Wedding Aussie BIW - Dress Help PLZ

[supergirl10]

Hi everyone! Just wanted to ask a quick question, they one and only bridal store I have tried on dresses in had a strict no mobile phone and or camera policy in the changing room. Is this usual in Australia or was it just this one store, just wondeirng about everyone elses experiences? I was so disapointed when I went in there and wasn''t able to take any pics of my self like some of the other girls have on this forum.

The reason I ask is that my mother wasn''t with me and I would like to show my FMILx2, BM''s (my MOH - sister who lives along way away) and other friends to get their opinion. I does not matter a great deal as I am getting my dress made, but the one dress I am particualry keen on I am planning on model a lot of aspects of the dress on and would like a picture to get the opinions of the above people and obviously the dressmaker.

TIA Supergirl

 

[lliang_chi]

Super,

Some bridal salons have a no camera policy. You should check other stores that carry the same designer. Call each store up and ask if they carry the specific dress design you''re looking for. You can ask them if they have any limitations on who can come with you, and/or camera rules.

Example: "Hello Other-Bridal-Salon. Do you carry Fancy-Wedding-Dress-Designer? You do? Great! Do you have a sample of My-Favorite-Dress? Great!!! I''d like to make an appointment..."

 

[supergirl10]

^^thanks. I will phone them.

The problem is I live in a smaller regional area in Australia and there is only 4 bridal stores in the area i live. There are probably another 6 within 5 hours of me, but because where I live is the largest they tend to have nicer designs and exculsive rights to them etc so I doubt that the other smaller places will have them.

I am going to Sydney in December and was hoping to try some on there. My aunt who lives there and is making the dress for me told me that many retailers in Sydney have introduced a $200 fee to "try on the dresses", if you purchase one you will have that money deducted from the total cost. Is this true?

Sorry for all the questions. Cheers

 

[lliang_chi]

Ugh! That stinks Super. I''m not from Australia or Sydney, but I''d find it hard to believe that all salons will have that try on fee. Definitely ask about it upfront. A nice way to get all the info is after asking about your designer & dress, very innocently ask if they have any policies you should know about.

"Thanks for all your help, sales associate. Are there any policies regarding trying on dresses that I need to know about? Like how many people can come, if I can take pictures, etc."

If you ask them directly I''d think they''d have to be upfront and tell you if they charge for trying on dresses, and if they''d allow pictures. Taking pictures is a very normal part of bridal dress shopping, so don''t feel embarrassed to ask. It''s like taking pictures of a house when you''re home shopping. You''re looking at so many dresses, you''re bound to forget what things look like on you.

There are a few girls here that used to work in bridal salons that can probably help. Though I don''t know if they were in the States or Australia or what.

Good luck!

 

[swingirl]

Maybe too many people are trying on the sample dresses and having them made somewhere else. The store might see a trend where they stock a lot of dresses that are getting tried on but are not selling them.

 

[Deelight]

I am another Aussie BIW but I haven't gone dress shopping yet, so I can't tell if that is the standard policy or not but I can shoot some calls of to bridal salons later if you like around me and see what the go is .

$200, WTF my response to that would be ummmm yeah GOODBYE, chances are I would go to at least 5-6 stores to try stuff on and for that money I would buy myself a ticket to the US and get the dress their cheaper.

 

[GliderPoss]

Hey Supergirl,

I''m from regional NSW and I totally understand your problem. Rather a lack of choice around here in bridal shops. LOL. My older sister is getting married next year and she is trying on dresses (in Sydney) and has come up against some very rude sales staff! Some won''t even let her make an appointment without telling them how much she is willing to spend...

Most designer shops won''t let you use a camera to stop you copying the designs. You''re best bet is to look at designs online then get a local dressmaker to make it for you. Although I was living in Sydney at the time of my wedding I was horrified to see how expensive dresses were so I designed my own with a bit of online inspiration then got a lovely lady from my hometown to make it for me.

Total cost for the dress of my dreams = $600

Seriously I cannot recommend enough getting your dress made for you. It''s cheaper and will fit perfectly and will be unqiue to you.

 

[elrohwen]

I tried on dresses on Saturday and the store had a no pictures policy, but our sales girl let us take them anyway when we asked. I think she felt bad because I was there with just FI since the moms and bridesmaids all live far away. It''s definitely worth asking because you never know what they''ll let you get away with.

 

[elrohwen]

Date: 11/25/2008 6:39:43 PM
Author: supergirl10
^^thanks. I will phone them.

The problem is I live in a smaller regional area in Australia and there is only 4 bridal stores in the area i live. There are probably another 6 within 5 hours of me, but because where I live is the largest they tend to have nicer designs and exculsive rights to them etc so I doubt that the other smaller places will have them.

I am going to Sydney in December and was hoping to try some on there. My aunt who lives there and is making the dress for me told me that many retailers in Sydney have introduced a $200 fee to ''try on the dresses'', if you purchase one you will have that money deducted from the total cost. Is this true?

Sorry for all the questions. Cheers

That''s crazy. I''ve never heard of a place in the US doing that, but you never know! Crazy.

 

[supergirl10]

thanks for your replies!

I have only just finished prac for uni so I still haven''t been to try on any more dress. Think I will make an appointment for saturday!

How are all you other lovely aussie biw doing with the dress hunt?

 

[Deelight]

GL supergirl I don''t know about other Aussie brides but this one has not even looked yet