Brides & Weddings Magazine
Walk-ins are often welcome at bridal salons (unless it’s a busy Saturday) – but an appointment surely helps when it comes to shopping for a gown. I asked Miriam Liggett, owner of Soliloquy Bridal Couture why …
Searching for a bridal gown can be a part-time job and a
full-time obsession. While making an
appointment to try on gowns may seem like a hassle, bridal shop owners who
require them do so because it respects the bride and ensures she gets the
attention – and dressing room – needed to make this important selection. Having a dedicated consultant is also
necessary. Bridal gowns are constructed differently and generally require
assistance in the fitting room. And feedback
from a trained professional is priceless.
Appointments are generally time-limited to allow for shoppers to be accommodated. It’s important to arrive on time – call if you
are running late to be sure that the consultant will still have time to see
you. If you have invited family and
friends to join you, let them know that they must be punctual too. And, if the salon has not done so, confirm
your appointment.
Scheduling an appointment at your lunch hour is fine if
you have a rather routine schedule.
However, if your work day is consumed by conference calls that run overtime
and meetings scheduled at a moment’s notice, then you should reserve the
weekends for your bridal shopping. It is
highly unlikely that you will find your dress when you only have forty-five
minutes to shop. Bridal shopping
requires a clear head and relaxed spirit so you can truly envision your wedding
day look.
Allow enough time between appointments. Better yet, schedule appointments at each
bridal shop for different days. When you
pack too many appointments in one day, it feels like you are cramming for a mid-term
exam. Feeling rushed leads to poor
decisions all-around. You could be
leaving the perfect dress behind just because you are trying to get to the next
appointment.
While family and friends provide great support, too many
opinions are just confusing. Sometimes
they discourage a bride from making any decision at all. Select your support team carefully. Respect the guidelines of bridal salons that
limit the number of people who shop with you.
And while brutal honesty seems admirable, you have to be certain of the
motives behind the comments.
If you must cancel your appointment, please call immediately
– preferably 24 hours ahead of your scheduled time. Bridal shops schedule employees based on
appointments, and they may be managing a waiting list of potential customers. And it’s simply poor manners to be a
no-show. Consider how you would feel if
someone sent an affirmative RSVP and then did not show up for your wedding.
Having someone dedicated to assisting you in finding your
perfect gown will make your shopping experience productive and enjoyable!
To schedule your appointment at Soliloquy Bridal Couture, call 571.449.2580.
