Audrey shares her bridal shopping tips and dishes on her most outrageous bride.
Q: What information should a bride be prepared to share with a consultant when shopping for a gown?
A: She should share the location, theme and vision for the wedding, as well as her gown budget and color and fabric preferences. Bring photos of gowns you like from magazines, Web sites, etc.
Q: When is the best time to go shopping for a bridal gown?
A: You must order six to nine months ahead of the wedding. Shopping during the week is usually preferred, since weekends are often very busy.
Q: Who was the most outrageous customer you've ever had?
A: I had a bride come back to try on bridal gowns 14 times, and she called me twice a week for two years. She came to browse every weekend during trunk shows. She always came alone or with her mother. She loved a Kleinfeld Exclusive designer from Italy, Amelia Casablanca. She also started calling the designer in Italy requesting more and more big ball gowns and even considered flying to Italy.
One of the last times she came shopping, she brought her mother and father. Her father got so fed up in the fitting room that he threw the credit card at her and said, "Get what you want." When she came back the 14th time, she still could not decide and said she changed the wedding date a few times.
A year later, I saw her in a local store. She ignored me and told me she didn't remember me.
