What Should I Know Before Buying a Sample Wedding Gown?

Shopping for a sample wedding gown can feel different than shopping for a brand-new dress. Brides love shopping for off-the-rack sample dresses for a number of reasons. Some of these reasons include that off-the-rack gowns are usually always more affordable, closer to your true size, and less stressful to purchase.

What Does it Mean When a Dress is “Off-The-Rack”?

An off-the-rack wedding dress is a designer gown that you get to take home the same day you try it on. This is much different than ordering a gown, where brides often have to wait multiple months before seeing the dress they said “yes” to. Ordering can take a very long time, not even considering that there could be delays or issues with shipping.

An off-the-rack dress from The Altar Bridal in Barrington is also more affordable than a new dress from boutiques that are not off-the-rack. Our gowns vary in pricing, but the vast majority of our gowns range from $1,200 to $2,200. We also have an entire section of our store where all of the gowns are $900 or less. This gives brides an incredible opportunity to find a perfect and gorgeous designer dress, for a fraction of the usual cost. No matter what your price point is, you will find your dream dress at The Altar Bridal in Barrington, Illinois!

Where Do Off-The-Rack Dresses Come From?

One of the places in which The Altar Bridal receives their off-the-rack gowns is from other bridal salons. These salons put their brides in these sample dresses, but once they are all done with that specific dress, then the opportunity comes around for The Altar Bridal to bring that dress to Barrington. These dresses have been tried on by brides, but they have never ever been worn by brides at their weddings.

Another way The Altar Bridal in Barrington gets their off-the-rack bridal gowns is through their private labels. Private label gowns can come from anywhere in the world. They are dresses that our talented and very experienced store owner has designed. How she does this is by talking to the private label designers and working with them to create the beautiful dresses that she is envisioning. These gowns have been some of our brides' all-time favorite dresses. Sometimes, these gowns are only available in our store in Barrington for a couple of hours! That is how amazing and stunning The Altar Bridal’s private label dresses are.

How is the Process of Shopping for an Off-The-Rack Wedding Dress Different?

Shopping for an off-the-rack wedding dress is not all that different than shopping for a gown you would order. You, as the bride, will still get to try on multiple styles, see what you like best, and say “yes!” to your dream dress.

Shopping for an off-the-rack dress can differ from shopping at other boutiques when it comes to physically looking through the racks of dresses. Since The Altar Bridal’s dresses are part of a privately curated collection, each size has a different selection of gowns. This is why it is important to always look at the dresses that are on the racks marked with your size, because The Altar Bridal does not order gowns in different sizes. 

Where the process can also differ, is when you are at the end of your appointment. At The Altar Bridal in Barrington, we have many brides come in who have been to previous appointments in downtown Chicago. At these boutiques in Chicago, or at many other shops around Illinois, once you say “yes” the shop will then go through the process of ordering you a brand-new gown. At The Altar Bridal in Barrington, Illinois’ largest off-the-rack bridal shop, after you say “yes” to your perfect dream dress, your stylist will get the dress ready for you to take home straight away. This is something that makes our shop special, because there are not many other bridal salons in Illinois where you can walk out with your dress in hand.

By being able to take your dress home with you, The Altar Bridal provides a unique and stress-free opportunity to check something off your bridal checklist. Although The Altar Bridal’s process is different from other shops in Illinois and in the surrounding Chicagoland areas, it is the best way to know exactly what you love about your dress. When ordering wedding gowns, it is months before you are able to see your dress again. By shopping off-the-rack, you can check in on your dream dress anytime you want, because it is safe and sound in your own home!

Will Alterations Need to be Done on My Off-The-Rack Wedding Dress?

Yes, alterations will most likely need to be done on your off-the-rack wedding gown. Your stylist will put you in dresses that are very true to your size, but that are also in a size range of dresses that can be taken down to your perfect size.

It is always safe to assume that your dress will need some altering, even if it is pretty close to your true size. You can always factor in the cost of alterations to your bridal budget. Just let your stylist know and they will consider alterations costs while pulling dresses for you.

When Can I Come Purchase My Off-The-Rack Wedding Dress?

Anytime! The Altar Bridal in Barrington has helped brides whose wedding is 2 years away find their dream dress — and has helped brides whose wedding is 2 days away find their dream dress. The Altar Bridal is dedicated to help brides all over Illinois find their dream wedding gown. Whether you are just about an hour away in downtown Chicago, make the road trip from Southern Illinois, or are visiting family back in the Chicagoland suburbs, make sure to stop by The Altar Bridal in Barrington! We can’t wait to help you find the dress of your dreams — off-the-rack and ready to be taken home with you TODAY!