Franklin Dean
In an article titled Why charging for wedding dress appointments is utter BS, Cosmopolitan highlights the unfairness of charging brides-to-be for wedding dress appointments, which can range from £20 to £50. This adds up quickly, especially for those with inflexible work schedules who can only visit shops on weekends or busy evenings. The article also refutes the idea that charging for appointments is a necessary filter for serious buyers, arguing that brides are already spending a significant amount on their wedding dresses and should be given the freedom to explore options without additional fees. While some boutiques use charges as refundable store credit, others suggest that the industry needs to adapt to prevent brides from turning to more affordable and relaxed high street options.
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What You'll Learn
It's unfair to charge brides who are already spending a lot on a dress
The wedding industry is already an expensive business, and the cost of a wedding dress is a significant part of that. It is unfair to expect brides to pay a premium simply to try on dresses, especially when they are already facing a big financial outlay for their chosen gown. While some boutiques do not charge for appointments, many do, and these fees can add up if a bride wants to visit multiple shops. The fee is usually between £20 and £50, but some boutiques charge more, and it is usually at the busiest times—evenings and weekends—that these charges are applied. This means that brides who work Monday to Friday, 9-5, have to pay extra simply to visit at a weekend, or take time off work.
Some boutiques offer an hour-long appointment free of charge, and brides are welcome to return as often as they like without charge. This is a much fairer approach, and one that does not penalise brides who are already facing a lot of costs. The appointment fee is often redeemable against the cost of a dress, but not always, and some brides may end up paying a lot of money simply to try on dresses. This is especially unfair when brides are already spending a lot on a dress, and it is an added expense that many cannot afford.
The boutiques argue that the fee is necessary to cover staffing costs and to ensure that brides turn up for their appointments. They also suggest that it is a way to filter out those who are simply 'playing dress up' and have no intention of buying. However, this is a business, and it is not unreasonable for brides to expect to be able to browse and try on dresses without paying extra for the privilege. It is also unfair to expect brides to make quick decisions about an expensive dress, and they should be allowed to take their time and visit multiple stores without facing extra charges.
The industry is taking advantage of brides who place a lot of importance on their wedding dresses, knowing that they will pay up. It is an added expense that many brides cannot afford, and it is unfair to expect them to pay simply to try on dresses when they are already facing a big financial outlay for their chosen gown.
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It's a tactic to ensure brides show up for their appointments
Wedding dress shopping is an important and exciting part of the wedding planning process. However, it can also be time-consuming and costly, especially if you're expected to pay for appointments. While some boutiques don't charge for appointments, others have implemented fees, typically ranging from £20 to £50, which can add up quickly if you're visiting multiple shops. This practice has sparked debates about its fairness, with some arguing that it's a tactic to ensure brides show up for their appointments.
The decision to charge for wedding dress appointments is often justified as a necessary measure to filter out indecisive brides or those just playing dress-up. By charging a fee, boutiques aim to identify brides with genuine purchase intent. This approach is seen as a response to the issue of no-shows, where brides book appointments but fail to attend, resulting in lost time and potential sales for the boutique.
However, this tactic can be counterproductive, as it may deter legitimate brides from booking appointments, especially those on a budget or with limited flexibility due to work commitments. The additional cost of appointment fees can be a burden, especially when coupled with the already high price of wedding dresses.
To address this issue, some boutiques offer refundable or redeemable fees. For example, Lauren Wade from Milli Milli Bridal in Colchester, Essex, charges a £20 fee that is refunded upon arrival. This approach ensures that brides are committed to showing up while avoiding financial penalties for those who attend their appointments.
While charging for appointments may be a strategy to reduce no-shows, it's important to consider the impact on brides. Alternative approaches, such as offering browsing times or implementing different appointment structures, could be explored to balance the needs of both brides and boutiques. Ultimately, finding a solution that ensures brides show up for their appointments without incurring excessive costs is crucial for a positive and stress-free wedding dress shopping experience.
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It's a way to filter out those with no intention to buy
The wedding dress industry is highly competitive, with bridal boutiques vying for customers. To ensure that they are not wasting their time, some boutiques have implemented a fee for appointments. This is to filter out those with no intention to buy and to ensure that the store is appropriately staffed for the appointment.
The fee for appointments is usually between £20-£50 and is mostly applied during weekends or busy evening times. This can add up quickly if a bride-to-be is visiting multiple shops. However, some boutiques do not charge for appointments, and some offer free appointments during the week.
The appointment fee is often redeemable against the cost of the dress or other purchases in the store. Some boutiques also offer a refund if the appointment is cancelled with sufficient notice. This fee is meant to deter no-shows, who can cost small businesses time and money, and ensure that those who are serious about purchasing a dress are given priority.
Peta Hunt, editor-at-large of You and Your Wedding, acknowledges that the system is not perfect and suggests that boutiques could implement a browsing time for brides to view the dresses and then schedule a proper appointment to try them on. This would allow brides to make informed decisions and ensure that they are serious about purchasing before committing to an appointment.
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It's a response to the huge popularity of wedding dress shopping
The huge popularity of wedding dress shopping has made Saturdays unimaginably busy and stressful for bridal boutiques. Charging for appointments is a way to regulate footfall and provide a calmer shopping experience at the weekend. It also ensures that the store is appropriately staffed and ready for the appointment.
Boutiques may charge a reservation fee to discourage no-shows, which can be unfair to other brides and the business. The fee can also act as a filtering mechanism to find couples with actual purchase intent. However, this can be challenging for brides who work a 9-5 job and can only visit shops on weekends.
Some bridal boutiques have implemented a browsing time for brides to see the dresses and then schedule a proper appointment to try them on. This way, brides can make informed decisions about their shopping experience and ensure they are in the right shop with the right products.
Additionally, boutiques that charge a fee often allow brides to redeem the amount against the cost of the dress or other purchases, essentially using the fee as store credit.
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It's not the norm for all boutiques
Some boutiques only charge for appointments on certain days of the week, such as Sundays, or during busy times, like evenings and weekends. For example, The Wedding Lounge in Harrogate only charges for Sunday appointments, and The Wild Heart Bridal in Rochester follows a similar model.
Additionally, some boutiques may charge a fee for no-shows, but this is refunded if the bride shows up to their appointment. This fee is often redeemable against the cost of the dress or other purchases in the store.
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Frequently asked questions
Some boutiques charge a small fee for appointments to regulate footfall, especially on busy days like Saturdays. This is also to ensure that the bride shows up for the appointment, as no-shows can result in losses for small businesses.
The fee for wedding dress appointments varies from $30 to $50, which is usually deducted from the final cost of the dress. Some boutiques also offer refunds if the bride shows up for the appointment but does not make a purchase.
Brides are expected to make quick decisions about a dress that is much more expensive than any other dress they have purchased. Charging for appointments restricts their freedom to visit multiple stores and make a decision. It also adds up to the wedding expenses, which can be a burden for brides.
