FAQs

The base price of our special order bridal gowns ranges from $2,500 to $8,000, with the majority priced between $2,800 to $4,500. Our off-the-rack sample sale bridal gown collection ranges from $749 to $2,499.

The vast majority of our gowns range from size 8 to 14 in bridal but we do have some styles that are sized smaller and larger than that range!  If this is a concern for you, be sure to discuss this during your pre-appointment booking call so we can discuss getting loans in for your appointment to make your try on experience the absolute BEST!  You can also check out this list here for the current gowns we have in stock in size 16+.

The good news is that nearly every dress we have on our website is available in the shop! Be sure to ask us about the dress in your pre-appointment booking call! Or when you’re sending us your inspiration and wish list ahead of time, be sure to send this along and we’ll let you know if there’s any reason not to be able to expect her when you arrive.

Is there a gown from one of our designers you’d like to try on that is NOT on our website? Ask us to get a loan for you!

During your appointment, you’ll work with a master bridal stylist to help you find the perfect bridal look! Using information from our pre-appointment phone call during the booking process, she will curate your totally customized try on experience before you even arrive! Once you and your guests are seated in our intimate dressing area, you’ll first chat with your stylist to review your preferences and priorities - then you’ll get right to trying on dresses! She’ll help you get each dress on just right. Once you’ve started to narrow down your favorites, she’ll use her magic to help you find the ONE!

Then, we pop YESSS confetti balloons and celebrate!

Yes.

Please visit this link to make an appointment!

Book An Appointment

Once you fill out the online form, you’ll receive a personal call from our owner, Tanya, to discuss everything you’re dreaming about for your bridal look. We’ll discuss the logistics of booking and once we finalize a date and time, your card will be charged the reservation fee.

If you call to book an appointment, you’ll still be asked to fill out the form, so that’s always the best place to start! Don’t worry - we’ll call you to discuss all the details before your card is charged.

Yes. We require a $50 non-refundable reservation fee in order to block time on our schedule just for YOU! This fee covers all of the prep work it takes to ensure you have a fabulous experience with us.

Our NO EXCEPTIONS cancellation policy requires that you provide us with at least 24 hours notice. If you cancel or reschedule within 24 hours of your appointment time, you will be charged a $150 non-refundable fee for Monday to Friday appointments, $250 for Saturday and Sunday appointments. If you arrive at your appointment and have clearly already found your dress elsewhere, you will be charged the cancellation fee.

We get it, life happens OR sometimes you find the ONE right before you get to us! So if something does come up last minute, please let us know. If you do not show without notice, you will be charged an additional $100 non-refundable no show fee.

If you need to reschedule your appointment at any time, please let us know. Rescheduled appointments will follow the same fee schedule as above.

Please note that in order to cancel your appointment, either the person who made the appointment or the bride must text us directly. We do not accept cancellations from third parties or via social media. Cancellations made by third parties or via social media will incur our no show, no call fee.

2.5 hours.

Yes. All visits to Gilded Social may be by appointment only, whether for your bridal gown, accessories, or sample sale dresses!

You bet! If you’re shopping for more than just a gown and a veil (maybe for a second look?) - let us know ahead of time and we can add time onto your appointment ahead of time just to be sure we’re not rushed.

Well, the good news is that it doesn’t often happen at Gilded Social! But of course, if you need to come back, we will discuss booking a second appointment before you leave your first appointment and you can always contact us later to book. Follow up appointments follow the same appointment fee schedule as initial appointments.

We recommend that you bring an open mind and a smile, first and foremost! :-) However, beyond that, we require panties during fittings, so we suggest wearing them to your appointment to make getting into that first gown a cinch. We recommend leaving shapewear at home - it's easier to try on without it! But if you need it to feel confident, bring it (don't wear it, because you still need something underneath), and we will assess which dresses need it and don't in the moment.

Tighter fitting clothing can also make it easier to take measurements once you say YESSS! For example, if you're wearing a sweater, wear a tank top underneath.

I'd also bring a good form of payment - CASH and Venmo are the cheapest - and your best cheerleading hype squad! No negative nancies here!

Well the good news is that there’s only one - so that makes that easy! Our owner, Tanya, will be your stylist, and you’ll get to know her from the moment you book your appointment!

Of course! Photos are a critical part of the decision making process.

Only the ones who HAVE to be there in order to say YES! Our Classic Gilded Experience allows for up to 4 guests, plus the bride.

Our shop is cute and intimate and many more than that can make it a tight squeeze. Plus, you don’t want more opinions than that!

We suggest shopping at least seven months in advance to ensure you have access to the most number of styles available.  The sweet spot at our shop is ten months out!  However, brides shopping even 18 months in advance is a regular occurrence at Gilded Social.

On average, our special order lead AVERAGE LEAD TIME FOR times are three to five months, but rush orders and in stock purchasing options are often available.  Some can take as long as six to seven months.

Not at all! Finding your perfect look is achievable in any time frame - though it can be limited by your budget and stress tolerance. We offer a wide range of off-the-rack options, in stock options, and rush order options! Don’t fret. We will do it!

A rush order is when you special order a gown from one of our designers that you need to arrive in less time than their standard lead time in order to have enough time for alterations.

It depends on the designer and how fast you need it. Rushes can range from $75 to $500+.

That’s ok! We usually say that taking a dress in two sizes is no problem. If you’re on a weight loss journey that may be more than 20 pounds between purchase and alterations, talk to your stylist during your pre-appointment booking call and during your appointment so you can game plan effectively.

During your initial bridal appointment. Some accessories can take as long as the gowns or even longer to arrive.

Absolutely!

A sample sale is when we put all of our off-the-rack gowns on SUPER sale!  Our special offers vary from event to event.  Gowns included in our sales are mostly discontinued sample gowns.

Sample gowns are dresses we have used for brides to try on during appointments to help them decide which dress they want to order.  The same goes for accessories!

It just depends on the time of year.

The majority of sample sale dresses are between size 8-14, but we have a sizable selection below and above that size range. It’s worth taking a look no matter what because many dresses can be altered to fit a wide range of body sizes.

Sample Sales happen generally once per quarter!  But you can shop our Sample Sale collection any time by choosing a Sample Sale Quick Shop appointment when booking.  Be sure to follow us on social for dates.

All payments are due in full at the time of purchase.

Yes! We are happy to offer storage options for you at $30/month.

Most likely, yes! Nearly every bride needs some kind of alterations - at a minimum, just a bustle so you can comfortably enjoy your wedding without the hassle of your train.

Sample sale shoppers may bring one guest.

A trunk show is perfect for a bride who loves the look of a specific designer. During a trunk show, we may have up to 25 extra gowns in the shop from that designer for brides to try on during the show! These are typically gowns that we do not have on the racks regularly for try ons. These dresses can be brand new styles not yet available otherwise!

Yes. All visits to Gilded Social require an appointment, no matter what.

Trunk shows occur within our regular schedule so you may bring three guests per our regular appointment policy.

They can be! Often times they include free customization that can help you save money on alterations down the road, too!

Accessories are often included with a designer’s trunk show, yes.

We accept all major credit cards, cash, checks, and Venmo.

We offer a payment plan option for brides who want to break up their payments!  A minimum payment of 60% is due at the time of purchase, and the balance will automatically charge in 30 days.  There is an additional fee to take advantage of the payment plan, and it will extend your leadtime.

It’s important to note that the full balance is due no matter what happens regarding the use of the gown.

On occasion, we offer discounted customizations on gowns that are purchased during a designer’s trunk show.  The best time to purchase at a discount is to attend one of our quarterly sample sales when off-the-rack purchases are offered with HUGE savings!

All of our sales are final.  There are no returns, exchanges, or refunds.

Yes - we’re happy to ship anywhere!

For bridal gowns - $125 within the 48 continental US states. Accessories cost anywhere from $28 to $38, depending on the method of shipping. Alaska, Hawaii, and international destinations may cost more.

You will receive tracking from FedEx (or another carrier used) once the dress has been packed for shipping. Note you will have to sign for the gown, so it’s best to have it shipped to a location where you know you’ll be available when it’s delivered. Gowns that are returned and need to be reshipped will require additional shipping fees.

Try her on immediately! Any issues must be reported within 3 days of receipt.

Yes. Our Alterations & Wedding Dress Care Studio is located in Gahanna, Ohio.

Our bridal alterations generally start at $750. A good range to budget for would be $900 to $1200. Only about 10% of the gowns we alter are above or below that range.  Heirloom gown remakes follow this same price point.

Social gown alterations generally start at about $150 and often range from $200 to $350, depending on the timing and what’s needed.

Brides should plan to have their first fitting about two to three months ahead of their wedding date. Mary Ellen, our seamstress, works by date, so depending on where you are at in our queue, your second fitting could be anywhere from three to five weeks ahead of your wedding with your final fitting about one to three weeks ahead of your wedding. Shorter or extended timelines may be accommodated on a case-by-case basis. Brides who are getting married between April and November should book at least two to three months ahead of when their first fitting needs to occur.

Social gowns can be completed within two to four weeks. Our social gown schedule typically books out about a month in advance.

Yes. All are welcome at Gilded Social! Though our brides and their VIPS do get priority.

We recommend booking your fitting at least 6 months in advance of your wedding date, even though your first fitting may not occur until 2-3 months ahead of your wedding. Even if that time has passed, still give us a call to see if we can accommodate your date.

Everything you plan to wear on the day of your wedding! Shoes, undergarments, shapewear, and accessories can all affect the fit of your gown.

It depends on the fit of your gown, but most brides need two fittings. Some may need three, and very rarely will it take four!

Us! We work with a company out of New York that has been preserving gowns for almost a century! They are the best in the business.

Our preservation service includes free pick up (within the Central Ohio area) and delivery - making it super convenient to cross this off your to-do list. Simply coordinate a time with Tanya when you book the service.
If you live outside of Central Ohio, we can always work with a family member who does live here (this is especially nice for out of town couples getting married here), OR we can coordinate another way for you to get the gown to us or directly to the preservationist in New York.

We recommend having it preserved within a month of your wedding but you can honestly get it done any time!   I had my mother’s wedding gown preserved in 2022, that was over 40 years old.

Well, you should absolutely have it preserved if you’re planning to hang onto it for any extended period of time.  If you just shove her in a closet, she can discolor or disintegrate if she is not properly preserved.  Preservation includes a dry clean as well!

If you are planning to sell your gown - we can help you simply dry clean your dress, too!  Though we do not recommend this process if you are planning to keep your gown.

It arrives back to you in a nice box that you should store in a cool, dry area for generations to come.

Yes! Boxes have a pretty viewing window and come with gloves and tape pieces that you can use to safely unpack and repack your dress if need be.

Email us! hello@shopgildedsocial.com