Questions and Answers : Every Bride Should Know

Q. Is an appointment necessary to try on gowns?
A. Appointments are not needed.

Walk-ins are always welcome. However, keep in mind that Thursday nights and weekends are our busiest time. So, you may have a bit of a wait at times. For this reason, we will reserve a room for you ahead of time for a period of 1 hour. This is a good idea, especially if you have a large group. You could also consider coming during the week, when its not as busy.
* For any alterations being done however, an appointment is necessary.

Q. When should I order my Gown or Bridesmaid dresses?
A. Most designers can ship your Gown to us in 4-6 months.

Some can take a little longer. Keep in mind that you also need some time for alterations and the average Bride needs 3-4 fittings. If you gave yourself 8 months, you should be in good shape.
So, know that the sooner you order your gown, the less stress you’ll have.

With Bridesmaid dresses, it will take 3-4 months to ship in the dresses. Most dresses will then take 2-3 fittings to complete any alterations. Please keep in mind that, in order to ensure all of your dresses come in with the same dye lot, we do not order your dresses until the entire group has come in to order.

Q. What happens if I don’t have enough time to order?
A. Don’t worry.

Many designers will rush your gown for a small surcharge; and if its in their local warehouse, we might be able to get it within 2 to 4 weeks. As many as 200 different are available to purchase “off the rack”.

Q. Why am I ordering a size 12, when I’m a size 8?
A. Wedding gowns and Bridesmaid dresses tend to fit smaller than your regular clothing,
xxxas much as 2-3 sizes, depending on the designer and style of gown.

We will measure you, using the designer’s sizing charts and with your input, determine the size of gown to order for you. Most gowns and dresses require some alterations. (hem, side seams, etc.)
* Alterations are not included in the price of your gown or dress.

Q. Do you do alterations on site?
A. Yes we do.

Your gown will not leave our shop until you are ready to take it home. Altering a wedding gown is an art. For that reason, many shops have decided not to do their own alterations. We believe it’s important to offer you the full service of a bridal shop. We have seamstresses on staff with combined experience of over 50 years. You should rest assured that everything will be done with professionalism and the attention to detail you expect.

* Some shops say that alterations are included in their price. Unfortunately, nothing is ever “free”. Some shops increase their prices to cover the cost, so you are paying for it, even if you don’t need it. Some also put a cap on the alterations they give you, and farm out the work, not giving you the attention to detail you deserve.

Q. What is your payment policy?
A. 50% of the ticket price, including taxes is required to order.

The balance is required within 30 days after your gown, dress, etc arrives in the shop.
If you are buying “off the rack”, you require 50% of the cost, down with the balance being paid within 30 days.
* Please note that alterations cannot be done until the dress or gown is paid in full.

Q. I have a lot of people who care about me, and want to help me choose my gown.
xxxIs this ok?
A. Its great to have support, especially when it comes to doing some of the tasks that need to be
xxxdone in planning a wedding.

However, in our experience, when you have too many supporters helping you decide on the perfect gown, it can become overwhelming. We recommend when you first set out, to keep your group to a minimum. Once you’ve narrowed it down, bring out the rest of your supporters to help with the final decision.

Q. There are other Bridal Shops out there. Why should I choose Val’s Bridal?
A. We believe we have the best Bridal Shop in the Durham Region.

But you don’t have to take our word for it. We have been in business for over 40 years, and have been the Readers Choice winner for the past 12 years.

We pride ourselves in the service we offer. We really do care that you enjoy your wedding and will do everything we can to help that happen. We try to create a casual atmosphere where you can shop at your own pace, and not feel pressured to make decisions you are not ready to make. We offer products, selection and service that no one else in the region does. In the end, the referrals we get help us to know we’re on the right track.

Q. I’ve never heard of Courtice. Where are you located?
A. Courtice is a great town, just east of Oshawa.

It’s a short 30 minute drive from Toronto. Its well worth the trip. You won’t be disappointed.