What to Expect at J. Major's
This is Part 6 of Rooted Here, our series on the real history behind J. Major's. So far we have covered the building, the business itself, the designers, how we helped Charlotte's bridal industry grow up, and our custom design work. This post is about the present: what it actually feels like to shop for your gown with us, and the thinking behind how we run an appointment.
Everything below comes from one belief. A bride should feel informed, respected, and in charge of her own decision.
Can I browse the gowns myself, or does the stylist pull everything?
Yes. Our gowns hang on open racks, so you can touch the fabric, see the details up close, and read the price tag, the same way your stylist does. Your stylist walks the racks with you and answers any questions along the way.
Is the price the same for every bride?
Yes. Every gown has one price, and it is the same for every bride. It does not change based on your budget, your wedding date, or how the conversation is going, so you can feel confident you are being treated fairly.
Are there any extra fees besides the price of the gown?
The only additional charge is $75 shipping. We do not charge credit card processing fees, financing fees, or interest. The price on the tag is the price you pay, plus shipping.
What happens before my appointment?
When you book, we review everything you share in your appointment form, and we call you ahead of time to learn more about you and walk through how the appointment works. By the time you arrive, your stylist knows what you are hoping for and you know what to expect.
Who chooses the first gowns I try on?
You do. In your first round, you walk the racks with your stylist and pick the gowns that catch your eye, so your own vision sets the direction for the appointment.
Can my bridal party come to my appointment?
Yes. After your first round, your bridal party joins in and adds their picks for later rounds. That order keeps your vision at the center and still gives the people you love their say.
How often do you get new gowns?
New inventory arrives every week, all year. That keeps our samples fresh and clean, so we do not need to keep older gowns sealed in plastic bags to keep them pristine.
Will I feel pressured to buy on the same day?
No. If you need to sleep on it or come back with family, we thank you and let you go. You will not hear that a discount ends today or that a gown will be gone next time. A decision this big deserves a clear head.
Will you try to change what I want?
No. Your stylist listens to the vision you describe and helps you find gowns that match it. If you want a clean, modern silhouette, we pull clean, modern silhouettes.
How do you decide which size to order?
You and your stylist decide together which size makes the most sense for your body and your gown, and we talk it through before we take payment. We do not run an in-house alterations department, so nothing in our business rewards us for selling a size that is not right for you.
Who does alterations?
We work with trusted seamstresses in the Charlotte area and are happy to point you to them when it is time for your fittings.
What happens if something goes wrong with my gown or alterations?
We work with you to find a solution. A problem with your gown is a problem we want to help solve, and you will never hear us say it is not our problem.
Who can I talk to if I have a concern?
The owners. Ravi and I are in the shop every day, so you can speak directly with the people who own the business, and we can make decisions on the spot. In some bridal shops, the owner lives somewhere else, or the shop is part of a corporation where a concern has to be escalated, or it is a franchise where the person at the counter has limited options. We think a bride deserves to talk to someone who can answer for her experience.
How do I book an appointment?
You can book online and we will call you before your appointment to walk through the process.
Next in this series, we are going to introduce you to the people who make these appointments what they are: our stylists.
Madison
