bhldn - is there a catch?

My daughter bought her Watters dress from the Chicago BHLDN store. It was the best shopping experience we had.

I am blessed to live near a BHLDN store and their stuff is just stunning. I think my MOH, FMIL, and future FSILs will all be in BHLDN. They didn't have the specific style I was looking for, otherwise we'd all be styled by them. Lol

I was a BHLDN bride! I drove 3 hours to the DC store to try dresses on and totally fell in love. Bonus points for ordering the dress and getting it in the mail 2 days later.

This is music to my ears ladies! I’m lucky enough to have one like 45 minutes away from me

I got my BHLDN dress last weekend! It is an absolute dream and I am completely obsessed with it. So many of the dresses I tried on there were beautiful.

The "catch," if you can call it that, is that the dresses are already stocked so if they're out of your size, you're SOL. One dress my stylist would only let me try if I was ready to buy that day because the stock was limited. On the flip side, I ordered my dress Sunday and it was delivered to my apartment on Tuesday.

Definitely go for it. My FILs offered to buy my dress and gave me a $3k limit (way more than I was planning on spending). They were stunned when I told them the dress was only $1,600. It was nicer quality than more expensive dresses I tried on elsewhere.

I bought my dress at BHLDN and loved the whole experience! I didn’t consider myself a “non-traditional” bride, but the first store I went to was more of a traditional, Kleinfeld-type store. Most of the dresses were out of my price range and the ones I tried on were nice, but not really what I wanted.

My experience at BHLDN was super laid back and we were offered champagne when we arrived and when I chose the dress. The stylist was really helpful and I felt like she cared more about helping me find a dress I loved than making a sale. The only downside is that my dress came super quick (like, within 2 days quick) and I was still a year out from my wedding when it arrived, and I have to find a seamstress since they don’t do alterations.

Thanks for all the advice! So far, it has been crazy to me to hear about how strange, non transparent, different, and time consuming wedding dress shopping is compared to normal shopping. BHLDN, so far, seems like the best option for more of a normal shopping experience - you go, try things on in your size, and get it in a few days vs. going, trying on a sample size, and getting it in 6-8 months. Good tip about having to find an alternate seamstress as they don't do alterations

I think I will definitely check out BHLDN first!

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I am curious why you find the dress coming quickly to be a downside?

View Quoted Comment As I mentioned, I purchased it a year out. By the time the wedding rolls around, the dress will have just been sitting in my closet for a year.

Go for it, I've never really heard anything negative from them. I wound up ordering from a more traditional bridal shop, but had a great experience at BHLDN and would have loved to have one of their dresses (they weren't that flattering on me, I needed more structure to smooth things over).

I haven't purchased from them yet, but I LOVE their styles and have heard nothing but good things. I will be going there with my BM's when the time comes to look at BM dresses.

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This is true... but you often need to buy just as far or close to as far ahead at more 'traditional bridal salons' too. I used to work in bridal (many moons ago, so it's the one thing wedding I know something about) and because many dresses are made to order you often have to order 6-8 months out if not more... the shortest window I had ever seen was 4 months for a made to order dress, they might come in sooner but there are no guarantees. And then you need to factor in time for alterations, so while I wouldn't get it altered until closer to the big day, I don't see the harm in it being in the closet, as I would be shopping 8-12 months out anyways, assuming I had the time... if you don't have the time, there are still options but fewer, from my experience at least.

I bought my BHLDN dress just yesterday! It doesn't seem real yet! My wedding is in a year and I wasn't in a rush to buy (I actually have appointments at other salons this weekend) but am 99.9% sure this is THE dress.

As a PP said they often don't "restock" once the sell out and because there were only 2 left in my size in stock and I didn't want to risk them not being available again so I decided to take the plunge.... The sample fit near perfect - it was GREAT being able to try on dresses that were in my actual size and it didn't hurt that they do have a 30 day return policy, so IF something changes I can return it. ( I don't think it will... when I saw myself in the mirror I cried and so did my friend who was with me)

I visited the Chicago store and the staff was great - no pressure. They had a private suite ready for us and we were offered champagne upon arrival.

I highly recommend BHLDN based on my experience - as for the alterations, while they don't do them, the Chicago store did have recommended tailors/seamstresses that they work with, so I would guess other locations would to. If you are ordering online, consider making a call to any location remotely close to you- I would guess they could help. One perk of buying in the store was they waived the shipping fee.

Nope no catches! Their dresses are gorgeous! I ordered 3 to try on and kept one! They're returns are easy and their dresses feel and look high quality! My dresses ended up being on sale at the time so I got it for $500

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How were they with returns? Did you return one by any chance? I ask because I just ordered one and I am SOO scared it won't fit and If I need to return it, I don't know how receptive they are--I heard they've changed their return policy recently so I wanted to hear from others' experiences. Thanks!

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I did. I returned 2 of the 3 gowns I bought and yes I was very nervous about it because it took a little while (at least it felt like it) for them to receive the return. I would say about 10-12 business days before I got a email saying the return was accepted. When I tried to call to check on it it took me a very long time to get through to their customer service and their email didn't respond back right away either just a heads up. And I didn't get refunded the "gown fee" or whatever is was they charged me for. I just got refunded for the gowns and that was it. Overall a good experience, esp because they have beautiful gowns, but just make sure to write down the return label tracking number, it will save you some un-needed stress!

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Thank you for the insight! Yes I just ordered one and was charged a separate $15 "gown fee" no idea what that's about--but at least it's good to get some perspective in case I need to send it back. Crossing my fingers, praying, and everything else that I won't! I really love it, I just hope it fits me and looks good--getting down the wire and semi-freaking out right now! LOL

View Quoted Comment Their us an additional $15 shipping fee for gowns and some other products. The fee covers the more protective packaging of the items. It's not an unreasonable fee in the least.

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I kind of figured that was what it was for. Mine is finally being delivered Friday. Thanks!

I have a BHLDN gown that retails at 800 and it's extremely high quality. Feels as good as some of the $2500 dresses I've tried on!