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What to do when buying a dress: Help!

MissBabeskiMissBabeski
in Canada-Alberta
This weekend I'm going for my first trip dress shopping. I found a dress I liked in a magazine and eventualy tracked it down to a bridal shop in Edmonton. the only other location that has this line is in Lethbridge. So now I'm getting nervous when it comes to dress shopping. Everyone is saying to negotiate and don't say yes right away. Well what do I say? How do I negotiate? Do I need a bustle? Should I find a seamstress for alterations or do it in-store? What are the shipping costs usually like?

The dress I tracked down, I found on ebridalsuperstore.com for about $860. Do I mention I found it for that price (if they have a more expensive price?) and if they can match it?

Please educate me!
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Re: What to do when buying a dress: Help!

  • meaghan333meaghan333 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011

    The most important thing with trying on dresses is to have fun :)

    The store will have everything you need to try on the dress- so don't worry about bringing a bustle(they're pricey, so wait to find out if you have to buy one or not).  You won't even need shoes to try them on. All I brought was a strapless (which I didn't end up wearing it when I tried on dresses) and a hair clip so that I could see how the dress looked with a veil and my hair up.

    Most dresses won't have a shipping cost unless you're putting in a rush order.  You can use the stores seamstress or you own, but make sure you ask the store what
     the average prices on the alterations they're recommending for the dress you buy are. (for instance, a dress with lots of layers can be $400 to hem!)  If you know a good seamstress, don't be afraid to check with them to see what their prices are for the same alterations. 

    I didn't have to negotiate the price on my dress, as the price was already a lot less than I thought it should be, so I'm afraid that I can't help on that.  However, if you buy your BM dresses at the same store, you'll usually get some type of discount.  You can also tell your consultants your price range, and they're great at finding similar dresses to the one you love that won't break your budget.

    Let us know how it goes!

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  • redraspberryredraspberry member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I would try it on, and feel free to tell them the cheaper price and see if you can negotiate.  If they say no, be prepared to know what you want to do (order elsewhere or with them).  That's awesome you found your dress already!!
    Can't wait for our wedding in Banff! I am truly marrying my best friend :).
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  • trishinbanfftrishinbanff member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Bring pictures and only a few people with you.  I had a horrible experience at Ethos in Calgary-the sales woman would not listen to what I wanted!  So be honest and tell them what you are looking for-like I said bring pictures.  If you find the dress you love and want you will know it.  You might not have a melt down like they do on Say Yes to the Dress but you will know. and as the pp said HAVE FUN.
    BabyFruit Ticker
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  • mrs.peters.to.bemrs.peters.to.be
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Bargain away! I found the same Mikaella gown in Edmonton as I had tried on at a store on Vancouver Island and there was about a $250.00 difference! Eventually my mother worked out that we got $100.00 discount on the gown and they threw in a veil. Never be afraid to bargain a little bit because many places can get dresses a lot cheaper than they let on.

    Other than that I agree with the other ladies. Relax, take your time, and enjoy! Trying on dresses should be fun, so don't let the stress of finding the "perfect gown" get to you. Try on a ton of different styles and don't be afraid to try something new. I had a huge pile of photos and ended up purchasing a dress that didn't look like what I had expected at all (but looked great on!).

    Have fun :)
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  • projectbaptprojectbapt
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I to had a really bad time at Ethos. She did not listen and when I said that I did not like a dress on me she would start getting mad at me and telling me I did not know what I was talking about and that I looked great and should buy that dress (It was really really bad and my mom had this WOW look on her face at what the lady was telling us. So we left and went to Sundshine bridal up in the NE Calgary and the lady there was great!! She was honnest and did not try to push any dresses on me and it was the best dress shoping I did (I have tryed on close to 100 dreses) I finally purchased my dress and I look FABULOUS!!! I would recomened them even though their store is small and crouded the service was worth it!
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  • Sydney91Sydney91 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Bridal by Chan in Lloydminster is a joke. She escorted my mother, who is in a wheelchair, out the door so she wouldn't ruin any of the dresses! I highly recomend Brides 'n Beaus in Camrose!! She has been great! She listens and gets you to flip through magazines and the dresses and gives you plenty time to answer her questions. The added bonus is she is wheelchair accessible. First bridal shop I have seen that is so.

    Camrose is one hour south east of Edmonton and completely worth the drive! The personal and warm service is amazing!! This is a link to the business info:

    Wedding Countdown Ticker
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