THE PERFECT DRESS Bridal Salon Frequently Asked Questions

We do require an appointment so that we can guarantee you have a dedicated stylist to help you. We only want to serve our brides the best experience and give you the undivided attention you deserve. Occasionally, we can accommodate same-day appointments. Feel free to call us for same-day availability and we will do our best to fit you in!

We set aside 75 minutes for each bride to browse our collection of gowns and try them on. There will be 15 minutes at the end for measurements and for you to take all the "I said yes" pictures you want!

Due to the intimate size of our shop and limited seating, we can only accommodate 2-3 guests along with you. We also ask that you leave  children at home in an effort to be respectful of other bridal parties. We recommend bringing your closest family or friends who will cheer you on and help you pick your dream dress. We've found that these smaller groups help all of the brides in the shop feel more comfortable and able to choose the dress they want rather than the one that others want for them. For groups larger than 3, we do offer private, before/after-hours appointments on select Monday's, Tuesday's, or Thursday's. Please reach out to us if you are interested in a private appointment. The Perfect Dress team is here to help make this a memorable experience for you!

Yes! For groups larger than 3 guests, we offer private appointments before or after regular hours on select Monday's, Tuesday's, or Thursday's. Please contact us to schedule your private shopping experience.

Yes, each of our locations requires its own appointment. Our Holladay and American Fork shops each have their own curated selection of gowns.

We recommend shopping as soon as you are ready to say yes! That can mean right after you get engaged, after you pick your wedding date, or when you can gather your closest people to come shopping with you. Because many of our gowns are made-to-order for you, they can take 3-4 months to arrive in store. You also need to consider that you will most likely need 4-6 weeks for alterations after the dress arrives. Depending on availability, we can order you in a dress sooner than standard production times, but all availability is subject to change. This is why it is best to begin shopping when you are ready to find your perfect dress. While we encourage you to start shopping as early as possible, keep in mind that dress availability changes daily!

 We have perfect options for brides with quick timelines:  our exclusive in-house designs available in backstock, we offer rushes on gowns orders, our sample sale selection, and the possibility of purchasing certain gowns off the rack. All of these options allow you to take your dress home the same day!

We recommend having your dress arrive at least 6-8 weeks before your wedding to allow adequate time for alterations. Since made-to-order gowns take 3-4 months to produce, ideally you should start shopping 9-12 months before your wedding date.

Here at The Perfect Dress, we believe you can find the dress you've always dreamt of without the large price tag. Our special-order gowns start at $898 and can go up to about $7920. Most gowns have an average price of about $1800-$2000. If you want a designer gown for less, we are constantly adding to our off-the-rack selection, and those gowns start at about $398. Trust us when we say we have a little bit of everything for any bride!

No, alterations are not included in the price of your dress. However, they are more affordable than the alterations you'll find through most bridal shops because they are done by independent seamstresses rather than being marked up by the boutique.

Yes!  Please contact our shop directly to discuss payment options for your dress purchase.

We do carry some of our own exclusive designs in our backstock that are available for you to take home that same day! We have an excellent sale selection, as well as the possibility of purchasing some of our gowns off the rack. These three options are perfect for those brides that have quick timelines.

Each of our shops is unique in that they all offer their own specially curated collection of designer gowns, with the exception of our most popular styles. Other than our top designs, our shops carry the same designers but different dresses. Our most popular dresses will be at all of our locations for the convenience of the bride. This is in an effort to give you as much variety as possible without giving you dress fatigue. Our stylists at each shop will offer the same exceptional service, providing comfort and insight throughout the whole process.

We work with designers from all over the United States, Spain, Italy, Romania, Australia, and Canada. We seek out designers who take great care in the details of their gowns and offer timeless, modern, and fashion-forward styles. Please visit our website or contact us for our current designer list.

Yes! We spend months putting ideas on paper, sketching, and sourcing delicate fabrics to create our own exclusive collection of gowns. We work with experienced Design Houses that understand our vision and help us bring the magic of our own designs to our brides. Many of these exclusive designs are available in our backstock for same-day purchase.

Absolutely! It's completely possible to find your dream dress in just one appointment. While some brides think they need to try on many dresses, we've found that the more you try, the more overwhelming it can get. Often, the dress you fall in love with is the one you find early on, before "dress fatigue" sets in. If you've found the perfect dress, trust that you've made a fantastic choice and skip the extra trying on—it'll make the process that much more enjoyable! We're excited for you, and we're here to help you celebrate your decision whenever you're ready!

Like most bridal shops, we usually carry one sample of each dress. Our samples and backstock range from sizes 0-24 with ordering possibilities of sizes 0-32. Our backstock pieces may already fit you quite well and are available for you to take them home that day. Your measurements will be taken for special order gowns. Bridal sizing is smaller than your average street size. A bridal size 12 is about a street size 8. If the sample is too big for you, we will clip it to fit your body so that you can have a better idea of how it will look. If the sample is too small, we add an insert to clip them to fit. Our trained stylists are experts in giving you the best idea of how your gown will look on your big day, so don't worry! We are here to help and will assist you through the whole process.

Bridal sizing typically runs 1-2 sizes smaller than street clothing. For example, a bridal size 12 is approximately equivalent to a street size 8. During your appointment, we'll take your measurements to determine the best size to order for your gown.

Our contracted seamstresses are experts at alterations and can adjust your gown to fit perfectly whether you've lost or gained weight. We recommend having your final fitting about 2-3 weeks before your wedding when your weight is most stable.

Almost every bride needs some type of alteration to their dress, even if it is just a hem or fit. We are known for our alterations, and have the most skilled contracted seamstresses in Utah. Their work is of exceptionally high quality while their prices are very affordable. Alterations are not included in the price of your dress; however, they are more affordable than the alterations you'll find through most bridal shops because they are independent seamstresses.

Yes! At The Perfect Dress Bridal, we're not only known for unique dresses, but for our incredible customizations! We offer designer gowns that are customized to fit our brides' individual vision. Whether you want to add long sleeves, raise the neckline, change the back, or make other modifications, we can help you envision and create the perfect dress for you.

Most alterations require 4-6 weeks to complete. We recommend scheduling your first fitting as soon as your dress arrives to ensure adequate time for all necessary adjustments before your wedding day.

We work with thirteen of the most talented seamstresses in Utah. Their work is of exceptionally high quality while their prices remain very affordable. These are independent seamstresses, which keeps costs lower than typical bridal shop alterations.

Wearing nude underwear is always recommended! Most of our gowns have built-in bra cups so bringing a bra is not necessary. If you do decide to bring one, nude colored is always best. Feel free to bring shapewear if you are planning on wearing some on your wedding day. Heels are not necessary as the shop has pedestals for you to stand on, although you are welcome to bring your wedding shoes if you have them picked out already!

We recommend bringing any inspiration photos that capture your vision, your wedding shoes if you have them (though not necessary), and shapewear if you plan to wear it on your wedding day. Most importantly, bring an open mind and be ready to have fun!

Yes! We encourage you to take photos during your appointment, and we set aside time at the end specifically for "I said yes" photos. This helps you remember the dresses you loved and creates wonderful memories of your shopping experience.

The Perfect Dress was founded in 1998. We opened our original shop in Salt Lake City and later moved to our current Holladay location to provide a more personal, intimate experience for our brides. We've been helping Utah brides find their perfect dress for over 25 years!

We specialize in curated collections of unique, fashion-forward gowns that you won't find everywhere else. We design our own exclusive gowns and source dresses from designers around the world. Our boutique atmosphere ensures personalized attention, and our prices offer exceptional value without sacrificing quality. Plus, our expertise in customization means we can help you create a truly one-of-a-kind dress.

Yes! We maintain a sample sale rack with discontinued designer gowns and gently shop-worn dresses at clearance prices starting around $398. This selection changes regularly as we add new samples and update our collections.