We’re excited to spotlight Dora Grace Bridal, a beloved Colorado wedding dress shop that’s been helping brides find their dream gowns since 2011. We sat down with the team at Dora Grace to get their expert advice on all things wedding dress shopping, from budgeting to trends to misconceptions to avoid. Whether you’re a bride-to-be or simply love all things wedding-related, read on for their insights and tips to make your dress-shopping experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
Photo by Leah Van Note Photography
1. Can you tell us a little bit about Dora Grace Bridal? What makes the shop unique?
Timiry opened Dora Grace Bridal in 2011 and wanted to create a boutique atmosphere without the boutique pricing, and I feel we still carry that mentality today! We carry eight name-brand designers and still do not have a dress over $2,500. In terms of what makes us unique, I do feel it is the people that work here. All of us have come from all different walks of life, but have found community here! I think brides, mothers, entourages, etc. can feel how much we care about each other and our brides.
Photo by Leah Van Note Photography
2. What’s an ideal timeframe for a bride to start shopping for her dress?
Honestly the sooner the better! It takes anywhere from 6-9 months for dresses to ship to our store, so starting a year in advance is ideal.
3. How much should brides budget for their wedding dress?
A wedding dress at our salon can range from $1,100-$2,500, but I think a lot of brides tend to forget about alterations. Our dresses are not custom, so finishing details such as a hem, bustle, and bust work will need to be done to the gown. Since alterations are such a time-consuming process, they can run anywhere from $350-800 depending on what you are wanting to be done. Therefore, I would take that into consideration when planning out your dress budget!
Photo by Leah Van Note Photography
4. What’s one tip that you would give to a bride that’s about to start shopping for her wedding dress?
One tip I would give is to shop with fewer people! Unlike the saying “the more the merrier” I tend to think the opposite when wedding dress shopping. With more people comes more opinions and the most important opinion (the bride) gets lost! That’s why we recommend bringing just one or two trusted friends or family members who know your style and can offer helpful feedback.
5. What are some of your favorite trends that you’re seeing right now?
My favorite trend right now is a long veil! For a while, we didn’t have a ton of brides wanting a veil at all, but it is the ONE day you get to wear one! The pictures are always stunning with a long veil, plus you only wear it for the ceremony and pictures so it won’t get in the way of having a good time at the reception!
Photo by Leah Van Note Photography
6. Are there any misconceptions brides should know?
I think a major misconception is that you have to shop around at multiple stores to find your dream dress. There are thousands upon thousands of wedding dresses out there, and you will see a new one every day on Instagram and Tik Tok. However, trying on dresses all day at different stores is tiring and can become confusing after a while. Stick to a couple of stores, and know that your bridal consultant knows the inventory and is pulling the best dresses for you!
Photo by Leah Van Note Photography
Dora Grace Bridal has two locations in Fort Collins and Windsor, Colorado. If you’re shopping for your wedding dress in northern Colorado, we highly suggest making an appointment with them! And if you’re interested in learning more about our wedding planning packages, fill out our contact form today!
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