TRUDYS FAQ's
Yes, in order to try on gowns and to give you the full attention of our experienced consultants, an appointment is required. With over a thousand gowns to choose from, our consultants are dedicated to helping you find the perfect gown and they know our inventory.
Bridal gown appointments are typically 1 to 1-1/2 hours.
No, it's never too late! Your options include buying one of our amazing off-the-floor designer wedding gowns. You can also work with a consultant to determine which designer can meet your timeframe for a special rush-cut order. Additional rush charges will apply.
Bring pictures of dresses/ideas you have seen on our website, in magazines, or online on The Knot, on our Instagram, on Pinterest or pictures of dresses you have tried on elsewhere. It is very important to bring an Open Mind! Don't be surprised if you find "The Dress" on your first visit. Feel free to bring your own bra, undergarments and shoes to try on with the gowns. Our expert consultants are here to bring your vision to life.
Bring your closest friend or family members, those whose opinions you value the most. This day is about You! Bringing too many people can easily take the focus off of you.
We pride ourselves in carrying a large inventory of a variety of sample sizes from many designers. Our gown sizes range from size 4-26.
It is best to allow 6-8 months before your wedding to order a gown and have it altered. Designer gowns typically take 4-6 months to arrive and alterations can take anywhere from 2 months - 3 weeks depending on the seamstress* you decide to use. *Please refer to our recommended seamstress list.
Yes. We do allow you to take pictures during your appointment.
Special-order designer accessories have a 2-4 months lead-time, depending on the type of accessory, so making a decision at the time you order your gown is helpful, or, if you have time, during your viewing appointment when your gown arrives. We also offer a one hour accessory appointment to come in and pick your desired accessories while trying on our sample gown before your special-ordered gown arrives.
You may come in at any time to look at our large selection of veils, jewelry and bridal sashes. We do however, require an appointment if you would like to try on accessories with your gown or our sample gown of your dress.
Trudys Special Occasions has the best selections and a dedicated staff to help you. Our Bridesmaids Department can accommodate all your Bridesmaids even your out-of-town girls. Please allow 3-4 months for special orders. Just like our wedding gown selection, we offer styles for every price point. Remember, when you purchase your bridal gown, the bridal party will receive special discounts on their dress purchases. No appointment necessary.
Most bridal gowns are special-ordered and not ready-to-wear. To determine your size, we compare your body measurements and the manufacturer's size chart. Most gowns will require alterations by a professional seamstress to achieve a perfect fit (alterations are not included).
Your gown typically takes 4-6 months to arrive, sometimes sooner depending on the designers availability. Rush-cuts are also available for closer wedding dates(rush fees apply). There is an additional $24 fee for standard shipping and handling to have the gown shipped to our store. You will be contacted to schedule a view appointment to try on your gown, accessorize, pay off and pick up your gown within 30 days of notification. An alteration appointment is then made directly with a seamstress for further fittings.
A rush-cut order is when a manufacturer needs to accelerate the special order process to be able to receive your bridal gown before your wedding date. Rush-cut fees may vary depending on the manufacturer.
We accept American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa, as well as cash. We require full payment when purchasing a gown. All sales are final. We do not accept returns or exchanges. If buying a sample gown off-the-floor, layaway options may be available.
Our regular prices bridal gowns start at $800 and can range up to $5000, depending on the designer. A selection of off-the-rack used floor samples are always available at a discount. We also carry a limited collection of informal bridal gowns for $500 and up.
Not a problem. We can ship a gown anywhere within the United States. Shipping fees apply and may vary on the ship-to location. We do require that we receive the special ordered gown directly to the store first for inspection before shipping out.