FAQ
Our gowns range from $1,500 to $8,000.
Every bridal experience is 2 hours. You will have your own private dressing room and viewing area as well as a personal stylist solely dedicated to you to help you find your dream dress!
We LOVE seeing your vision! Brides can register on our website and create a wishlist of gowns from our complete inventory featured in our lookbook. Brides can also send pictures to info@gownboutiqueofcharleston.com or share your Pinterest page with us!
We require a 50% deposit to place your order. Once your order is submitted, no changes or cancellations can be made since all orders are custom. The remaining 50% is due upon gown arrival.
We recommend bringing a max of 4-5 people. You want to have those most important to you with you, but remember the more people the more opinions 🙂 So although we can accommodate larger groups upon request we find that brides that bring fewer people have a more enjoyable appointment.
Nude or light-colored undergarments are best. Don’t worry about a strapless bra because all our gowns have cups built it. If you have any special accessories you’re planning to wear, bring them along so you can get the full picture. Most importantly bring an open mind and a happy heart!
Honestly 9 times out of 10 our brides find their gown on their first visit! We have the largest selection in Charleston and our gowns are amazing! So don’t be surprised when you find your dress at your first appointment!
It typically takes 4 to 6 months; however, some designers offer a rush ship to accommodate an earlier wedding date. You also need to remember alterations will be needed on almost all gowns and most seamstresses like 2-3 months. So the perfect time frame to order your gown would be 9 months to 1 year before the wedding!
Our samples range from size 10 to size 30, with the majority being between sizes 12-14. If the sample gown is too small or too large, we clip the dress to fit your body. Please keep in mind that bridal sizes are different from everyday clothing. Typically bridal gowns run two sizes larger than your average dress size.
We are proud to offer a wide variety of samples for the curvy bride! We carry over 50 samples ranging from sizes 18-30.
Unfortunately, children under the age of 10 are not allowed in due to the nature of our merchandise and for safety precautions. We sincerely appreciate your understanding and cooperation. For extenuating circumstances give us a call!
Every single bridal appointment is an unparalleled experience. Brides and their "I Do" crews will work one-on-one with an experienced bridal stylist during their 2-hour appointment. Due to the high volume of appointment requests, we do charge a $50 styling fee for bridal appointments. This fee is non-refundable and acts as a styling fee and/or cancellation fee. We find that 80% of brides find their gown at their first appointment with Gown Boutique, we can not wait to meet you!
A trunk show is a special in-store event allowing you the opportunity to see and try on dresses that aren’t part of our regular stock. You can browse through the complete collection from your favorite designer. And, many times, you get to preview a collection before it’s available in other boutiques – that way you are the first to see, first to wear, and first to purchase a gown from a designer’s new collection.
While we don’t have alterations in-house, we partner with some of the most talented bridal seamstresses right here in the Charleston area. We know and trust them completely, and we’ll guide you every step of the way, from choosing the right seamstress to understanding your timeline. Once your gown arrives and you’ve picked it up, you’ll take it directly to your seamstress for those perfect, personal touches.
In the Charleston area, most brides spend between $600 and $900 on alterations. Every gown — and every bride — is unique, so your cost may be a little more or less depending on your needs. Customizations, like adding sleeves or changing necklines, can also affect the price. We always recommend factoring alteration costs into your overall wedding gown budget so there are no surprises, just a perfect fit!
In the Charleston area, most bridal seamstresses prefer to have about three months to work their magic. Remember, we’re one of the top wedding destinations in the country, so these talented ladies stay busy! Alterations can sometimes be done in less time, but a rush fee will usually apply. Planning ahead ensures you get the perfect fit without the added stress.