Many brides in today’s technologically driven and budget conscious world, are highly motivated to save as much as possible, and turn to buying a “look-alike” (a.k.a. knock-off) dress from an online store at a drastic discount. (Please note, there is a difference between an online retailer that sells stock pieces that various authorized boutiques across the country no longer need, and an online retailer that "recreates" the designs of various labels. In this blog, we are referring to the latter.)

The House of the Bride, having been in the bridal business for 28 years and having seen the complete disasters unauthorized online retailers cause, is here to tell all brides, DON’T DO IT!
The House of the Bride is NOT in any way, shape, or form opposed to saving money or getting a good deal on a dress, quite the opposite in fact. You will find that The House of the Bride has the lowest prices on all wedding gowns and bridesmaids gowns of any legitimate retailer around, and if we don’t we will meet or beat any other retailer’s prices, including stores in the Atlanta, Savannah, Columbia, Greenville, Charleston, and Jacksonville areas. We just don’t want to see brides distraught over something that should be a very happy event.

The unauthorized online retailers offer gowns that could retail for $5000 or more for $300. We know that a discount that deep is almost too good to pass up, but they are usually too good to be true. They say that they are able to keep costs down by making the dresses in their own factories (i.e. the dress IS a knock-off), and they do not have physical stores or have to hire sales consultants (no customer service). The dresses from these online retailers are not of the same quality fabrics. For example, the Amsale dress you fell in love with at the store was a BEAUTIFUL silk taffeta with hand sewn Alencon lace. The “Amsale” dress you will get online will be bleached taffeta with factory manufactured lace. The workmanship of the dresses is also a ghastly comparison. Dresses from the designer will take 3-6 months to make, will be beautifully sewn, actually have liners, and won’t fall apart as you walk down the aisle. None of the same can be said for the online retailers. These online retailers make the dress in 3-6 WEEKS. The careful consideration and effort that goes in to every dress from the designer just isn’t there with the online retailers that make their own dresses.

Moral of the story: It is worth the peace of mind, knowing that everything will be taken care of for you, to get a high-quality dress from an established, customer service oriented, authorized, retailer. Your wedding day is very important. Those dealing with your dress should think so too.