wedding FAQ:

Yeah we know... you've been shopping your whole life, but bridal shopping is a little bit different. When you're shopping for your dress keep in mind that these are couture garments that are made especially for you so the process is a little bit different. Below are some of the top questions we get asked as brides start thinking about the shopping process.

Q. This is my first time shopping, how many people should I bring and how long should I plan on being there? 

We know that you want to bring your mom, your bff, your aunt suzy, your grandma, your future mother-in-law, your bridesmaids, your neighbor, your work colleague and so many more. But if you can limit this to a couple of key people, we promise that your shopping experience will be that much more enjoyable! It's hard to hear your own voice when you're focused on pleasing too many opinions. And, keep in mind that this is your time. You want friends who will be honest, but you also want friends that first and foremost will be supportive. We'll never rush you through the process, so we are one of the few shops that schedules all of our appointments for a full hour and a half. For many, this is enough time to find your dress (yup, even on your very first visit) and if you're not ready to decide, after 90 minutes it's probably a good idea to give yourself a rest.  If you're checking out multiple stores, we recommend that you limit your shopping to two or three shops (at the most!) in one day.  

Q. How much do your bridal gowns cost?

As a salon, it was important to us that we could provide brides with a well-designed gown at different price points. Our gowns range from $1,800 and go up from there. The majority of the gowns in our shop are between $2,000 and $4,000. We’ve worked hard to make sure that all of our dresses have great designs and are quality fabrics. And if this just isn't in the cards for you, we'd love for you to check out our sample sale.

Q. What is a sample sale? 

A sample sale is quite literally when we sell our sample gowns right off the floor. We do this two or three times a year and it's a great way to get an amazing gown anywhere from 30-90% off! 

Q: What size samples do you have to try on during my appointment?

Most of the samples in our shop are a bridal size 10. Depending on the designer this equates to about a street size 6 or 8. All of our designers have slightly different size charts so every size 10 will fit a little bit differently. We understand that it can be difficult to envision your wedding dress when the sample that you try on doesn't fit perfectly, but we've got all sorts of tricks to help you get a close(r) vision of what you will look like on your wedding day. We've got pedestals to stand on to add length, clips to close in fabric, and panels to add fabric. While we wish we could carry our dresses in more sizes, we are often at the mercy of the designers who cut samples in standard sample sizes.

Q. Help! my wedding is in a few months, can i still get a dress?

Absolutely! Even though the standard ordering timeline is 7-9 months before your wedding, all hope is not lost if you haven't yet found your dress. Some of our designers can do amazingly quick turnarounds, but be warned that a rush will cost more.

Q. I’ve heard brides say that they just “knew” when they had found their dress. Is this a typical reaction?

If there is one thing that we’ve discovered, it’s that every bride is a little bit different. Some girls are shoppers and want to try on lots of dresses and other girls are quite comfortable with falling in love with the very first dress that they try. Our experience has been that it’s helpful to limit the number of outside opinions so that it doesn’t get too overwhelming or confusing for you and that you might surprise yourself and fall in love with a dress that you never would have guessed you would have liked. Usually if a bride is reluctant to get out of the dress, it can be a sign that it’s the one! But for other brides there isn’t just one but many dresses that look spectacular and it comes down to the practicality of selecting the right dress for the location, time of year, and tone of the event. We’re always happy to provide support, encouragement, or our opinion if you need it!

Q. Do you have dresses to purchase off the rack?

Most of the dresses in our store are ordered and require a minimum of six months lead time. However, we always have a number of sample dresses that used to be our floor samples that are available for purchase at a discount. Samples are a great last-minute option and can be a great deal.

Q. What is a trunk show?

A trunk show is a special weekend at anna bé to see more of a specific designer’s collection and often to see the latest pieces in the collection. At any given time, we may only carry 6-12 dresses from a designer and for a trunk show it is your opportunity to get to see additional styles that aren’t usually carried in the store and sometimes to even get to meet the designer! Trunk shows do book out so we recommend scheduling your appointment in advance.

Q: When should I order my veils and accessories?

Most people are surprised to learn that the veils and accessories are all made to order and are not sold directly off the rack. While this means that you know the piece is being made especially for you, it also means that it takes some patience for the piece to arrive in the shop. Standard production time for veils and accessories is between 6 and 8 weeks. And while we can always accommodate a rush, it may cost a little bit more! We'd love to save you some bucks so we recommend ordering at least two months before your wedding.

Q. Do you have recommendations for accessories?

The right accessories can really transform the look of a dress and we work closely with each bride to make sure that help you select the perfect pieces. We have an extensive collection from local designer, Sara Gabriel Veiling and Headpieces, as well as some other great designers. So whether it’s a hand-crafted veil, jeweled combs, or a vintage flower, we’ve got you covered. And beyond the veil, we carry amazing jewelry from Haute Bride. Our pieces include traditional baubles as well as some more unique pieces that look great at your wedding or with jeans and a fun top!

Q. What kinds of dresses can I find at Soirée? 

Ground Floor is a curated collection of stylish cocktail and day dresses that are great for you the bride (think honeymoon, rehearsal dinner, brunch with the future in-laws, or a night out with the gals), but they are also for party guests, and stylish moms and maids. All of the dresses can be purchased right off the rack - no lead time required! Just keep in mind we keep getting in new dresses, but we also keep selling dresses. If you find something you love, get it while it lasts! 

Q. What is your return/exchange policy for Soirée? 

Unworn merchandise with original tags may be returned/exchanged within 14 days of purchase for Ground Floor CREDIT ONLY. No cash refund. ALL SALE ITEMS ARE FINAL