Budget - Know what you want to spend on your dress prior to going shopping. Why? You do not want to purchase something that you cannot afford or will not leave enough room in your budget for something else. Also, if someone is buying your gown for you, you should discuss this in private as it is sometimes a sensitive topic.
Ceremony/Reception - Having an idea of a date, location, theme, and formality will help the dress selection process. For instance...if you have a formal, indoor wedding in the winter versus an informal, outdoor wedding at a destination.
Wish List; Magazine Tears; Pinterest - For your appointment, you are welcome to bring in create an account on our website and add styles to your wish list for wedding dresses you want to try on! Is there a must-have on your list? For instance, do you want sleeves, straps, and/or lace? Most people do not know their must-haves until they begin shopping, but if you do, letting your consultant know will help in the selection process.
If you find the right dress, we suggest buying it...even if it is a year in advance. Purchasing your wedding dress is not only a great accomplishment, but it allows you to focus on the rest of the wedding planning. Because of the time it takes to make a gown, we recommend coming in eight to twelve months prior to the wedding to create a stress-free buying experience. Need it here quicker? Ask your consultant about available rush and/or in-stock options.
Special Order Bridal Gown
Ella Park Bridal primarily sells special order wedding dresses. A special order wedding dress is one that is made just for the bride. The bride will choose the size and color of her dress from the designer's available options. Some of our designers also offer adjustments to the length and back closure (i.e. zipper and lace-up) to create a more customized look.
Ella Park Bridal accepts cash, *check, and all major credit cards (VISA, Discover, MasterCard, American Express).
*Payment by Check: Please note we will delay ordering merchandise until we are notified by the bank when the check has cleared. This may take up to 10 business days. Checks can NOT be used as final payments. Returned check fee is $25.00.
Yes, Ella Park Bridal offers interest-free layaway or payment plans on wedding dresses and accessories. A customer has three options when purchasing special order merchandise -- pay in full, a 60% deposit, or making a payment plan with a minimum of 25% down. Please note all merchandise has to be paid in full before being taken out of the store and/or starting alterations. Ask your bridal consultant if you have any questions/concerns.
Example:
Professional opinion? No. Ella Park Bridal recommends ordering your current size. Any dress can be taken down at least two sizes without affecting the look of the dress. And, not all dresses can be let out because of the dress construction. Be realistic in case you do not meet your goals. Our experience shows that while you could lose weight, it might be in the wrong places. Really determined to lose weight? Ask your consultant if you have time to purchase at a later time so that you can get measured closer to your goal.
Your deadline for any weight loss goals needs to be finished by your first alterations appointment, or three months prior to the wedding. Please note any differences in measurements after this appointment will result in an additional pinning fee.
A trunk show is a special in-store event for a particular designer for a limited time. The designer sends us an exclusive collection of wedding dresses not typically found in our store. If you find the wedding dress of your dreams, be prepared to make a decision that day as the dress will not be in the store afterwards.
At Ella Park Bridal, we also will give you a special incentive for making your decision during the trunk show. Follow us on social media and our website to be notified of upcoming store events like this.