Frequently Asked Questions:

Photo: Smoke Signal Photo

When should I shop for my dress?

We recommend dress shopping 8+ months before your wedding. Special order gowns take about 4-6 months to arrive, and a minimum of 2-3 months for alterations is ideal. If you are on a tighter timeline, we have a large selection of dresses for purchase off-the-rack.

What does Off-the-Rack mean?

We offer sample gowns from wedding dress designers and our own discontinued special order collection for purchase “off-the-rack” the same day. These dresses have never been worn in a wedding, only tried on in a boutique setting. They are kept in excellent condition with minor imperfections (if any) and are marked down from their original retail price.

Are appointments required?

At Loveliest, we want to ensure that we are offering each bride the time and attention she deserves during this special time. For that reason, we operate by appointment only to make sure you have a dedicated stylist, personalized service, and a no-pressure atmosphere while looking for your wedding dress.

Photo: Smoke Signal Photo

How long are Loveliest appointments?

Initial bridal appointments are a full 90-minutes. We have found this to be the perfect amount of time to try a variety of silhouettes and styles and ultimately “say yes” without becoming overwhelmed. If you need more time, we are happy to schedule a 1 hour follow up appointment. Dress pick up and accessories appointments are scheduled for 30 minutes to add those finishing touches.

What should I bring to my appointment?

The best thing you can bring is an open mind! Additionally, shapewear or full nude undies and a strapless or backless bra are really helpful.

Who should I bring to my appointment

We know this is a tricky one. We have found that our appointments are much more enjoyable for everyone, especially the bride, when she has 1-3 guests and no more than 4 with her. Our stylists are experienced at selecting dresses based on your feedback and helping guide you through the process of finding “the dress” but find it more difficult when there are too many voices in the room or hands pulling dresses. We want this experience to be all about the bride, and keeping the guest count small ensures that is the case! Bring the few people closest to you whose feedback are truly required for you to feel confident saying “yes to the dress!”

WHAT Should I EXPECT for my appointment?

  • An hour and a half with your closest girlfriends (and perhaps a new one!)

  • An intimate yet fun setting

  • Laughter

  • A no body image complaints policy (this includes ugly faces made in the mirror...we see you!)

  • Personal attention from a dedicated bridal stylist

  • Unique dresses not found at other local bridal boutiques

What sizes do you carry?

We aim to have a variety of sizes with our sample dresses in the store, and currently our samples range from bridal sizes 4-24 (fit street sizes 2-20). Our dresses can be special ordered in bridal sizes 0-32. If you are curious about our selection in a given size range, please feel free to give us a call or email us to discuss prior to booking.

Will I need Alterations?

Almost always the answer is yes. Dresses generally need to be hemmed and bustled. Additionally, unless a dress is made specifically to your measurements (instead of to a size chart) minor adjustments to give you the perfect fit are often required.

Do you have an in-house seamstress?

No, you are able to work with any bridal seamstress of your choice, though we have a few that we highly recommend and will be sure to share with you when you visit!

What Designers Do you Carry?

Loveliest carries several thoughtfully curated and unique designers including Justin Alexander, Pronovias, Eddy K, Lis Simon, and our very own private label, Caldona. You can find details on our special order designers here!

What is a Sample Sale?

A sample sale is a limited-time event (often 1-2 days) in which a bridal store sells their sample dresses for significant discounts to make room for new inventory. They are fast paced, first come, first served events completely different from the laid back personalized bridal shopping experience we offer. Be sure to follow us on social media to find out when we will be offering our next sample sale so you can snag a dream dress for an amazing deal!