2734 Mall Drive
Eau Claire, WI 54701
715.834.8422
info@thebridalshoppe.co
Yes, please! We would appreciate an appointment being made to try on gowns. We do accept walk-ins without an appointment, but appointments are given priority with a room and consultant. Finding your perfect wedding gown entails having a professional bridal consultant. Thus we will not allow anyone to try on bridal gowns without a consultant to help you. Appointments are 1 1/2 hours in length for your first appointment. Should you need a second appointment, 45 minutes will be allotted. We do provide slips and bras to use when trying on gowns. If you have your own, you can most certainly bring it! To book your appointment, please call us at 834-8422, or book your appointment online. If you are unable to keep your appointment, please cancel your appointment at least 24 hours in advance. If you are running more than 10 minutes late for your appointment, it is likely that your appointment slot will be filled with another bride waiting to try on gowns.
Should I look for my wedding gown and my bridesmaids dresses on the same day?
We would recommend making one appointment to try on bridal gowns and another appointment to try on bridesmaids dresses. Sometimes it can get to be a long day with picking out both your wedding gown and bridesmaids dresses, but you most certainly may do both appointments in the same day. We would suggest you focus on your wedding gown first with your mom and then have your bridesmaids come to focus on the bridesmaid dress. Its always easier to find a bridesmaid dress after you have chosen your bridal gown. We'll start you off in our private bridal area and then you can look at bridesmaids dresses in our party area!
Who should I bring with me to my appointment?
We would highly recommend bringing your mom and a close friend. Too many opinions can be confusing and may cause you to miss out on your perfect gown. Ultimately it is your decision and should really be based on how the gown makes you feel and look, you should listen to your own instincts. Be true to yourself and don't be concerned about what others envision you wearing. We also need to make room for all our brides and their guests in our private bridal area. We also love kids, I have two of my own, but we would recommend leaving them with a sitter. Our Shoppe is not child proof and it is not a fun place for them to be. It can also be distracting to you and other brides as you will want to focus on how you want to look on your wedding day.
Will I be able to go through your dresses and see for myself all that you have to offer?
Yes! We let you pick the gowns you want to try on! All of our gowns are protected in a clear bridal bag and you can view them for yourself. Your personal bridal consultant will help you find what you're looking for as well with offering suggestions on what to try on. Keep in mind that viewing gowns on a hanger is very different than trying them on! What you think you may like and what you like when you try on gowns is usually much different. Trust your bridal consultant when she asks you to try on a gown that you may think you don't like! It just may be the one!
How is The Bridal Shoppe different from the big box chain bridal stores?
There are two big differences. First, although The Bridal Shoppe and chain stores stock wedding gowns, the big box stores manufacture their own dresses at their factory. At The Bridal Shoppe, we do not make wedding gowns; therefore, we are not limited to a select group of dresses. We are able to travel the US, attending bridal markets in Chicago, New York, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City and Atlanta in search of the latest gowns that cater to a variety of different styles. The second difference is that the chain stores have 'fixed' styles for the season. This means that for the most part their dress styles do not change during the year. They can give you a catalog because they are selling the same gowns over and over again. At The Bridal Shoppe, our inventory is constantly changing as we receive dresses in on a weekly basis.
Why can't I take pictures?
Due to the exclusivity and copyright of the designers that we carry, we are unable to allow photography of the dresses. When you find your dream gown and purchase your gown, feel free to take as many pictures as you wish, then it is your gown!
When Do I Order?
Immediately! When ordering your wedding attire, leave enough time for the gowns to arrive and receive the necessary alterations. Since gowns are not custom made to your measurements, alterations are almost always needed. We recommend ordering an very minimum of 9 months before your wedding. If you have more time than that, order right away! We offer free gown storage for your convenience! Your bridal gown, as well as bridesmaids, flower girls and mothers gowns should all be ordered in this time frame. Its much easier to plan the rest of your wedding once you have ordered your attire. Start checking this off your list today!
Can I Place the Order Later?
If any order is placed under 5 months, anticipate a "rush cut" charge to rush the order so that the gown(s) arrive in time. If we need to place the order on a rush, we will notify you. You may also purchase your gown out of stock. We also carry select bridesmaids gowns that are on a 'quick ship' schedule. Some gowns may be an additional nominal charge, and the styles and colors may vary. Considering your wedding date, your consultant will help you with which styles and colors are available.
I'm planning on losing weight. When should I shop for and buy my wedding gown?
Every experienced bridal seamstress will tell you that it is easy to take a wedding gown down in size. 95% of all future brides will need some alterations, and once you've opened up the side seams, the cost is typically the same whether you are taking them in 1/2" or 3". With this in mind we urge you not to postpone your purchase until you've reached your goal weight. Waiting too long can result in rush charges and expedited shipping to get the same dress. Why cause yourself stress ordering your gown at the last minute? Order your gown in the recommended time frame of at least 9 months and have your dress altered to your body beginning 2 months before your wedding.
What Payment Options are Available With my Gown Purchase?
We accept Cash, Check, Debit Card, Mastercard, Visa and Discover. We also have a Layaway Plan to help spread out the payments. Keep in mind with the Layaway Plan that your gown will not be ordered until a minimum of half down is placed on your order. We can discuss monthly payment amounts with your wedding date in mind!
Can I purchase my gown out of stock or do I have to order it?
Either way! You can most certainly purchase your gown out of stock. Our gowns are arranged by size for your convenience. We can also place a special order if the gown you've selected is not in your size or color preference.
Do you carry plus size bridal gowns?
YES! We carry bridal gowns through size 32 in stock. We have gowns for every size and shape.
What designers do you carry?
We carry many well-known designers from around the world, but mostly designers that are exclusive to our bridal salon and also not available online or in other stores in our area, for your one of a kind gown! Remember that we have 400 different wedding gowns in stock! Also keep in mind that finding your gown should again be based on how you feel in the gown and not by who the designer of the gown is. You should also know that many designers make gowns that are not advertised in magazines or available online. To protect our designers, you are only allowed to take photographs of the gown you purchase.
How are bridesmaids orders placed?
After all the bridesmaids have been sized and paid their deposit, which is a minimum of half down, the orders get placed together. We make sure to order them all at the same time to ensure dye lot color variation is the same! As the bride, it would be beneficial to keep track of who has placed their orders so that all the gowns get ordered in time. We recommend a very minimum of 9 months in advance of your wedding. We will also keep track of the order and call you if the time is narrowing in and let you know which bridesmaids haven't placed their orders. Bridesmaids who live out of town should go to a professional bridal salon and have their measurements taken. We do not recommend that anyone take her own measurements. Bridesmaids dresses are not custom sized and alterations are almost always necessary on bridesmaids dresses.
When should I book my tuxedo order?
Typically we would recommend booking your order a minimum of 6 months before your wedding. We would like all the gentlemen measured a minimum of 2-3 months prior to the wedding date. Although we can get tuxedos in as little as two weeks, we do not recommend that time frame and can not guarantee the order. Orders are sent in after all the gentlemen have been measured. Gentlemen who live out of town may go to a professional bridal salon or formalwear store and have their measurements taken. Measurements can then be called in, faxed in, mailed in or submitted through our website.
We recommend scheduling your bridal appointment 2-3 months prior to your wedding. More than likely, you will have approximately 2-4 fittings, depending on the work that needs to be completed. For bridesmaids, moms, prom and flower girls we would recommend a minimum of 6-8 weeks before the event date. More than likely you will have approximately 2 fittings for these types of alterations. If alterations need to be completed in under one months time for bridal and two weeks time for all other alterations, expect to incur a rush fee.
What else do I need to know about my alteration appointment?
For your alterations appointment, please arrive on time and ready for your seamstress by your appointment time. You will need to have your shoes and undergarments pre-selected before your appointment. We have shoes, slips, bras and undergarments like Spanx body shapers! If you need to purchase anything before your appointment, please come to our store at least a half hour before your scheduled alterations appointment to purchase these items. Please note that changing your shoes or undergarments after your first fitting will affect the fit of your dress and may incur additional alteration charges. For bridal gown alterations, your seamstress will advise you when to bring the person you've selected to bustle your dress on your wedding day. Please do not bring children with you for your fitting. You will need to stand very still and will not be able to watch children during this appointment. Furthermore, we are working with sharp pins and do not want children to be hurt in any way! Its really not a place for them to be due to the delicate nature of our store.
What is your refunds/exchanges policy?
All sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges on any of our merchandise.
After my wedding, how do you recommend I store my gown?
We recommend and offer Wedding Gown Preservation. Just bring your dress and two other items that you'd like to protect, such as your veil and tiara, and we will take care of the rest! We will mark soil spot problem areas, package it for you and ship your dress for you to Wedding Gown Preservation. They will inspect, clean and preserve your dress. This service is just $199 to protect your dress for years to come. Your dress will arrive directly to your door in a preserved windowed box!
Can't find the answers to your questions? Email me and I'll answer your question right away!