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1.CAN I GET A CATALOG OF THE WEDDING GOWNS YOU CARRY?
Sorry, it's impossible for Tom's Bridal to publish a catalog. This is because our styles and the wedding gowns we have available change frequently. Most other bridal stores carry the same styles for an entire season or longer so it's easy for them to publish a catalog. A gown that is at Tom's Bridal Warehouse today may not be here in a week. For this same reason we don't even have a photo gallery of gowns at our website.
2. ARE ALL THE WEDDING GOWNS AT TOM'S BRIDAL “IN STOCK” AND READY TO TAKE HOME RIGHT AWAY IF I WANT TO?
Yes, with one exception. We carry moderately priced wedding gowns in stock from sizes 2 to 30. In our plus sizes only however (sizes 20 to 30), there is a section of gowns we can do special orders. It should be noted that even these styles could also change on a regular basis. We'll also have Moderate Couture Designer gowns from around March 2008.
These couture gowns are moderately priced and will be offered to the invited customers first and can be bought only by a special order. Very limited number of selected bridal salons in the United States and Canada will carry this exclusive line. This line will NOT be offered to experience to the walk-in customers.
3. WHAT ARE THE PRICES LIKE AT TOM'S BRIDAL?
One word alone describes the wedding gown prices…AMAZING! Tom's Bridal only sells independent, well known designer gowns that are normally found in small boutique stores. Tom's Bridal had initially planned to start business with fashion-oriented but budget-conscious brides in mind. So we tried to find the optimum condition to lower gown prices and to minimize the operating costs with maintaining essential services at high level. This effort results in large discounts that we can pass on to our customers. And our consultants are working with your budget and will work not only to find you the most beautiful gown you've ever seen BUT they will also work to satisfy your financial needs. From moderate designer gowns most in the $399.00 ~ $999.00 range to Couture Designer gowns for couple of thousand dollars (from around March 2008), Tom's Bridal will have wedding gowns in every price point in between.
4. COULD I BRING IN PICTURES FROM MAGAZINES OR THE IMAGES OF GOWNS I LIKE FROM INTERNET?
Yes, BUT, we strongly advise that you remember two things. First, models wearing designer gowns in pictures are average 6' tall and wear a size 4. So unless you are this tall and wear a size 4 the gowns may not look the same on you. THIS IS WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO SEE YOURSELF IN THE GOWN IN YOUR SIZE BEFORE YOU BUY IT. The second thing you should know is that many designers sell gowns that are not advertised in the magazines and are not available online. They tend to look better on “normal” sized women so BRING AN OPEN MIND. It has been our experience that when many women see themselves in a pictured gown they thought they loved they exclaim “gee, I thought it would be more exciting” and, when they try on a gown style they had not even considered before they go crazy over how good it makes them feel. You should also know that when a bride brings in a picture of a gown she likes, in many cases we either have that exact same dress or one that is very similar. Ours always seem to be for a lot less money too.
And if you really want to visualize your own idea from the picture you have, you may consult our designer for the CUSTOM DESIGN. Initial consultation is free.
5. SHOULD I MAKE AN APPOINTMENT BEFORE I COME TO LOOK AT WEDDING GOWNS?
Yes. You're always welcome to visit our store during our store hours. However, to enjoy your experience comfortably and to be personally assisted with your selections that will require a dressing room, appointments are required and always given preference. We do not allow self-service. Alteration appointments and Custom Design appointments are also needed.
6. WHAT IF I FIND THE GOWN OF MY DREAMS AND I'M NOT READY TO BUY IT YET? (I'm not ready financially or I want my mom to see it.) CAN YOU HOLD THE GOWN FOR ME?
Sorry, we can't. Tom's Bridal usually has only one of each gown (sometimes there may be the same gown in a different size but even that is rare). If we hold a gown we may be depriving someone of buying it who saw and loved that same gown a day before you. The advantage of our style of store is that if you don't find a gown of your dream on your first visit, you can return in two weeks and see many new and different gowns that come in since your last visit. The disadvantage is that if you find the gown of your dreams and don't purchase it that day there is a good chance it won't be here when you come back. That is why we suggest that before you set an appointment you ask yourself, “If I find the wedding gown of my dreams in my budget can I buy it today?” If the answer is no, just schedule a tour so you won't fall in love with any one gown. It is the best to be ready at Tom's Bridal by bringing your mom or whoever you want with you so. If you're that lucky to find the perfect dress, you won't have to leave it behind. We do have a lay-a-way plan (50% down, balance in 30 days). All credit cards are accepted and we do not accept checks.
7. HOW IS TOM'S BRIDAL DIFFERENT FROM OTHER BIG CHAIN BRIDAL STORES AND OTHER BOUTIQUE SALONS?
There are two BIG differences. First, although both Tom's Bridal and the big chain both stock wedding gowns, the big chain store manufacturers its' own dresses at their factory, i.e. all the wedding gowns “they” sell were made by them. At Tom's Bridal, we buy from the various designers who normally sell to the small boutique stores. This makes our own collection gowns stocked in have more scope of taste and uniqueness. And, instead of buying one dress at a time as a sample like the boutiques do, at Tom's Bridal we buy quantities to serve customers better from each designer.
The second BIG difference is that the chain stores have “fixed styles for the season”. This means that for the most part their dress styles don't change during the year. They can even give you a catalog because they are selling the same gowns over and over. At Tom's Bridal we don't have “fixed styles”. Our wedding gown styles and inventory change frequently. In the clothing industry this is referred to as a “warehouse operation”. The benefit to you, our customer, is that if you don't find the gown of your dreams on your first visit, just come back in two weeks and you will see new and different wedding gowns in your size. The only small disadvantage to a warehouse operation like Tom's Bridal is that if you do find your perfect wedding gown and don't purchase it, there is a good chance it won't be here when you come back and you'll have to start over in your quest.
8. DOES TOM'S BRIDAL DO ALTERATIONS “ON SITE”?
Yes, we have Alteration and Custom Design Department located in the rear of our store. Our designer will help you get a professional alteration and custom design services. Appointment needed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
9. IF I'M PLANNING ON LOSING WEIGHT WHEN SHOULD I SHOP FOR AND WHEN SHOULD I BUY MY WEDDING GOWN?
Every experienced bridal seamstress will tell you that it is easy and inexpensive to take a wedding gown down in size. 95% of all future brides will need some alterations and when they open up side seams, taking out ¼ inch or 3 inches costs the same. So if you lose weight it is easy and inexpensive to make your gown still fit you perfectly if it was purchased in a bigger size. The opposite, releasing a gown if it is too small because you put on weight can be far more expensive to do and often it will not look perfect. Planning a wedding can be a stressful time and it is a mistake to add more stress because you will not fit into a dress if you don't reach your weight goal. Most brides buy their wedding gowns 9 to 18 months before their weddings so that they can facilitate all the other planning and purchases that revolve around the gown. You should do the same even if you are planning to lose weight. Buy the gown that fits your current weight and if you reach your weight goals it will be easy to alter to fit you beautifully. If you don't, so what! You gown will still fit beautifully and remember he fell in love with you the way you are, not the way you hope to be.
10. WHO SHOULD I BRING WITH ME WHEN I COME FOR MY WEDDING GOWN SHOPPING APPOINTMENT AT TOM'S BRIDAL?
When shopping for a wedding gown all the experts advise not to bring too many people. Your mom and one or two other trusted individuals seem to be the perfect mix. Pick a few people who love to come and your experience will be a lot more enjoyable and you will have a better chance of being successful in your quest. It's great to have one or two people who are close to you to give you honest opinions but bringing too many people to “poll the audience” is a recipe for disaster that may make you miss out on your perfect gown. At the end the only opinion that truly counts when picking a wedding gown is YOURS! You will be the center of attention at your wedding (no one cares how the groom looks). You want a wedding gown that will make you look awesome and feel amazing. You are the only one who will really know when you have found the gown that does this.
11. SHOULD I LOOK FOR MY WEDDING GOWN AND THE BRIDESMAIDS' GOWN ON THE SAME DAY?
Don't try to do too much in one day. We suggest you not try to shop for bridesmaids and a wedding gown all in the same day. Finding that perfect gown can be harder, more time consuming, and more mentally exhausting than you think. We suggest you focus on your wedding gown first, check out our entire styles of bridesmaids before you leave and plan a separate day for the bridesmaids shopping.
12. WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR BUYING BRIDESMAID GOWNS AT TOM'S BRIDAL?
When should I shop? Who should I bring? What if some of my maids live far away? Almost every bridal expert today advises future brides to pick the bridesmaids dresses WITHOUT the input of their bridal party. Why? Because they feel that it's your wedding and you have a vision of the look and feel you want for it. Every bridesmaid will have her own agenda and for you to think that you will get a group of women to choose the perfect bridesmaids dresses that will fit your vision is an unrealistic expectation. At Tom's Bridal the majority of the bridesmaids' inventory is samples that must be special ordered. Although we have some that are available in as little as 48 hours with additional charge, the majority take up to around 14 weeks (3 1/2 months) to come in. You want your girls to have them in their hands for alterations at least a month before the wedding so we recommend that bridesmaids gowns be ordered five months before the wedding if possible.
When you are looking at the bridesmaids, look at sample styles NOT colors. Every dress can come in between 20 and 40 colors so first find a style you like then ask our consultant to show you all the colors that dress comes in.
If you couldn't find the right bridesmaid dress you want or have a unique taste and need, custom made bridesmaid dress will be a good alternative to save your valuable time and to get rid of all the stress. (Click here for more information.)
In these days it is common for some of your maids to live far away. At Tom's Bridal, we are used to this and it is not a problem at all. We will just need 3 measurements and we can still get the gown in for your out-of-town maids.
Phone:
714-632-1900
Fax:
714-783-7547
Mail:
Tom's Bridal
3176 E La Palma Ave
Anaheim, CA 92806
e-Mail: info@tomsbridal.com
Store Hours:
Mon - Sat
11:00 am ~ 7:00 pm
Sunday Closed
Custom Design and Alteration Appointment available on
Tue, Wed and Thur