Questions re: dress shopping

About how long should I expect to be in each salon? I am trying to see if I can squeeze 2 salons per day in after work or if I leave work around 3pm. (i work in NYC and shoping in the city) Also, should I tell them my wedding is in June instead of July? I have heard many people do that so even if it comes in late, it's still early. Do they ask for your wedding date on the phone when you make an appt?

Thanks for your help!

Re: Questions re: dress shopping

I think the stores I wnet to asked my date when I got there. I told teh truth.
Oenpalce asked myprice range & then let me only look in 'the cheap rack' so my selection was limited & I was there maybe a half hour at most.

The salon where I got my dress I was there about an hour and a half. I tried on about 10 dresses.

At RK, I was there forever. It was a Friday around New Year's , most people were off, so it was packed, & it took a long time to scour all the racks for things I liked & the I had to wait a while to try on. So maybe 2 hours & I tried on 3 things.

Re: Questions re: dress shopping

anyone else???

thanks for your reply tourist

Re: Questions re: dress shopping

It's taken me about 1 - 1 1/2 hours at each place I went to...I went to a variety of different places...Macy's in Manhasset, a small boutique on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, and a designer showroom in the garment district....and at each place I probably tried about 5 dresses, and except for at Macy's, I was the only person in the place at the time (I hate crowds while shopping and try to avoid them)

I've always told dress shops the real date of my wedding. I don't know if it's necessary to give them a fake, earlier date...I suppose if you want to be extra safe. but I think just being diligent with follow-up phone calls should hopefully ensure smooth timing.

Re: Questions re: dress shopping

I would estimate about 1.5 - 2 hrs per salon. The sales people will pretty much give up on you after that point! It doesn't hurt to lie about your date...

Re: Questions re: dress shopping

I think I spent an hour to an hour and a half at each salon I visited.

I took a day off from work (I think it was a Tuesday or Wed) and hit 3 salons. They were empty, so I might have stayed longer than my appointment was for. The less crowded the salon, the more person attention you will receive. Try to hit them during the week. The weekends are crazy and they will push you out after an hour.

My favorite salons were:

Princess Bridals (where I bought my gown)
Bonaventure (where I almost bought my gown)
Lillette's (where I almost bought my gown)

I was disappointed with:

Macy's Manhasset (salespeople were rude and nasty - even though I was the only bride in the salon at the time and I was trying on $3-$5K dresses)

Bridal Reflections (I know it's a nice place, but I think I got stuck with a saleslady who was either new or who just didn't care, because she was not helpful and didn't listen to what styles I was focusing on). I know other have had wonderful experiences there, I just got stuck with a bad salesperson.

Re: Questions re: dress shopping

2 hours per salon.

Definately lie about your wedding date by about 2 weeks!!!!

Re: Questions re: dress shopping

I would say if you find a salon you like with helpful people in it, you'll need an hour and a half. Otherwise, you'll find yourself getting out of there as quick as possible. I guess I'm going against the majority here, but unless you know you picked a salon that has some issues with getting dresses in late, I would tell them the real date. That's how they plan your fitting dates. I lost weight right before my wedding and my seamstress fitted the dress more for me 3 days prior to the big day. If you lie, you won't have that.

Re: Questions re: dress shopping

I think it also depends if your going to a small bridal salon, you'll need less time, or if you're going to a bigh place with tons of options, like RK Bridal. Also, if you plan to hit up the bridal building, give yourself plenty of time. Each store doesn't have too many dresses, but you may find one you like in a few stores. A word of advice, when you go dress shopping, wear clothes that are easy and quick to take on and off.