Do I need an appointment to try on wedding gowns?

Yes. We like to work one on one with our brides and so bridal appointments are required. However, we will do our best to accommodate walk-in customers when possible. [Click here to schedule an appointment].

How long is my appointment?

Bridal appointments generally last 1 hour.

What should I bring to my appointment?

Bring pictures of favorite dresses that you’ve seen on our website or in magazines. This will help your consultant understand what kind of look you’re envisioning. And be sure to bring an open mind – you may surprise yourself at what gowns you end up falling in love with. We will provide you with a corset and slip as well as shoes during your appointment.

Who should I bring to my appointment?

We suggest bringing only 1-2 close friends or family members who know you the best and whose opinions you value. Bringing more than 3 guests can take the focus off of you.

What is a boutique style store?

In order to offer our customers the most diverse selection possible, Memories operates as a boutique style store which means we feature a wide variety of gowns but typically only stock one sample of each dress.  When you find the perfect gown we will then special order the dress for you in your desired size and color.

I am plus size. Do you have gowns I can try on in my size?

Yes.  Our samples typically range from size 6 through 24, and we can special order most of our gowns in sizes 1-30.

May I take pictures at my appointment?

Yes.  Once you’ve found the perfect dress we do allow you to take photos to capture the moment if you desire.  However, we don’t recommend relying on photos to help make your gown decision.  Non-professional photos can make even the best dress look unflattering.  It’s best to decide on the dress while you’re trying it on.

Do I need to make an appointment to look at accessories?

No.  Appointments are not required to shop for accessories.  However, an appointment is required if you would like to try your wedding gown on while choosing your accessories (strongly recommended).

How far in advance should I order?

We recommend ordering your bridal gown at least 9-12 months before your wedding date.  Since our gowns are made upon request, special orders can take up to 6 months to arrive and you’ll want to leave plenty of time to allow for alterations.

We recommend ordering bridesmaid's and mother's gowns at least 6-9 months before the wedding as they can take up to four months to arrive.

My wedding is over a year away, what is the advantage of ordering my gown so far in advance?

Aside from bridal designers needing significant time to deliver your gown, ordering your gown well in advance will give you the peace of mind knowing that a major decision is taken care of.  Since your bridal gown helps set the tone of your wedding, finalizing your dress choice will also help make the rest of your planning decisions easier.  In addition, designers periodically discontinue dresses, often without much notice, meaning your gown may no longer be available if you wait too long to order.

My wedding is in less than 4 months – is it too late to get a gown?

No, it’s not too late, but every second counts!  Many of our gowns are available to be purchased off the rack, and for an additional fee, certain gowns may be able to be “rush ordered.”  Your consultant will help determine which options best fit your needs.

How do I make a decision on my wedding gown when my mother/sister/best friend cannot be at the appointment?

If you are certain you want your gown, but you just need a second opinion, it is better to work with an experienced sales consultant who is able to be objective. Our sales consultants are extremely patient and knowledgeable, and never let you walk out of the salon without the perfect gown.  If it is important to you to involve your mother or other trusted friend but they cannot physically attend your appointment, special private and secure web-cam is available.

Why is it a bad idea to buy a dress online?

Shopping online makes sense for some items but your wedding gown and bridesmaids’ dresses are not one of them. We’ve heard from countless girls who thought they were getting a great deal shopping online just to have their weddings ruined when their gowns either did not arrive on time for the wedding or were cheap knock-offs of the designs they thought they were purchasing. When you purchase your wedding gown at a full-service bridal salon, you’re buying much more than a gown – you’re buying peace of mind and expert service.   Reputable bridal salons such as Memories, stand behind their products and will do everything in their power to make sure your wedding is just as you dreamed.

When should I start shopping for my bridesmaids and will I need an appointment?

We suggest ordering you bridesmaids’ gowns at least 6 months prior to your wedding date since most bridesmaids’ orders can take up to 4 months to arrive.  Appointments are not necessary to browse our bridesmaids’ gowns, but if you would like to bring a group of your bridesmaids in we do suggest making an appointment so we can make sure to have a consultant available for you.

My bridesmaids live in another part of the country. What do I do?

Once you have made your selection and completed your bridesmaids’ roster, your bridesmaids will simply need to visit a bridal salon or seamstress near them to have their basic measurements taken; this is something any reputable salon will be willing to do free of charge. We will then assist each bridesmaid in choosing the proper size based on their measurements and can process their orders over the phone.

When should I expect to receive my gown?

Your bridal gown will typically arrive at Memories 3-4 months after ordering (gowns with custom changes or hollow-to-hem measurements may take longer). Upon receiving the gown from the designer we steam and inspect the dress and will contact you via phone as soon as your gown is ready.  At this time you schedule an appointment to try on your dress and make arrangements to take care of any balance owed on your gown.  If you desire, we can store your bridal gown free of charge until your wedding date.

What is the price range for your gowns?

Our bridal gowns typically range in price from $499-$1600 and our bridesmaid’s dresses range from $119-$219.

When I order my gown do I need to pay for it all up front?

No, we do not require full payment at the time of the initial order.  If you prefer you can pay 50% down to start the order and the remaining balance is due within 30 days of the gown’s arrival.

How do alterations work?

See the alterations section below.

Can I bring my bridal gown to you after the wedding for cleaning and preservation?

Absolutely!  We offer dry cleaning and preservation service for bridal gowns at a discounted rate for our customers.  See here for more details. 

When should I start shopping for my prom dress?

The earlier the better!  We receive hundreds of prom gowns as early as January and February, and so the earlier you shop, the better the selection.

Will you sell my same dress to anyone else going to my prom?

No.  We register all of our gowns and won’t sell the same dress in the same color to anyone else at your school.

What is the price range of your prom gowns?

Our gowns typically range in price from $229-$499 with most gowns in the $250-$350 range.  We also feature a selection of dresses for $199 and under.

Can you match my date’s tux colors to my dress?

Yes.  Since we also offer tuxedo rental we can match your date’s tux to your prom dress perfectly.  Plus, we offer the area’s best selection of vest and tie colors.

How do alterations work?

See the alterations section below.

How far in advance should I buy my pageant gown?

The earlier you shop the better.  Most of our pageant girls purchase gowns off the rack, but if a gown needs to be special ordered many pageant dresses can take up to 3 months to arrive.

Will you sell my same dress to anyone else in my pageant?

No.  We register all our gowns and won’t sell your same dress to anyone else in your pageant.

What is the price range of your pageant gowns?

Our pageant gowns typically range in price from $299-$1600 with select gowns starting at just $199.

How do alterations work?

See the alterations section below.

How do alterations work?

Formal gowns come in stock sizes only and are designed to be tailored to your figure for a perfect fit.  Alterations should be expected for the majority of gowns (the most common alterations include hemming, adjusting straps, and taking in the bodice).  We do not have a seamstress on staff, but we do offer a list of local professional seamstresses who have great expertise with formal gowns.

When should I schedule my first fitting?

We suggest starting your alterations about 8 weeks before your wear date for bridal gowns and at about 4-6 weeks before your wear date for all other dresses.

What should I bring to my first fitting?

You will need to bring the shoes and undergarments that you will be wearing with your gown to all your fittings.  At Memories we carry a full line of SPANX, crinolines, long-line bras, and shoes.

How many fittings will I need?

Usually alterations will require 2-3 fittings (if more elaborate alterations are requested additional fittings may be necessary).

Are alterations included in the price of the gowns?

No.  Alterations are not included in the price of our gowns. 

What do alterations cost?

Each seamstress sets their own prices, and alteration costs will vary based on the extent of alterations needed.  Since you are free to choose your own seamstress, you are encouraged to choose a seamstress that fits within your budget. Always request a price quote before you begin alterations with a given seamstress.

Do you rent or sell tuxedos?

Our main focus is tuxedo rental, but many of our tuxes are available for purchase as well.

My groomsmen live in another part of the State/Country. What do I do?

Once you have made your style selections and filled out a tuxedo roster at Memories, your groomsmen can then take our “Out-of-Town Measurement Form” to any men’s store, tuxedo retailer, or tailor near them and have their measurements taken. This is common in the industry and most retailers will do this at no charge. The guys can then fax/email/mail the form to us and we can process their order over the phone with a credit card deposit.

When will my tuxedo be ready for pickup?

For weekend events, we typically have tuxes ready by the Thursday prior to the event.  However, on some high-demand weekends items may not be available for pickup until the day before the event.  For weekday events, tuxes are usually available at least 2 days prior to the event.  As soon as your tux arrives you should come into the store for your final fitting to insure that everything fits properly.

When do the tuxedos need to be returned?

All tuxedos rentals must be returned the day after the event (we are open 7 days a week).  Items not returned the next day may incur a $25 per day late fee.

Do you have tuxedos in stock?

No.  Like most tux stores we do not stock our own tuxedos.  Rather we partner with the country’s largest and most prestigious tuxedo distributor, Jim’s Formal Wear.  This allows us to offer you the most diverse selection of tuxes available at the best prices.

What are your store hours?

Click here for our Store Hours

Where do I park at Memories?

Free parking is available along the street in front of the building (up to 90 minutes). A parking lot is available directly behind the store (Lot #9) and several other areas downtown click [Downtown Parking Map].

Let any of our staff know if you are parked in a paid parking area and we will gladly validate your parking for you.

Will you ship my gown out of state for me? Out of the country?

Not a problem. We can ship a dress anywhere you’d like. Shipping fees apply and a special shipping quote will be required to ship outside of the continental U.S.

What is a trunk show?

A trunk show is a special in-store event, lasting one to three days, where you can view and buy from a designer’s latest collection months before they hit the stores.  Often trunk shows also feature the designer of the collection or one of their representatives.  If you find the dress of your dreams at a trunk show, be prepared to make a decision that day, as the gown will not be in the store once the trunk show is over. Memories hosts several trunk shows every year. Stay tuned to our Blog or Facebook pages for upcoming dates.

What is a rush order?

If your wedding date is sooner than the time we typically need to have a special-order gown made, we’ll need to consult with the designer and place a “rush” order if available. A “rush” order means that the production of your gown will be expedited and will arrive several weeks faster than a normal order.  Not all designers offer “rush” orders and during certain times of year “rush” orders may not be available. Additional fees apply.

What is your return policy?

Due to the special nature of the formal wear industry there are no returns, exchanges or credits. All items are a considered a final sale including layaways and special orders. This is our policy in both our retail store and our online store.

Can I check stock over the phone?

Because our inventory moves so quickly we are unable to tell you accurately if a certain dress is in stock. You will not know until you place the order or come into the store.

How do I pay for my gown/what kinds of payments to you accept?

We accept MasterCard, Visa, and Discover as well as cash and personal checks (Personal checks are only accepted for deposit, not final payment).

If you are ordering a special-order gown, we require at least a 50% deposit at the time you order your gown. When the gown arrives at Memories and passes our quality control check, we’ll contact you to let you know your gown has arrived and to schedule an appointment to try on your dress. At that point, we require payment of the remaining 50% balance.

If you are buying a sample gown off our rack, we require at least 30% payment and require regular payments every two weeks until the gown is paid in full. 

If you’ve requested that we ship your gown to you, your balance must be paid for in full before it can be shipped.