1. The store must provide a client with a consultant. A store that allows the client to wander throughout the store in a self-serve manner does not constitute Full Service. This is less than the caliber of service expected as industry standard. With a trained bridal consultant a client will not be lost in a sea of white unable to determine which gowns will accentuate her best body feature. Additionally, without a bridal consultant it is difficult for a client to compare quality, construction and value. A bridal consultant should dress and educate the client about the benefits of the gown she is trying on. A consultant should ask pertinent questions of the bride. The consultant is there to listen to the bride intently and provide solutions to any thing the bride may find problematic. Leaving a bride to Do It Herself just cheapens the experience. A bride is deserving of that special treatment which only comes with having a personal shopping assistant and this fulfills the vision that many brides fantasize of or long for when they thought of the days leading up to the day they would marry.

2. Handling all the details. That's part of being a "Full Service Bridal Store". A great bridal store should help you decide on size and other variables when purchasing a gown. The ordering process should be smooth and without difficulty. The bridal store should be able to provide you with information on your gown at any given moment as you wait for its arrival. They should inspect your gown upon arrival and inform you immediate of any problems that may have developed. A great bridal store should follow through with any issues with a gown and the manufacturer as they are your representative. Its also their job to suggest what else may be needed make your gown look perfect such as enhancing undergarments or accessories. They should also schedule your alteration appointment.

3. A "Full Service Bridal Store" should have an alteration specialist available whether that be on or off-site. Despite what some bridal stores believe (that having their own in-house seamstress is the only way to be Full Service) it is perfectly acceptable to have your gown altered by a alteration specialist who comes on-site to pin your gown. Both the bridal store owner and the alteration specialist work hand in hand to assure that the alterations are completed to the bride expectations and the store owner's highest level of standards. Rest assured that before any bridal store owner decides to work with either an on-site or off-site alteration specialist they check their background, reputation, qualifications (experience), technical skill (schooling) and overall personality as the bridal store's reputation depends on it. A bridal store owner seeks and inspects a clean, smoke, child and pet-free area as well as all the necessary machinery needed to duplicate the manufacturer's sewing.

4. A "Full Service Bridal Store" should also have available to you any additional accessories such as undergarments, shoes, shawls, purses, veils, headpieces and jewelry-everything that you may need to complete your entire ensemble.

5. Last, but not least a "Full Service Bridal Store" should be able to offer you dry cleaning and preservation services for your gown after your wedding day.

All the above is what brings a truly great "Full Service Bridal Store" full circle. Internet discounters can not come close to offering these types of invaluable benefits. Furthermore, bridal stores that do not provide their clients with this type of experience are doing them a disservice.

A. Yes. Alterations are performed away from smoke, children and pets.

A. All of our gowns are priced ala carte as so they should. We do this because alterations vary with each bride. What one bride might need, another may not. There are many stores out there that will entice you with "free" alterations or "alterations included" in the price of a gown in order to sell you their gown. Well everyone knows nothing is for "free". These stores pad the price of the gown to cover even the most difficult alteration. So now that you have been made aware of this why would you want to pay a "padded" price on a gown that may need just a small alteration or none at all? Don't be fooled. They are making a hefty enough profit in the gown with "free" alterations or "alterations included" to know they wont lose. AND they will not discount the "padded" amount in the cost of the gown if you choose to have your alterations done elsewhere. We believe that you should only pay for alterations you need and nothing more. We like keeping it simple.

A. Yes, over 500 wedding gowns in stock. All are ready for immediate delivery.

A. We carry exclusive designers only. Robin Jillian and Carrafina design independently commissioned gowns that are not mass produced and not found everywhere. The benefit to you is that you wont see your gown at every corner dress shop which cheapens your gown choice. These gowns are not common or typical. The are all unique just like you.

A. Yes. Shopping for a wedding gown is not like shopping for everyday wear at a mall or department store. That's common knowledge. Its a very special time for a bride. As you are in search of your wedding gown you need to be able to locate an environment conducive to focusing on YOU specifically; that is not going to interrupt your train of thought (finding your gown), your patience or rush you. We afford that environment by only booking 6 appointments per day. We work with one bride at a time by appointment in our private bridal suite. This suite is a whopping 1500 square feet and is dedicated to the bride only. Each appointment is approximately 1.5 hours long with a highly trained, professionally experienced and knowledgeable bridal consultant who knows what you are looking to accomplish-finding that particular gown that reflects who you are or who you want to be on your wedding day. We don't allow for any interruptions during your appointment. This is a serious decision and you need a quiet, uncluttered, non-chaotic location to complete the process.

A. Realistically you should start looking for your gown at least 10-12 months prior to your wedding date. The reasons are because once you place your order it may take up to 7-9 months for your gown to be made, shipped, clear customs and make it to the vendor's warehouse and ultimately to our store. Finding the right accessories, undergarments and shoes may take a few weeks too and we suggest having your gown in hand at least 2 months prior to your wedding date in order to make time for alterations and to avoid a seamstress's rush fee. Shopping for your wedding gown in less time just raises stress levels and the shopping experience itself usually isn't as enjoyable.

A. We absolutely strive on achieving excellence on your behalf. We have a conscience too. Our goal is not just to sell you a gown. Our goal is to provide you with the greatest bridal shopping experience possible and the "right" gown. We understand how nervous you may be and we know that it may be one of the more expensive purchases you have made thus far. So that's why we are with you every step of the way.

A. We stock 90% of our wedding gowns and we special order the other 10%. The reason why is because brides are not affording themselves as much time to get their gowns in time for their weddings. By operating this way we eliminate the stress that comes with waiting for the gown from the vendor. There is also no waiting to see what the color of the gown will be, you avoid fees for rush shipments and you can leave with your gown the same day you find it. However, if you find a gown that you know is "the one" it can be ordered for you just as easily so long as you've allotted enough time for it to be ordered.

A. We carry gowns that represent each of the 4 cuts (ball, empire, sheath, a-line). When seeking out a gown to wear on your wedding day we suggest searching style that you like on the Internet or through popular bridal magazines. Read up on the fabrics and other options. Familiarize yourself with terms like corset, bodice, silhouette, sweetheart etc. This way you have an idea on what you'd like to look like on your wedding day and it also allows you to express your likes and dislikes. If you can print copies of these styles bring them with you to our store. During your appointment show your consultant what you've been thinking and which gowns strike you the most. Your consultant will get a better understanding of your vision and will be able to help you select gowns that will reflect the look you want. But don't be surprised that you leave with a gown that looks nothing like what you pictured yourself in. It happens all the time. Brides will fall in love with a gown they never even thought of wearing before. So keep an open mind and that will help you immensely.

A. Due to the saturation of the territory in which A Bridal Co resides we are currently not an authorized dealer for Maggie Sottero(r) brand gowns. What this means is that our territory is not currently available due to numerous stores in the area carrying the line. Therefore, we have decided to carry other designers who are extremely selective of who's stores their dresses are sold in. These private designers design gowns which are similar to the Maggie Sottero(r) wedding dress collection at a substantial savings over Maggie Sottero(r) pricing. Maggie Sottero(r) is a registered trademark owned by Maggie Sottero(r).

A. For the same reason given above A Bridal Co does not represent Allure wedding gowns or Mori Lee wedding dresses at this time. We offer many gowns similar to the Allure and Mori Lee wedding dress collection at a substantial savings over Allure and Mori Lee pricing.