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What is the price range of bridal gowns
at Bridal Accents Couture?
We carry a wide selection of bridal
gowns ranging in price from
about $600-$6,000.
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Why do
wedding gowns vary so much in
price?
Couture bridal gowns entail hundreds
of hours of labor by specialized
seamstresses all over the world.
Fine quality silks, hand-spun laces,
and intricate hand-detailed beading
and embroidery all add to the unique
value of a couture gown. Lower
price equates to compromised quality
with poly-blend fabrics, machine
beading, poor construction, and
improper fit. If a gown is in
a mid-range price, it may excel in
some of these areas, and skimp in
others.
What
size should I order?
Once you have selected your wedding
gown, your bridal salon will measure
you to help you determine the best
size to order. These
measurements usually include bust,
waist, and hip. Depending on your
gown's fit and the designer, more
measurements may need to be taken.
Each designer uses a different size
chart, and the numbers may be very
different than your everyday
clothing size. You will have
the opportunity to see how your
measurements compare to the
designer's size chart, and select
your size from it.
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I am concerned that my height
might be a problem when trying on
wedding gowns. What should I do?
Tall ladies, do not fear! Extra
length is a common request, and can
be done with ease. Keep in mind
that most bridal gowns are designed
for 5’9”. For petite women, there
are several options available,
depending on the gown you choose.
Often hemming is an easy solution.
This can be done at the hem of the
skirt, or at other horizontal seam
lines throughout the gown—commonly
at the waist. Another option to
consider is a special measurement
called “hollow to hem.” This takes
your frame and proportions into
account, and will shrink the gown
pattern to your size and height.
Often, there is a fee associated
with this special measurement, which
can also be combined with other
custom measurements to ensure a
perfectly-designed fit just for you.
When considering length, please keep
in mind that shoes play a major
role! The length of your gown will
need to be different if you choose
3” heels as opposed to flats. If
you opt to have custom or
hollow-to-hem measurements done by
the bridal gown designer, select your heel
height first before getting
measured.
I'm not comfortable with a
strapless dress. What should I
do?
Ask
yourself why you are not comfortable
in a strapless gown. If you are
concerned about proper fit and
keeping it in place, don’t be. Most
women have never had a gown altered
to ft them perfectly. Once bust
cups are placed and detailed
alterations are done, your gown will
fit you like a glove, and will move
gracefully with you. This is not an
off-the-rack prom dress that you
have to tug on all night—this is
your couture wedding gown, specially
made to fit you perfectly.
If you have other concerns, or would
still prefer a different neckline,
let your bridal consultant know.
Many strapless gowns can have straps
easily added, or have the entire
neckline changed to suit your
desires. This can sometimes incur a
pattern change fee from the
designer.
Can I make custom changes to a
wedding gown?
Most designers are very open to
custom changes. After all, it is
YOUR day, and designers want you to
feel perfect in the wedding gown that they
create for you. If you’re feeling
creative, ask about different
fabrics, colored accents,
shortening/lengthening the train,
changing necklines, adding/removing
skirt volume, and adding beading to
dazzle up your train. Note that
there are a few designers who are
protective of their designs and will
not make custom changes for you.
Don’t let this discourage you—you
can often make desired changes with
an alterations specialist and extra
fabric from the designer.
What "color" bridal gown should I look for?
Most couture designers work with a
range of fabrics and colors, with
hues such as diamond white, pearl,
soft white, ivory, rose, oyster, and
pale gold. When trying on
wedding gowns, be sure to try on a variety
of shades to find the most
complimentary for your skin tone and
hair color. Remember that even
though a sample gown may be in one
color, you can usually order it in a
different shade that suits you.
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I am having a destination wedding -
what kind of wedding dress should I look for?
Often, the most popular destination
wedding dresses have slimmer silhouettes, for
the simple fact that they are easier
to travel with. Laces and chiffons
are light and can look romantic in a
breeze or on a beach. Shoes can
also be an important factor when
deciding on style and length of
destination gowns. Stiletto heels
can get stuck in sand, grass, or
pebbles. If you will be on uneven
ground, make sure you have a stable
heel to stand on.
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How do I store my
wedding dress once it
arrives?
Your
wedding dress should come in a zippered
dress bag for storage. If
storing it for several months before
the wedding, you should keep the bag
partly unzipped to allow the dress
to "breathe" and stay fresh.
Keep the gown away from heat and
sunlight. It is best to keep
it stored hanging on a bust form, or
lying flat and smooth.
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Are on-site alterations available?
Bridal Accents Couture does not
do alterations. However, Kim's
Tailoring, located near us in the
Bridal Retreat, specializes in
wedding gowns, and does beautiful
work. You are of course free
to use any alterations specialist
you wish.
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How much do alterations cost, and
how long do they take?
Costs will vary depending on
the complexity of the gown, what
part of the gown needs to be
altered, what type of bustle you
want, and any custom work you would
like done (for example, adding
straps). Commonly alterations
can range from $100 to $600.
We recommend you ask your seamstress
for a quote before she begins work
on your gown. This will help
to manage expectations, and set a
guideline for comparison.
Ideally, you should schedule your
first appointment for alterations
about 2 months before your wedding.
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How should I store my bridal gown after
the wedding?
We use a gown preservation company
that can clean, press, and seal your
gown and veil in a beautiful,
acid-free viewing box that will
protect against oxidation
(yellowing), mold, mildew, and
insect damage. This system
will preserve your wedding gown in heirloom
quality.
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What is a trunk show?
A trunk show is an event that
features bridal gowns from one designer’s
collection. While our salon may
carry a limited number of gowns from
that designer, a trunk show allows
for a larger showcase of that
designer’s collection. Often, an
additional 20 or more gowns are
specially flown in for the event.
This allows you to truly get a feel
for a designer’s entire collection,
and choose from gowns that you would
otherwise not get to see.
Additionally, the featured designer
often sends a representative from
their company to help you select the
perfect wedding dress. As she is an expert
in her gowns, she can answer complex
questions about customization, fit,
and custom measurements. The gowns
and the representative are there to
help you find the dress of your
dreams
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What
are sample gowns?
Couture shops operate by having you
try on sample gowns in the salon.
These samples are often sizes 8-10,
and are tried on during bridal
appointments. While most brides
order a new couture gown made
specifically for them, some of our
sample gowns are for sale “off the
rack” at a significant savings off
the retail price. This is extremely
beneficial if you have a short time
frame to purchase your gown or have
set a lower budget for your gown.
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What should I bring to my
appointment?
Many brides prefer to bring a
strapless bra to help complete the
look while trying on gowns. If you
do not have one to bring, we will
happily provide one for you.
Another item that is useful is your
bridal album complete with gown
photos and designs that appeal to
you. Bring a friend or relative!
We recommend a maximum of 2 or 3 people,
as too many opinions are often
overwhelming, and can take the focus
away from you.
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When should I order my bridesmaids'
dresses?
You want to allow about three
months for your bridesmaid dresses to
arrive. Additionally, your bridesmaids
will appreciate a month to get their
final alterations. This is a total of 4
months to minimize any stress for you or
your bridal party. As with your bridal
gown, this process can be rushed. Keep
in mind that rush charges from
bridesmaid designers can vary depending
on the dress and timeframe you are
working with. Back to Top
What if my bridesmaids live all over the
country?
It is best to order all of your
bridesmaids' dresses together from one
store. That will ensure that all
the dresses are cut from the same fabric
dye lot and will be identical in color.
Your bridesmaids will each need to go to
a bridal salon to be measured.
Bust, waist, and hip measurements are
needed as well as height if extra length
might be necessary. They will then
be shown a size chart from the
manufacturer and can pick their desired
size to order. Back to Top
When should my mother order her dress?
Most mother’s dresses in our salon are
ordered via the same process as
bridesmaids, so your mother should be
looking to find her gown at least 4
months ahead of time. We do work with
some select designers who can do a
faster ship date in about 2 weeks for no
additional charge. Back to Top
What is typical for the mothers of the
bride and groom to wear?
In general, a mother should choose her
dress after the bridesmaids’ dresses are
chosen. She should then work within
that color palate to find a dress that
will mesh with the color scheme and
compliment her personal coloring. After
the mother of the bride has chosen her
dress, it is appropriate for her to
contact the mother of the groom to
discuss style (length and formality) and
color so that the photos will be
cohesive. Back to Top |
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