Wedding Where should I buy my dress?

[SeeShell]

Hi everyone!

Great news - I have found a dress that I absolutely love! Now, my issue is deciding where to buy it. I tried on a sample in a store that is a bit farther away from my home and work. Here are my options:

1) Get it where I tried it on, at the Alfred Angelo store.
Cons:
-Farther away (about 1 hour from my job, about 50 minutes away from my home).
-Big store - often seems busy, lots of people in & out

Pros:
-I actually tried on the dress there and they helped me with some small changes I''d like to have made with the dress.
-I''d like to give them business since they''ve helped me with this actual dress
-Everyone I''ve worked with seems nice.
-Have all of the bridesmaids styles present, in-store.



2) Get it at a local boutique.
Cons:
-They weren''t quite as helpful here. I don''t have any reason to suspect that I''d get lesser quality service, but I just didn''t feel quite as comfortable here.
-They didn''t allow me to take any photos in their store (I understand this is a common practice, but it still really peeves me).


Pros:
-VERY convenient (2 minutes from where I work, 25 minutes from my home)
-I''d be supporting a local business instead of a chain store.
-Have many (but not all) of the bridesmaid''s styles in-store.


Can you ladies provide any input on those things you feel are very important when selecting a dress shop? How many times (approx) will I have to go back there? Is it better to have the convenience? Or should I go with the shop I felt a little better at? Is there anything else I should consider that I haven''t mentioned?

As far as price, both are offering the same price for the dress. I don''t know how much alterations would be at either place.

Thank you all so much for your help!

 

[StarbuttsKoffee]

Is the local boutique going to work on the changes for you on the dress when they order it for you? Are their alternation fees the same? I don''t know if you care, does the local boutique gives you the AA dress box when you pick up the dress? There are good points you purchase at AA store, AA seamstresses will work on the alternation of the dress if needed after the dress is arrived.

I think you should stick with which you feel more comfortable with.

If local boutique is offering the dress with lower price, I would consider to get it from local boutique, that''s just me

Congrats on finding your dress!!

 

[SarahLovesJS]

I vote for number 1..you want to go with the people who were easier to work with even if it is farther away. You''ll have to go to order the dress, for at least one fitting, probably a second fitting, and maybe a third. So let''s say probably three-four more times max?

I think it should be doable!

 

[Sabine]

would you get alterations done in house at both locations? Have you gotten alterations quotes from the locations? I would look for reviews on both locations with alterations and use that to make the decision.

 

[jstarfireb]

I''d get it from the company store, since you felt better there and already have a good rapport with them.

Which style number is it? I like a bunch of the Alfred Angelo dresses, and my bridesmaids are getting their dresses there (I tried on a few of the Dream in Color bridal dresses but ended up getting my dress from David''s Bridal).

 

[choro72]

I vote #1. #2 sounds shady to me given the fact that I tried on dresses at AA and they let me take pictures. 1 hour isn''t too bad. You also want to feel comfortable asking questions in the future like "Where is my dress!?".

 

[Haven]

I would be most concerned with reliability and the quality of alterations. Alterations can make or break a wedding gown, and that includes the bustle. I''d ask some more questions about their alterations process and who does the work.

Congrats on finding THE dress!

 

[bee*]

I''d go with number 1. They sound like they have far better customer service and that they are nicer to deal with which is a plus nearer the wedding.

 

[blondebunny]

i just got an email earlier today saying AA''s sample dresses were 50% off.. so I might try calling the store and seeing if that sample is on sale??? goodluck... and id prob go to the AA store..

 

[PrincessDijon]

I''d go to the AA store as well! Good luck to you!

 

[havernell]

You could go with a third option, which is to buy your dress online. There are bridal salons that also sell online over their websites. The appeal of these places is that they offer new dresses at a discount (I assume because of high volume/low overhead). I haven''t tried this myself, but I''ve heard a lot of brides going this route with good results. I think you contact then and tell them the dress you are interested in and they''ll give you a price quote. "RK Bridal" is one and "Pearl''s Place" is another I''ve heard of (both can be found through google) but perhaps there are others out there. If you order the dress online, you would then just find a local seamstress/dressmaker to do the alterations (which may also be cheaper than going with the bridal salons in your area).

Congrats on finding the dress and good luck with the purchase!