What to Ask Before Booking a Bridal Appointment in Charlotte
This is Part 1 of The Informed Bride, a three-part guide to shopping for your wedding dress with confidence. Our first series, Rooted Here, told the story of J. Major's. This one is practical, and it is written for any bride in Charlotte, whichever shop she visits.
Shopping for a wedding dress is exciting, and many brides book several appointments over a weekend to see as many options as they can. Before you book, it helps to know how each shop handles fees, cancellations, guests, and timing. A few questions up front can save you money, time, and stress. Here are the ones I would ask, along with how we answer them at J. Major's.
Is there a fee to book a bridal appointment?
Policies vary from shop to shop, so ask before you book. At J. Major's, weekday appointments are complimentary, and weekend appointments carry a $20 booking fee.
What is the cancellation policy?
Ask for three things: the amount, the deadline, and whether anything changes if you cancel on the same day. At J. Major's, canceling or rescheduling with less than 48 hours of notice, or missing an appointment, carries a $50 fee. It is the same on weekdays and weekends.
What happens if I find my dress at an earlier appointment?
This is the question brides tend to forget, and it matters most if you have booked more than one appointment in a day or over a weekend. If you say yes to your dress at the first shop, you will want to know what it costs to cancel the others.
At J. Major's, if you say yes to your dress with us during your appointment, we will cover up to $100 combined in cancellation fees for your other appointments that day and the following day. Your wedding budget should go toward your wedding.
How long is the appointment, and who will be with me?
Ask how much time you get and whether it is one-on-one. At J. Major's, appointments are private and last about 80 minutes with your own stylist. Before you arrive, we call you to learn about your style and walk through how the appointment works.
How many guests can I bring?
Ask for the guest limit and whether others can take part from a distance. At J. Major's, you can bring up to three guests in person, children included, and anyone else can join virtually so they do not miss the moment. You walk the racks first with your stylist, and your guests join in for the later rounds.
Can I bring children to my appointment?
Policies on children vary from shop to shop, so ask when you book. At J. Major's, children are welcome with approval. Please call or text 704-372-0082, or email info@jmajors.com, before your appointment so we can plan the space and your stylist can be ready. Children count toward your three-guest limit. Every bride in our boutique is making one of the biggest decisions of her life, so if a little one becomes upset during your appointment, we ask that an adult step out with them. That way each bride gets the calm she needs to focus on her dress.
What if I arrive early or late?
Ask how the shop handles timing, especially if you are fitting several stops into one day. At J. Major's, please arrive at your scheduled time. Arriving early does not move up your start time, and arriving late shortens your appointment.
Can I see the prices, and does the price change from bride to bride?
Ask whether the gowns have visible prices and whether everyone is quoted the same number. At J. Major's, gowns hang on open racks with the price on the tag, and every bride sees the same price, whatever her budget or wedding date.
What fees are added at checkout?
Ask about credit card processing, financing, garment bags, shipping, and anything else that could appear on the receipt. At J. Major's, the only added charge on your gown is flat $75 shipping. We do not charge credit card processing, financing, or garment bag fees.
How do payment terms work?
Ask when payment is due and how much. At J. Major's, you can pay in full at purchase, or pay 50% at purchase and the remaining 50% within five days of your gown's arrival.
Who does alterations, and does the shop earn money on them?
This matters because it can shape the size advice you hear. At J. Major's, we do not offer alterations in-house. We work with trusted bridal seamstresses in the Charlotte area, so nothing rewards us for selling a size that is wrong for you. If something goes wrong with your gown or alterations, we work with you to find a solution.
Who can I talk to if I have a concern?
Ask whether you can speak with someone who can make a decision. At J. Major's, Ravi and I are in the shop every day, so you can speak directly with the owners.
How do I book at J. Major's?
You can book online or call 704-372-0082. For the full details on our fees, guests, and sizes, see our Charlotte bridal shop page.
Your pre-booking checklist
Screenshot this and bring it to every shop you call:
Is there a booking fee, and does it change on weekends?
What is the cancellation fee, and what is the deadline?
What happens if I say yes to my dress at an earlier appointment?
How long is the appointment, and is it one-on-one?
How many guests can I bring, can others join virtually, and are children welcome?
Are the prices visible, and is the price the same for every bride?
What fees are added at checkout?
When is payment due, and who handles alterations?
Whatever you decide, I hope you walk in feeling informed and in charge of your own day. Next in this series, Part 2 shows you how to read a wedding dress tag, so you know what you are paying for.
Madison
