Basic Facts & Questions

  • Everything we carry in-store is under $2500 with the average being between $1500 and $1700

  • Emerald carries new and previously worn designer gowns. If you are in a time crunch and need a dress with no time to order, we are your place. We also carry tons of styles that are discontinued, that you can’t find anywhere else.

  • You can view our dresses through our look-book tab on our homepage, Or you can look us up on Facebook: Emerald Bridal Lounge, or Instagram: @emeraldbridallounge

  • We carry a wide variety of sizes for you to try-on in store, anywhere from a street size 0-30. Our store average is a size 16 so we do our best to accommodate all sizes.

  • We are closed on Thursday & Sunday. We offer bridal appointments Monday 10am-6:15pm, Tuesday 2pm-6pm, Wednesday 2:30pm-6:15pm, Friday 10am-5pm, and Saturday 9:30am-5:45pm.

Appointment Facts & Questions

  • We ask that you and your entourage arrive no earlier than 5 minutes before your appointment. We are a small boutique that focuses on intimate and exclusive appointments for all our brides. Please note that if you are late, this will cut into the time you have to try on dresses, as we are normally fully booked.

  • Nude colored undergarments make for the best try-on experience. Wear a strapless bra if you have one and bring shape wear if you plan on wearing it!

  • We are open by appointment only. You are greeted with a mimosa and you have an hour and fifteen minutes with your personal stylist once you arrive. At Emerald we like to make every appointment intimate and exclusive so the bride and her entourage have the appointment seating area to themselves with the full attention of our stylists to help assist the bride during her shopping experience! If you are wanting a full private experience we recommend booking during the week.

  • We send all our Brides the day before our welcome survey, we highly recommend filling it out. It helps us get to know you better! Also, taking a peak through our look book is extremely helpful. Make sure you get plenty of rest and eat a good meal. Wedding dress shopping can be a rollercoaster of emotions and overwhelming. If you want more details, check out our blog post for a more in depth answer.

  • In order to ensure we have a stylist and appointment area available for you, we ask that you book an appointment through our website BUT… you can always give us a call and we’d be happy to take a look at our schedule and try to work you in.

  • We only ask for a card at the time of booking to hold your appointment area & to cover the cancellation fee, if you cancel within 24 hours of your appointment. Other than that you are not charged to book any appointment!

  • Yes! We offer a personalized Bridal appointment. During this appointment we will personalize beverages, snacks and even a custom bouquet. PLUS you get two full hours to dress shop! We offer three different types:

    1) Personalized Bridal appointment $99

    2) Personalized Bridal appointment + Custom fresh bouquet $125

    3) Personalized Bridal appointment + extra expert stylists $149

Timelines

  • We highly recommend to start dress shopping anywhere from 10-12 months in advance. Remember you have to get your dress altered as well!

  • All of our designers standard shipping times range from 16-24 weeks. There is no exact “date” when we know the dress will be here. Keep in mind 24 weeks is 6 months!

  • Dresses are hand made! Meaning every single button, bead and applique is hand sown.

  • No worries we offer all of our designer dresses off the rack at a discounted price. We also have a consignment program that allows Brides to find a designer dress at a discounted price that can not be ordered.

Alterations

Our recommended seamstress is amazing, all of these questions were answered by her! Her information will be posted below if you need to reach out to her.

Kaitlyn Coufal Couture

Email: kaitlyn@kaitlyncoufalcouture.com

Include:

-Name

-Wedding Date

-If you plan to take bridals, the date or desired timeframe

-Front, back, and side photos of you in your dress

-Alterations needed

- Questions or concerns


  • It’s hard to put a specific number. Every dress is made differently, from the number of layers to the materials and every bride needs different areas adjusted based on their body and the style of the dress. $400-$600 might be a good number to budget for. If you are wanting to do any major changes or additions * cutting the back lower, making the pluge lower, or adding sleeves * these will increase the alterations cost.

    Keep in mind that lace, tulle cut outs, sleeves, and layers all directly affect the pricing. I am always willing to give a general quote based off front, back, and side photos!

  • Typically the lace at your hem is a “trim applique”. This trim will be removed stitch by stitch, the new hemline is made, and the trim is then pinned and re-stitched.

    There are also dressed that are tulle and have appliques scattered along the hem. Depending on how these are placed, sometimes they can be trimmed off and cleaned up, and sometimes they need to be removed and re applied.

  • This is a more extensive process, but can be done! I have a book of color swatches that you can choose from. Same with adding a glitter tulle layer!

  • Average turnaround time between appointments is 4-6 weeks, depending on the season.

    My goal is that we schedule your initial appointment in which we pin, finalize quote, and your 50% deposit is made to start the alterations. At this time your next fitting is scheduled (4-6 weeks later). I aim to have everything perfect at this appointment in which you are able to take your dress home! There is the slightest chance that something small is off and we need to schedule you in one last time to make sure everything is perfect: hence the 8 weeks needed.

  • I suggest starting the process 2-5months in advance. If you are consistent with your weight, do not foresee any changes, and want it crossed off your list, we can start as soon as you’d like. If you foresee any changes in weight, I suggest starting closer to that 8-12week timeframe. Anything under 8 weeks requires a rush fee, and I can’t always guarantee I have availability to get you in. If you have your dress or its on order, reach out and get on the calendar to reserve your spot!

  • Drop sleeves can be added in permanent or removable form pretty easily! Having them in hand saves you money versus having me make them.

    Full long sleeves can also be added, but is typically a more extensive process. Depending on your neckline, tulle support may need to be added to help the sleeves stay on your shoulders. Inspiration photos are always helpful to get your ideas across and for me to explain what is needed to make it all happen!

  • Typically, Yes! I can always confirm with an “as is” photo and an inspiration photo.

  • Some dresses have 2 inches of seam allowance to utilize, but some only have ½”. If more than the seam allowance is needed, there is usually always a way to insert a fabric panel and make the dress look as seamless as possible!

  • A zipper can typically always be changed into a corset! The zipper needs to be at least 12” as is to make the corset look correct and be functionable.

    Changing a corset into a zipper can typically be done, but may be more extensive. Depending on the size of the dress, we may need to let out the sides or even insert panels to give the room needed for the zipper to close fully.

  • Most cases, yes – Although cutting the back lower reduces the support of the dress. I can always confirm with an “as is” photo and an inspiration photo and help advise on how this will change how your dress looks/feels

  • Typically NO! I am a huge believer in that the dress can be altered to fit your shape. If your dress is too large in the cup area, “darts at the bust” can be utilized to fit your shape. We can also add in push-up cups if desired!

    I typically only suggest adding in a full bra if the dress is strapless and the cup size is larger than DDD.

  • You, your dress, and the shoes you plan to wear!

    Do you need that corset/shaper/ spanx?-typically not! If it will make you feel more comfortable on your big day, absolutely bring it along!

  • Shortening straps, taking in at sides: bust/waist/hips, hem (shortening the length), and bustle (pinning up the back so you can dance!)

  • A bustle is a form of pulling up your train to make your walking around and dancing at your reception effortless.

    There are several kinds of bustles! Every dress is made differently: the style of your dress, train length/shape, materials, and how the hem is made all effect the style I will suggest for your dress.

  • An ideal amount is no more than 2 sizes. What is a dress size? Though it is different for everyone because everyone loses weight differently, a good rule of thumb for a dress size is 15 pounds. Past that can absolutely be done, but might change the esthetic of the dress (depending on how it is made)