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Brianna
Just Said Yes September 2019

Do i purchase my dress where i and getting married or where i live?

Brianna, on September 9, 2019 at 4:16 PM Posted in Wedding Attire 0 17
My fiancé and I currently live in California. We are both transplants from the East Coast and will be having our wedding in NJ (since that is where 90% of our family is located).

I am trying to figure out if it be easier to purchase my dress in the NY/NJ area or out here in California.

We do travel back east about 3-4 times a year, so not worried about traveling to find a dress.. I am more worried on the alteration aspect. I am nervous that it might become too stressful to travel back for alterations (who knows how many!)

Has as anyone else been in this situation? What would you recommend?

17 Comments

Latest activity by Erin, on September 10, 2019 at 9:48 AM
  • Amber
    Master February 2020
    Amber ·
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    I don't see why it would matter either way, just wherever has the dress that you want. You don't have to have alterations done at the same place you purchase your dress. I say just start shopping around the area you live in.

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  • Kelly
    Champion October 2018
    Kelly ·
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    I live in and got married in California but am from Texas. I purchased my dress in Texas with my friends and mom and had them ship it to my house in California. I needed 6 or 7 alteration appointments so I can’t imagine having to fly across the country for alterations.
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  • Kimber
    Devoted June 2020
    Kimber ·
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    I would go with where you live, definitely much easier for appointments.

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  • Mrs. S
    Master November 2019
    Mrs. S ·
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    I bought my dress in NC with family and then I moved to CO. They picked up my dress and shipped it to me, I had alterations here, and I’ll have to ship it back for the wedding. Then after the wedding I’ll have to take it back again. It would have been better I think to just go dress shopping alone in CO, a little sadder but less hassle.
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  • Mrsbdg
    Champion August 2017
    Mrsbdg ·
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    I’m originally from PA which is where we got married. I stupidly bought a dress in PA. I spent a couple hundred dollars going back and fourth (transportation) for picking up the gown and getting fitted

    if if I did it again I’d have bought in Massachusetts and flown my dress home with me.
    • Reply
  • Lisa
    Expert April 2021
    Lisa ·
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    It’s all up to you! You can always purchase your dress and get alterations done at a different shop near you. That’s what I’m doing! I bought my dress from a boutique in NY and I live in MD so I’ll have the dress shipped to me and then find a local seamstress to do the alterations so I won’t have to travel to NY 3-4 times.
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  • Mary
    Expert July 2019
    Mary ·
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    For perspective, I had visited my bridal salon a total of six times throughout the process: once to shop/order, four times for fittings during the alterations process, and the last time to pick up the dress. My fittings were mostly one week apart leading up to the wedding to ensure there were no last minute changes necessary. I cannot imagine flying across country for each appointment. 😅
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  • Emily
    Devoted October 2020
    Emily ·
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    I bought my dress in Indiana when visiting home since I could be with family when I looked. I live in Nashville. I’m going to travel back there when it arrives in November and then do my alterations in Nashville where the wedding will be.
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  • Mcskipper
    Master July 2018
    Mcskipper ·
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    I got my dress where I lived and am glad I did. For starters, it came in the wrong color. Because I lived nearby, I was able to go in right away for the try on appointment when it came in. So I discovered right away that it was wrong — plenty of time to get the issue resolved! If I had got the dress where I got married, I wouldn’t have even seen the issue til I could’ve scheduled a trip out there — and then if it had been with time to replace, I would’ve needed yet another trip back to see the replacement, before alterations are even started ! It’s always best to have your dress close by. It may be a pain to travel once with your dress, but beats several trips just to deal with fitting. Also for what it’s worth, in addition to my 2 try-ons, I had to go in to the seamstress 3 times for fittings, just a couple weeks apart , and all shortly before the wedding. Wherever you actually shop, you’ll really want alterations to be local and accessible
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  • Madeline
    Dedicated June 2020
    Madeline ·
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    I’m originally from Texas but live in Washington state now. I went to visit family back home and purchased my dress there. My folks picked it up and sent it to me. So it all was simple. Just personal preference I guess.
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  • Samantha
    Dedicated March 2021
    Samantha ·
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    We share the same story! My fiancé and I live in Southern California and I’m from jersey and getting married there next year ! Haha! I struggled with the same but ended up getting my dress from Kleinfeld in NY. They can ship the dress to me and I do alterations in so cal but I’d rather leave Kleinfeld responsible in case they mess up it’s on them. Also I won’t have to worry about traveling on the plane with my dress. I just wish the dress was nearby to see what accessories for and to just try it on generally because I miss it hahah! But I will have to make a couple trips for hair and makeup and fitting.
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  • Samantha
    Dedicated March 2021
    Samantha ·
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    Also! I found my dream dress and no other store has it available in so cal so it’s new so the benefits outweigh the stress! I’m buying accessories with a flexible return policy so I can fly with them there to see how it looks.
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  • Aleaj
    Expert October 2019
    Aleaj ·
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    Yes i am originally from NC but now live in Texas. Our wedding will be NC where all our family is. I had to go dress shopping alone, and my mom flew down to help me make a final decision. So i bought my dress where I live and i am going to fly it home with me when i fly home for the wedding. It was much easier so i could be here when it was time for alterations.
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  • Rebecca
    Super January 2020
    Rebecca ·
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    I'm originally from Florida but now live in Minnesota. Our wedding is going to be in Florida since most of my family and our friends live there. I bought my dress in Florida so I could be with my mom and sister. I brought it back up north with me and will be having alterations up here in MN. I don't think it really matters if you buy your dress in CA or NJ, but I would say get your alterations done in the state you reside in. I imagine it would be a pain if you needed to go to NJ more than two or three times for your alterations.

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  • Keyona
    Devoted August 2020
    Keyona ·
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    I think where you live it would be easier for alterations. Then you can just fly it over east when the wedding is closer.

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  • VIP November 2021
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    I personally would look For your address anywhere and you could always bring the dress with you while traveling I would keep it with me on the plane just for my peace of mind LOL And I would definitely have the alterations done close to home so you could always run back there for a little things
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  • Erin
    VIP September 2023
    Erin ·
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    I used to work at the airport here in Denver and we got a lot of brides going through the checkpoint with their wedding dresses in tow. Either option will work if you actually go to the east coast every once in a while, but if not it’s wildly impractical. If the thought of doing your alterations there stresses you out a lot it might be better to get your dress where you live now, but if flying with it (or any other mode of transportation) freaks you out, get it there.
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