What to Expect at Your First Appointment
Schedule an appointment ahead of time
Appointments are required, so you not only receive our Bridal Specialist's full service and attention, but also a dedicated dressing room. Weekends are our busiest time so we encourage you to make an appointment at least two to three weeks ahead of time, especially if you have family or friends coming into town or have a tight schedule. You can request an appointment here!
Bring people you trust
So many people, so many opinions! We love our family and friends, but to make your experience and decision making fun and special, we ask you bring those closest to you- your mom, mother-in-law, sister, or best friend. There are plenty of opportunities for everyone to help with the many details of your wedding along the way!
Start getting ideas together early
Bridal magazines, TV shows, Pinterest... there are so many resources out there to get an idea of what you like and what your style is. Look through our website to see what we have in our store or look at the designers website for more styles. We also suggest printing pictures or bringing in your phone or tablet with pictures for your Bridal Specialist to see to help give you direction while picking out dresses to try on! Most importantly, keep an open mind in your appointment, you never know what you may fall in love with!
Frequently Asked Questions
“Do I need to make an appointment?”
Yes, we have four private dressing rooms with comfortable guest seating areas to make your experience personalized with a Bridal Specialist to guide you along the way. Weekends are our busiest time so we ask you schedule your appointment at least two to three weeks in advance. You can request an appointment here or give us a call to set one up!
“How many guests can I bring to my appointment?”
Each bride gets their own personal suite and stylist. Due to space we can allow each bride to bring a maximum of four adult guests with them to their appointment but you are more than welcome to facetime anyone who can’t make it!
“What is your payment policy?”
Payment is due in full at time of purchase. All of our gowns are made to order and can not be cancelled. We accept cash, check or credit card.
“How much do your dresses cost?”
Our dresses range from $1799 -$6000, but the average is $1799-$3500.
“Do your stylists work on commission?”
No, our goal is to help every bride find their dress in a stress free environment! If you loved your stylists service gratuities are never expected but always appreciated.
“Where are you located?”
We are located at 5720 Route 25A in Wading River, New York! We are inside The East Wind Hotel itself on the west facing side of the building, not in the Shoppes at East Wind.
“When should I start to shop for my wedding dress?”
We recommend a bride orders her dress around 12 months before the wedding to feel comfortable. Dresses take between 5-9 months to come in depending on how much handwork goes into making it since everything is made to order. Many brides purchase their dress even further in advance, just to make wedding planning easier, since the focus and theme is around YOU! We also want to make sure there is enough time for alterations once the dress arrives, which we recommend starting 3 months before the wedding to cover at least a few fittings with your bridal seamstress.
“What size dresses do you carry?”
We carry sizes 8-32, brides come in every size, so do our gowns! How a dress fits depends on the manufacturer and their size chart, bridal gowns tend to run 2-3 sizes smaller than standard street clothes.
“Do you have on-site alterations?”
We do not have an alterations department in our shoppe. When you say yes we provide you with a list of excellent recommended seamstresses in various locations throughout Long Island. We also work closely with Alterations By Lucy who is located right across the parking lot from us in the Shoppes at Eastwind!
“Do you allow pictures?”
Yes we do, as long as it allows a Bridal Specialist to stay on track with the appointment so the bride receives full attention for any questions and options. We are also happy to take a group picture once the bride finds her dream dress!
“What else do you carry?”
We carry veils, hairpieces, and jewelry as well. If you are interested in any accessories, we are happy to setup an accessories styling appointment. Please call us to schedule.
“Will I need alterations?”
North Fork Bridal orders your gown as close to your size as possible, according to the dress manufacturer’s size chart. Almost always a bride will need some alterations to make the dress fit as best as possible.
