Why independent bridal shops are best for wedding dress shopping
Danelle’s Bridal is a family-owned, independent local business. And, we love to support fellow local businesses. With decades of bridal industry experience, we’ve learned that bridal shopping with independent, local retailers is totally the way to go! You’re about to make the most important fashion decision of your life. So, you definitely want to work with a business you can trust.
How shopping local helps you & your community
Our bridal shop has been an active part of the Colorado Springs and Pueblo communities for years. We’re also a proud partner of The 3/50 Project, which supports independent retailers & local economies. The goal of The 3/50 Project is to support the brick and mortars this nation is built on, with these important ideas in mind:
- 3: Think about your three favorite independent retailers in your community. How would you feel if they were gone? Definitely stop in and say hello, refer your friends and family, & pick up a little something that will make someone smile! Your contribution to your favorite shops is what keeps them going strong.
- 50: If only 50 percent of the employed U.S. population spent $50 each month at independently owned businesses, their purchases would generate nearly $43 billion in revenue! And, if it went up from there? Imagine the awesome impact it’d have on our economy!
- 68: For every $100 spent in independently owned shops, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If you spend the same $100 at a national chain store, only $43 stays here! And if you spend it online, nothing comes home.
- 1: The number of people it takes to start the trend… you!
So, brides, when you shop for your wedding: pick 3, spend $50, and give back to your local economy!
Beware of counterfeit wedding gown retailers online
Another super important bit of advice is to be careful when shopping for a wedding dress online. Unfortunately, a lot of people out there have tried to make counterfeit wedding dresses and sell them online. We’ve seen far too many brides who have fallen victim to these scams, and we want to spread the word to make sure it doesn’t happen again!
A collage of counterfeit wedding dresses bought from online retail scams. Photo courtesy Brides Beware via Facebook
Wedding planning can be a stressful time in itself. And, the last thing you want to worry about is your dress. You deserve to feel confident, carefree, and beautiful on your big day. Shopping smart never goes out of style! Here are some of our favorite tips from Bridal Guide to make sure you don’t get scammed by a counterfeit wedding dress retailer online:
- If the price seems too good to be true online, it probably is. Online retailers often show the same images used on designer websites to trick people into buying. But, those images are often being used without permission, and you will not receive that same dress. We’ve seen horror stories where the dress takes months to arrive, then looks completely different in person than what was advertised. So, keep in mind, a $100 price tag on an allover lace, hand-beaded wedding gown will probably not look the way they say it will!
- Your dress might be a cheap knockoff version of the picture you fell in love with. Think stiff, itchy fabrics, uneven seams, discoloration, improper fitting, and unflattering cuts.
- If you have a problem with the gown, they probably won’t make it right. Counterfeit wedding gowns often arrive in wrong sizes or lenghts. If it’s even possible to salvage the gown, alteration costs might exceed the price of the dress. That will negate any discount you received when you ordered it in the first place.
- No money back guarantee. Often, counterfeiters promise a money back guarantee. However, you likely won’t be able to find that contact information on their website. No contact information = no money back.
We’re here to help you find your dream wedding dress
As you can see, there are so many reasons why buying your wedding dress from an independent, local retailer is the way to go. And, at Danelle’s, you’ll have your own personal bridal stylist as a point of contact every step of the way. That means if you have any concerns through the process, you’ll have someone who knows you & your wedding vision personally for peace of mind. And what could be better than that?!
Ready to book an appointment with the most awarded bridal shop in Colorado? We’re ready to meet you & help you find your dream wedding dress!