GOWN SHOPPING primer

Do Your HomeworkBefore you start to shop, take the time to study Bridal Guide magazine and any other bridal publication available to you - both articles and advertisements. Review the websites of as many designers as possible. Web addresses usually are available on magazine ads, as well as in our Wedding Gown Designer Directory. Take notes. Make a list of the designers you like best, the specific styles that appeal to you, and the retailers who are authorized to sell the gowns you prefer in your local area.
Next, ask as many people as possible for retail store recommendations in general and specifically about their experiences at the shops included on your list. This will help you narrow your list of shops to visit.
While some resource books suggest that your decision regarding where to shop should be guided by information obtained from the Better Business Bureau, it’s important to understand the limitations of this type of information. Consumer complaints to the B.B.B. are filed against virtually every retail store in the country, and bridal stores are no exception. You’ll place unrealistic restrictions on your options if you avoid any store that has ever inspired a complaint. If you do check B.B.B. records, closely evaluate the number and the nature of the complaints and decide whether they're significant enough to eliminate the store from your list. Again, your best bet is a word-of-mouth reference from a friend, a friend of a friend, or anyone with a recent experience with a retailer.
Timing It RightUnlike the instant gratification of shopping for most clothes, acquiring a wedding gown can be a lengthy process so it's important to allow enough time for it. Typically, a woman begins shopping for her bridal gown immediately following her engagement and devotes roughly four to six weeks to the search. The typical Bridal Guide reader tells us that she visits three to four bridal stores and tries on from fifteen to twenty gowns before making a buying decision. But remember, this is just an average. Some women purchase a gown from the first store they visit. Others agonize over the process for months.