Everything you need to know before your bridal appointment:

You’re engaged—yay! This is such an exciting time, and we’re so honored to be part of your wedding journey. We know that shopping for your wedding dress can feel like a mix of excitement and nerves, whether you’ve been dreaming about this moment forever or feel totally out of your element. Our goal? To make this experience fun, stress-free, and memorable—for all the right reasons!

Here are answers to some of the biggest questions we hear from brides to help you feel confident and prepared before your appointment.

When Should I Start Wedding Dress Shopping and Purchase My Dress?

The ideal time to start shopping is 10-12 months before your wedding. We suggest purchasing the dress when you find it – don’t be afraid to honor the moment + say yes; don’t wait and run into potential risks for discontinuations, price increases etc. At a minimum, we suggest purchasing your dress no less than 8 months from your wedding date whenever possible.

Here’s why:

•Production time – Most dresses take 4-6 months to be made and arrive at our shop. Custom dresses can take 6-8 months.

•Alterations – Plan for at least 2-3 months to tailor your dress for the perfect fit.

•Peace of mind – Ordering early means no last-minute stress (or shipping delays).

If you have more than 18 months before your wedding, you might want to wait a bit. Bridal styles evolve, and you want to be emotionally ready to say “yes” when you shop—because trust us, you WILL fall in love with a dress!

What If My Wedding Is Less Than 8 Months Away?

Don’t worry—we’ve got options!

•Many designers offer rush orders (for an extra fee) to speed up production.

•Some designers have in-stock dresses available for immediate delivery.

•We also have off-the-rack dresses you can buy and take home the same day.

Your stylist will help you find the perfect dress within your timeline!

How Much Should I Budget for My Wedding Dress?

At our shop, wedding dresses range from $1,200 to $6,000, with most falling between $1,800 and $3,500, but we’ve really put an emphasis on having great options across all price points in our range. Just make sure to be transparent with your stylist about what you want to spend so we can find you the perfect dress and keep you in budget!

Other costs to consider:

•Alterations typically range from $300-$1,000, depending on the dress and what needs done.

•Rush fees may apply if you need your dress sooner.

•Oregon has no sales tax (yay for savings!).

How Do I Choose the Right Bridal Shop?

Picking the right bridal boutique is just as important as picking the right dress. Here’s what to consider:

✅ The vibe – Do you love the shop’s aesthetic? Can you see yourself saying “yes” there?

✅ The selection – Do they carry styles you love and designers that fit your vision?

✅ The budget – Make sure their price range aligns with yours.

✅ The experience – Read reviews! You want stylists who will guide and support you, not pressure you.

We highly suggest scheduling only 1-3 bridal appointments that check those boxes for you to avoid wedding dress burnout!

If you don’t live in the area, no problem! Many of our brides travel to us, and we can ship your dress once it arrives. We’re also happy to help you find a seamstress near you if coming back for fittings isn’t an option.

Who Should I Bring to My Bridal Appointment?

The sweet spot? 4-5 people.

Too many opinions can make decision-making overwhelming, but you also want your VIPs there to celebrate with you. If someone can’t make it, we love using FaceTime or scheduling a private “Dress Reveal” try-on after you’ve found your dress to make sure they feel included!

Who Should I NOT Bring to My Bridal Appointment?

Believe us when we say we understand family and friend dynamics can sometimes be tricky. If you have someone in your group that you love but you know might say things that are upsetting like body shaming or not putting your vision first, we highly recommend having them sit this one out and coming to a “Dress Reveal” appointment instead after you’ve purchased. We’ve seen brides heartbroken because a group member makes comments, not realizing how hurtful they are and have found that by having them come to a Dress Reveal after purchasing the dress instead, they shift their mentality to “ok, I’m here to celebrate what she chose,” instead of “I’m here to give my opinions on what I think she should choose.” This way they still feel special and part of the process, but your experience as the bride is protected during what can be a very vulnerable moment.

What Should I Bring (+ not bring)  to My Appointment?

✔ Undergarments – Underwear is a must. Nude, seamless is best. Bras aren’t needed – the dresses have them built in – but can be helpful to wear during measurements once you find your dress.

✔ Heirloom pieces – If you have special jewelry, a veil, or a jacket you plan to wear, bring it!

✔ Your budget –– It’s best to come in prepared with what you want to spend. Our stylists will always give you the option to try something over the price point you give us so you don’t need to worry about listing a higher price point to make sure you see more options, but being transparent with your stylist about what you realistically want to spend sets you up for success to find your dream dress AND not go over budget.

✔ Open mind –  It’s true what they say, most brides leave with something different than what they thought they’d pick! Our team specifically, is highly trained to listen to your feedback throughout the appointment and make pivots based on it to guide you to the perfect dress. So keep an open mind and trust your stylist – you might be surprised what you fall in love with!

❌ Spray tan – Fresh spray tans transfer onto dresses (please, no orange streaks!).

❌ Shoes – You’ll be on a pedestal, so heels aren’t necessary until alterations.

❌ Shapewear – Totally optional! If you plan to wear it on your wedding day, bring it—but most of our brides find they don’t need it.

❌ Outside food + drinks – To ensure our gowns stay as pristine as possible for our brides we kindly ask that you do not bring any outside food or drinks. We do offer champagne or non-alcoholic beverage options during our appointments + we have options to add charcuterie if you want something to snack on! Please note, this must be arranged ahead of your appointment date.

What If the Sample Dress Doesn’t Fit Me?

No worries! Our sample sizes range from 8 to 26, and we have magic clips (literally) to give you the best idea of how the dress will look in your size. If a dress is too small to try on with clips, your stylist will pull similar styles so you can visualize the fit.

What Happens When I Say Yes to the Dress?

1️⃣ Measurements & Sizing – We take your measurements and compare them to the designer’s size chart to order the best size for you.

2️⃣ Payment – A 50% deposit is required to place your order, with the remaining balance due when your dress arrives. Need a payment plan? Let’s chat!

3️⃣ The Wait – Your dress will take 4-6 months to arrive (or longer for custom). Wedding dress anxiety is real, but we’re here to reassure you. You can always look at photos or come try on our sample again while you wait!

4️⃣ Pick Up Appointment – Once your dress arrives, you’ll come in, inspect your dress and put it on to check the fit and help make a game plan before you start alterations.You will take your dress home with you at this appointment. Alterations will start 2-3 months before your wedding date.

Final Step: Show Off Your Dress!

After your wedding, don’t forget to tag us in your photos! We LIVE for seeing our brides in their dream dresses.

We hope this helps you as you prepare for your wedding dress shopping experience. Our team is unique in that we work really hard behind the scenes curating each appointment to make finding your dress with us simple, memorable and fun & we truly can’t wait to meet you and help guide you to your perfect dress! If you have ANY other questions before your appointment, reach out to us by text, call, email or IG and we are happy to answer any remaining questions! 

xx, The Bespoke Team