ARE THE WEDDING GOWNS AT THE WEDDING SHOPPE “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, so instead, you 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 prefer to have the gown immediately.
WHAT ARE THE PRICES LIKE AT THE WEDDING SHOPPE?
You’ll find the prices at The Wedding Shoppe more than competitive. We only sell high-quality, exclusive gowns, and we have a fantastic selection of gowns priced from $900 to $2,400. Let us know your budget and we’ll make sure you get the dress of your dreams at a price you are comfortable with.
WHAT IF I SEE A SPECIFIC GOWN THAT YOU DON’T HAVE IN THE SALON, CAN I STILL ORDER IT?
Unfortunately, The Wedding Shoppe cannot order gowns from collections we do not feature in our salon, and often if another store promises you this service they are acting unethically. This is a practice known as “trans-shipping” and many designers/manufacturers are actively searching out trans-shippers and closing their accounts. When the trans-shipper is discovered by the designer they lose their ability to carry the line, which means you will not receive your gown and may not even receive a refund. Thankfully, at The Weddings Shoppe you will never be in danger of being a victim of unethical business practices.
MY WEDDING IS LESS THAN 3 MONTHS AWAY. CAN I STILL GET A WEDDING GOWN?
Absolutely, but you may need to purchase a gown off the rack. Some designers offer rush service for an additional fee, though most are not accepting rush orders at this time. However, our in stock gowns are kept in pristine condition so you can be assured that your gown is always as good as new.
WHEN DO I NEED TO ORDER MY GOWN?
Because each designer is different, we will work with you to determine order and delivery deadlines for items you have selected. We generally recommend ordering your gown at least 9-12 months before your wedding. That seems like a long time out, but it typically takes about 6-8 months from the time of ordering for your gown to arrive, and gowns with custom changes may take longer. It’s best to leave 2-3 months of buffer time for alterations and possible shipping delays.
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 although the collections we offer are made to order, they are not custom-made, so alterations will be made to ensure a perfect fit. Therefore, if you find yourself in between sizes we recommend ordering the larger size as the gown can always be taken in.
As a side note, don’t be alarmed if your bridal size is not the same as your clothing size. Bridal sizes tend to run small, and different designers have different measurement charts, so a size 8 in one brand may be a size 10 in another.
WILL MY WEDDING GOWN COME IN MY LENGTH?
Most wedding gowns are designed for a 5’7” girl with 3” heels, but if you do not fall in this category, it’s possible to order extra length at an additional charge.
I’M PLANNING ON LOSING WEIGHT; WHEN SHOULD I SHOP FOR AND PURCHASE MY WEDDING GOWN?
Most brides buy their wedding gowns 9 to 18 months before their weddings so that they can facilitate all the other planning and purchases that revolve around the gown. You should do the same even if you are planning to lose weight. Buy the gown that fits your current weight and if you reach your weight goals it will be easy to alter to fit you beautifully. If you don’t, so what! Your gown will still fit perfectly and remember he fell in love with you the way you are, not the way you hope to be.
WHAT IF I GAIN WEIGHT/LOSE WEIGHT AND THE GOWN IS TOO BIG/TOO SMALL WHEN IT ARRIVES?
As mentioned above, we can only recommend what size to order based on your measurements at the time of purchase, but we will always work with you and our professional seamstress for any possible solutions. It is not unusual for our seamstress to take in 3-4 sizes or let out 1-2 sizes.
HOW MUCH DO I HAVE TO PAY TO ORDER A GOWN?
Most people pay for their gown in full at the time of ordering. We do allow 60% down (plus any Rush Cut fees) and 40% payable at the time of arrival.
WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT ARE ACCEPTED?
The Wedding Shoppe accepts Cash, Checks (for special orders only, never on floor sales), Debit, Visa and Master Card.
WHAT IF I FIND THE GOWN OF MY DREAMS AND AM NOT READY TO BUY IT YET (I’M NOT READY FINANCIALLY, OR I WANT MY MOTHER TO SEE IT); WILL YOU HOLD THE GOWN FOR ME?
Sorry to say, but we are unable to hold gowns at The Wedding Shoppe. We couldn’t deprive another bride of the opportunity to try it on and fall in love, and we have no control over when a designer discontinues a gown or raises the price due to rising manufacturing costs. We encourage you to bring the people you need to make a decision the day of your appointment.
IF THE WEDDING IS CANCELLED CAN I GET MY MONEY BACK?
Unfortunately, there are no refunds, exchanges or cancellations. There are no exceptions.
IF I ORDER A GOWN AND DO NOT LIKE IT WHEN IT COMES IN CAN I SEND IT BACK?
Unfortunately, there are no refunds, exchanges or cancellations. There are no exceptions.
ARE ALTERATIONS INCLUDED?
Due to the labor intensive process, alterations are always an extra charge. Our seamstress has over 30 years of experience and her work is impeccable, but even she needs time to re-attach individual beads. Lucky for you she is in high demand, and has a reputation for delivering nothing short of perfection.