FAQ
SHOPPING
Do I need an appointment to try on wedding dresses?
Yes. Our dresses can only be pulled by our consultants. Each bride is in her own spacious room where she is taken care of by a highly experienced consultant. She will help you find your dress! Appointments are also required for bridesmaids, evening dresses and accessories.
How long is the appointment?
Bridal gown appointments are approximately 1.5 hours.
Who should I bring to my appointment?
There is a maximum of three companions per bride, so bring people whose approval matters most.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Show us your favourite dresses from our website, designers’ websites, etc. Even if we don’t have that specific gown, we’ll have something comparable.
Lastly, bring who you need to say YES!!- Don’t be surprised if you find the dress on your first visit to Superior Bridal. We’ll provide veils and accessories to help you envision exactly how you’ll look on your big day.
What should I wear to my appointment?
We recommend you wear tights/full underwear and a tank top or strapless bra. Also, for the sake of hygiene, we apologize in advance that we cannot accommodate shoppers who wish to try on dresses in the nude.
What size are the gowns available for me to try on?
Most of our samples are sizes 8-12. We also have a large selection of gowns in sizes 14-24.
May I take pictures of the gowns I try on?
Yes, but if the photography starts taking too much time from the appointment, or is disruptive to other customers, the consultant will ask your companions to stop. Let's be mindful of those around us and try to live in the moment.
When should I order my veil?
Designer veils require several weeks to ship, so choosing one at the time you order your gown is ideal. You can also order your veil at the time of your first fitting or when you purchase your gown.
Can I complete my entire ensemble during my appointment?
Of course! Most of our brides not only find the dress on their first visit, but they also choose their veil and accessories at the same time.
Do I need an appointment to shop for accessories?
Yes.
PURCHASING
What is the price range for your gowns?
Our selection of designer special order gowns range between $2,500 and $15,000 with most gowns between $3.5-$9,000 range.
What is a special order gown?
A special order gown is a dress the designer creates for you using the pattern that closest matches closest size to your measurements. We then tailor it to fit your body perfectly in the alteration process.
How far in advance do I need to buy my gown?
Special order gowns require approximately 6-8 months for delivery to stores, depending on the time of year. If your wedding date is less than 6 months away, we can still help. Your consultant will take you through the various solutions during your shopping consultation.
What is an off-the-rack gown?
When a designer decides they no longer manufacture a specific bridal gown, it becomes discontinued, meaning they will no longer accept orders for that dress. In this instance we will sell that dress off-the-rack, most often at a sizeable discount.
What are the payment terms?
We accept cash, debit, cheque, American Express, MasterCard, Visa., e-transfer, Apple Pay and PayPal. We require a 60% deposit at the time you place your order. When the gown arrives at our store and passes our quality control inspection, we’ll contact you to let you know it has arrived and/or to schedule a fitting. The remainder will be payable by cash, debit or cheque when you come in. If you buy an off-the-rack gown, we require 100% payment at the time of purchase and you must take the dress home on that day.
When will my gown arrive?
Your gown will arrive approximately 6-8 months after you purchase it.
ALTERATIONS
Are alterations included in the price of the dress?
No. Alterations are separate from the dress and outlined for you at the time of purchase. There is a flat rate cost, which increases according the scope of changes and amount customization requested. We always keep the costs very reasonable – especially in comparison to our competitors – and we will never surprise you with an additional fee. Ordering extra lace, additional beading is extra.
How many fittings will I need?
Usually 2-3 fittings are needed to ensure a perfect look. The final fitting usually takes place the week before or week of the wedding,
When should I schedule my first fitting?
We’ll call you when your dress has arrived at our store. We’ll schedule the first fitting with you at that time and check that you’ve already purchased the shoes and undergarments you plan to wear on your wedding day.
What should I bring to my first fitting?
You will need to have the shoes and the undergarments you’ll be wearing on your wedding day in order to have the bodice and hemline tailored perfectly. We also require that the remaining amount owing on your gown be paid with cash debit or cheque when you come in.
OTHER
What is a sample sale?
A sample sale or off-the-rack sale is when we clear out as much of our inventory of discontinued gowns as we can – marking some of the gowns up to 80% off!
We carry over 1,000 gowns, so we sell our in-store samples at below our own cost, just to make room! We also mark down jewellery and accessories for these sales as well. Remember to sign up for our newsletter to find out when we will have sample sales, trunk shows and other special offers where you can save big!
What is a trunk show?
A trunk show or designer showcase is a special event we’ve arranged with a designer where you can view and buy from their latest collection months before those dresses hit the stores. A trunk show usually lasts approximately 4 days. If you find the dress of your dreams at a trunk show, be prepared to make a decision that day as that gown and associated purchase incentive will not be available once the trunk show ends.
Appointments book up extremely quickly for these events, so remember to sign up for our newsletter to find out when we will have our next trunk show and other special offers you can only find at Superior Bridal!
If my wedding is less than 6 months away, is it too late to buy a gown?
It’s not too late, but every second counts! If the consultant tells you that you need to decide on a dress right away, take her word for it. This is not a sales tactic. Manufacturer shipping windows literally open and close every day. Hesitating one day can add on 1-3 weeks on the designer’s shipping date. This is a fact of life for every bridal salon!
Your consultant will list which designers can meet your timeframe for a special order gown, which could include an additional rush order charge. We have incredible relationships with our designers and can sometimes pull off miracles other stores couldn’t hope to match.
Another option is to purchase one of our off-the-rack gowns and have it custom fitted to your measurements by our master seamstresses.
What is a rush order?
If your wedding date is sooner than the time a designer needs to have your special order dress created and shipped, we’ll need to contact the designer, who in turn will charge an additional fee for rushing the order through. We factor in 1 to 3 weeks time to make alterations before your wedding.
In the instance of short lead times, all designers, for both bridal gowns and bridesmaid dresses, charge rush order fees. The amounts vary from one designer to the next. Your consultant will outline all the costs up front for you at the time of purchase and will never surprise you with additional fees.
Do you recommend a preservation service?
Yes. Please contact us.
Are the gowns on your site all the dresses you have?
No. We have 1,000 + dresses at our store and have the largest selection you will ever see:)