Bridal Gown shopping is in full swing. Will your shopping experience be a positive one or negative one? Will you arm yourself with information before you set foot in a Bridal Salon? Will you seek out your perfect Bridal Gown with or without your Bridesmaids?
In case you don't know, purchasing Bridal Gowns can be a stressful event. First of all, your gown has to be perfect. It has to be everything you've dreamed it would be. You will not settle for anything less.
You can begin your search online for ideas. There are plenty of online stores these days. But would you actually purchase your Bridal Gown online, sight unseen? Are you thinking about visiting a Bridal Salon and then purchasing online to save money?
Unfortunately full service Bridal Salons are privy to this new tactic Brides are using. It really is not appreciated. Safeguards to prevent Salon usage without purchase are in place now. You may be surprised when you visit a Bridal Salon and are told you have limited access to the sample gowns.
What about your Bridesmaids? Some of them don't even live in the same state as you do. How are you going to be sure that all of your Bridesmaids have access to the gown you select for them? Is every one of your Bridesmaids going to be able to purchase their gown in their local Bridal Salon? Hmmm, maybe buying online would be a good idea?
Well that depends. Have you considered dye lot variations? Gowns must be ordered together to ensure a perfect dye lot match. Will your Bridal Party be able to accomplish this? Are your Bridesmaids prepared to learn about Sizing Charts in the event they do have to purchase online?
Who is going to check out the Companies that you purchase your gowns from? Maybe the Bride has a great experience at her local Bridal Salon but does that guarantee that the rest of the Bridal Party will experience the same? How many different companies will your Bridal Party be using? Are you going to research each company? How important is it to have a happy and pleasant shopping experience?
Of course all Brides want their gown shopping experience to be a pleasant one. Why would anyone think that it would be anything less? Commission, commission, commission. Remember Bridal Consultants work on a commission structure. They do want to make as much money as they can. Then maybe buying online would be better?
A couple of clicks and a credit card, order is placed! Great, everything should be perfect. Are you sure about that? Online stores order from the same designers as the full service Bridal Salons do and must adhere to the same manufacturers policies. Manufacturers policies?
Whether you purchase your gown online or in a salon the gowns are manufactured the same. Example, the delivery time frames are the same. The designers who distribute the gowns have their own policies as well. For example, all sales are final if the product is delivered as ordered. The manufacturing and distribution of Bridal Gowns is more complicated than most Brides realize.
The Bride is purchasing her gown from a retailer who is basically a middleman. Can your middleman deliver your purchase to you and your Bridesmaids better than the middleman down the road or online? The fact is that some retailers provide better service than others online or in a store. The manufacturers and designers policies will not vary however; if a retailer's account with the designer is not current this could delay a gown order. Unfortunately it is the customer that suffers when this happens.
It is very important to arm yourself with information about how the Bridal Gown industry does business before you begin your search for the perfect gowns. Researching the retailer that you select is important as well as they are not all the same. Using the Internet to search for company complaints is a great way to check out a company. It's well worth your time and may save you an enormous headache.
Author of Wedding Dresses – Is Buying Online a Good Idea?
HI Susan, welcome to searchwarp. This was a well-written article. You asked lots of questions that need to be considered. But I am left confused. I am still not sure which is better, buying on line or from the local retailer? Keep sharing, you have good information and I learned a few things. Thanks! Blessings to you. Teresa
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