Planning a Trip to David’s Bridal? Read This First!

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Truly by Zac Posen at David’s Bridal

Hunting for a wedding dress can be an overwhelming experience, and no two brides approach it in exactly the same way. Some have Pinterest boards full of style inspiration, while others don’t know the difference between A-line and mermaid wedding dress styles. Some plan to visit 10 different small boutiques before settling on a gown, while others are looking for the quickest shopping experience possible. One thing many brides have in common, however, is the walk through the doors into the sea of white that is David’s Bridal.

SEE MORE: 12 Things Nobody Tells You About Wedding Dress Shopping

David’s Bridal, which began in 1950 as a small, family owned salon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is now one of the first shops that springs to mind when a bride starts the quest for her wedding gown. With more than 300 stores found in every U.S. state apart from Wyoming (and even some across Canada and the United Kingdom), you’re bound to find a David’s Bridal store near you, no matter where you live. And if there isn’t a location within driving distance, don’t fret! They also participate in over 600 bridal shows each year, and you can always look at their wedding dresses online.

Boasting more than 120 styles per store from 10 exclusive wedding gown labels–with several created by designers you know and love, like Vera Wang and Zac Posen–it can be a must-visit store for brides in pursuit of the perfect gown.

But there are a few things you should know before walking into a David’s Bridal store, which we’ve outlined below.

Make an Appointment If You Can

Calling to schedule a 90-minute bridal appointment, while not necessarily required, is strongly advised. If you can make it to the store at 10:30 a.m. on a Tuesday you might be good to go without one, but finding a stylist and fitting room at noon on a Saturday without an appointment can sometimes be impossible. They also advise that you let the store know how many people will be coming with you to your appointment so that they can be sure to accommodate your full bride squad.

Some of the Best Wedding Dress Designer’s Have Their Own Lines There

Truly by Zac Posen. White by Vera Wang. Wonder by Jenny Packham. Cheers Cynthia Rowley. Seriously there are so many awesome designers creating unique wedding dresses for the store every season (at less than half what they would charge for their regular lines) that it’s become way different than what you might have thought a David’s Bridal wedding dress was like.

Budgets from $100-$1,000+ Will Definitely Work

Two of the most common reasons brides choose to shop at David’s Bridal are the wide-ranging prices and sizes. Because of the broad selection found in the stores, a bride can easily find a dress to meet any budget. While a White by Vera Wang wedding dress can cost around $1,000 up there, you can also find a chic DB Studio wedding dress for under $200.

White by Vera Wang at David’s Bridal

Petite and Plus Size Brides (and Everything in Between) Are Covered

Nearly all styles are available in sizes 0-30, and they also have gowns specifically designed to fit and flatter both petite and plus-size wedding dresses.

For petite brides, the gowns feature an adjusted neckline, 1-inch shorter bodice, repositioned waist, 3-inch shorter skirt and adjusted skirt and train embellishments. This way, the dress is more tailor-made to your proportions, and you get to save boatloads on extensive alterations.

Rather than the traditional size 8, the David’s Bridal plus size collection is designed with a size 18 in mind. Unlike many bridal boutiques where you have to squeeze into a size 8 and imagine what it will look like in size 24, they have a wide selection of their plus-sized gowns on hand in the store for you to try on.

SEE MORE: Where to Find Flower Girl Dresses (And Who’s Supposed to Buy Them)

There Are Also a Ton of Online Options

Before you buy, don’t forget to browse the online exclusive collection for gorgeous gowns you didn’t see on your trip to the store. If you find a gown online that you like, it is still recommended that you make an in-store appointment so you can try on a similar gown to make sure you love the style and to get the best size.

Give Yourself Enough Time…But Brides Looking for ASAP Are Covered, Too

While David’s Bridal assures that they can meet any deadline, most wedding experts recommend that the sooner you start shopping the better.

If you are running short on time, David’s Bridal has a selection of dresses that you can take home with you that day. But if you have more time and find a style that needs to be ordered, that can take anywhere from one to 16 weeks depending on the color, size and fabric. And don’t forget the alterations! The time required to complete on-site alterations depends on how much or little you need to have done and how busy the shop is, but they recommend allowing for an additional six to eight weeks after receiving your gown.

Don’t Forget to Look for Bridesmaids (and Moms) While You’re there

While you’re in the store or online looking for your perfect wedding gown, you can also shop for bridesmaid dresses, veils, sashes, shoes, jewelry, shapewear, lingerie, and even gifts for your wedding party! You can also return after your wedding day for their gown preservation service to ensure that your beautiful gown stays that way for years to come.

SEE MORE: 6 Things You Can Do With Your Wedding Dress After the Wedding

Planning a Trip to David’s Bridal? Read This First!
Woman Getting Married.