and they were ok but not the greatest selections.

I would say make sure you know your budget and stick to it. My mom is paying for my dress, but we didn't really discuss what she wanted to spend. I am now leaning toward a dress I tried on that I think is too expensive, but I may either get it anyway and try to find the money somewhere else in the budget or buy it used.

eandrus · August 2010

My wedding is in April and I started shopping in July. My dress doesn't even come in until Dec./January. I originally went to Bridal Garden, but after just a few dresses they told me they didn't have anything for me based on what I wanted. I was feeling disappointed so I went down the street to Irmas b/c you don't need an appt there and they were extremely nice. I think it is b/c they don't work off of commission. I think it depends what designer you are looking for too. My dress is Maggie Sottero and they carry a lot from this line. Good luck.

Stacylynn702 · August 2010

I was engaged last July and started looking around in November (a year before the wedding). I didn't order my dress unti midl March and it was in by mid July. I thought I started too early to be honest b/c it was too many choices. I didn't look the whole time though, I went to 3 different stores total in those 4 months. I found the one at Betty's Bridal in Clifton Heights.

Bride_to_be_2011 · August 2010

I got my dress at Country Bride and Gent in lansdale. I got my dress really early but that's ok, I just could not wait! I guess I bought it a year and some months out. I went to one other shop besides the one I bought the dress from. Funny thing is, the consultant is the one that pulled the dress for me, and I loved it before it was even all the way on me.

I didn't have any angels singing or anything like that though, I just knew it was the dress for me and I didn't want to look any further. I think a lot of girls put too much pressure on themselves to have the OMG ITS THE ONE feeling. A lot of people don't go through that. I didn't cry or anything when I bought it... it was just the dress for me and every time I put it on it makes me happy!

jennycod · August 2010

I've recommened this site for perfect wedding dress: http://www.shopindream.com/gallery-169-grid.html

Ms.BriarRose · August 2010

Once again, I call vendor on this girl Jennycod. Like I said before, All she ever posts about is this website, she lives now in Virgina but it was Nevada, she's getting married in Idaho, but only posts on this board. I really think this is vendor in disguise.

Bride_to_be_2011 · August 2010

Thanks Briar

I agree

jennycod · August 2010

recommend http://www.shopindream.com/

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