Wedding Dress Shopping FAQs
Shopping for your wedding dress should feel exciting, not overwhelming. Here you’ll find answers to the most common questions about wedding dress prices, bridal appointments, sizing, designers, alterations and timelines at The Bridal Loft.
Located in Greenville, South Carolina, The Bridal Loft offers a thoughtfully curated collection of designer wedding dresses and a relaxed, personal shopping experience. We welcome brides from across Upstate South Carolina, Western North Carolina and beyond.
The Bridal Loft carries a thoughtfully selected collection of designer wedding dresses from Kelly Faetanini, Jane Hill, Trish Peng, Wona Concept and Ricca Sposa.
We choose our designers for their craftsmanship, quality, construction and ability to offer special details or customization options.
Our collection continues to evolve as new designers and seasonal collections arrive. Visit our Designers page to see our most current selection
Our collection is designed for brides who want something elevated, beautifully made and a little different from what they may see everywhere else.
Our Greenville bridal boutique carries a mix of:
• Clean and architectural wedding dresses
• Romantic lace gowns
• Basque waist and drop waist silhouettes
• Classic ball gowns
• Modern fitted wedding dresses
• Minimal and timeless designs
• Statement sleeves and detachable accessories
• Overskirts and customizable bridal looks
• Fashion-forward gowns with unexpected details
Our selection is especially well suited to brides who love classic bridal style with a modern twist.
Yes. The Bridal Loft is an appointment-only bridal boutique.
Appointments allow us to give each bride dedicated time, privacy and personal guidance in a comfortable setting. You will work one-on-one with a knowledgeable bridal stylist who can help you explore silhouettes, fabrics, designers and customization options.
Your appointment begins with a conversation about your wedding, personal style, budget and anything you have already tried or saved for inspiration.
From there, your stylist will help you choose gowns and guide you through different silhouettes, fabrics and design details. We keep our collection intentionally curated so you have meaningful options without feeling overwhelmed.
Our goal is to help you feel comfortable, confident and informed. You will never be pressured into making a decision before you are ready.
Standard Bridal Appointment
Our complimentary Standard Bridal Appointment includes 90 minutes of one-on-one guidance with a dedicated bridal stylist. The bride may bring up to six guests.
This appointment is ideal for brides who want a relaxed, personal and pressure-free wedding dress shopping experience.
VIP Bridal Appointment
Our VIP Bridal Appointment is $250 and includes the same personal styling experience, along with an elevated selection of refreshments, light bites and additional touches for the bride and her guests.
The bride may bring up to six guests to Standard Appointments.
Although six guests are welcome, we often find that bringing two to four trusted people creates the easiest experience. Too many competing opinions can make it harder to focus on your own reaction to a gown.
The best guests are the people who understand your style, respect your budget and will support whichever dress feels right to you.
You do not need to bring much. We recommend bringing or wearing:
• Nude or seamless underwear
• Inspiration photos that help explain your style
• Any meaningful accessories you already plan to wear
• Shoes with a similar heel height to your wedding shoes, although heels are optional
• An open mind
Most of our wedding dresses include built-in structure and support, so you generally will not need to wear a bra while trying on gowns.
We also recommend avoiding heavy body makeup or fresh self-tanner that could transfer onto the dresses.
We generally recommend beginning your wedding dress search approximately 9 to 12 months before your wedding.
Most made-to-order wedding dresses require several months for production and shipping. You will also need time for fittings and alterations after the gown arrives.
That said, if you have a shorter timeline, you still have beautiful options. We offer select off-the-rack gowns that can be taken home the same day, as well as rush production options from many of our designers when available. Shopping within the 9 to 12 month window simply gives you the widest selection of styles and customization options, but we are always happy to help brides find the right dress no matter the timeline.
Tipping is never expected. The best way to support us is by leaving a review, sharing your experience, or sending a bride our way.
We recommend beginning your gown search about 9 to 12 months before your wedding date. This allows ample time for your gown to be made, shipped, and altered without stress.
That said, gowns typically take 4 to 8 months to arrive depending on the designer. If your timeline is shorter, many of our designers offer rush options, and our team will help guide you through the process.
Yes. Having less than nine months before your wedding does not necessarily mean you are out of options.
Some of our designers offer rush production for an additional fee, depending on the gown and wedding date. We may also have designer sample gowns available to purchase off the rack and take home.
Contact us with your wedding date before booking, and we can help you understand which options may work for your timeline.
Most made-to-order wedding dresses arrive approximately 16 to 32 weeks after the order is placed.
Production times vary by designer, gown, customization and time of year. Rush production may be available from certain designers for an additional fee.
Before you place an order, we will explain the anticipated arrival date and any available rush options.
Yes. Many of our designers offer wedding dress customization options.
Depending on the designer and gown, possible changes may include:
• Raising or modifying a neckline
• Adding sleeves or straps
• Changing the gown’s lining or opacity
• Creating a detachable overskirt
• Combining elements from more than one gown
• Adjusting lace placement or design details
• Ordering the gown in an alternate fabric or color
Not every change is possible on every wedding dress, but we are often able to speak directly with the designer about a bride’s specific vision.
Yes. In-house alterations are available exclusively for brides who purchase their wedding dress from The Bridal Loft.
Once your gown arrives, we will guide you through the fitting process and alteration timeline. Alterations are priced separately from the gown because the amount of work required varies for each bride and dress.
Alteration needs may include hemming, bodice fitting, strap adjustments, bustle creation, sleeve work or more extensive changes. An exact quote is generally provided after the seamstress sees the gown on you.
Yes. We have a limited and changing selection of designer sample wedding dresses available to purchase off the rack.
Off-the-rack gowns can be a helpful option for brides with shorter wedding timelines or brides looking for a designer gown at a more accessible price. Select samples generally begin around $2,500.
Because these gowns are sold directly from our showroom collection, available designers, sizes and styles change frequently.
Made-to-order wedding dresses are generally paid in full at the time of purchase so we can immediately place the order with the designer and secure the gown’s production timeline.
We accept major credit cards, debit cards and cash.
Customization, rush production, accessories and alterations are priced separately when applicable. We will clearly explain all known costs before your order is placed.
Because made-to-order gowns are created specifically for each bride, all wedding dress sales are final.
We ask for at least 48 hours’ notice when canceling or rescheduling an appointment.
Providing notice allows us to offer the appointment time to another bride and respect the time reserved for your stylist.
Please contact us directly if an emergency or unexpected situation arises.
Yes. Complimentary champagne is available for the bride and her guests during bridal appointments.
We also offer sparkling water and nonalcoholic options for guests who are under 21 or prefer not to drink alcohol.
VIP Bridal Appointments include an elevated selection of refreshments and light bites.
Tipping is never expected.
The most meaningful ways to support our team are to leave a review, share your experience or recommend The Bridal Loft to another bride.
Yes. Debutante appointments are available and currently compli
Your stylist will help you find a gown that fits your personal style and your organization’s dress requirements. Once your gown is selected, we can register it with your organization or club when applicable to help ensure the design is unique to you and meets presentation guidelines.
The Bridal Loft is located in The Village of West Greenville at:
582 Perry Avenue
Greenville, South Carolina 29611
Our appointment-only bridal boutique serves brides from Greenville, Greer, Simpsonville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Clemson, Asheville and surrounding areas throughout the Carolinas and Southeast.
The Bridal Loft was created for brides who want knowledgeable guidance without a high-pressure sales experience.
Our wedding dress collection is intentionally curated rather than overwhelming. We take time to understand your wedding, style, budget and priorities before helping you explore your options.
Our relationships with our designers also allow us to explore customization possibilities and create bridal looks that feel more personal.
You do not need to arrive knowing exactly what you want. Helping you figure that out is part of the experience.