Wedding Please advise: Buying your dress(es) online

[Clairitek]

I am in the throes of helping my friend plan her wedding. Now that she has a venue mostly nailed down were on to the dresses. We''ve done extensive research and found out that we truly have expensive taste when it comes to bridesmaids dresses. The consensus on budget is $200 but most of the dresses we enjoy are in the $250-$300 range.

When I''ve Googled these styles they normally come up on some huge bridal website as a good 30% off the regular retail price that is listed on the designer''s website.

It would be great to save some money so we will have more to put towards the other bits and pieces that come along with being part of a bridal party but I''d hate to purchase $1000+ worth of dresses and have it turn out disastrous.

Does anyone have any experience with purchasing a designer dress (bridal or bridesmaid) from one of these websites?

The websites I am referring to are www.bestbridalprices.com and www.houseofbrides.com and other similar sites.

 

[brooklyngirl]

I ordered my BMs dresses a couple of weeks ago from RK bridal in New York. They were much cheaper than I''ve seen them anywhere. They''re a B&M store, perhaps that makes it safer? I don''t know.

I friend of mine got her''s from RK as well (she ordered in store though), and they turned out perfectly.

The key is to try on the dresses before you buy them. I hope that sort of helps.

 

[Clairitek]

Just thought I''d add that we are definitely trying them on ahead of time. We have a big excursion planned in Boston in a few weeks. We are checking out Jim Hjelm, the Dessy Collection, and Bella Bridesmaids.

Thanks for the suggestion on a reputable store Brooklyngirl. I am located in Philly but I pass through NY on my way home to visit family so that could potentially work out for me.

 

[Sabine]

You can order from both RK Bridal and Pearl''s Place (as long as you have the designer and style number) and they will ship the dresses to you. I''ve heard great things about both places. I also think there were people on here who used the first site you listed.

 

[marchswallowbird]

I have heard that you should DEFINITELY buy them from an online retailer that also has a B & M component. These stores are authorized retailers for various bridal manufacturers (inlcuding BM dresses). That''s the only way you can be sure you are getting an authentic dress rather than a cheap knock-off.

 

[Clairitek]

Date: 9/17/2008 5:35:20 PM
Author: marchswallowbird
I have heard that you should DEFINITELY buy them from an online retailer that also has a B & M component. These stores are authorized retailers for various bridal manufacturers (inlcuding BM dresses). That''s the only way you can be sure you are getting an authentic dress rather than a cheap knock-off.

Thanks for this point! I never would have thought about it this way. I will make sure of this fact before I purchase anything online.

 

[Mediterranean]

I''ve been a bridesmaid in weddings where we''ve used Peals Place and in weddings where we used RK Bridal (if you''re in the south or the midwest, or west of the Mississippi, these guys are faster than RK, f you''re in the Northeast, or the mid-Atlantic region, RK ships faster).

We actually had a much better experience from a **merchandise** standpoint with the online vendors. Case in point: one of my closest friends is in the bridal plus size range. We''ve been in a few weddings together (we have all the same friends) and we noticed that B&M salons were mass-ordering their PLUS dresses of the same color (regardless of bridal party). We would sometimes end up with dresses of a different dye-lot (shade difference in the color of her dress vs. the rest of ours and it showed in pics).

Pearl''s and RK placed our order as a **bridal party**, regardless of individual size.

The only negative thing I have to say is that your girls don''t get the salon "experience." There is absolutely no customer service to speak of associated with either Pearl''s or RK. It is Pearl''s Place company policy to refuse to help you with sizing choice or color choice. Meaning, you had BETTER know what size and what color you''re ordering, because they will tell you they can''t help you, flat out.

Both Pearl''s and RK are annoying in that they refuse to e-mail you pricing. You have to accept what they tell you on the phone. They won''t put pricing in writing for you. Mostly, because RK has a policy of beating WRITTEN estimates from other stores by a few percentage points.

Pearl''s Place customer service can also be a bit snippety. They really aren''t the *nicest* people, nor are they the most *patient* but they are very much on point when it comes to their job. They place orders correctly, they ship as fast as lightening, and their stuff comes boxed in the original manufacturer''s packaging, complete with all tags and authenticity certificates (if your dresses come with those). Pearl''s doesn''t mess around with orders. Pearl''s s a machine, and they''re an efficent machine, but they''re not what I''d call "nice."

RK is less helpful than Pearl''s (because Pearl''s will AT LEAST mail you swatches) but they equal Pearl''s in customer (non) service. Their reps are literally just there to place the order. They won''t answer color/size/style questions. If your style number isn''t 100% correct, they won''t help you find it. If you''re in between sizes, they won''t help you decide. They won''t even send a size chart, you need to find those online by yourself.

And you have to find your own tailor or seamstress. They won''t recommend anyone.


If you can deal with that (and I can, for a brdesmaid dress, but not my wedding gown) the pricing is FREAKING PHENOMENAL.

In fact, If your dresses are closer to $350, retail, I think there''s a good chance you''ll be pleasantly surprised by a price that starts with the number (2)!! Just line up your seamstress and do your homework...

 

[jstarfireb]

I bought a Jim Hjelm bridesmaid dress from Netbride, but only after knowing exactly what style and color to get. So I can''t really comment on their customer service, except to say that they have sizing charts online and were able to help me out with that. The problem was that the "correct" size I ordered was actually huge and had to be taken in at 3 seams! I think this is just a risk you take with any bridesmaid dress, since the samples are always size 12, and if you''re lower or higher, you just have to guess. Doesn''t matter if it''s online or in a store. My tailor did mention that I probably shouldn''t have gone much lower in size, because it''s a dropped waist, and the waist would have been too short for my 5''8" frame in a smaller size.

My Jim Hjelm tea-length satin dress JH5452T came to $240 total (no tax, shipping included) from Netbride. Hope that helps!

Also, I highly recommend Alfred Angelo for less expensive bridesmaid dresses ($150-200 range). My tailor mentioned that he''s the ONLY designer that includes extra fabric in the seaming so they can be let out. The styles are really classic and the workmanship is great. They have plenty of stores all around the country too.

 

[Clairitek]

WOW Mediterranean and jstar!! Thanks so much for your input. I hadn''t visited Pearl''s or the RK website prior to this thread so everyone who has suggested them has opened my eyes to more possibilities.

I''m willing to take hit on the customer service for good pricing. Thanks so much for all the advice. I feel like we can''t go wrong if I follow your instructions!

*Claire*