As you start your journey to saying “yes to the dress”, you will find that there are more ways than ever to find the perfect wedding dress for your wedding day. However, there are advantages and disadvantages to each option. Along with all the ways to purchase your wedding dress below, we have listed the pros and cons for each so you can determine which option is right for you. Also, check out a podcast episode we recorded with Bri Marbias of The Bridal Finery below about some of the more popular ways to purchase your wedding dress.
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Made to Order
This is the traditional way of purchasing your wedding dress. Of the many bridal designers, each bridal boutique will carry a select few at its location. Depending on the designer, they will produce 1-2 collections a year. The bridal boutique will then select a variety of dresses from the designer’s latest collection to carry in its shop as a sample for brides to try on. When the bride finds the dress they want, the boutique will take their measurements and the dress will be ordered according to their size. Once the dress is ordered, then the designer will start production of the dress. Since the dress is being custom-made, it can take up to 7-8 months to get the finished dress from the designer. However, it is extremely rare that a dress, even when ordered to the measurements of the bride, doesn’t need some type of alterations. These alterations can take 2-3 months to complete. Overall, a good rule of thumb is to expect the whole process to take 9-10 months.
Pros:
- Made to your measurements
- Larger selection
- The only person to wear your dress
Cons:
- Can take a while to get your dress
- Less likely to find a discount
Off the Rack
As bridal boutique owners select dresses from a designer’s latest collection, they need to make room in their shop. Due to this, less popular sample gowns need to go and are sold to brides at discounted prices. In most cases, these sample dresses were used for brides to try on and then purchase a made-to-order dress. However, in some cases, boutiques source sample dresses straight from the designer to sell directly to their brides. These sample gowns are sold to the bride “off-the-rack”. This means the bride takes the dress they try on, instead of having to order it directly from the designer.
Pros:
- Timely - can take dress after purchase
- Usually heavily discounted
Cons:
- Made need extensive alterations, since it is not made to your measurements and may have damage from being repeatedly tried on.
- Limited selection
Trunk Show
When a designer creates a collection, they do so with a variety of gowns. However, as previously stated, the bridal boutique owner will select dresses from the collection that they feel will be the best for the brides that frequently shop at their boutique. You may find a dress on a designer’s website that you love and book an appointment with the bridal boutique that carries the designer. Only to find that the dress you wanted to try on wasn’t available in the shop.
Due to this, bridal boutiques will sometimes offer trunk shows. A trunk show is a special event that is hosted at a bridal boutique for a specific designer that they carry. During these events, the designer will provide their entire collection for brides to try on. Side Note: If you have your heart set on trying a specific dress, always call the bridal boutique before booking your appointment to make sure that they have that dress at the shop. If it’s not there, the boutique may be able to source it for you.
Pros:
- Made to your measurements
- Designers usually offer incentives or discounts to purchase during the event
- Great if you love a specific designer
Cons:
- Limited appointments available
- Usually, only happen once a season to showcase a specific collection
- Since they are made to order, this option might not work if your wedding date is close
Other Ways to Purchase Your Wedding Dress
Family Heirloom
Wearing a family member’s wedding dress is the ultimate “something borrowed”. Depending on the style and size, a bride may opt to alter the gown or leave it as it is.
Pros:
- Unique and personal
- Could be more budget-friendly
Cons:
- Alterations could be costly
- The family member may not want the dress drastically altered
- May not fit in with your wedding style
Online
Over the past several years online bridal boutiques have become more and more popular. This option allows you to purchase a wedding dress and have it shipped directly to your house.
Pros:
- Tend to have a much larger variety of options than a traditional bridal boutique
- Budget-friendly
- Many have a quicker turnaround
Cons:
- Can be overwhelming if you aren’t sure what you want
- Returns can be a hassle
- May not have the higher quality in material and details
Used or Consignment Gown
Many brides opt to keep their wedding dresses. However, there are some that for a variety of reasons, decide to sell their dress after their wedding. Whether online in a Facebook group or through consignments, there are a variety of ways you can be purchase a used gown. In rare cases, you may find one that hasn’t been worn but the bride is selling due to a canceled wedding.
Pros:
- Usually heavily discounted
Cons:
- Limited selection
- Alterations can be costly
- Dress may have damage due to wedding day wear