Davids Bridal and my fitting

Hey Girls :)

Tomorrow is my fitting appointment at Davids in Carl Place. I bought my gown there last April and since then I had read a few postings from other brides that were not happy with their experience dealing with Davids. I myself went on a weekday and had excellent service from them as far as trying gowns on and the selection that they had. I had heard some negative things about the alterations department and I made a promise to myself that I would let everyone know if they did good work or messed up my gown (yikes) So off I go tomorrow to my fitting, hope it goes well, will let you know :)* Judy

Davids Bridal and my fitting

Judy, I also bought my dress at David's and I'm curious to know what was your initial impression of their alteration service? I'm trying to decide if I need to find a seamstress outside of David's to do my alterations. Thanks, Deirdre

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Looking for dresses can drive you insane! I also had to decide between a traditional wedding dress with lace, and a modern, summery and elegant dress. I kept wishing I could buy all 5 dresses I fell in love with, and change every hour. But at some point you just decide, and then go with that look. Good luck!

Davids Bridal and my fitting

deirdre....

I showed up about 10 minutes befor my 2pm appointment. I found the alterations department in the rear of the dressing room area. There were two woman there the day I came in and she asked me if I needed any help putting my gown on. I said no. Reason being that I have to put it on all by myself on my wedding day. So that was a real trick in itself. The woman who fitted me was named Maria, she was very nice. The whole fitting took all of 15/20 minutes tops. She told me to leave the garment bag (that I bought when I got my gown from them) and she asked me when I wanted to pick the finished gown back up. I picked the date myself. She said that there is no charge for storing your gown there but I will have my gown all ready about 5 weeks before my wedding date. (I made the appointment about 12 weeks in advance)

Davids Bridal and my fitting

Thank you, Judy! I am interested in what exactly the $70 covered...was it shortening the gown, tucking in the sides, and pressing it? Or what else did they do?

Thanks for your info!!!

I showed up about 10 minutes befor my 2pm appointment. I found the alterations department in the rear of the dressing room area. There were two woman there the day I came in and she asked me if I needed any help putting my gown on. I said no. Reason being that I have to put it on all by myself on my wedding day. So that was a real trick in itself. The woman who fitted me was named Maria, she was very nice. The whole fitting took all of 15/20 minutes tops. She told me to leave the garment bag (that I bought when I got my gown from them) and she asked me when I wanted to pick the finished gown back up. I picked the date myself. She said that there is no charge for storing your gown there but I will have my gown all ready about 5 weeks before my wedding date. (I made the appointment about 12 weeks in advance)

Davids Bridal and my fitting

Dear Glory,

I didnt need the hem done, which saved me like $50.00 alone.

Davids Bridal and my fitting

You might want to check on your flight - not all planes have a place to hang dresses. I was a bridesmaid in Arizona and thought i'd be able to hang my dress on the plane but it didn't have a closet. SO the dress went into the overhead bin. Try to make arrangements to have a steamer where you're gettting married in case of wrinkling.

Dear Glory,

I didnt need the hem done, which saved me like $50.00 alone.

Davids Bridal and my fitting

Dorothy,

Thanks for the info, I believe I am going on one of them jumbo planes, would you know who to contact? Do I call the airlines directly? I would be afraid that I would get one of them "Dont really want to help you" types on the phone. I am going to call the hotel in advance, not sure how far in advance I should contact them, there is a dry cleaner on premesis. Ony problem is that I am only going to have the one day before the wedding to have them steam it out.....UGGGHHHHHH.

Davids Bridal and my fitting

judy,

thanks for the info. Please remember to update us when you get your dress back so that we know how it all turned out. Good luck with the rest of your plans, deirdre

It states that you have to pay 50% but because my minimum was so small I had already paid for more then the 50%. I had paid Much more then the 50%. I had given them a minimum guarentee of only 50 guests even though I had expected 75+. They have to refund what is the excess to that 50% you speak about. When and if the hall books that date I am entitled to the total refund of the moneys that they keep. If he cant even write me a check for what I am owed then how am I to trust that he will be honest and not just SAY that the room was not booked in June 00 even if it was? I know exactly what you are saying, and you are totally right about contracts that protect business from brides backing out on them. But what protects us brides when the business doesnt hold up to there end of the deal. It was Jim himself, as well as Patricia who works for them that told me that I am entitled to the two thousand dollars to be refunded to me. He put it in writing himself on the top of my contract. So in this case YES the managment of the Imperial Manor is not holding up to THEIR part of the bargan. After all there was no problem with them taking much more then the 50% you are talking about so long in advance. If thats the case why it it taking him so long to refund the moneys that are owed back to me? Sharon he acted like an angry child when he relised that I was right, I was speachless. I can not speak for other peoples experiences dealing with them, but I can be honest and tell others of my personal experience.

Davids Bridal and my fitting

thanks, will do! :)*

Thanks for what you said :)I just want whats owed to me, I know the 50% is a gonner, I just want what was promised in writing from him and he didnt even do that, sad! I agree about making buisnesses wait for their moneys, live and learn! When does learning the hard way ever end?! LOL, the consulting place thats booking my wedding in april will get there money On its due by date! :)*

Davids Bridal and my fitting

Judy - Call the airline directly. I think they can tell you in advance but it's possible that they can change the type of plane they'll use and you could end up with a different one. You may be able to steam it yourself if there's a steamer you can rent throught the hotel?

thanks, will do! :)*

Thanks for what you said :)I just want whats owed to me, I know the 50% is a gonner, I just want what was promised in writing from him and he didnt even do that, sad! I agree about making buisnesses wait for their moneys, live and learn! When does learning the hard way ever end?! LOL, the consulting place thats booking my wedding in april will get there money On its due by date! :)*

Save on Alterations!

I found out that if you order your dresses length ahead of time, you can save money on hemming. The term is called "hollow to hem" or "Hollow to floor" depending on the style dress you purchase. Not all manufacturers will allow you to order the length of the dress..but your better off asking. I saved myself about 50.00 - 75.00 by doing that. (It does cost a bit more to special-order the length..but it costs more to hem it..so its worth it). Just dont be afraid to ask..insist that they check on it for you! Make a comparison on hemming vs. ordering correct length - then make a decision! I have a question: Do I have to "Buy" the bag the dress comes in? (if i want to store it at home?)

Another good idea that I have seen in the past for an engagement or to do at the shower.

In the basket put your brother's favorite things. If he likes spaghetti, put it in the basket. If he likes a certain shampoo, put in in the basket.

Save on Alterations!

I think that's a good question - I never thought they'd charge you for the bag to bring it home!

Re: alterations. I have a cap on mine. Isn't that an industry standard?

In the basket put your brother's favorite things. If he likes spaghetti, put it in the basket. If he likes a certain shampoo, put in in the basket.

Save on Alterations!

I would strongly recommend against NOT ordering your dress in the "Right length"!! There are too many possible problems that can occur. My first thought was what if they measure incorrectly or if the manufacturer cuts the dress too short. Will you have enough time to send another one, of course if it is too long they can always shorten it. The next point that I would like to bring out is that the last step in the alterations process before the bustle is the hem, I think that is because that some of the other alterations may effect the way that the hem falls. and my last point is that gaining or loosing even 5 pounds can effect the way that the dress falls and everyone says that during the last month before the wedding you loose weight because of all of the stress, I am still waiting for this one, I only have 24 days left and have not lost a pound from stress in fact I think that I have gained, which will heik the hem up. Good luck in what ever you decide to do but I would give it some serious thought the savings of $75.00-$100.00 may not be worth the hassle, if any of those things go wrong. and to answer Karen's Question. Yes most places do place a cap on alterations and the hem is included in that cap

good luck Jamelle

Save on Alterations!

Jamelle: I was told that if they hem the dress (which is hemmed at the waist) it could change the appliques on this particular dress...it would bring them higher towards the waist. I was pleased that she mentioned this to me! She measured the gown to the floor..so there is no chance it will be too short!!! Also, the gown I tried on was a perfect fit!! She said I might not even need alterations! See, I dont see this as a life and death situation..I feel very comfortable with my decision! and I have plenty of time too..my wedding is not until November..All I am saying is that you should ask questions! Being informed is always best!

Hi...looking to find a beach location. Something smaller and more inimate than Sunken meadow. We'd prefer Suth shore. Having trouble geting permisson. Don't want to be forced to leave mid-ceremony. Already have reception plans elsewhere. Any suggestions? Thanks....Lauren

And....how close to your wedding day should the last fitting be?

Save on Alterations!

Based on your response, I think that you took my posting as a personal attack, if that is the way that it came across I am sorry, that was not my intention. I absolutely agree that being informed is the best thing!! That is why I wanted to point out the other possibilities that can happen. I had the hem done on my dress during my last fitting and mine was hemmed from the waist as well. This was a good thing for me because it brought the appliqués' up higher and made the dress look like it had more bead work. (but each individual dress is different). I was just trying to point out that if other alterations need to be made to the dress, then having the hem done before hand might not work well for everyone. Best of luck Jamelle

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