Deborah Chan
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted wedding plans for countless couples, affecting everything from timelines to dress designs and fittings. With shops closing due to lockdowns and social distancing norms in place, bridal salons have had to adapt by taking the dress shopping experience online. This article will explore the various ways brides can navigate shopping for their wedding attire during the pandemic, including virtual appointments, off-the-rack options, and the importance of planning and flexibility. We will also discuss the challenges of storing a wedding dress at home if the wedding date has been postponed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Appointment type | Virtual, in-store, or both |
| Appointment availability | More accommodating, with next-day appointments |
| Safety measures | Masks, social distancing, limiting guests |
| Purchase timeline | Buy as soon as you find your dress; longer production and delivery times |
| Storage | Dark, cool, dry room; storage box or bag |
| Dress options | Off-the-rack, ready-to-wear, second-hand |
| Planning | Research, budget, photos, patience, kindness |
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What You'll Learn
Virtual appointments
After the virtual appointment, you can select a few dresses to pick up curbside and try on at home. Once you've found the perfect dress, simply contact your stylist to place your order. Virtual appointments offer flexibility and convenience, as you don't need to worry about booking appointments in advance or travelling to the boutique.
To make the most of your virtual appointment, it's a good idea to do some research beforehand. Check if your local bridal boutiques offer virtual appointments and what their specific process is. Some boutiques may require you to fill out a digital form to confirm your appointment and provide information about your preferences. This way, they can prepare a selection of gowns that match your style and vision.
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In-store safety measures
As bridal boutiques are starting to open up, brides are becoming aware of the new normal and the bridal industry is finding new ways to help brides find their dream gown. In-store safety measures include:
- Complying with local safety guidelines and regulations: Each state or region may have its own rules and recommendations for reopening, so it's important to follow the specific guidelines for your area.
- Limiting the number of guests: To maintain social distancing and reduce close contact, boutiques may limit the number of guests who can accompany the bride during the appointment.
- Increasing sterilisation and cleaning: Boutiques should ensure frequent and thorough cleaning and sterilisation of surfaces and changing areas.
- Requiring face masks: Both staff and customers may be required to wear face masks during the appointment, except when the bride is viewing herself in the dress. Some boutiques may also recommend face coverings for the bride's guests.
- Virtual consultations: Prior to the in-store appointment, boutiques may offer virtual consultations for brides to get to know their stylists, ask questions, and curate a selection of gowns to try on during their visit.
- Appointment-only visits: Some boutiques may operate on an appointment-only basis, requiring customers to book in advance and limiting walk-in visits to control the number of people in the store.
- Social distancing: Boutiques should encourage social distancing between customers and staff, except when physical assistance is necessary.
- Hand sanitiser: Providing hand sanitiser stations or offering hand sanitiser to customers upon entry can help reduce the spread of germs.
These measures aim to create a safe and comfortable environment for brides-to-be to find their perfect wedding dress while adhering to COVID-19 guidelines.
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Storage solutions
Planning a wedding during the pandemic can be stressful, but there are ways to make the process easier. With bridal boutiques opening up, brides can now opt for virtual or in-store appointments, depending on the regulations in their state. Virtual appointments offer flexibility and convenience, allowing brides to find their dream dress from the comfort of their homes.
However, if you already have your wedding dress and are facing postponements, storage becomes a concern. Here are some storage solutions to keep your dress in pristine condition:
- Storage Location: It is crucial to store your dress in a dark room, away from direct sunlight. Avoid warm and humid environments, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, or boiler cupboards. Sunlight, heat, and moisture can cause yellowing and accelerate ageing. Choose a spare bedroom with drawn curtains, a wardrobe with closed doors, or a storage box to protect your dress.
- Storage Containers: Plastic garment bags and boxes are not ideal for storing your wedding dress. The chemicals in plastic can react with the fibres of the dress, leading to yellowing and ageing. Instead, opt for pH-neutral and breathable storage solutions. Wedding dress storage boxes made from pH-neutral materials are recommended for long-term storage. These boxes protect the dress from yellowing, insect damage, and ageing. They also allow the dress to lay flat, reducing stress on the straps, sleeves, and seams. For short-term storage, breathable garment bags made from thick, rip-resistant, pH-neutral fabrics, such as muslin, are suitable.
- Professional Services: If you are concerned about storing your dress at home, consider using professional storage services. These services provide peace of mind, ensuring your dress is fully insured, securely stored, and maintained in perfect condition.
- Preservation and Cleaning: Wedding dress preservation is a special cleaning and packaging process that ensures the gown retains its quality over time. Professional preservation companies can remove stains, repair damage, and store the dress in acid-free, dye-free storage containers to prevent discolouration, creases, and strain. They use gentle solvents and specialised techniques to clean and preserve the dress, which can then be safely stored for years to come.
Remember, if you plan to sell or donate your dress, proper storage and preservation are essential to maintaining its quality and value.
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Supply chain issues
One of the biggest challenges has been the closure of retail stores in some states, preventing brides from shopping for their wedding dresses in person. To overcome this, many boutiques started offering virtual appointments, allowing stylists to assist brides in finding their dream dress through video conference calls. This alternative approach provided much-needed flexibility, accommodating next-day appointments and eliminating the stress of booking in-person appointments.
However, virtual appointments also presented limitations, especially for brides who preferred a more traditional dress shopping experience. In-person appointments were still possible in some areas, but with strict safety protocols in place. These protocols included wearing masks, limiting the number of guests, and implementing social distancing measures. The constantly evolving nature of the pandemic also created uncertainty, with brides wondering how long it would take for their gowns to arrive and what to do if their weddings were postponed.
The pandemic also affected the timeline for purchasing wedding dresses. Bridal boutiques typically recommended buying a dress 6-8 months before the wedding, but during COVID-19, this timeline shifted. Brides were encouraged to order their dresses as soon as they found "the one," as production times could be longer due to custom changes and supply chain delays. Additionally, some brides opted to wear their gowns for intimate ceremonies and again for larger celebrations later, requiring additional storage considerations.
Overall, the bridal industry navigated supply chain issues during COVID-19 by embracing virtual alternatives, adapting to health regulations, and providing guidance to brides on purchasing and storing their dresses in a timely manner.
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Wedding postponements
If you are considering postponing your wedding, the first thing you should do is take a moment to breathe and remember that this is not the end of the world. While it may not be ideal, postponing your wedding is not catastrophic, and you will still be marrying your best friend. Once you have taken a moment to process, it is time to get to work on a plan for your postponement.
Make a list of all your vendors and read through your contracts to understand your financial obligations. Most vendors have non-refundable retainers, but it is worth reaching out to them to clarify how they are handling postponements. When you have settled on a new date and/or venue, follow up with your vendors to confirm the new date. If your wedding is still a few months away, you can ask your vendors to "hold" the new date for you if possible.
When deciding on a new date, consider a non-Saturday date as vendors will have more availability and flexibility. Prioritize your vendors and reach out to the most important ones first, such as your venue, planner, photographer, videographer, and band/DJ. Gather their availability and see if there is a date that works for most of these vendors. Other vendors like florists, hair and makeup teams, decor companies, transportation, and catering companies can generally accommodate rescheduling more easily.
If you have already purchased your wedding dress, you may need to store it at home for longer than expected. It is important to store your dress in the right environment to keep it in pristine condition. Look for a dark room to prevent exposure to direct sunlight and avoid rooms that are warm and humid, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, or boiler cupboards. Sunlight, heat, and moisture can cause yellowing and speed up the ageing process. Consider storing your dress in a spare bedroom with the curtains drawn, a wardrobe with closed doors, or a wedding dress storage box.
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Frequently asked questions
You can shop for a wedding dress during the pandemic by visiting a local bridal boutique that is open and offers in-store appointments. You can also opt for a virtual appointment, which many stores are now accommodating.
First, do your research and find a local bridal boutique that is offering virtual appointments. Next, find out how far in advance your appointment needs to be made. During the appointment, you can have your loved ones join in on the fun of finding your dream dress.
Call ahead to schedule an appointment and ask about their expectations. Some stores may ask you to show up early, and most will ask that you wear a mask. It is also important to know your budget and have photos of dresses that you like ready to show your consultant.
Be patient and kind as boutiques and designers are working hard to accommodate the increased demand upon reopening. Ask about delivery dates as shipping times may be longer than anticipated. If your wedding has been postponed, consider storing your dress in a dark room that is well-ventilated to prevent sunlight and moisture exposure, which can lead to yellowing and mould.
