Shopping for the Gown - Common Questions

We are so appreciative of suppliers who are willing to participate in our Guest Blogger program and provide helpful tips!  This week, we welcome this post by LuAnn VanderZanden from Bridal Elegance and Formalwear in Kaukauna, Wisconsin.

Are all the wedding gowns at Bridal Elegance and Formalwear "in stock" and ready to take home?
Yes with one exception. At Bridal Elegance and Formalwear we average approximately 300 wedding gowns in stock from sizes 2 to 24. In our plus sizes only however (sizes 20 to 30), there is a section of gowns we can special order. It should be noted that even these styles could also change on a regular basis so if you see a dress you love; we recommend you buy it right away. We also have a Couture designer’s test rack where designers are testing wedding gowns that may go into production in the future.


What are the prices like at Bridal Elegance and Formalwear?

One word alone describes the wedding gown prices…AMAZING! At Bridal Elegance and Formalwear the majority of the wedding gowns are priced between $49.00 and $2,500.00 and we have a huge inventory that allows us to have a good selection at almost every price point in between. At Bridal Elegance and Formalwear our buyers not only focus on amazing and unique styling but the buyers also feel it is important that our wedding gowns be made of the highest quality materials and have a superior inner fit construction. We often hear our customers exclaim that they can really feel the difference in our gowns by just touching the fabrics. We have also found that no matter how beautiful a style, if the gown does not have a superior inner fit construction the gown will not look or hang perfectly when worn. There are also many informal destination, beach and encore wedding gowns that are priced lower in the $100.00 to $600.00 range. Most other stores as large as Bridal Elegance and Formalwear manufacturer their own gowns but Bridal Elegance and Formalwear ONLY sells independent, well known designer gowns that are normally only found in small boutique stores. The difference is that for most of the designers represented in our store Bridal Elegance and Formalwear is their largest customer. This means we buy in large volume that results in large discounts that we can pass on to our customers. When you come to Bridal Elegance and Formalwear advise your consultant as to your budget and she will work not only to find you the most beautiful gown you’ve ever seen BUT she will also work to satisfy your financial needs.

Should I bring in pictures from magazines or the Internet of gowns I like?
Yes, Yes, Yes. BUT, we strongly advise that you remember two things. First, the models used by the bridal designers average 6’ tall and wear a size 4 so unless you are this tall and wear a size 4 the gowns may not look the same on you. The first thing you should know is that many designers sell gowns that are not advertised in the magazines and are not available online. They tend to look better on “normal” sized women so BRING AN OPEN MIND. It has been our experience that when many women see themselves in a pictured gown they thought they loved they exclaim “gee, I thought it would be more exciting” and, when they try on a gown style they had not even considered before they go crazy over how good it makes them feel. You should also know that when a bride brings in a picture of a gown she likes, 70% of the time we either have that exact same dress or one that is very similar. Ours always seem to be for a lot less money too.

What if I find the gown of my dreams and I'm not ready to buy it yet? Can you hold it for me?
(I’m not ready financially or I want my mom to see it.)  Sorry, we can’t. Bridal Elegance and Formalwear usually has only one of each gown (sometimes there may be the same gown in a different size). If we held a gown we may be depriving someone from buying that saw and loved that same gown a day before you. The advantage of our style of store is that if you don’t find a gown of your dreams on your first visit you can return in two weeks and see many new and different gowns that came in since your last visit. The disadvantage is that if you find the gown of your dreams and don’t purchase it that day there is a good chance it won’t be here when you come back. That is why we suggest that before you set an appointment somewhere else, you ask yourself, “If I found the wedding gown of my dreams in my budget can I buy it today?” If the answer is no just come take a tour so you won’t fall in love with any one gown. It’s best to be ready at Bridal Elegance and Formalwear by bringing your mom or whoever you want with you so. If you’re that lucky to find the perfect dress you won’t have to leave it behind. We do have a lay-a-way plan (50% down, balance in 30 days) All major credit cards are accepted. If you are ordering your gown we request 50% down and the balance due within two weeks of the gown arriving.

How is Bridal Elegance and Formalwear different than the big chain bridal store?
There are two BIG differences. First, although both Bridal Elegance and Formalwear and the big chain both stock wedding gowns, the big chain store manufacturers its’ own dresses at their factory, i.e. all the wedding gowns “they” sell were made by them. At Bridal Elegance and Formalwear, we do not make wedding gowns. Instead, we buy from the same designers who normally sell to the small boutique stores, but, instead of buying one dress at a time off a sample like the boutiques do, at Bridal Elegance and Formalwear we buy several at a time from each designer. The second BIG difference is that the chain stores have “fixed styles for the season”. This means that for the most part their dress styles don’t change during the year. They can even give you a catalog because they are selling the same gowns over and over. At Bridal Elegance and Formalwear we don’t have “fixed styles”. Our wedding gown styles and inventory changes every week (sometimes every day). The benefit to you, our customer is that if you don’t find the gown of your dreams on your first visit, just come back in two weeks and you WILL see new and different wedding gowns in your size. The only small disadvantage to a bridal store like Bridal Elegance and Formalwear is that if you do find your perfect wedding gown and don’t purchase it, there is a good chance it won’t be here when you come back and you’ll have to start over in your quest or order the gown in without trying it on again.

Does Bridal Elegance and Formalwear do alterations "on-site"?
Yes, we have 3 seamstress personnel that do alterations for our store.

Beach Weddings, Destination Weddings, Pregnant Bride?
Not a week goes by when we don’t have several requests in this category. The advantage of being so big that we have the equivalent of three regular bridal stores worth of inventory means that we can give our beach and destination customers a truly awesome selection of wedding gowns designed to look free flowing, elegant, sexy and exciting for just this type of wedding. As for the pregnant brides, not only do we have a great selection of gowns that will accommodate this special need but we have the experienced consultants that will be able to guide you to a beautiful dress that will truly enhance your special day.
Full Figured Women and Plus Sizes? 
Bridal Elegance and Formalwear has always enjoyed a stellar reputation with plus size customers. Bridal Elegance and Formalwear offers plus sizes in three different options: 1. off the rack where we have dresses up to size 30 ready to take home immediately; 2. a special order section where we have samples in sizes 16w to 34w available to be ordered. You will need to see us at least five months before the wedding for most of these dresses. Some are available sooner. 3. Special cut dresses are also available. If your budget permits it we have several designers that will take your measurements and cut a wedding gown to your needs and specifications. Here again, we will need to see you at least five months before the wedding.

If I'm Planning on Losing Weight, When Should I Shop for and When Should I Buy My Wedding Gown?Every experienced bridal seamstress will tell you that it is easy and inexpensive to take a wedding gown down in size. 95% of all future brides will need some alterations and when they open up side seams, taking out ¼ inch or 3” costs the same. So if you lose weight it is easy and inexpensive to make your gown still fit you perfectly if it was purchased in a bigger size. The opposite, releasing a gown if it is 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 is a mistake to add more stress because you will not fit into a dress if you don’t reach your weight goal. 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! You gown will still fit beautifully and remember he fell in love with you the way you are, not the way you hope to be.

Who Should I Bring with Me When I'm Wedding Gown Shopping?When shopping for a wedding gown all the experts advise not to bring too many people. Your mom and one or two other trusted individuals seem to be the perfect mix. Pick a few people who love you to come and your experience will be a lot more enjoyable and you will have a better chance of being successful in your quest. Its great to have one or two people who are close to you to give you honest opinions but bringing too many people to “poll the audience” is a recipe for disaster that may make you miss out on your perfect gown. In the end the only opinion that truly counts when picking a wedding gown is YOURS! You will be the center of attention at your wedding (no one cares how the groom looks). You want a wedding gown the will make you look awesome and feel amazing. You are the only one who will really know when you have found the gown that does this.

Should I Look for My Wedding Gown and the Bridesmaids' Gowns on the Same Day?
Don't try to do too much in one day. We suggest you not try to shop for bridesmaids and a wedding gown all in the same day. Finding that perfect gown can be harder, more time consuming, and more mentally exhausting than you think. We suggest you focus on your wedding gown first, check out our entire floor of bridesmaids before you leave and plan a separate day for the bridesmaids shopping.

Will I Actually be Able to Go Through the Racks and See for Myself ALL of the Dresses Bridal Elegance and Formalwear has to Offer?
Absolutely! Many of our customers have complained that at other bridal stores they are put into a dressing room and the store employee goes to another room to select gowns she thinks the future bride will like. At Bridal Elegance and Formalwear you will go through the racks either alone or together to review, discuss and choose the wedding gowns you will try on. You will be able to see every gown Bridal Elegance and Formalwear has to offer in every size. The gowns are all bagged and we do take special care of them. We go to extremes to make sure every wedding gown stays in perfect condition and you will appreciate that we took such extreme care of it when you find that amazing dress you fall in love with.

Should I Get a Sitter for Kids?
We strongly advise you not bring children to a bridal store. Your wedding gown choice is one of the most important you will make for your wedding. For the rest of your married life you will be looking at pictures of yourself in that special
gown. When shopping for that gown you need to be able to focus and concentrate without distractions. A bridal salon is not a fun place for kids and they will get bored very quickly and totally distract you from this important mission. A bridal salon is also NOT a safe place for children due to loose pins and other hazards. Crying babies also distract other future brides on this important day.

LuAnn VanderZanden, owner
Bridal Elegance and Formalwear