With online shopping being a part of everyday life, many people look to purchase their gowns online, with sometimes very disappointing results. So why is it best to buy from a reputable bridal boutique?
Your wedding gown purchase – one of the biggest purchases of your life. Would you consider it to be risky business buying online? You aren’t able to try the dress on, you can’t feel the fabric and see the detail. You can’t see how that particular style and cut will suit your body shape.
Irrespective of this, we regularly see brides that have taken the decision to buy online – and often, they have become extremely disappointed when it’s arrived.
When you book a wedding dress consultation with most bridal boutiques, you are made to feel special – as special as this big day is to you.
The Bridal Consultant will discuss colours, styles, ideas that you have and not only suggest dresses that they think will suit you, but let you have a good look at the dresses – so you can see for yourself the varity in the gowns available. Believe it or not, most bridal shops aren’t (or shouldn’t be) like pushy sales people – they are there to help you to find that perfect dress for your day.
Here are some of the things to keep in mind should you be thinking of using an online store rather than a reputable bridal boutique to purchase your gown.
Knowing your body type vs. dress styles
We all come in very different shapes and sizes – sometimes it’s easier for someone who has seen many different shapes and sizes to see what cut will suit us best. There will be different things that suit us all, and without physically trying a dress on it can be really hard to tell. By booking a consultation at a reputable bridal boutique, you can eliminate necklines, waistlines and styles that may look beautiful on the model, but aren’t best suited to you.
The full experience
By ordering a dress online, you miss out on the whole experience of shopping for your dress and that feeling of finding ‘the one’.
By trying different gowns on with different fabrics, embellishments and styles, you’ll soon figure out what it is you’re looking for.
Most bridal consultations are a great experience – we even offer a VIP package whereby you can bring your whole bridal party along and have full use of the entire boutique, making it a real occasion!
Measurements
As with clothes on the high street, every designers sizes will differ. A standard Size 12 may be completely different with one designer to the other. Your bra will make a big difference also – you should always try your dress on with the bra you plan on wearing on the day, as well as trying on your shoes to ensure everything sits just where it should do. Many bridal boutiques offer an alteration service on gowns purchased at the boutique – making sure the dress is perfect to your shape for your big day.
Fabric differences
Without knowing the difference between fabrics, it can be misleading buying a dress online if the fabric is not what you expected on it’s arrival. Some fabrics are stretchy – moving with you and being kind on your bust and other areas. Other fabrics can be very stiff and show every curve, also not making it very easy to move in and becoming very uncomfortable throughout the day.
If you aren’t 100% on the fabric, you cannot rely on a photo alone. It’s really important to see and feel the material up close.
Non-descript descriptions
Unfortunately, there are a lot of imitation and inexpensive gowns on the internet that aren’t what they appear to be – the descriptions don’t often contain a lot, so you can be unaware of what you are actually buying….being guided on the photograph and price alone.
The quality can be extremely poor – a lot of the gowns arrive vacuum packed, resulting in awful creasing which is often very difficult to remove. If dresses have been poorly made, they will crinkle and potentially snag – this is the last thing you want to happen on your big day!
Making it your own
Want your dress in a different white? Maybe Ivory? Perhaps a longer train will suit you or you would like straps?
You can discuss the options with a professional when purchasing with a boutique – not all dresses can have the same alterations, but they can discuss your needs and wishes with you – dress by dress.
The right service
Some online stores don’t have a customer services team available by phone – they are only available by email. This can be highly frustrating, and also not provide you with the information you need about your purchase. You are likely to have questions on fit & style advice, so ensure there is always someone on hand that knows what they’re talking about so they can help you.
You usally get to know the staff at a bridal boutique, as it’s the personal service that they pride themselves on.
Trusted Tailors
Most bridal boutiques have an appointed tailor who carries out alterations on all of the dresses they sell. With this, comes the confidence that your dress is in good hands if it needs to be shortened or adjusted in anyway.
We offer a personal service here at Sammie Lou Bridal, offering one to one bridal consultations with expert bridal consultants, assisting you in finding that perfect dress.
Appointments are limited and should be booked as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.