The Guide to Ordering Your Wedding Dress Online
Thinking of buying your wedding dress online may make you break out in nervous hives, but with modern advancements, it’s just as easy as day-to-day shopping!
Buying your wedding dress online helps eliminate the stress of visiting several bridal stores and trying on an endless amount of dresses. It’s super convenient, and not to mention includes more options. And with the fast shipping options businesses now offer, your dress can get here quicker than if you were to order it from a bridal boutique.
Still not convinced? Here’s the ultimate guide to successfully ordering your wedding dress online.
How To Make Sure You Buy The Perfect Dress Online
Instead of your online venture being a dud, here are some expert tips on using the internet to find the perfect dress for your perfect day.
Think About Your Budget
The budget you set for your wedding dress encompasses much more than the dress itself. It consists of jewelry, accessories, taxes and shipping, and anything else you wish to pair with it. While wedding dresses online are typically cheaper than boutique prices, you should also consider the extras that will boost the final price.
Know Your Measurements
Since there is no one that can take your measurements like there is at boutiques, you will need to take your measurements before finding the right size while browsing. The three measurements you will need are your waist, bust, and hips. You can collect your measurements with a tape measure and write them down for easy access.
Pick Out Your Fabric
Knowing the type of fabric you would like can help narrow down your selections, but you should be wary before buying the dress with the fabric you think you want. Some online stores can send you fabric swatches to touch and feel before you buy the dress. You might find that you would like silk but once you receive the swatch, change your mind.
Familiarize Yourself With Store Policies
Before you checkout, you should view the store’s return policiesand any regulations on returns. Will you get store credit if the dress needs returned and it’s not up to your standards? What’s the return window?
You should also look at the store’s shipping prices and compare them to other online boutiques. It would be a tragedy for you to invest in a gorgeous gown for it to arrive not up to par, and returning it would be a hassle.
When In Doubt, Get The Next Size Up
It is much harder to let a dress out than it is to take it in. So if you are unsure about which size to order, order one size up! Finding a bridal dress is not like shopping for a new outfit. Sometimes the sizes of the dress fit differently than you’d expect. And going back to the previous section, it would be awful for you to buy a dress that doesn’t fit with no hope for alterations, and you can’t return it.
Most stores will have a virtual size chart to follow with model info if they use other people to wear the dress in pictures. If you already have your measurements, the size chart should be easy to follow for appropriate sizing, but always read the dress description. If it says the dress has a tighter fit, you may want to order a size up to be safe.
Ask For Clarification
Your wedding dress will be a staple of your big day, so you should ask all of the questions you think of to the representatives at the online store. Having an open dialogue is important when making your purchase, and it’s encouraged to make sure you get the dress of your dreams.
Some online boutiques might have an online chatbot you can message in with a store worker, or you can call them or send an email to the contact information that’s provided on their site. You might find that the online store has customizable options that will require you to communicate with the store.
Good communication is a comforting sign. If you find that the store is hard to communicate with, this may mean possible problems in the future.
Don’t Rush
Treat buying your wedding dress as if you were buying a new car or house. It’s okay to get caught up in the excitement of picturing yourself in the gorgeous gowns, but don’t select the first dress you see!
Yes, you are operating on something of a time crunch, but careful consideration should go into choosing the one wedding dress you will look back on in photos for the rest of your life. Give yourself ample time to browse to find the right one.
Purchase Your Dress Ahead Of Time
If you were to purchase your dress in person, the average time of shipment takes up to five or six months. While ordering your dress online usually comes with faster shipping, it’s important to give yourself plenty of time for the dress to come in, see if you like it, possibly return and order a new one, and make needed alterations.
Once you set the date for your wedding, your dress should be one of the first things you select for time purposes.
Start Searching for Your Dream Dress
Now more than ever, online bridal boutiques are popping up with gorgeous, stunning dresses for your big day. Even online stores like The Dress Warehouse offer breathtaking gowns at an affordable price if operating on a budget.
Finding the wedding dress of your dreams online is possible and consists of the same considerations as traditional in-person dress shipping. If you’re planning an upcoming wedding, following this guide will help you find the right dress online your partner will love!
Author Bio:
Jonah Levine is the Creative Director ofTheDressWarehouse.com. TheDressWarehouse.com was launched in 2018 as the go-to online source for amazing designer dresses at affordable prices. With 10 years experiencein the industry, Jonah works daily to scour the markets to find the hottest styles and to negotiate the best prices for special occasion wear on the internet.
