ISo yeah. I changed dresses. I had second thoughts, and ended up ordering a long dress instead of the tea length. The process went really smoothly, and basically sold me on David's Bridal.
I had someone say to me recently:
"I tried Davids Bridal. And it was, like... a factory."
Yes. It IS like a factory. And there are certain advantages to that.
I didn't even step foot in a fancier boutique bridal store because I was afraid I would fall in love with a $3,000 dress. Here's why David's Bridal is THE choice for a realistic bride:
1. At David's Bridal, most of the dresses are in the $400-$1200 range. I found MANY I liked at $500 or under.
2. They get the dresses FAST. If you find something that fits you, you can purchase it off the rack. But they are happy to order a "fresh" one for you. And they always overestimate, saying it will take a month, but then it comes in a week later. If you go to a small boutique, they advise you to order dresses 10 months out.
3. If you change your mind (as many brides do) DB's allows exchanges. My receipt on my original dress said, "SPECIAL ORDER. FINAL SALE", but they were totally cool with me exchanging it. You wouldn't be able to return it for CASH, but you can change your mind and order something else. THIS IS A HUGE PLUS for indecisive people like myself! Where else could I have changed my mind SIX WEEKS before my wedding and been able to get what I want?
4. They have full time alterations people on site, and they can do rush orders. I was there on a Tuesday, and there was a bride trying a dress, and they mentioned she was getting her alterations done for that FRIDAY. Wow. There is an extra $25 rush charge for alterations made within 3 weeks of the wedding, but seriously, that would be hard to find elsewhere. And they do alterations on wedding dresses day in, day out. You could get a cheaper quote from a local seamstress, but they don't do wedding downs exclusively, and there is no guaranteeing you will like what they do. Worst case scenario, if your alterations came out really messed up, David's Bridal could order you a fresh gown replacement... but only if you get the alterations done at David's Bridal.
So yeah, it's a factory. But they're pretty good at what they do, and I like that they don't promise you a dress to arrive in a week when it actually takes a month. It's the other way around: they underpromise and overdeliver. That's good business practice.
I decided on a champagne sash, and I was also happy that I was able to purchase, on the spot, extra matching champagne ribbon to wrap my bridal bouquet, for only $5.
DB's has soooo many dresses, there is bound to be something you like there. Both my original and replacement dress choices were from the "Galina" line. The tea length dress was $350, and the dress I exchanged for was $500. It's a full length beaded gown that really flattered my figure, and I love that it has a vintage look, perfect for my theme. It won't need much for alterations, mostly just a hem.
What's not to like about this "factory"?
Of course, it all depends on the people you get. My first experience was not good. My "consultant" was not helpful in the least. My second visit exceeded expectations. So, if you're not feeling the first time, don't feel pressured (like I did) ... just leave without buying anything, and request another appointment with a different person. It made all the difference in the world.