Bridal Boutique FAQs
Got questions? We've got answers! Here's everything you need to know about shopping at Bride To Be Couture — from what to expect at your appointment to how alterations work. If you don't see your question here, just reach out. We're always happy to help.
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Our gowns start at $1,500. with most of our collection priced between $2,000 and $6,500. We carry a variety of styles at different price points, so there's a good chance we have something you'll love that fits your budget.
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We recommend shopping at least 9–12 months before your wedding date — the earlier, the better! Most of our gowns are made to order and take around six months to arrive, depending on the designer. Once your dress is in, you'll want about 10 weeks for alterations to make sure everything fits perfectly.
If you're on a tighter timeline, no worries! We have a selection of off-the-rack gowns you can take home the same day. You can also check out our sister boutique, Olive & Ivory Bride, for more ready-to-wear options.
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Yes! While most of our gowns are made to order, we do have a small selection of sample gowns available to purchase and take home right away. These are a great option if your wedding is coming up soon or if you just want to skip the wait.
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We carry a hand-picked selection of bridal designers from around the world, chosen for their quality, craftsmanship, and beautiful design. Head over to our Designers page to see the full list of who we carry.
Pricing & The Dresses
Appointments & The Experience
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Yes — we're by appointment only! This means you'll always have a private fitting room and a stylist all to yourself when you visit.
That said, if you happen to stop by without an appointment, we'll do our best to fit you in if we have availability. But booked appointments always come first, so we recommend scheduling ahead of time to guarantee your spot.
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Our first and second bridal styling appointments are completely free! We do have a $75 cancellation policy if you need to cancel within 48 hours — just so we can keep that time available for other brides.
If you need a third appointment, there's a $150 extended consultation fee. This gives us extra time to really dig in and help you make your decision with zero rush.
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You can bring up to 5 guests along with you — bring your favorite people! We keep it to 5 to make sure the appointment feels personal and comfortable (for you and them).
Want to bring a bigger crew? We'd love to make that happen! Just reach out to us ahead of time and we can talk through our VIP Appointment options.
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A strapless bra or undergarments you're comfortable in work great, since your stylist will be helping you in and out of dresses. We have pedestals to mimic heel height, but feel free to bring your own shoes if it helps you picture the full look!
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Champagne is absolutely welcome — we love a celebration! Just give us a heads up if you'll need us to provide glasses, since we have a limited number on hand.
We do ask that food stay outside the boutique to protect the gowns, but we're happy to point you toward some great spots nearby!
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Welcome — we love first-timers! When you come in, you'll sit down with your stylist for a quick chat about your wedding, your style, and your budget. Then they'll pull a curated selection of gowns just for you to try on. You don't need to know anything going in — that's what we're here for. Most brides leave their first appointment feeling way less overwhelmed than they expected.
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There's no set number — it really depends on you! Most brides try on somewhere between 6 and 10 gowns in a 90-minute appointment. Your stylist will help you narrow things down as you go so the process stays fun and focused, not exhausting.
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Not at all! There's absolutely no pressure to buy on your first visit. Some brides know right away, and others need a little time — both are completely normal. We're here to help you find the right dress, not rush you into a decision.
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Yes! Alterations for our brides are handled through The Alterations Suite, our dedicated bridal alterations studio right here in our boutique family. Their team specializes in bridal tailoring and works closely with our stylists to make sure your gown fits like it was made just for you — because, well, it basically will be.
You can learn more at thealterationssuite.com.
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Nope! While we think The Alterations Suite is pretty great (they really know their stuff when it comes to our gowns and designers), you're 100% welcome to work with your own seamstress if you have someone you trust.
That said, a lot of our brides love the convenience of having their stylist and alteration team communicating throughout the process. It just makes everything a little smoother.
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Every gown is different, so alteration costs vary depending on the dress and what needs to be done. Most brides budget $800–$1,200 for alterations.
At your first fitting, your seamstress will walk through the gown with you and give you a clear picture of what to expect cost- and timing-wise. No surprises!
For a full breakdown of services, visit The Alterations Suite website
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Alterations typically kick off 8–12 weeks before your wedding, once your gown arrives in store. This gives plenty of time for fittings, adjustments, and that final try-on so you walk down the aisle feeling absolutely perfect.
Your stylist will help coordinate your alteration appointments once your dress is in.
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Almost certainly not — and that's totally normal! Wedding gowns are ordered based on your measurements at the time of purchase, and because every body is unique, most dresses need some tailoring to truly fit like a glove. That's exactly what alterations are for.
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es, in most cases! Wedding gowns can typically be adjusted up to two sizes without a problem. We always recommend ordering based on your measurements now and making any fine-tuning adjustments during the alteration process as your wedding gets closer.
Your seamstress at The Alterations Suite will check in at each fitting and guide you through anything that needs to be adjusted.
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The Alterations Suite shandles all things bridal tailoring, including hemming and bustles, bodice and strap adjustments, sleeve additions or changes, and custom fitting through the bust, waist, and hips. Each gown gets their full individual attention, with care taken to preserve the design and construction.
Alterations & Fit
Still have questions?
We're here for it! Send us a message or give us a call — we'd love to help you feel confident and excited about every step of the process.
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We're located in Carmichael, CA, just outside of Sacramento. Our address is [address]. We proudly serve brides from Sacramento, Roseville, Folsom, Elk Grove, Rocklin, El Dorado Hills, Granite Bay, Fair Oaks, Loomis, and the surrounding areas.
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Absolutely! While we're based in Carmichael, we welcome brides from all over the Sacramento area and beyond — including the greater Placer County and El Dorado County regions. Many of our brides travel from Roseville, Folsom, Elk Grove, and even the Bay Area to shop with us.
If you're on a tighter timeline, no worries! We have a selection of off-the-rack gowns you can take home the same day. You can also check out our sister boutique, Olive & Ivory Bride, for more ready-to-wear options.
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We have a large free parking lot available to all of our brides, although we do recommend carpooling on busy weekends. Parking is free and easy - no stress before your appointment.
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We're open Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Saturdays and Sundays we are open from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. All visits are by appointment, so we recommend booking online or calling us at (916) 972-8223 to schedule your time.
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We accept all credit or debit cards, Zelle, checks (with the exception of final pick ups) and cash. Please note that all transactions involving a card will be subject to a 3.5% card fee.
We do require a deposit at the time of ordering, with the remaining balance due when your gown arrives. If you have questions about payment options, just ask us — we're happy to walk you through everything.