STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

erin · Chanel

ok brides -- be honest! (bridesmaid q)

Kitty · Hermes

Can you go try it on and then order your size online?

HeatherLynn · Gucci

Ya I have had to order mine online in the past because all of the bridesmaids order them at the same time so they will be dyed together. If they aren't ordered at the same time the color could be slightly off. I generally go try it on at a store for size then order online.

erin · Chanel

Kitty wrote:
Can you go try it on and then order your size online?

yes, this is what i am wanting to do.

jettie · Kate Spade

Like Heatherlynn mentioned, I've always heard they had to be ordered together as well (so they were all dyed together). I've had to purchase bridesmaid dresses from stores across the country and have them shipped to me for this reason : (

erin · Chanel

well if it helps, the dress is black and white, so maybe it wouldn't be as big of deal if they weren't dyed together? here is the dress:

i haven't talked to the store yet, but i know bridal stores are really funny about trying things on/telling you prices/etc...i've seen varying prices online already with a difference of $100! that's a huge amount, imo. (especially since i KNOW i will have to get it altered)

HeatherLynn · Gucci

You might talk to the bride because even shade of black can vary. I would tell the bride you found it at place x for $100 cheaper and was wondering if all the girls could order from there and see.

I like that bridesmaid's dress though!

blubirde · Chanel

I'm the MOH for my BFF's wedding in November and I'm in charge of making sure the 11 (!) bridesmaids order their dresses. We did a lot of research on dresses and are getting each of the girls at least a 10% discount, because we're ordering more than 3 dresses from the dress shop. We're using two different bridal shops (choice of 6 dresses and each shop carries different brands). I would have a problem with the girls ordering their dresses from a different place, because it would mess up the discount for the other girls. Otherwise, if it's the exact same designer and all, I'm not sure it really matters.

I'd also throw out the suggestion of ordering it online for all the girls and see if the MOH or bride (or whomever is organizing the dress ordering) is okay with that. I would have been very happy to find a cheaper dress for the girls to order, personally, and I'm certain the bride would have considered it as a viable option.

FWIW, I sent all the girls links to their local bridal stores that carried each dress we were considering. They each went to the stores to try on each dress (or as many as they were interested in). They then sent me their 1st and 2nd choices and we organized the ordering from there. I worked with the local bridal shops to get the best price, but like I said, I would have been very happy to find a cheaper alternative online (as would the bride).

If there's a BM that's in charge of ordering, I say give her a shout and feel her out on the subject. She'll tell you if the bride is cool with you ordering elsewhere or not.

Good luck!

Kitty · Hermes

erin wrote:

well if it helps, the dress is black and white, so maybe it wouldn't be as big of deal if they weren't dyed together? here is the dress:

i haven't talked to the store yet, but i know bridal stores are really funny about trying things on/telling you prices/etc...i've seen varying prices online already with a difference of $100! that's a huge amount, imo. (especially since i KNOW i will have to get it altered)

HOLY CRAP. That dress is HOT. I wish I had an excuse to wear it!

erin · Chanel

blubirde: you brought up some really good points! i just called the bride to talk about the dress and it sounds like one of the other girls (who lives in dc) is just getting it at a store near here...and as long as 3 bridesmaids get the dress there, there is a discount. (there are 6 of us) the store's price wasn't as bad as i was thinking (about $30 more than i have seen online) so i think i am just going to save myself the trouble and get it there.

blubirde · Chanel

erin wrote:

blubirde: you brought up some really good points! i just called the bride to talk about the dress and it sounds like one of the other girls (who lives in dc) is just getting it at a store near here...and as long as 3 bridesmaids get the dress there, there is a discount. (there are 6 of us) the store's price wasn't as bad as i was thinking (about $30 more than i have seen online) so i think i am just going to save myself the trouble and get it there.

If it's only $30, that makes it a little easier to justify. At least with a group order the shop has the responsibility of making sure everything turns out fine and everyone is happy with their purchase. Buying one dress individually from a shop online might allow the online store to not be as concerned with your satisfaction as a b&m with a group order might be. All in all, it probably wouldn't make any difference where you get your dress from. But if it's only $30, it's probably easier to go the safest route.

Btw, that dress is awesome. Your bride friend has amazing taste.