If you’re like most brides shopping for a gown, you’ve already been to the discount bridal shops. Sure, they can save you money, but are they really all they’re cracked up to be? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of discount gowns and custom gowns.
There are definitely some advantages to buying a discount gown. If you have a short engagement, and need a gown within 1-2 months, discount shops keep gowns in stock and you can often buy off the rack. And, they are obviously inexpensive. If your wedding budget requires that you keep your gown price under $500, discount is probably the only way to do that, unless you find a very good sample sale in a bridal boutique. These are the two situations in which discount shops shine!
The list of disadvantages of discount bridal gowns is much longer, however. Discount gowns are inexpensive because manufacturers often use poor quality fabrics and poor workmanship – they take the quick route when putting together their gowns. You will notice this in the “feel” of the gown, and how well it handles your wedding day adventures, but probably most importantly, you will notice it in the fit of the gown. Because discount shops are so popular and their gowns are mass produced on such a large scale, literally hundreds of other women have been married in your same gown. Discount shops often use high-pressure sales to force you into a quick decision before you’re sure what you want, and everyone else gets the same treatment. There is no individual experience. Additionally, the sizes available are sometimes limited, so you may have to try on a gown that doesn’t fit, and order your size, hoping the sizing works out and that alterations can fix any issues. In that case, it will still take several months for your gown to be ready.
There are also some disadvantages to custom gowns. Sometimes the price can be higher – after all, the pattern is made to your exact measurements, you usually have at least 3 fittings, and your gown is created and fitted with great attention to detail. However, many times high-end designers mark up a gown (sometimes as much as 100% more!) just because it carries their name. So, without the big name, we can actually create a gown with the shape that you love, but without the massive mark-up. Creating a custom gown also requires you to make a decision about your gown before you can see the finished product. We guarantee it will fit perfectly, but you must be sure of the gown you want before we start the process. Finally, we generally need at least 3 months to complete a gown. This can be a disadvantage in a short engagement.
On the other hand, the advantages of custom gowns are tremendous. Why spend hours and hours searching every bridal shop in the region (as well as the internet!) for the gown you want, when we can create it for you? We could potentially save you hours and hours of your time! No matter what your body type, your custom gown will fit perfectly. We create the design and the pattern specifically for you – it will fit like it was made for you, because it was! You have the freedom to choose the fabric we use. We love to use the highest quality fabrics, but we also give you the freedom to save money on the fabric if you choose. The workmanship is always of the highest quality, no matter the final price point of the gown. 150 years ago, people more often had clothing made for them. Now, having a custom wedding gown made is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If there was ever a day to love what you wear, your wedding day is that day! Lastly, Maeve Bridal never uses high-pressure sales. We are laid back, down-to-earth, knowledgeable about what we do, we pay attention to fashion trends so we can make suggestions if you need them, and we love to get excited about your gown and wedding right along with you!
We hope this article helps you to better understand our business and why we get so excited about custom gowns! As always, if you have any questions, please contact us at info@maevebridal.com or 719-351-2604
