Faqs

    Gown Shopping

  1. When should I start shopping for my gown?
    We recommend starting your search about 1 year before your wedding. Start by looking at different styles in magazines and online and envision what type of gown suits your personality, location and style. You should start setting up appointments 9-12 months before your wedding.

  2. Can I get a catalog of the wedding gowns you carry?
    We do not have a published catalog of our wedding gowns that you can take with you. However, we have available on our website the names and website links of most of the bridal designer labels we carry.

  3. Do I need to schedule an appointment or can I just walk in?
    At A Bride's Design, we do not permit self-service when trying on gowns. Every future bride is assigned a personal consultant that will focus on her needs. We do accommodate walk-ins but, appointments are always given preference. With an appointment either a consultant is waiting for you or you will automatically be "next up". Appointments are highly recommended on weekends and late nights as those times tend to be the busiest.

  4. Does A Bride's Design have an alterations department? And, are they an additional cost?
    Full price Wedding gowns include basic alterations. Alterations are done in house. Restyles and more complicated alterations may be subject to fees. Bridesmaids and special occassion gowns can be done in house or we can provide you with a list of seamstresses qualified to work on special occassion gowns. The gowns do not include alterations..

    The Appointment

  1. Who should I bring gown shopping with me?
    We recommend bringing no more than 2 people with you during your initial appointment. We have seen that too many people can often confuse the bride because everyone has different tastes. In the beginning, bring a friend or a family member who knows you well and involve others when you’re closer to your final decision.

  2. What do I need to bring with me to try on gowns?
    You may bring a strapless bra and shoes with your preferred heel height to your consultation but they are not necessary.

  3. Can I bring in pictures to show my consultant?
    Definitely! BUT, keep in mind that the models used by the bridal designers average 6' tall and wear a size 4! So, it's possible that the gowns may not look the same on you. You will definitely want to see yourself in the gown before you buy it. You should also be aware that many designers sell gowns that are not advertised in the magazines and are not available online. We will be able to select gowns for you to try that will flatter your figure and match your style and budget requirements, even if it was not the exact gown in your picture. So, keep an open mind when you are shopping. There have been countless brides that have come in with a picture of a certain gown that have left purchasing an entirely different gown - all because their bridal consultant worked to find the gown that made them FEEL perfect. If we don't have the exact gown you are looking for, we almost always have one that is a near match.

  4. What sizes are your samples?
    Most of our samples are between size 8 and size 14. If the gown is too small or too big, we can usually clip you to give you a general idea of what the gown will look like in your size. Please be understanding that since we are a bridal boutique and not a department store, it is impossible for us to stock every size and color.

  5. How many gowns can/should I try on?
    We usually recommend trying on no more than 6-8 gowns. Trying on too many can confuse you and cause you to forget previous ones you’ve tried on. After trying on 3-4 gowns, our consultant will usually have a better idea of what gown looks best on you and might start recommending certain gowns for you.

  6. Can I bring a camera and take pictures of myself in the gowns?
    Of course you can. We do not impose a “no-picture” policy as we understand that it is impossible to remember all the gowns you’ve tried on.

  7. How much time do I have to try on gowns?
    We generally allot about 1 hour for each appointment.

  8. How do I remember the gowns that I tried on?
    After each consultation, we have you fill out a customer information form in which we write down the dresses you liked, including any bridesmaid dresses or accessories. From this point on, we have you on file so if your consultant is not available the next time you come back, another consultant can just look at your file and know exactly which dresses you tried on and comments you’ve made.

    Ordering the Gown

  1. Are the wedding gowns at A Bride's Design "Special Order" or "In Stock"?
    The majority of our gowns are special ordered. Unlike a department store, we do not stock a gown in every size. Therefore, you must try on the gowns in whatever size we have and when you are ready to order the gown of your dreams, we take your measurements to determine what size you are closest to. We also sell our gowns “off-the-rack” to brides who are getting married soon and don’t have time to special order a gown or to brides who find a gown that fits them perfectly and are on a budget. We normally sell our off-the-rack gowns at a discounted price.

  2. What if I see a specific gown that you don’t have in the salon, can I still order it?
    We can order any gown as long as we carry the designer. We do recommend that you try on the gown before ordering it as it might look different in person and on you. If you see a style on the designer’s website that you do not see in our salon, it may be possible to receive this dress on loan from the designer. There is a one-time fee for this, please call or visit for more information.

  3. My wedding is less than 3 months away. Can I still get a wedding gown?
    Many designers offer rush service for an additional fee. Rush times vary from designer to designer. Most designers can rush an order in less than 3 months.

  4. When do I need to order my gown?
    Each designer has a different lead-time for production of your order. We will work with you to determine order and delivery deadlines for items you have selected. We generally recommend ordering your gown at least 6-9 months before your wedding. It typically takes about 4-6 months from the time of ordering for your gown to come in. Gowns with custom changes may take longer. You will want to leave 2-3 months of buffer time for alterations and possible shipping delays.

  5. Does it take as long to order bridesmaid dresses?
    It does not take as long to order bridesmaid dresses but because they are also made to order, we generally advise ordering them 4-6 months before your wedding. Please keep in mind that it might be difficult to coordinate all the bridesmaids to place their orders in a timely matter, especially if you have a large party. Starting the process early will ensure that by the time the last bridesmaid’s order is receive, there is still sufficient time for the dresses to come in. Please note that bridesmaid orders are placed at the same time so that the dresses are cut from the same roll of fabric, thus preventing dye lot variations.

  6. How do I know what size to order?
    Our experienced consultants will take your measurements to ensure that your gown will be ordered in the size closest to your measurements. Often, your measurements will fall in between sizes and your approval will be required before we determine what size to order. Although the collections we offer are made to order, they are not custom-made. Therefore, alterations may be necessary to ensure the perfect fit. As a result, we usually advise ordering the larger size as the gown can always be taken in. Please note that different designers have different measurement charts so it is possible to be a size 8 in one brand and a size 10 in another. In addition, bridal sizes tend to run small so don’t be alarmed when your bridal size is not the same as your clothing size.

  7. Will my wedding dress come in my length?
    Most wedding dresses are designed for a 5’ 7” girl with 3” heels. If you do not fall in this category, you will need to order the gown to your height. Most designers charge $100 for this service. However, most girls are not sure what shoes or height they will be wearing for their wedding in which case, they can order their dress in regular length and have the seamstress hem the gown when it comes in.

  8. What if I gain weight/lose weight and the gown is too big/too small when it comes in?
    As mentioned above, we can only recommend what size to order based on your measurements at the time of ordering. We are not responsible for any fluctuations in weight (including pregnancy) resulting in the dress not fitting. However, we will work with you for any possible solutions. It is not unusual for our seamstress to take in 3-4 sizes or let out 1-2 sizes.

  9. How much deposit do I need to leave to order a gown?
    We require a minimum of 50% deposit to order a gown. We accept Visa, Master Card, American Express, debit, cash, or check.

  10. What is your return/exchange policy?
    Due to the special nature of our business, any orders that have been placed cannot be cancelled after 24 hours. We do understand that unfortunate events do happen and therefore, do not expect you to pay for the rest of your balance should such an event occur. However, deposits are non-refundable.

    Fittings and Alterations

  1. When should I schedule my first fitting?
    We generally schedule your first fitting about 1 – 1 ½ months before your wedding. Most brides feel that this is too close to their wedding. The reason we do the alterations so close to the wedding is because it is pointless to do the alterations too early as most brides change in weight right before the wedding. If your gown is altered too early, the chance of it needing to be re-altered is much greater. We believe in the minimum approach. The least times the dress is altered, the better. However, we do respect your needs and should you want to schedule your fitting earlier, we can do so as well.

  2. How much are alterations?
    Alterations are charged a-la-carte. The price depends on what you need done and the complexity of the job. Altering a plain gown is less intensive than altering a beaded gown and the price will reflect that. Alterations on a wedding gown usually range from $75-$300. It can be more if a gown requires building-up. Alterations on a bridesmaid gown are generally $35-$70.

  3. Can I do my alterations elsewhere?
    You are more than welcome to have your dress altered by someone other than our seamstresses. However, we strongly advise that your wedding gown be altered by a professional wedding gown seamstress.

  4. How many fittings will be there be?
    There are generally 2 fittings. Since we do the first fitting so close to the wedding, your size then should closely resemble your size at your wedding thus eliminating the need for additional fittings. Complex jobs such as building up and creating jackets will usually require at least 3 fittings.

  5. What should I bring to the first fitting?
    You should bring the shoes and undergarments (bra/corset) that you will be wearing on your wedding day. A majority of our brides chose not to wear a bra under their wedding gown and opt to have cups built in. This can be discussed with the seamstress.

  6. What should I expect at the first fitting?
    Your seamstress will pin you where needed. At that point, you can see how the dress will look like closer to your size. She will discuss options with you such as how you want to bustle your train, how poofy you want your dress and whether or not you want built-in cups. The first fitting usually takes no more than ½ hour.

  7. When is the 2nd fitting?
    We usually schedule the 2nd fitting about 2-3 weeks after the 1st fitting. If all goes well, you can pick up your dress at the 2nd fitting. If additional alterations are needed, your 3rd fitting will generally take place in less than a week.

  8. Will my dress be steamed/pressed?
    Yes, we will press the dress before you pick it up. If you indicate that you want to pick up your dress at the 2nd fitting and the seamstress is confident that the dress will fit perfectly, the seamstress will steam and pack the dress for the 2nd fitting. Otherwise, we usually have you come back the 3rd time to pick up the dress.

  9. Can I pick up my dress the day before my wedding?
    You can definitely store your dress until you’re ready to pick it up. However, the last couple of days before the wedding can be very hectic so it might be hard to find time to pick up the dress then. We advise having the dress at home at least 1 week before your wedding so that picking up your dress does not become a last-minute errand.