Etiquette – Shopping for a Bridal Gown
Looking for your wedding dress can be a very exciting and fun time for you as the bride. Wedding etiquette is associated with almost every aspect of your wedding, but what you may not be aware of is; “what is considered etiquette when it comes to shopping for your wedding gown?”
Appointments:
Wedding Salons are not like most retail stores, the dresses you see may be samples or sold off the rack that are delicate and expensive. If they being sold off the rack it’s important to handle with care, make up transfers, stepping on gown, or tossing on the floor after you have tried it on is not respectful. Some gal will be wearing this one day. The majority of wedding gown boutiques, do not accept walk-ins, so you will most likely have to make an appointment with the store. What you may not realize is that having an appointment is better for you and your bridal consultant because it means you will have all of her attention while you’re in the store looking for and trying on gowns.
Considerations:
Before you call to make an appointment with a salon, consider the styles, look and budget restrictions you have. When you are greeted by your consultant she may ask you questions about your wedding, such as date, where it will be held, what dresses you have tried on if any, and whether did you had any favorites. These questions from the consultant are not meant to be disrespectful, but to help narrow down your search for the perfect dress.
Most sales consultants spend a minimum of 1.5 hours of their time with you helping to select your dress, it is not like buying a pair of shoes in a local store. The first hour would be used to select different styles and the last 1/2 hour would be used to measure your bust / waist / hips and finalize a contract for your dress to be ordered.. dresses can take up to 6 months + to be ordered – be prepared. Be courteous and contact your consultant to tell them if you have found another dress elsewhere.
Tips and Etiquette:
Some brides tend to think that their shopping excursion is their own personal photo shoot and time to spend quality time with their shopping buddies. One of the primary misconceptions brides have is that they can take a camera along to document their dress fashion show. Most bridal boutiques do not permit photos to be taken of the gowns in order to prohibit brides from copying styles and having their dress designs made elsewhere. But with Social Media / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest we are starting to see new developments in allowing some limited photos.
Final Words to help you with your shopping…….
Have fun, bring your mom or sister and limit your entourage to selected members. You want your dress to be a surprise – once everyone has seen you try your dress on at the salon the mystery is out xo
Jennifer Logan-Manzer Bridal Sales Consultant
