How far in advance should I shop for my gown?
At least 8 months before the wedding. Most wedding gowns require 4-6 months to arrive and time should be allowed for any alterations your gown may need.
What is a trunk show?
It's a special event at which a wedding dress designer (or representative from the company) visits a bridal boutique on a set day with his or her entire line of new dresses. Brides schedule appointments to try on the dresses and meet with the designer or representative.
Since, Desert Bride can only carry a limited number of gowns from our designers, trunk shows allow our brides the opportunity to see and try on dresses that they wouldn't ordinarily see at the store.
Our trunk shows are planned well in advance. See our Home Page for a list of dates. The shows last from one to three days, and appointments book up quickly. Call early!
Will you have my size gown?
Most of our gowns come in sizes 2-28. We usually only have one dress per style in our store. Our in store dresses are in varying sizes. If you want to try on a dress in a size we do not have, we will have the appropriate size sent to us, whenever possible. Please note that most bridal gowns are sized differently than streetwear. Depending on the designer, a person wearing a size 8 dress, will require a size 10 or 12 in a bridal gown. Don't get hung up on the numbers. Trust your consultant to pull the right size gown for you. Never buy a smaller size because you intend to lose weight. Generally, alterations cannot increase the size of the gown, they can, however, make a slightly loose gown fit perfectly.
Should I make an appointment for trying on wedding gowns?
Yes! Appointments are necessary to give each bride the personal opportunity to find the perfect gown with privacy and one-on-one attention. Walk-ins will be accomodated when possible, but brides with appointments will always be given priority. Please call (760) 345-3456 for your appointment.
Who should I bring to the appointment?
We ask that you bring no more than 4 persons, other than yourself to your appointment. We want to provide a comfortable, calm atmosphere. Too many different opinions can be very frustrating and confusing for the bride. We do sugget that you bring at least one person whose opinion you trust for support, as choosing a wedding gown is a happily emotional experience. If you want an out-of-town person's input as to your gown selection, we have a web-cam equipped to allow absent friends and family to share in your Desert Bride experience.
How should I prepare for the appointment?
We have bras, shoes and the accessories you will need to try on with your gown. It would be helpful to bring pictures of dresses that you find attractive. As we make every effort to keep our gowns clean and fresh, we do require you to come without lipstick and/or self-tanning lotion.
How much time should I allow for ordering bridesmaids dresses?
It is best to order these dresses 6 months before the wedding. Selection and ordering of bridesmaids dresses is sometimes problematic. Most bridal parties have at least one attendant out of town. We make out of town purchases easy. Simply, have the out-of-town bridesmaid call our store and we will advise of needed measurements and order the dress. We can have the dress shipped direclty to the bridesmaid for any necessary alterations.
Can I bring children to my appointment?
We at Desert Bride love children, but as our displays are intended for adult use, our store is not appropriate for children We do sell flower girl attire and we will be happy to make an appointment for that child, with an agreement that the child will be closely supervised by their accompanying adult.
Can I take pictures during appointments?
Upon selecting and providing a deposit for your dress, you may take as many pictures of the dress as you like. Desert Bride will be happy to take a digital photograph of you in your gown and immediately send it by e-mail to you, so that you may look at it again and again, while awaiting its arrival. Prior to purchase, designers' copyrights prohibit photographs of the gowns.
How often do you get new gowns?
We attend the National Bridal Markt two times each year and will be ordering dresses from the Market for the Spring and Fall lines. The orders are filled as the dresses are completed. Typically, we will be receiving new dresses weekly.
What is the average price of a bridal gown at Desert Bride?
Our gowns range in price from approximately $400.00 to $5,000.000, with the typical price being between $1,200.00 and $2,000.00.
Can't I buy these dresses on the Internet for less?
Most of our designers prohibit their gowns to be sold over the Internet. Each of their sites carries a disclaimer and warning that gowns sold over the Internet may be forgeries and not a true collection piece. The Internet is an invaluable shopping tool, but for the real thing, an authorized retailer is the only way to go.
What if my gown needs alterations?
We make every effort to accurately measure and order the best size dress. If alterations are necessary, we have an on-site alteration specialist who is experienced in bridal alterations.
Adele Wechsler