FAQ
Appointments
You will be greeted by your bridal consultant and made to feel comfortable right away! We will talk through your vision, preferences, and any inspiration you may have.
Your consultant will guide you through our gowns while your group remains seated and relaxed. We will begin with a few selections and continue pulling styles based on what you love. Once you find your favorites, we will revisit them and help you narrow it down.
When you find your dress, we will celebrate, take photos, and take your measurements before reviewing next steps!
We highly recommend booking an appointment so you can enjoy a full 90-minute, one-on-one experience with one of our professional bridal consultants! If you are passing by, you are always welcome to stop in or call to check availability for a walk-in appointment.
We do not charge for appointments at this time. We kindly ask for at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel so we can offer that time to another bride. We understand that things come up and will always do our best to accommodate you!
Our bridal appointments are 90 minutes long, giving you plenty of time to find your dress and explore accessories without feeling rushed!
Our made-to-order gowns range from $1,500 to $3,000, with most falling around $1,900. We also offer sample sale gowns under $1,000 for brides looking for a more budget-friendly option!
We typically plan for 4 to 6 months for your gown to arrive. Some gowns may arrive sooner depending on availability. We will review timelines with you before placing your order so you know exactly what to expect!
All gowns are final sale. The initial deposit is non-refundable as it goes toward your custom order. We take time during your appointment to ensure you feel confident in your decision before ordering!
Yes, we offer in-house alterations! Our seamstress works out of our shop and is dedicated to our brides. She manages her own pricing and scheduling, but we assist in coordinating the process from start to finish.
Alterations vary depending on what is needed. Our seamstress sets her own pricing based on the work required. If you have any additional questions, please contact the shop for an estimate prior to starting alterations.
We recommend starting alterations about 3 months before your wedding. Each gown and fitting process is different, and appointments are scheduled based on your specific needs.
Yes, our seamstress does offer alterations for outside gowns. Appointments are limited and require calling ahead. A small out-of-store fee will apply.
Not at all! We just ask for transparency if you are planning significant weight loss, whether medically supervised or natural, as it can affect the fit of your gown. This may mean additional alterations will be needed, and we will always be upfront with you about what to expect for the final fit. When ordering your gown, we will base sizing on your current measurements unless otherwise discussed and approved by you.
We highly recommend booking an appointment so you can enjoy a full 90-minute, one-on-one experience with one of our professional bridal consultants! If you are passing by, you are always welcome to stop in or call to check availability for a walk-in appointment.
You can request an appointment through our website, give us a call, send us an email, or stop into the shop! We are happy to help get you scheduled in whatever way works best for you.
Our bridal appointments are 90 minutes long, giving you plenty of time to find your dress and explore accessories without feeling rushed!
We do not charge for appointments at this time. We kindly ask for at least 24 hours notice if you need to cancel so we can offer that time to another bride. We understand that things come up and will always do our best to accommodate you!
Accessories are typically shown during your bridal appointment. If you would prefer a separate appointment, we are happy to schedule one for you!
Yes, we encourage this! It allows you to see your full bridal look come together. Our team will help style your accessories to match your gown.
You can call the shop or send us an email to inquire about a specific dress! We are happy to check availability or suggest similar styles we have in store. Our website shows our designers’ most recent collections in full, our shop does not carry each collection in its entirety. We select 8-12 dresses per collection to bring in as samples.
That is completely normal! Finding your dress does not always happen at the first visit. We are happy to schedule another appointment for you to retry favorites or explore new styles as we receive them.
You can schedule your follow-up appointment in person after your initial visit, or by calling, emailing, or booking online! If you need time to coordinate schedules, we are happy to help you find a time that works best for you.
Shopping For Gown
We recommend wearing nude undergarments for the best try-on experience, as most gowns are ivory. Shapewear and a bra are optional, most dresses are designed to be worn without a bra and incorporate significant support. We do not recommend bringing shoes as it slows down the try-on process and can damage the gowns as we put them on and off. Most importantly, bring yourself and your group. We will take care of the rest!
We recommend keeping your group small, about 3 to 5 of your most special people. If someone would make or break your decision, they should be there! We can accommodate larger groups with advance notice so we can ensure everyone is comfortable.
Typically, you will be assigned a consultant based on who is available that day. We are a small shop and our consultants rotate shifts, but we are always happy to accommodate requests when possible!
Your experience means everything to us! If something does not feel quite right, please reach out and we will happily make arrangements to pair you with another consultant. We are a close-knit team and always want you to feel comfortable, supported, and excited during your appointment. If something ever comes up, we will make it right!
Yes, we encourage photos! Whether you want to capture the moment or review your favorite styles later, you are welcome to take pictures.
We carry a carefully curated selection of designers including Justin Alexander, Stella York, and House of Wu! Our collection is thoughtfully chosen to offer a variety of styles, fabrics, and fits for our brides.
Our made-to-order gowns range from $1,500 to $4,000, with most falling around $1,900. We also offer a small assortment of sale gowns under $1,000 for brides looking for a more budget-friendly option!
We carry sample gowns in a range of sizes from 10 to 30! Our consultants are trained to help you envision the fit, no matter the sample size
We recommend starting at least one year in advance! This allows time for ordering, shipping, and alterations without feeling rushed, spending additional dollars on shipping/alterations, or compromising style based on dress availability. If your timeline is shorter, that’s okay! We have options we can explore to ensure you have your dream dress for your wedding day!
About a year is the sweet spot! This gives you plenty of time for ordering, shipping, and alterations without feeling rushed.
Accessories
We recommend shopping for accessories during your bridal appointment. You can also choose accessories at a later appointment or during your first alterations visit!
Most accessories arrive within a few weeks (with some exceptions). We will guide you on timing so everything arrives when needed!
Accessories are typically shown during your bridal appointment. If you would prefer a separate appointment, we are happy to schedule one for you!
Accessory appointments are not as common, as accessories are typically shown during your bridal appointment. If you would like a separate accessory appointment, we are happy to schedule one for you, and they can also be done during your first alterations appointment.
Of course! All of our in-store accessories are available to any customer. If you are looking for something specific, we can also work with our retailer partners to help you find and order the perfect piece, whether it is a veil, headpiece, sleeves, straps, cape, or more!
Rush Orders
It is never too late! We have done it before and we are determined to help you find your dream gown. Options like purchasing off the rack, rush ordering, or selecting a gown that is already in stock are all possible! If your exact dress is not available, we will do our best to find something comparable that you love. We are here to make your dream come true at Gia!
A rush order is when a designer delivers your gown sooner than the standard production timeline. Rush options vary by designer, typically incur additional cost, and are not always guaranteed, but we will review all available options with you!
Rush order pricing varies by designer. For bridal gowns, rush fees typically start at $100 and increase depending on the timeline requested. For bridesmaids, rush options are $30 for 6-week delivery and $60 for 4-week delivery. Prom gowns do not offer rush options. Mother of the bride or groom styles have a rush fee of $50.
Not always! We try to avoid rush orders so you can avoid additional fees. Shopping early is the best way to ensure a smooth and stress-free experience.
Rush orders are not always available, but we will always go over all options and estimated shipping timelines with you before placing your order.
Fittings and Alterations
We recommend scheduling your first fitting about 3 months prior to your wear date. Earlier accommodations may be possible depending on the seamstress’s schedule and availability.
Shoes are a must to ensure the hem length is appropriate for your wedding day. You are also welcome to bring any shapewear to help you see the final look, but it is not required.
The number of fittings depends on the extent of the alterations needed and will be discussed with the seamstress during your appointments. Most gowns require at least 3 appointments to achieve the perfect fit, as it is a detailed process to ensure everything is just right.
Payment and Financing
We accept cash, check, debit, and credit cards. We will guide you through the checkout process to make it simple and stress-free!
No! We require 50 percent at the time of ordering. The remaining balance is due within 60 days after your gown arrives or by the first alteration appointment, whichever comes first.
If you purchase a dress off-the-rack, the balance is due within 90 days of purchase or by the first alteration appointment, whichever comes first.
We do not offer daily discounts. There are occasional promotional sales during store events (Trunk Shows, seasonal sales, etc.) the best way to see those opportunities is to check our website or follow us on Social Media (Instagram or Facebook, @GiaBridalFormal)
We do not offer Afterpay. After the initial 50% deposit is made, payments can be made toward your gown at any time. The remaining balance is due within 60 days after the dress arrives in store, by the first alteration appointment or before the gown leaves the shop, whichever comes first.
We will ship dresses at the bride’s expense and liability.
Shipping to our store is included in the cost of all gowns.
We will provide you with an estimated in-store arrival date at the time of ordering. Additional tracking information may be available depending on the designer and their shipping updates.
We do not provide tracking numbers. Once your gown is in transit, we can provide updated information on your expected in-store arrival date. An estimated arrival date will always be reviewed with you prior to purchasing your gown for full transparency. We also update you on any changes in shipping if the designer makes any.
Your gown arrives in a protective plastic bag inside a cardboard box to ensure safe delivery. Each gown is carefully inspected upon arrival in our store.
We ask that you come in within 10 days to try your gown on. This allows us to review the fit together and begin discussing alterations.
Most of our designers ship internationally unless your gown is already in stock within the United States. If a gown is in stock, shipping times are typically faster than a gown that is still in production internationally. We will always provide all shipping details prior to your purchase so you are fully informed.
Gown Preservation
We recommend Wedding Gown Preservation Co., which is based out of New York.
We will handle shipping your gown out for preservation from start to finish. Once it is completed, your gown will be returned to our store for you to pick up.
As soon as you would like following your special event.
We recommend gown preservation through Wedding Gown Preservation Co. to ensure your dress is safely stored and protected long-term.
It will be placed in a window display box so it is safely preserved and beautifully displayed for you to enjoy for years to come.
Yes, you will be able to view your gown through the window display box. We do not recommend removing it from the box unless it is being worn again, as this can affect the preservation of your gown moving forward.
Anywhere you feel is safe to store your gown within your home.
Sample Sales
We do not currently have a regular sample sale schedule, but we recommend checking our website or Facebook for upcoming events and updates.
A sample sale includes gowns that are no longer part of a designer’s current collection. These dresses are discounted and available for off-the-rack purchase.
Sample dresses are gowns that have been tried on in store and are sold as-is off the rack at a discounted price.
Dresses that are no longer part of our active stock and are no longer able to be ordered will be offered at our sample sales.
Our designer partners include Justin Alexander, Stella York, and House of Wu at this time. Additional designers may be included depending on older sample stock available.
Sample gowns vary in size depending on our current inventory, but most fall within our standard sample size range, 10-30.
Sample sale gowns are paid for in full at the time of purchase.
Yes! Once a deposit is made or the gown is paid in full, we will store your gown at no cost until your wedding date so it is one less thing for you to worry about.
Most sample gowns will require alterations to achieve the perfect fit, just like made-to-order gowns.
We recommend 2 to 5 guests so your experience remains relaxed and focused. If you would like to bring a larger group, please let us know ahead of time and we will do our best to accommodate!
Trunk Shows
A trunk show is a special event where we feature additional gowns from one of our designers’ most recent collection. These styles are not normally available in-store and are offered for a limited time!
Yes, appointments are recommended so we can provide you with the best possible experience during the event.
We recommend bringing 2 to 5 of your most important guests. If you would like to bring more, please let us know ahead of time.
A small promotional discount is usually applied, but dresses are priced at the normal cost of the gown.
Designers are not typically at a Truck Show.
Please check our website or Facebook for upcoming trunk show announcements and event details.
Other
You are always welcome to call, email, or stop by. We are happy to answer any questions and guide you through the process!
Please reach out to us directly. We are always happy to help and make sure you feel confident and informed every step of the way!