Small shops carry only a small selection of gowns. Many have only sample gowns, available in smaller sizes for you to look at. If your size is larger than the sample gown in the shop, they will have to order one for you to try on at a later date. If you order a gown from them for your wedding, you may have to wait 12-20 weeks for your dress to arrive, and pay to have it steamed, pressed and stored until your wedding day. The cost of this might eat up any discount you got in purchasing the dress from them.

Stores like David’s carry a nice selection of styles, in a wide variety of sizes, from 2-22. Chances are, you can find your size dress already on the rack, try it on right then and there, and take it home with you.
If you are also purchasing your bridesmaids dresses, you may run into a problem if you get them from a smaller boutique. What if one or more of your attendants are coming to your wedding from out of town? Will they be able to find the exact dress in the right color in their area? Can they locate all of the same accessories?
If you buy from a national chain store like David’s Bridal, you will be able to match the exact color and style of the dress, and all accessories for each bridesmaid, regardless of where they live in the country.

Tips for shopping at chain stores such as Davids Bridal:
1. Make good use of their website. This will save lots of time and help you think in an organized way once you arrive.. Browse the website and print out pages of items you'd like to try on.
2.  Arrive feeling relaxed and happy, and with a trusted friend or relative along for the ride. It will make you more confident in the choices you will be making, if you have the supportive presence of someone whose taste and judgment you trust.
3. Take notes. Ask lots of questions. Request a sample financial agreement, a cloth sample, or anything else that you think is helpful. Ask for names and phones numbers of people you may have to call back at a later date.
4. When at all possible, try the dress on at the store, wearing undergarments and shoes of the type you will wear on your wedding day. Add the headpiece, accessories, jewelry, and finishing touches, if it is available. That way you can be sure everything matches, fits, and has the completed look that you like.
5. Davids Bridal offers onsite alterations and custom dyeing. Usually these must be paid for at first fitting, and must be paid for in advance. More info on this is available on their website.
6. Decide beforehand what payment option you'd like. They offer a charge card and have a 90-day payment plan with certain qualifications. This can help spread out the costs so you can use cash for deposits on other items.
7. Take your time! Don’t let anyone pressure you into a quick sale, blowing your budget or agreeing to financial terms you can’t live with later on. Don’t be afraid to shop around for the right dress at the right price!

Things to ask yourself while you're shopping for a gown:
Do you feel comfortable with the salesperson?
Does the salesperson respond to your questions and comments with action, or just head nods?  
Are you being led to dresses you like, or getting colder? 
Is the salesperson keeping you in your price range?
Are you getting good ideas and suggestions from the salesperson? 
Do you feel rushed or is the salesperson making you feel you can take your time? 

Finding everything you need at a big chain store, buying it off the rack, and taking it home with you may be less of a Cinderella experience, but it also simplifies matters and cuts down on stress.
 

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