What to expect from a bridal gown store?

Question

Generally, do bridal salons carry variety of sizes of the same gown?

Answer 1

Do yourself a favor and visit smaller shops first...those big places like Demetrios, etc. will treat you like a piece of meat, and they only give proper attention to brides with bigger budgets, the other brides are cast aside and only helped as time allows.  In almost all cases, they will only have 1 or 2 sizes of each gown to try on...they just sort of pin it onto you so you can get an idea, then they order it to your size.  I didn't care for the whole environment, it just wasn't fun for me.  So I got my dress at Macy's...I loved it and it was a great experience.

Answer 2

Unfortunately they usually only have one sample gown in one size. It can get really frustrating - especially if you are a size 16 and they want you to try on a size 4. David's Bridal has the same gowns in all different sizes - but in my experience most bridal shops do not.  

Answer 3

My sister is getting married and we did a ton of bridal gown shopping. There are all kinds of shops out there. I have found that, for the most part, bridal shops carry gowns in 3 different sizes... Typically a small size, medium size, large size, like 4, 8, 14 or 6, 10, 16. Some bridal dresses run a little big, but some run a little small. You can order just about anything from any bridal store... color, size, style. I have also found that the employees in bridal stores are very patient, supportive, and helpful. If they're not, go somewhere else. There's other places to go. My sister had the best experience at David's Bridal, which is where she bought her gown. She liked that they had all the styles in every size. There was no guessing what the results of her gown will be. She bought her gown right off the rack and a seamstress was available to help with alterations that day. She had her gown finished with all the alterations within 3 weeks. Some places take 3 months just to order the gown and get it in.

Answer 4

Most bridal stores carry just one sample size (usually a size 6, which in bridal sizing more like a 4 because they tend to fit small).  Samples dresses are very costly, so it's more economical to just buy one "average" size dress for people to try.

You will try on the sample and if the store is a good one the sales person you are working with should be a talented "pinner" so she can pin and clip the dress to look normal in the front on your body, so you will get a good impression of what you will look like in it.  

Sometimes it's hard, especially if it has a shorter train, because the shape of the train may vary with the size of the gown (if it has a long train you won't notice the difference between sizes anyway).  And if you are trying on a dress in white, but you want ivory sometimes it's hard to get your imagination to see what it will look like once ordered.  But they should be able to show you a variety of gown styles and sample fabrics to help you get "the look" together in your head.  And don't forget the instant help that adding a veil will do.  It makes you instantly look like a bride. So if you're having trouble, get them to put a simple one on your head.

Once you decide they will measure you and order one to be made in your size, and then it will be altered to fit you perfectly!

Good Luck!

Answer 5

generally they do. but i know that they do a ton of alterations. so say your a size 6 and the dress you want is a 10. taking it in is very common. good luck!