Online shopping for weddings?

I use to be a wedding planner. Online is useful for many things. Why on earth would anyone consider buying a wedding gown, jewelery, flowers, etc., online? Especially the gown!!!


If you can't touch it, you don't know if you like the feel. If you can't actually see it, you don't know if it's the exact color you want. If you can't try it on, you won't know if it suits your body, something VERY IMPORTANT. And, you end up paying for alterations that most stores will do for free if you purchase from them.


The same with linens, flowers. Unless you can see and feel them, you won't know if they are just right, or if they match.


The same applies for everything else. I've had many couples disappointed with online purchases for weddings.


Online is great for ideas, but when it comes to the real thing, you should go with a vendor in your area so you can deal with them in person in case of a problem, such as receiving your items on time, and in time to make changes.


Any thoughts?

Online shopping for weddings?
I am also a wedding planner and see no problem with on-line purchases. I have worked with Brides that have purchased several items on the web. Like anything else you would purchase on-line you have to be smart. Check the return policies, shipping polices, order in plenty of time to recieve your items and try to purchase from a credible source. You can find some great deals as well as saving some time especially if you are on a tight budget. My rule when purchasing a bridesmaid gown or wedding gown on-line are the following:





1. MEASURE MEASURE MEASURE and then Measure again! If you can get professionally measured from a seamstress then do so. Can't stress that enough! Ad hear to the size chart given by the vendor. This is a must for a proper fit. If your measurements don't add up right to theirs don't force it. Go up a size or look elsewhere.





2. Try to use a vendor with a return policy. Just in case you are not happy with your purchase once it's recieved.





3. Definately go to a Davids Bridal or Group USA type store and try on everything! This will help you decide what looks best on your figure. Then look for simular styles online if you don't find exactly what you want or want to find something at a cheaper price point.





I have worked with Brides that spend and average of $5,000 -$6,000 on their entire wedding so cutting costs are essential. It all depends on what is most important to the Bride. If flowers are extremely important to her than maybe going to a local vendor is the better choice than purchasing flowers online. It all depends on the Bride and what she's comfortable with. I as a planner often find the items on-line and lead the bride to credible vendors. There's nothing wrong with getting items on-line you just have to be smart about it! Just some of my comments when shopping on-line for wedding items.
Reply:I agree with you 100%.





Going local whenever possible should be the first option.





Flowers are a biggie. Someone local can store them until needed and you know they'll be fresh and right. Shipping is included.





Invitations can be done by a local printer, not someone in China. They'll be right the first time.





Money spent locally stays in the community not someplace else. Vendors have their reputations to think about and you also will be able to get and see local references and/or clients.
Reply:I have two friends who got their wedding dresses online, and they were beautiful!
Reply:I bought my dress on eBay and I was extremely happy with it.





I understand that there are a lot of risks involved with buying a dress you haven't actually seen and tried on, but the way I see it, if the dress wasn't what I was expecting, I could buy another on eBay! You could buy 4 wedding dresses on eBay for the price of what it costs at a bridal shop. Lucky for me, I got what I wanted on my first try.





My opinion, the money you can save by shopping online is worth the risk of not getting exactly what you want.
Reply:I agree for the most part. I wouldn't dream of buying my gown or accessories without trying them on. I sent pics of gowns that I thought I would love to the bridal boutique. When I tried those gowns on they did nothing for me! It was the help of the owner that got me the dress I love.





We are renting chair covers online. Around here the cheapest you can get them is $7 and it goes up from there!! I rented them for $3 each including shipping! My friend is going to put them on for me because I put them on for her daughters wedding.





I also ordered my guest book from Kodak.com. It was a picture book with blank pages for the guests to sign and it came out beautifully!
Reply:I initially began my dress shopping online in an effort to save money!! So many huge online distributors, not to mention eBay, makes it look like you could plan/do your wedding for mere pennies... not the case once you take into consideration the shipping (usually from Asia), the alterations (you can't try the stuff on!), the cleaning (garments from Asia can have a travel smell about them), and most likely the replacement of the item once you realize buying it online wasn't such a great idea.





I totally agree that the internet can be an excellent resource for ideas, and for the smaller items like favors etc. OR for those who have researched and shopped for their dress/items in "the real world" and are looking for an exact item online at a better price. Otherwise... get up from the computer brides!
Reply:i plan to get mine from an ebay seller in china. i am trusting bcse 1 - i've bought darn near everything off the net and had no probs.


2- cus i plan to order in enough time to have someone locally fix any probs the dress might have,


i'll be planning a more causal wedding so my dress won't be a super complex piece


same for invites- i'm shopping from ebay.





guess i'm not a worry some person
Reply:You can get just as easily hosed by a face-to-face vendor as you can shopping on line. Bottom line is the bride is either willing to do her homework to find reliable vendors or she isn't. Personally I have done my wedding almost exclusively online since I am planning it cross-country. I've saved thousands and been very happy with everything I've purchased. The same applies to every bride I've work for.





If you aren't comfortable with online shoppping that is your choice but don't make it sound like the only way to get screwed or make a bad purchase is over the internet. If anything, shops are worse because they have their salespeople constantly in your face about what you "have to have" at the wedding.

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