The average bridal gown costs $800. And the key word in that sentence is average. Flip open any bridal magazine and you'll find dresses that sell for $1,000, $2,000 and even $3,000.
So, how can you get a bridal gown without going bankrupt? Check out the pros of cons for each of the following dress-buying options.
Full-service bridal shop
The traditional "mom and pop" bridal apparel specialty store offers a full range of services, including alterations. But, small shops may carry a limited number of designers, and you'll pay full price. Most require you to special-order a dress, and that can mean waiting months for the dress to come in. On the other hand, full-service shops often have sample sales where prices are 50 percent or more off retail. If you can fit into the size 10 samples (that's usually the sample size), this is a great deal.
Department stores
The bridal salon at a major department store may offer luxurious gowns and all the trimmings -- alterations, free delivery, free hair/makeup consultations and more. You'll pay for all this attention: Prices that can run into the thousands.
Warehouse/outlet stores
These are a good bet for brides who don't have the time to order a gown. Bridal warehouses have sprung up in most major cities and sell their goods "off-the-rack." Sizes 4 to 24 are usually in stock. The prices are often 20 percent to 50 percent off retail, but sometimes the deals aren't as good as they look. Some gowns may be discontinued or damaged. Repair and cleaning bills may outweigh the savings. Look for warehouses that sell new merchandise.
Mail order
Yes, you can buy a dress through the mail. J.C. Penney has a bridal catalog that offers bridal gowns -- many for less than $600. Another idea is to buy bridesmaids dresses from catalogs. The downside to catalog shopping is that you can't try on a dress before ordering. To counteract this problem, dresses are all returnable.
Dress-buying timeline
Let's look at the five steps for buying a dress from a traditional bridal-gown retailer -- and why shopping for a gown can be such an confusing experience.
Budget at least 3 to 6 months
to get your wedding gown --
more elaborate dresses
could take up to 9 months!
Most brides are surprised to learn how far in advance they must place the order for their gown. At the bare minimum, you need at least three months. Ideally, you should order your gown anywhere from five to nine months before your wedding. That's right, nine months!
Why do you need so much time?
The biggest factor is the kind of gown you want. Some gowns take as little as six weeks to order, while others can take up to six months. Here's a breakdown of the process:
1. Shopping
Hey, you need to budget time to look for the gown that's just right for you. Sure, you may find your perfect gown on the first day of shopping, but most brides we've interviewed said they took at least two to three weeks to visit a handful of their area's best shops and make a final decision.
2. Ordering
Once you place your order, the shop sends it to the manufacturer. Most designers have 12- to 16-week (translation: three- to four-month) turnaround times. Several "high-end" designers can take as long as six months to get you your gown. A few manufacturers have "quick delivery" to get you a gown in six to eight weeks. Know your designer and how long their delivery takes.
3. Alterations
After the gown comes in, you need another month for alterations. Some shops may be able to do rush jobs, but the quality may be rushed, too. Leave time for several fittings and appointments with the seamstress, where you inch closer and closer to getting the gown to fit just right.
4. Safety zone
Getting your bridal apparel can be problematic because of the number of people -- from the retailer to the manufacturer, shipper and seamstress -- that it takes to get things right. Leave time (perhaps two weeks) in your schedule to correct problems.
5. The bridal portrait
In some areas, brides have a formal portrait taken before the wedding so it can be displayed at the reception or run in the local newspaper. In order to leave enough time to view the proofs and get the final print framed, most photographers suggest doing the portrait four to six weeks before the wedding. That means the dress has to be altered and ready by then.
Whoa! That's a lot of time! The time guideline we recommend is six months. If you want an elaborate designer gown, consider ordering the gown nine to 12 months in advance.
Once you've set your time line, it's off to the stores. Happy shopping!
No comments:
Post a Comment