Store Policies
FAQs
Q: Do I need to make an appointment?
A: Yes, appointments are now required for all our guests. Please contact the store for an appointment before driving out to our location.
Q: Can I come browse your dresses? I just want to look.
A: No, the store is not open for browsing. To ensure our off-the-rack inventory has minimal handling, all guests need to make an appointment in order . If you are just browsing and not ready to purchase, please visit our social media or browse our website.
Q: Can I bring guests to my appointment?
A: You may bring up to 5 guests with you to your appointment; however, no children under 12 are permitted, including young children in carriers and strollers. There are no exceptions to this policy, so please ensure your guests are aware of it. This policy is consistent with many other bridal and formal stores in the Portland/Vancouver metro area.
Q: How long is an appointment?
A: 1 hour.
Q: Do you charge for an appointment?
A: No, we do not currently charge for our appointments.
Q: Can you order a dress in another size if you don't have it in store?
A: No, we sell new, off-the-rack gowns and do not order individual gowns. However, we have hundreds of gowns in a wide range of sizes and styles.
Q: Can I try on dresses for fun?
A: No. We are a local small business and ask that you be respectful of our merchandise and not try them on if you are not a serious customer looking to make a purchase. We also ask customers to not try on gowns which you have no interest in purchasing just to take photos or play dress up for another member of your party. Our formal and bridal gowns are made with delicate fabrics such as lace and silk, which are not designed for excessive wear.
Q: Do teens need an adult present at their appointment?
A: It depends. Appointments are for serious customers who are looking to find a dress to purchase, so we gather information about what you are shopping for before book your appointment with us to ensure we have the type of gown you are shopping for in our store. If you are only seeking to browse to see what we have, please see our social media and website, then book an appointment when you are ready to find a dress to purchase.
Q: Do you take returns or exchanges?
A: All sales are final. No returns, exchanges, or store credit once the gown leaves the store.
Q: Are you a thrift or consignment store?
A: No, we only sell new dresses purchased through our nationwide supplier network. We do not buy dresses from individuals or accept donations.
Q: Can you order dresses in different sizes or colors?
A: No, we do not order individual/small amounts of dresses. All our dresses are off-the-rack.
Q: Do you sell menswear or women's shoes?
A: No, we do not sell suits/tuxedos or any shoes.
Q: Do you sell dresses for young girls or pre-teens?
A: No, we are a specialty store for adult women's formal gowns. Our gowns have built-in corsets with padded bras, which are not removable without a seamstress taking the corset bodice apart and reshaping it completely. Our gowns do not fit younger girls or pre-teens, even if they can fit into women's sizes in other types of clothing.
Q: Do you offer alterations?
A: We do not have alterations in-store; however, if you are local to the Kelso/Longview area, we are partnered with a seamstress we can refer you to: Chrissy Lynn Hadaller, owner of Stitch and Sound, 906 Vandercook Way, Longview WA 98632. www.stitchandsound.com
Q: Do you have petite sizes?
A: No, we do not have petite sizes, but we have a seamstress we recommend locally.
Q: Will I be able to try on the gowns?
A: Yes, our store has fitting rooms.
Q: Why do you not allow any children in store, including children in strollers or carriers?
A: For our first few months of operation, we experienced numerous child-related incidents every single day for which parents did not take any responsibility or take any action to prevent or remediate, including incidents with strollers and infants. Specifically, in addition to losing thousands in damaged gowns, we had numerous privacy incidents involving children misbehaving in the fitting room area and opening fitting rooms of women and teen girls while they were changing--which we cannot tolerate. Because of the volume and nature of incidents involving children, we regret that we can no longer allow them in the store. There are no exceptions to this policy. This is another reason we now require appointments, to ensure our guests are aware of the policy before they drive to our location. This policy, not inviting guests under 12 in our store, is shared by several other bridal shops in the Vancouver/Portland metro area and beyond.