How to Choose a Wedding Dress Shop
Tips for Selecting a Bridal Gown Retailer in the New York Area
May 3, 2008
We've all heard the story about brides who absolutely fall in love with the first gown they try on. It fits like a glove, she looks like a princess, and now she is free to tackle the other wedding tasks at hand...
Yet TV shows like TLC's Say Yes to the Dress offer a glimpse into the reality many brides face trying to find and commit to the perfect gown. There are even brides who will trot across the globe on a quest for the perfect wedding dress. And why not? After all it is for that one special day when everyone's eyes will be on you!
Whether your taste teeters on the side of an artistically embellished traditional gown or one that features clean modern lines, you should be comfortable with your choice, and just as importantly, comfortable with the bridal salon you choose to buy from.
There are three concerns brides should have when selecting a bridal salon: customer service, the company's or designer's reputation and their ability to perform timely alterations.
Cynthia Irby, a wedding director for nybridalstylist.com points out that brides need to know how long the bridal salon has been in business: "You hear about the nightmares where a bride goes to pick up her wedding gown only to learn that the bridal salon has gone out of business. Dealing with an established company will help you avoid such pitfalls.
"Once a bride selects a bridal salon, she should feel comfortable with her consultant. The consultant should not be pushy. She is there to offer guidance," Cynthia adds. "Your consultant should also have her finger on the pulse of the industry and be abreast of the latest trends."
Based on your budget, you may be visiting large bridal retailers like David's Bridal, which dresses the bride and the entire bridal party at affordable prices or the world-renowned Kleinfeld Bridal, which carries collections from some of the world's most celebrated bridal designers.
For brides seeking a more intimate setting or custom designed dresses, couture ateliers Mark Ingram in New York City or Michelle New York in Brooklyn may be the answer. Nita Novy, designer and owner or Nita Ideas, in Millburn, NJ, says she offers an in-house designer collection and that all production is done on premise.
"I dress individuals. You will not see anyone else in the design we make for you. I tailor my designs to each bride's personality, her needs, her body and the venue in which the event will be held," says the former Broadway actress, who has outfitted brides for the beach, the mountains, Jamaica and The Ritz.
"The bride hosting her wedding at the Plaza Hotel would not have the same dress as another celebrating in San Trope. We spend a lot of time with the brides to build a one-on-one relationship. We specialize in designing non-traditional romantic, alternative bridal wear with a sense of softness and movement," adds Novy.
