Wedding Dresses, Bridesmaid Gowns, Mother of the Bride Dresses, Prom Dresses – Charlotte's Weddings and More

      I have noticed that in the last year bridal parties have been getting increasingly larger, and the ordering process seems to be an area of stress for many brides and bridesmaids. I know that with the holiday season fast approaching, bridesmaids may be the last thing on your mind! However, a few facts and tips can make the whole process so much smoother for you, your bridesmaids, and the store where you are purchasing the gowns!
 
1. Someone needs to be in charge of the bridesmaids order on your end. If you don’t have time or if you would like to delegate the task, choose a responsible bridesmaid to be the contact and communicate to the ordering store and all the bridesmaids who the contact person is. Just putting one person in charge will eliminate much of the conflict that can occur with the ordering process!
 
2. If you are allowing your bridesmaids to choose their own gowns, give them clear boundaries. If you want them to be able to choose a style they feel comfortable in, choose a designer, a fabric, and a color. Make sure you communicate that information to the store so they are clear on the boundaries.
 
4. In general, bridesmaid gowns take 4 months of actual order time, not counting time for alterations. There are rush options available for most designers for an additonal fee, but most parties want to avoid extra fees.
 
5. If you have out of town bridesmaids, make sure you choose a store that is comfortable working with out of town bridesmaids. Ask them questions about the process and make sure they have a system in place that you are happy with.
 
6. Be honest! Communicate your expectations upfront to both your bridesmaids and the ordering store. This gives your bridesmaids and the ordering store an opportunity to address your concerns and ask any clarifying questions.
 
Lastly, If you plan to order your bridesmaids at Charlotte’s, please know that we love questions and we are here to offer advice! We would be happy to sit down with you at the store, or reply to an email with all your questions and concerns. Do you have a pregnant bridesmaid due two days before the wedding? What about a bridesmaid who is living overseas and will not be arriving until the week of the wedding? A bridesmaid who refuses to order her gown by the deadline you set because she is losing weight? Just ask! No question is too silly or too difficult. We have seen it all! Just rememeber, the more questions you ask and the more clarification you get before you start the process, the less complications and stress you will encounter throughout. Most of all, good luck and have fun! We love being part of your special day!
 
-Suzanne