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Dani
Super October 2017

KWR: Have you been a bridal consultant/stylist?

Dani, on February 16, 2017 at 11:23 PM Posted in Wedding Attire 1 10

(Two posts in one day again...scold me). I just had an interview at a wedding dress shop, and they want me to come in for a "working interview" on Saturday. Basically just to shadow and assist them. I think I'll love it. I've wanted to do this for years, and just never really went for it. How did you like the job? Any tips or pointers? Obviously I've been on the other side as a bride trying on gowns, so I have that experience. But I want to hear everyone's thoughts! Even things you noticed as brides, what did your stylist do that was good or bad?

10 Comments

Latest activity by Kathleen Smith, on February 17, 2017 at 1:41 AM
  • Swin.
    Master June 2016
    Swin. ·
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    I did at a local boutique in college! It was fun at the beginning but then I got burnt out. Just be kind and assertive. That worked for me!

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  • krclark7
    Super September 2017
    krclark7 ·
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    I had a consultant who was so bad that I specifically didn't buy my dress that day. She didn't help me get in and out of any of the dresses, she was too busy talking to her coworkers to ask me about anything. My sisters were more helpful that day than she was. She also pulled very few dresses and only ones that were exactly like the photos I brought, nothing that she might have thought looked good. I think the thing that bothered me the most, though, was she just had poor customer service. Her conversation was more important than helping me, and that doesn't fly with me, as I work in customer service.

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  • Dani
    Super October 2017
    Dani ·
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    #KR gross. I feel like customer service and being all about the bride is kind of a given. I wouldn't have even tried dresses on. I work in customer service also, so I like to think I have that part down at least (:

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  • CoffeeNColor
    Master August 2017
    CoffeeNColor ·
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    Things I noticed:

    1) The approach varied from store to store. Some just handed me dresses and had me figure it out. Others helped me into and out of dresses. Given the style of dress I was looking for, I was put off by the ones that just sorta said 'here you go.' You will get a sense of the store's method during your interview.

    2) Advice: always ask a bride her budget before pulling a single dress. Also ask her flexibility. If you pull something above he budget, ask her before letting her try it on. I was so turned off by stores that didn't ask my budget. One lady never once told me how much any of the dresses I was trying on cost. One of the places, I had to sneak peaks of the price tags before she took the dress out of the room. Luckily for me, I am very analytical so throughout the process, I was able to keep myself from falling in love with a dress I couldn't afford. However, had that not been the case, then I would have been in trouble. I was able to try on dresses to get a sense of the silhouette without falling in love with it.

    3) observation: many stores I went to realized that the dress is a big decision and that I might have to come back another time to try on the dress with with a clear head and fresh eyes. Some people said they feel pressure from the consultant, but I never felt that and I appreciated this approach. I'm glad there's an understanding that not all brides buy on the first visit.

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  • Keke
    Super August 2017
    Keke ·
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    My bridal consultant just became one of my bridesmaids. She works at DB and is amazing. I would say have lots of patience and have fun!

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  • Kathleen Smith
    Kathleen Smith ·
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    Hi Dani. I'm not a consultant or stylist but I do LOVE the wedding industry. It's a career that needs to be thought of/taken like any other industry. Treat the profession as you would any other regardless of who walks through your door. IMO that would be the hardest ... you loving your job and your friends knowing you love your job and coming to you because of that ... and wanting things for free. It's an easy profession to get lost in. Keep it professional and business no matter the relationship of you/client. Your bills and retirement depend on that!!! If it's in your blood it's in your blood!!!! A career can definitely be made of it. Keep business as business. Best wishes!

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  • Mrswelch
    Master December 2017
    Mrswelch ·
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    I was a bridal consultant for DB but only for about a month. I feel like you have to really get the sales for it to be worth it, and it's not something that's a really good fit for someone with other commitments, at least in my case. Since I had just started grad school at the same time, I had 4 classes (12 hours of classroom time total, not counting study time) I was only really able to work 4 days a week, it was hardly worth the physical pain and exhaustion. I've seen very successful consultants, and I feel that I had the personality for it so to speak, but not the time commitment. It definitely would not have worked later on either, as my program only becomes more and more demanding time-wise.

    It takes a lot of patience for sure. You can't snap at the clients. You need to be able to listen and interrupt all kinds of different "languages" (i.e. "classic" looks different for different brides) and really be able to connect with them. Also, I learned the hard way not to stray too far from your clients, I had many sales stolen by my coworkers at the counter. ALWAYS walk them back up to the counter. Pay attention to whatever training you get (we had training videos) but also know that an appointment is never going to look exactly like that. DB trained us to go a little over the bride's budget, like by $500, I personally wouldn't recommend doing that unless the bride expresses that there is wiggle room. And learn how to explain a situation to people that's not what they want to hear. ETA: Being a bridal consultant was something I really wanted to do for a very long time and I don't regret it for even a moment. The fit just wasn't there and the inconsistent paychecks was not livable for my situation. I say go for it! I at the very least walked away with new skills.

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  • Dani
    Super October 2017
    Dani ·
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    The shop I'll be (hopefully) working at is a small local boutique. The owners pretty much run the entire shop. They only have one other stylist who works there. They seem like really awesome people. They're not big on pushy sales and there's no quota.

    All your guys' advice is really helpful!!

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  • CoffeeNColor
    Master August 2017
    CoffeeNColor ·
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    I thought about this more on my drive home from work. Another thing I remembered, and I appreciated, was that after I got into each dress and walked out of the dressing room, the consultant would give me a minute and let me look at myself/examine myself in the mirror. Then she would ask, open ended questions like:

    -What are you thinking?

    -What are things you like?

    -Is there anything you don't like?

    -What would you change to make it better?

    That helped me identify what elements I liked, and eliminate dresses that weren't viable. They never expressed a preference for any dress on me, but they did let me know if there was a noticeable change in body language or expression in any of the dresses.

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  • Kathleen Smith
    Kathleen Smith ·
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    Yes, CoffeNColor. I agree ... letting the bride have time alone and thoughts to herself are important. That's HUGE.

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