Where should I purchase my gown?

Where you buy your gown is important...experience and financial stability matter. Ask as many past brides as you can about what stores they visited and how they were treated. You'll get a good idea as to which salons will go the extra mile to meet your needs. In this day and age of stores closing their doors without giving brides their dress or a refund, it’s important to find a sound, dependable store that delivers on what they promise.

A Bridal World is a convenient one-stop shop for the bride and her bridal party, offering dresses, undergarments, jewelry, veils, headpieces, and shoes. Every dress that leaves our store is steamed, a $60.00 value. We also offer incentive coupons to brides who purchase their wedding gown from us. Please see your bridal consultant about our offers available and the details.

 

When do I need to order my wedding gown?

Each designer has a different lead-time for production of your order. We will work with you to determine order and delivery deadlines for items you have selected. We generally recommend ordering your gown at least 9 months before your wedding. It typically takes about 4 to 6 months from the time of ordering for your gown to arrive. Gowns with custom changes may take longer. You will want to leave 2 to 3 months of buffer time for alterations and possible shipping delays. Why does it take so long for a dress to be made? Because most gowns are constructed after the designer receives an order, and they receive orders daily from bridal stores all over the country.

 

Can I still get a wedding gown if my wedding is less than 3 months away?

Yes – A Bridal World can place order on rush cuts on select gowns if the designer offers that service. Many of our designers will accommodate a rush order for an additional fee of 15-20% of the price of the dress. Rush fees are different than shipping fees – a rush cut puts the production of your gown higher up in the manufacturer’s queue of gown orders, rather than adding it at the very end. Rush times and fees vary from designer to designer. We also have designers that offer as little as 3 week delivery on select gowns; your consultant will discuss the options available to you. If you do not wish to pay rush charges on a particular gown, we always welcome you to purchase one of our beautiful in-stock gowns that are not subject to rush charges. Our in-stock gowns are kept in pristine condition so you can be assured that your gown is as good as new.

 

How do I know what size to order?

Bridal sizes usually differ from regular dress sizes. Our experienced consultants will take your measurements to ensure that your gown will be ordered in the size closest to your measurements. Often, your measurements will fall in between sizes and your approval will be required before we determine what size to order. You will have the opportunity to see how your measurements compare to the designer's size chart, and select your size from it. Although the collections we offer are made to order, they are not custom-made. The majority of all dresses will need to be altered in some way. By taking your measurements, we are simply trying to find a size that will need the least amount of alterations. Depending on the gown silhouette, either the hips measurement (mermaids) or the waist measurements (A-lines) are the most important measurements to match up to the designer’s size chart. Please note that different designers have different measurement charts so it is possible to be a size 8 in one brand and a size 10 in another. In addition, bridal sizes tend to run small, so don’t be alarmed when your bridal size is not the same as your clothing size. So don't get hung up on the numbers – trust your consultant to suggest the right size gown for you.

 

Will my wedding gown come in my length?

Most wedding gowns are designed for a for 5’9” women. If you do not fall in this category, you will need to either order extra length at an additional charge, or have the hem altered once it arrives. Tall ladies, do not fear! Your gown can be ordered with extra length for an additional charge. For petite women, hemming is an easy solution, and some bridal manufacturers are now offering a ‘petite’ length option as well. When considering length, please keep in mind that both the crinoline and the shoes play a major role! The length of your gown will need to be different depending on how full your crinoline is, or whether you choose 3” heels as opposed to flats. If you have the option of petite length or hollow-to-hem measurements for the bridal gown you order, you’ll need to select both your undergarments and your heel height first before getting measured.

 

When do I need to order my bridesmaids dresses?

Bridesmaid dresses don’t usually take as long to order as bridal gowns, but because they are also made to order, we generally advise ordering them 4 to 5 months before your wedding. Keep in mind that it might be difficult to coordinate all the bridesmaids to place their orders in a timely matter, especially if you have a large party. Starting the process early will ensure that by the time the last bridesmaid’s order is receive, there is still sufficient time for the dresses to come in without having to pay rush fees. Please note our policy that bridesmaid orders are placed at the same time, once all deposits are in, so that the dresses are cut from the same roll of fabric, thus preventing dye lot variations.

 

Can we still get bridesmaids gowns if the wedding is less than 3 months away?

Yes – A Bridal World can place order on rush cuts on select gowns if the designer offers that service. Many of our designers will accommodate a rush order for an additional fee of 15-20% of the price of the dress. Rush fees are different than shipping fees – a rush cut puts the production of your gown higher up in the manufacturer’s queue of gown orders, rather than adding it at the very end. Rush times and fees vary from designer to designer. We also have designers that offer as little as 3 week delivery on select gowns; your consultant will discuss the options available to you.

 

Can I get a color swatch of my dress?

Color swatches are available mainly for bridesmaids dresses. If we have extra swatches available in-store, we will gladly give you a swatch of your chosen color once your order has been placed. Unfortunately, we do not have enough swatches to hand out for prospective orders. If we are unable to locate a swatch for you that day, then we will request one from the manufacturer and it will arrive usually within 4 weeks of the request. If you have an ivory dress or a unique contrasting color we will do our best to locate a swatch for you; our designers do not normally supply us with wedding gown swatches.

Please understand that these swatches are to be used only as a guide for the colors offered. Colors may vary due to dye lots and different types of fabric. Please use these swatches as a general example, as the actual gown's color may vary from that of the swatch. Because the swatch is not coming from the same bolt of material your dresses will be cut from, we cannot guarantee gown colors to match exactly to the swatches. Dye lot variations do exist. Please use these swatches only as a reference, as they may not represent the final color of the gown.

 

I’m planning on losing weight. How much smaller of a size should I order?

Never buy a smaller size because you intend to lose weight. Generally, alterations cannot increase the size of the gown, they can, however, make a loose gown fit perfectly. If you lose weight it is easy to make your gown fit you perfectly if it was purchased in your previous size. The opposite, letting out a gown if it’s too small because you put on weight, can be far more expensive to do and often it will not look perfect. Planning a wedding can be a stressful time and it’s a mistake to add more stress because you won’t fit into a dress you ordered too small if you don’t reach your goal weight. Most brides buy their wedding gowns 9 to 18 months before their weddings so that they can facilitate all the other planning and purchases that revolve around the gown. You should do the same even if you are planning to lose weight. Buy the gown that fits your current weight and if you reach your weight goals it will be easy to alter to fit you beautifully. If you don’t, so what! Your gown will still fit beautifully and remember he fell in love with you the way you are, not the way you hope to be.

 

What happens if when I get my dress it doesn’t fit?

As mentioned in the above FAQ, we can only recommend what size to order based on your measurements at the time of purchase. We are not responsible for any fluctuations in weight (including pregnancy) resulting in the dress not fitting. Due to the nature of our business we cannot accept exchanges or returns. It is very important that you get measurements taken and look at the appropriate manufacturers size chart before ordering your dress. However, alterations are almost always necessary for a custom fit so please keep this in mind. It is not unusual for our seamstress to take dresses in 3-4 sizes or let out 1-2 sizes.

 

How much deposit do I need to leave to order a gown?

A Bridal World requests payment for the gown in full at the time of ordering. The order will be placed once the deposit is made.

 

What forms of payment are accepted?

A Bridal World accepts Cash, Debit, Visa, Master Card and Discover.

 

Can I pay for my dress with a credit card over the phone?

We are not authorized to accept credit cards directly over the phone, so we use an alternate method. We will send you a form to fill out, either faxed or emailed, which you will fill out and return to us either by faxing or emailing. We will then use this to process your order. This method is for user verification and to avoid credit card fraud.

 

Why can't I get an exact arrival date instead of an estimated arrival date?

Manufacturers do not guarantee their ship dates since their production can vary. Ship dates are tentative and subject to change. Manufacturers provide retailers with an estimated shipping date, which we in turn provide to our clients.

 

Will I be notified of my order status?

We will contact you once the order is placed to let you know the estimated arrival date. The dresses are delivered directly from the designer to our store, and after the gown is checked and passes quality control, we contact you so that you can pick up the dress or schedule your first fitting appointment. For group orders such as maids, our policy is that we only call the main contact (the bride) to let you know the order has arrived.

 

Why is there a shipping charge for my ordered gown?

Every manufacturer charges for shipping from their location to our store. Some bridal salons factor this charge into the price. A Bridal World offers the lowest price possible on their gowns and adds the shipping charge separately. Our shipping charge is often based on economic factors, such as gasoline prices or the shipping company's rates. For these reasons, a shipping charge may periodically change. Shipping charges vary based on weight. The charge for jewelry may be as low as $5 whereas a formal wedding gown may cost as much as $40. Most gowns average between $10-20 per gown. Please consult with a sales associate if you are concerned about the cost of shipping for a particular gown.

If you do not wish to pay the shipping charge on a particular gown, we always welcome you to purchase one of our beautiful in-stock gowns that are not subject to shipping charges.

 

What is your return/exchange policy?

Due to the special nature of our business, there are no refunds, exchanges or cancellations. There are no exceptions. Any orders that have been placed cannot be cancelled after 24 hours.

 

If the wedding is cancelled, can I get my money back?

We do understand that unfortunate events do happen, but there are no refunds, exchanges or cancellations. There are no exceptions. Once the order is placed with the manufacturer A Bridal World cannot cancel the order, not for any reason.

 

If I order a gown and do not like it when it comes in, can I send it back?

No, there are no refunds, exchanges or cancellations. There are no exceptions. The bridal manufacturer’s policy is also no refunds, exchanges or cancellations, and they will not accept the dress back.

 

I saw a dress that I’d like to try on to see if I want to buy it off the internet.

"I see that you carry that line. Do you provide try-on service for that dress manufacturer?"

Unfortunately, the answer is no if you don’t plan on purchasing the gown from us. Although independent bridal stores do carry national brands, each store is independently owned and is there to provide you with gown selections to choose from and purchase. We get nothing from the gown manufacturer if you come in and try a gown, and we get nothing if you then decide to purchase from an online store. 98% of bridal stores in the USA are independently owned and operated, and are not chain stores like David’s Bridal or Alfred Angelo. We encourage you to support your local businesses, where you can interact with a knowledgeable bridal consultant, see and try on dresses that were made to flatter you (and not a size 2 model), get your consultant’s expert advise about styles, fit and accessorizing, and not have to deal with the uncertainty of delivery with an online store.

 

What about buying gowns off the Internet?

We strongly discourage buying any gown off the Internet. Often, these gowns are cheap "knock-offs" of the gowns they claim to be selling you. When it arrives, you may be very disappointed with the gown or its quality, and you will have no recourse. If the site is an authorized retailer they may not be for long. Our manufacturers are actively working to close the accounts of anyone selling on the Internet. IF they close the account, your order will not be filled. If in fact it does arrive, it will arrive in a small box or envelope completely wrinkled. We’ve encountered many brides in tears over what they thought would be their beautiful gown, but got ripped off from an unscrupulous vendor, whether it was bought off eBay, an Internet store, or from China knock-offs.

In a recent article in USA Today, it was reported that shoppers were getting a poor deal from Internet retailers. The Consumers International research group ordered 151 items from various Internet sites. It found that one in ten items never arrived. Your wedding gown is too important to take a chance on.

Even though the idea of purchasing from an e-store can seem easy and cheap, buyer beware. Internet prices may seem enticing, but you will find if an offer sounds too good to be true, it usually is. In recent comparison shopping we found many gowns on several sites were priced 10% – 20% higher than the gowns in A Bridal World. And these were on ‘discount’ websites! So again, buyer beware. Please also be aware of designer gowns for sale on the internet. 9 times out of 10 these “designers” are copies and are of poor quality. If there was ever a time when you deserve quality, it’s your wedding day.

By purchasing from a bridal salon, you have the luxury of trying on several styles, getting assistance in choosing your size and having your questions answered immediately. The Internet is an invaluable shopping tool, but for the real thing, only buy something as important as your wedding gown from an authorized retailer.

 

How do I store my wedding dress once it arrives?

We encourage you to store your gown in a zippered dress bag for storage. If storing it for several months before the wedding, you should keep the bag partly unzipped to allow the dress to "breathe" and stay fresh. Keep the gown away from heat, sunlight, moisture and pets. It is best to keep it stored hanging correctly using the interior underarm loops, or lying flat and smooth.

 

end faq