16 Questions to Ask Before Buying Your Wedding Dress
1. When can I book an appointment to try on dresses?
Remember that weekend appointments will be booked up well ahead of times so you may need to be prepared to compromise. If you have to take time off work to attend a midweek appointment, why not make a day of it? That said, don’t panic and try to cram loads of appointments into a single day! Shopping for a wedding dress is more tiring than you might expect so plan one appointment in the morning and one in the afternoon.
2. How long will my appointment be?
Expect most appointments to last at least an hour. You want to have enough time dedicated to you in the shop – and this isn’t a decision you want to rush either!
3. How many people can I bring with me?
Choosing your wedding dress is a big decision so it’s always worth having a second opinion. Make sure you’re allowed to bring your most trusted advisers with you. That said, we’d advise only bringing a few people – maybe just your mum and your maid/person of honour. Too many opinions can be overwhelming, not to mention confusing!
4. What dresses do you think will best suit me?
It’s completely up to you which wedding dress you choose and we’d never suggest you follow outdated “rules” on silhouettes and body shapes. That said, it’s always worth getting some guidance from the professionals to help you find the dress that will make you feel your best.
5. How customisable are your dresses?
You never know, you might find your dream dress but decide something isn’t exactly right. Make sure you know in advance how much freedom you’ll have to make alterations. You might want a certain dress in ivory instead of white or to replace a zip with a lace-up back, for example.
6. What is the lead time on your dresses?
The lead time is how long it takes from placing an order to receiving the finished gown. You’ll want to leave yourself a minimum of six months for a bespoke gown, so make sure to plan well ahead!
7. How many fittings will I have and when will they be?
It’s common to have as many as four fittings so you want to plan well ahead and make sure you leave time for any necessary alterations to get everything just right. Again, weekend appointments will be likely be booked up well in advance.
8. What do I need to bring to my fittings?
In most cases, you’ll want to bring the undergarments you’ll be wearing on your wedding day, as well as your shoes and any other accessories. If you’re unsure of what will work best, the staff in the boutique will usually be able to advise you.
9. Do you do alterations and how much will they cost?
While most boutiques will offer alterations, this isn’t always the case. You’ll then need to take your dress to a separate seamstress which will mean factoring in extra time.
10. What if my weight changes? How much will last-minute tweaks cost?
It can be months or even years between your first fitting and your wedding day, and it’s completely normal for your weight to fluctuate during that time period. It doesn’t matter how much you weigh on your big day, but you don’t want to be worrying that your dress won’t fit. To put your mind at ease, make sure you can have your dress taken in or let out at the very last minute to make sure it still fits perfectly.
11. Can I have undergarments sewn into my dress?
If your gown is strapless, having undergarments sewn in is especially useful. A sewn-in bra or corset will make your dress feel more secure and avoid you worrying about pulling it up throughout your reception.
12. How much is the deposit and when will I pay in full?
Expect to pay 50% of the total price as a deposit. The rest is usually taken in installments in the run-up to your wedding day so make sure you know the payment plan.
13. What accessories will go with the dress?
Whether you’re planning to go for classic pearls, statement earrings or a dramatic heel, it’s always worth asking the professionals for a second opinion on your accessories before you commit. After all, they’ve seen it all!
14. Will the dress be steamed when I pick it up or when it’s delivered?
If you’ll need to steam your dress yourself, ask for exact instructions from the boutique. Remember, most dresses aren’t compatible with an iron!
15. Can you show me how to put on my dress? Can I film it?
On your wedding day, your wedding party will likely be in charge of lacing you into your wedding dress. It can be a complicated process to get exactly right, especially when nerves (… and the odd tipple) are involved! Make things as easy as possible by getting step-by-step instructions and filming the process if possible.
16. What’s the best way to store and transport my dress?
Wedding dresses are often reasonably large, making them more difficult to manoeuvre than your standard gown. The boutique will know how best to store and transport your dress so make sure to ask them!
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