Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing a Bridal Boutique for a Designer Wedding Dress

Planning a wedding is both one of the most blissful and most stressful times in your life. With everything from flowers to invitations to the gown itself, it’s natural to feel a bit frazzled. Whether you’re on the hunt for a designer wedding dress or something a bit more simple and down to earth, a bridal boutique is the perfect place to make your selection. The advice and kindness from a bridal boutique’s employees may be just the thing you need to transform that stress into excitement. In this article, we discuss a few things you should keep in mind while making your boutique selection. Let us help you have the best experience possible.

Keep Convenience in Mind

It’s so tempting to drive hours to a famous or prestigious bridal boutique. After all, you want everything to be perfect for one of the most special and memorable days of your life. While this would be logical if the bridal boutique was a one-time thing, the reality is you’ll likely spend more time there than you originally anticipate, probably going back at least a few times. This is particularly true if the boutique offers packages that include services other than your wedding gown. Hair and makeup for the big day might be some options. With dress alterations and fittings to keep in mind as well, your best bet is to choose your favorite boutique within a reasonable distance. If you’re looking for wedding dresses in Columbus, don’t drive four hours away from the city for your boutique. This will make the process feel enjoyable instead of like a chore.

Choose Your Boutique Type

You might already know that there are two different types of bridal boutiques. There are boutiques, called designer boutiques, that mainly cater to the wedding gown itself. Many beautiful designer wedding dresses may be found at a boutique like this. If all you’re wanting is a dress and you already have plans for other details, a designer boutique is a great option.

An all-in-one bridal boutique, on the other hand, has a wider range of service offerings for you to choose from. If you’re not interested in the hassle of dealing with vendor after vendor, a done-for-you solution like this can take a lot of stress off your shoulders. Be sure it’s within your budget. From evening gowns to flower arrangements and updos, all-in-one boutiques offer a variety of options to help make your day flawless.

Consider Your Budget When Buying a Designer Wedding Dress

There’s no point going to the most expensive bridal boutique in the city if you’re on a tight budget. Aside from the boutique itself and if it’s an all-in-one or a designer boutique, there are a number of factors that affect cost. This includes everything from if you want a specially designed dress or one bought off the rack and if you want to rent or buy your gown. Think about any additional services you want, such as photography, too. Having a list of questions and knowing your budget before you begin shopping for a boutique is the easiest way to save money.

Do Your Research

As long as you already have your budget set in stone, research is a fun way to narrow down your bridal boutique options. Having your budget nailed down before you start your research will make the process easier and more streamlined. You’ll already know which options are off the table for you. Research not only the different boutique options, but also the different styles and silhouettes of gowns available to you. Basically, knowing some of the details you want ahead of time will make your boutique experience better, no matter which one you end up going with.

Ask for Recommendations

A great way to conduct some research that’s more personal to you is to ask for recommendations. People get married every day, and it’s likely that at least one friend, relative, coworker, or acquaintance has recently tied the knot or knows someone who has. Ask them what boutique they went with and if their experience was positive or negative. Sure, reading reviews online is great. Hearing the nitty gritty from someone you actually know will always make more of an impact on your choice, though.

Check It Out Yourself

It’s one thing to take someone’s word that a bridal boutique offers designer wedding dresses, evening gowns, and a wide range of them to suit any taste and budget. It’s a completely different thing to verify this for yourself. When visiting your boutique of choice, take a good look around. Make sure they actually offer what they advertise.

It’s important to consider the service as well. Ultimately, the service is one of the most important factors influencing boutique enjoyment and satisfaction. Do the staff seem happy to help you? Do they actually take the time to listen to your unique needs and concerns? If it seems they’re rushed and too busy for you, assume this is the norm. Decide if it’s something that’s a deal breaker for you.

Ask for Samples

Especially if you’ve chosen to go with an all-in-one option, it’s important to ask for the portfolio of any vendor you’re interested in using. Whether that’s photos of the beautiful wedding day updos they’ve done, pictures of past makeup looks, or simply evidence of their beautiful photography, get samples instead of going off the word of the boutique. Even if the boutique itself seems perfect, if you don’t like the work of their chosen vendors, it’s not going to be a great fit. As you request samples, also request prices. See if everything is included in your package or if some of these services will cost you an additional premium.

Visit Multiple Stores

When you find a boutique that really strikes your fancy, don’t decide right then and there that this is the place for you. It’s easy to be swept up in the excitement of first impressions. However, this puts you at risk of choosing a bridal boutique that doesn’t actually serve your needs. Instead, rest on your decision for a few days or weeks. Visit multiple boutiques in the area, even if on paper they don’t seem to have everything you want. You never know: that quaint little boutique might be better than the world famous one people seem to rave about. At the end of the day, it’s your wedding, and only you can make this important decision. Don’t rush it. Have fun and enjoy the process of finding your ideal designer wedding dress!