Buying a Wedding Dress from Abroad - Part II

< Read Buying a Wedding Dress from Abroad - Part I

Tips for Buying your Wedding Dress Abroad

As with the online or second hand options, buying abroad could potentially save you a lot of money which will certainly help if you only have a small budget. Following are some tips and hints for you to consider or questions to think about:

Are you able to purchase other items for the wedding party, such as the bridesmaid's dresses from the same supplier, with perhaps the same design as your dress?
Ask how the dress is packaged, i.e. what do they wrap it in or box it up in etc?
Before ordering from abroad, if you already know what style of dress you want, check out other suppliers in case you are able to purchase it inland for a good price.
Can you request a sample of the dress material?
Check for any hidden costs, will the supplier add a cost for the packaging or for a speedier delivery for instance?
Check out the payment options, if using a reputable online payment system or a credit card for instance you should be covered for any undeliverable or damaged items.
Does the supplier have a safe trader system in place?
Double check the sizing for the dresses as Europe sizes differ from those in the USA for instance and you don't want to order a size ten dress only to find it is actually a size six.
Enquire what will happen if the dress is ruined in any way?
Ensure that the supplier has an address or telephone number, someway to contact them should you need to do so.
Give accurate measurements to your supplier.
If you are getting married abroad, perhaps you want to wait until you get there before picking your wedding dress and buy it from a local shop. This does run the risk of the dress not fitting or them not having something suitable in store but if the shop has a website, you could check all this out before you depart.
If you do get your dress abroad, does the supplier also provide accessories with the dress such as the veil and shoes etc?
Look for feedback on the supplier you have found, this will give you an idea of how many satisfied customers the supplier has had.
Order in plenty of time to ensure that if you did need a replacement or need to have it altered that you have time to do so. The postal system abroad may take a lot longer and you will need to take this into account.
Try and get photographs of the dress from all possible angles.
Will VAT or any duty for buying abroad be added to the cost of your purchase? This is a question you should definitely ask your supplier.
Will you be receiving the actual dress style you have picked or 'something similar'?

Of utmost importance, find out what the returns policy is in case you really dislike the dress that you have chosen. Something in a magazine or on the computer screen may look amazing but the actual reflection in the mirror when you are trying it on might not be what you expected.

If you have decided to purchase your wedding dress abroad, you should be aware that like any purchase of this nature it can have risks so you should keep an open mind, order in plenty of advance to avoid any setbacks and try to pick a supplier who has a good reputation. Enjoy the experience of purchasing your wedding gown; try not to let yourself get stressed out by it!