Any advice for newbies ordering dresses?

After reading many reviews for the past few months, it seems like almost every single bridal store has good and bad reviews.

Is there any advice from people who have ordered and had a bad experience that can be given to prevent your experience from happening to someone else?

People mention their bad experience, but do you think looking back there was anything you could have done different to prevent it?

I want to order my dress, but am nervous ordering from anywhere because of all the mixed reviews. The only place I would feel confident ordering is Bridal Garden, and unfortunately, they don't carry the brand I want.

Thanks for any input at all.

Re: Any advice for newbies ordering dresses?

Every place has mixed reviews. I looked at local places to try things on, but I am going to order my dress from RK Bridal because it is a lot cheaper. Maybe they don't have the best of customer service but the money I save there I can use to buy a new handbag!

Re: Any advice for newbies ordering dresses?

The two most important things I can tell you are:

Lie about your wedding date by 3-4 weeks. Do not worry. Most brides do it and it can save you a huge headache later. My dress was ordered incorrectly and I lied by 2 weeks. That wasn't enough time to get me a new one so i'm wearing a sample.

the second thing is to make sure you know your size. Do not let the dress shop tell you your size based only on measurements - they are always too big. I was fitting into every size 10 sample and they ordered me a 14 because my measurements said I was a 14. The dress was so huge when it came in that they even realized I could never alter it enough to fit.
Look at the size, write it down and nake sure they know you are going to be upset if they order the wrong size.

I went to a very prestigious shop and they really messed up everything (ordered 2 sizes too big and 4 inches too long). My dress was a single piece of lace that they could not alter so i had to get a new dress 4 weeks before my wedding. I'm happy with what I got but I'm kicking myself for being nervous about lying about my wedding date. i felt so bad. Stupid me. i should have lied even more than I did.

Re: Any advice for newbies ordering dresses?

Samsbride, sheesh what a hassle! I wouldn't wan to go to a place where I feel like i have to lie to get good service. Did you complain to them? I would have ripped them a new one.

Re: Any advice for newbies ordering dresses?

Thank you for sharing. I am sorry you had such a bad experience. I wonder why dresses are late even though the bride tells them a specific date. That seems quite common.

Did the place you order from seem apologetic at all?

Re: Any advice for newbies ordering dresses?

Try Adriennes in Islip...so sweet and professional. They are extremely honest and not pushy at all. The best part is...it is not a factory like other bridal stores. I bought my dress there (The only store I went to) Good luck!

Re: Any advice for newbies ordering dresses?

You could always go to other places to try the dress, and ask Bridal Gardens to measure you and order it. A lot of places will order it for you even if they don't carry it...

The brand of dresses I like a lot is only carried by a place in Baldwin which is a hike for me... I will probably try the dress there but then order it from somewhere closer to my house just out of convenience!

Good luck!!

Re: Any advice for newbies ordering dresses?

shop around...

my mother is making mine, but i tried on some and was with the prices. get a good idea of "low-end" vs. "high-end" and how much you want to spend prior to taking the plunge...good luck!

Re: Any advice for newbies ordering dresses?

You should go to at least 3-4 salons to get a feel for each place and their selections. Some places will be able to order a dress they don't carry, you have to ask and see.

I was very happy with the service and selection at:

Lillette's (Baldwin)
Princess Bridals (Farmingdale)
Bonaventure (Garden City)

Cathy's Bridal in Lindenhurst and Bridal Garden were both very nice to me as well.

Good Luck with your search and don't worry!

Re: Any advice for newbies ordering dresses?

I would definitely go to a few shops. I had a bad experience with Bridal Reflections in Carle Place but other people had great experiences there. It all depends. Definitely lie about the wedding date just to give you some more time to play with if anything is to happen with the dress. My friend just got married, got her dress at Bridal Couture in Manhasset-a higher end shop. Well it is 2 weeks before the wedding and they ordered her dress in the wrong color. She wanted diamond whitte and they ordered her stark white. So there is nothing she could do about it and the shop did nothing to help her. Now her veil didnt match, had to get a new one, new shoes and her dress is the wrong color. I wouldve flipped out but i dont know how much they can do for you. I just hope everything goes ok with my dress-got it at Macys Bridal in Manhasset-they were all sooo nice there. Good luck

Re: Any advice for newbies ordering dresses?

Best advice I can give is:
Shop around &take your time!!!!!

YOu only want to buy 1- trust me! See what cuts fit your body best- then work on the look of the dress( beading etc)

Don't feel rushed or buy into the sales pitch- you'll know when its the one.

Have fun!

Re: Any advice for newbies ordering dresses?

I had a wonderful experience at Priscilla of Boston.

Just take your time and read EVERYTHING before you sign and pay. If something doesn't look right or you feel nervous about something tell them and work it out before you purchase.