Why do brides order online? Most order modest gowns online because they can’t get them in their area. Others because they think they’re saving money. In our Wal-Mart, McDonald’s, self serve, discount world, brides don’t realize the benefit and cost savings an educated bridal consultant can be to them. You deserve the pampering and special treatment, you are the bride! You may think you're getting a discount by purchasing online, but by the time you add up the cost of steaming the gown and a vinyl storage bag (which is at least $100 additional cost, most stores provide these with the purchase), unnecessary alterations from selecting the wrong size, plus your shipping costs (and return shipping) you really didn’t save that much, if any. In the long run you’ll spend much more trying to fix the mistake you’ve ordered, plus all of the Tylenol or Advil you’ll buy for the stress and headache you’ll find yourself in.
Ordering a wedding gown or bridesmaids dresses online is a risk. There are so many dishonest online stores who say they carry any dress you want; when in reality they are participating in illegal transshipping. They don’t even have contracts with the bridal company; they have another store buy it for them. Reputable bridal companies will withhold orders they find out are being transshipped resulting in you not getting a gown or gowns being substituted.
Then there are pretend factories some are listed on e-bay, saying you can buy direct from them. Many show a designer picture making you believe that’s what you’re getting, and they make something that looks similar, but very poor quality! I know I’ve steamed one a bride purchased. Honestly, it looked like an intermediate level seamstress made that dress! The fabrics are so cheap they wrinkle if you touch it. Don’t even consider going this route.
(R: thin crinoline too short for the dress, L:down the middle of the wrap front peice was a stitching that would not come out, LR: the pleats were not in the right place, LL: the train has no lining)
I highly recommend at least traveling the distance to a store that carries the gown you think you want to purchase. That way you can at least try on gowns from that company and get an idea of the way the size will fit or if you should order another. Each designer has their own size charts; what size fits in one company may not fit in a different company. They can order the dress for you and then ship it to you when it arrives.
If you still decide to order online you must follow these rules:
1. Make sure the store is listed on the companies store locator.
2. Make sure it’s an actual bridal store, not just an online business.
3. If you can’t speak to a person who actually knows about that line of gowns, don’t order from them.
4. Make sure you go by the company size chart, they aren’t lying. I know it may be a much larger size than you normally wear, take the tag out and say it’s whatever size you want it to be. Do not just order your regular size, unless it matches the size chart.
5. If the sizing falls between 2 or more sizes, ask your seamstress what she recommends is best for doing alterations. Typically, you must order by the larger measurement to ensure that it is wearable and can be taken in, not all manufacturers allow a large seam allowance, so you can’t guarantee it can be let out if you order too small. The sales person should also know about possible alterations.
5. Only put down the required deposit on special order gowns. That way if something bad does happen you didn’t loose all of your money and you don’t have so much to try to get back from the credit card company.
Of course, I would love to help you with your purchase, but if not maybe this wisdom will help save some brides wedding. Are their any brides willing to share their disaster stories with us?
If you still decide to order online you must follow these rules:
1. Make sure the store is listed on the companies store locator.
2. Make sure it’s an actual bridal store, not just an online business.
3. If you can’t speak to a person who actually knows about that line of gowns, don’t order from them.
4. Make sure you go by the company size chart, they aren’t lying. I know it may be a much larger size than you normally wear, take the tag out and say it’s whatever size you want it to be. Do not just order your regular size, unless it matches the size chart.
5. If the sizing falls between 2 or more sizes, ask your seamstress what she recommends is best for doing alterations. Typically, you must order by the larger measurement to ensure that it is wearable and can be taken in, not all manufacturers allow a large seam allowance, so you can’t guarantee it can be let out if you order too small. The sales person should also know about possible alterations.
5. Only put down the required deposit on special order gowns. That way if something bad does happen you didn’t loose all of your money and you don’t have so much to try to get back from the credit card company.
Of course, I would love to help you with your purchase, but if not maybe this wisdom will help save some brides wedding. Are their any brides willing to share their disaster stories with us?
