Shopping for your wedding dress is one of the most exciting parts of planning your big day. It’s often an emotional journey, shared with close friends and family who all help you to find your dream dress. Choosing a bridal boutique that offers an unforgettable experience is an important step in that journey. The right boutique doesn’t just help you find your dress; it becomes a part of the memory-making process, adding a little extra magic to the moment.
Before you begin shopping, take some time to think about a few key factors: your budget, your location, and how much time you have to order your gown. With these in mind, follow our tips for choosing the perfect bridal boutique, so you can have your own “Say Yes To The Dress” moment.
Establish a Budget
It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of wedding dress shopping, and before you know it, you’re trying on gowns that are well beyond your budget. While it might feel thrilling in the moment, falling in love with a dress that’s out of reach can lead to unnecessary heartache. To avoid disappointment, set a clear budget before you start shopping. Be sure to include not just the cost of the gown but also accessories and alterations so you’re fully prepared and can focus on finding the perfect dress within your means.
The average wedding dress costs around $2000, but you can spend more or less than this, depending on your preferences. For example, dresses with a lot of appliques or beading are more expensive than plain gowns due to the additional work.
Bridal Tip
As you search for boutiques, look at the dresses on their websites. Some shops list their prices or the range to help brides determine whether it’s worth a visit.
Set Location Limits
How far are you willing to travel to find your dress? This is something worth deciding before you begin your search. While some brides are happy to journey across the country for the perfect gown, others prefer to stay close to home. Bigger cities often offer a wider selection than smaller towns, so depending on your location, a bit of travel may be unavoidable.
Start by researching local bridal boutiques and consider how far you’re comfortable traveling to visit each one. Knowing your limits ahead of time will help narrow down your options and make the process less overwhelming.
Bridal Tip
If you want to travel far for dress shopping, remember that it can get expensive, especially if you have to return to the boutique for alterations.
Read Online Reviews
Reviews give us insight into what to expect without having to go to the boutique. As you narrow down shops, evaluate their reputation. Some shops may have ratings on their website, but you should also look at Google Reviews and other online review platforms.
While reading reviews, weigh the positives and negatives as well as how they may affect your overall experience. For instance, someone may leave a complaint that their appointment was canceled but also mention that they arrived 30 minutes late. This isn’t necessarily a red flag because the customer wasn’t on time, and the business may have scheduled another appointment after theirs.
On the other hand, if people rave that the bridal salon has hands-on consultants who are patient and encouraging, you’ll probably have a great time. Don’t just look at the star ratings; read through the comments to better understand the customer experience.
Check Out Social Media
We live in the digital age, and many businesses have social media accounts to showcase their company while connecting with current and potential customers. Bridal salons are no exception; many have active accounts on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and TikTok.
You can also use social media to find salons in your area. If you’re on TikTok or Instagram, use hashtags such as #bridalboutiques, and get more specific by putting your city name in it. This will bring up posts from local salons and give you a feel for their style and services.
In addition to finding potential bridal shops, following them on social media can give you valuable information about sales, promotions, new collections, and more. Look through their pictures or posts to get an idea of what dresses and styles they offer.
Ask for Recommendations
Sometimes, the best way to find a bridal boutique is by talking to fellow brides in your life. If you know someone engaged or who recently got married, ask them for their recommendations. This tip for choosing the right bridal boutique eases the process of finding a reliable salon since you can hear first-hand experiences from people you trust. Ask the friend or relative about their overall experience at the boutique, including the quality of service and selection of dresses.
Shop by Designer
If you already have a specific designer in mind for your wedding dress, starting your boutique search there can save time. Many bridal boutiques partner with specific designers and have the needed authorization to sell their gowns.
While you can go on Google and search “Shops with dresses by X designer,” you can also go to the designer’s website to see where they sell their gowns. At Justin Alexander, the Find a Store button on our site allows you to locate shops selling our gowns by entering your city or area code.
Bridal Tip
Contact the boutique if there are specific styles from your preferred designers that you’re interested in.
Review Services Offered
Bridal boutiques often offer additional services, including tailoring, styling advice, and preservation. However, not all shops are the same, and while some may offer all these services, others may offer only a few or none.
Read through the bridal shop’s website to see if they list their services. Call them to inquire if the business does not state what they do besides selling dresses.
Contact Various Boutiques
Sometimes, personal experience is the best option, and reaching out to a bridal shop doesn’t mean you’re locked in. Contact salons on your list of top picks to ask about how appointments work, their pricing, and what designers they carry.
Reach out to several salons so you have a few options. You may not buy your dress at the first shop you go to, and having several options allows you to go to the next boutique on the list. After all, wedding planning is time-consuming, and you don’t want to continuously go back to square one as you search for the perfect salon.
Pay attention to how each shop responds when you call or email. Are they helpful, friendly, and professional? First impressions matter, as they often reflect the type of service you’ll experience during your visit. If the person of contact seems brash or rude, avoid that salon—there are plenty of choices, and shopping should be fun!
Find Justin Alexander Dresses
Justin Alexander wedding dresses are the definition of beauty and grace, with a wide range of brands to suit every bride and her unique style. Explore our collection online, and then use our store locator to find your nearest bridal salon.
Choosing the right bridal boutique isn’t just about finding the perfect gown; it’s about embracing the magical experience that comes with it. Trust your instincts, enjoy every moment, and get ready to say “yes” to the dress of your dreams.
