Frequently Asked Questions
Congratulations! You are engaged and we are SO excited you have chosen La Bella Moda as a place to shop for your dream bridal gown! With over 43 years of dressing brides, we know shopping for your bridal gown can be fun but stressful! Here's a few questions we found our brides asking! Still have another question, give us a call or email us! We cannot wait to hear from you!
Do I need an appointment?
Yes! We are by appointment ONLY! No matter if you are looking for a bridal gown, accessories, picking up or dropping off, you need an appointment! We want to make sure we have a stylist to help you, and a dressing room open! If you are coming by to pick up your gown, please call ahead or book online so that we can pull your dress from storage and have it all bagged and ready for you!
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If you are looking to shop our gifts and boutique dresses, walk ins are welcome, however, please be sure to check our Instagram or call us for boutique shopping hours that day since this may vary day to day due to staff and events!
Please contact us if you have any further questions regarding scheduling or coming in. Thank you so much in advance! We appreciate your patience with this as we are a small business boutique!
What does "Ready to Wear" mean?
"Ready to Wear" means that gown is available for purchase right off the rack! Gowns apart of our "Ready to Wear" collection not consignment, they have not been "worn", they are simply sample gowns not able to be ordered due to the designer. This collection is discounted, making it a perfect rack to shop if you are a bride on a budget! "Ready to Wear" gowns are perfect for brides with a limited timeline or budget.
Brides are responsible for alterations and optional cleaning!
Why is there an appointment fee?
At La Bella Moda, we like to offer an intimate and exceptional bridal shopping experience. You will work with a professional bridal stylist to handpick our couture bridal gowns. We pride ourselves in creating a memorable and special experience for every LBM bride. Signature bridal appointment fees get credited back towards your bridal gown purchase with us.
How many guests can I bring to my appointment?
For signature bridal appointments, we limit it to 2-3 guests per bride. On a weekday, we can be a little bit more accommodating, just touch base with us ahead of time! We do offer appointment upgrade packages where brides can have additional guests! Check out our "BRIDE" tab or Online Booking for more info on those options! We have also had many brides set up Zoom Parties for their bridal appointments to include more loved ones during their bridal appointment! Contact us for more details and questions!
What are your payment options and return policies?
All gowns are FINAL SALE! We unfortunately do not accept returns or exchanges.
We appreciate your understanding!
We accept payment in the form of cash, check, card or Venmo! We highly appreciate payments in cash or check; however, we can accept card payments, but a 3% credit card fee will be added on to the total!
Ready to Wear Bridal gowns must be paid for in full to claim your gown as "sold"!
What are your price ranges?
Our gowns range from $1000-$3500! We have gowns for brides with any budget!
Our Ready to Wear gowns range from $1000-$2000! Our orderable gowns start at $2000!
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Remember to be open and honest about your bridal budget to your stylist! We are there to help you find your dream dress no matter your budget!
How long is my appintment?
Bridal Appointment: 60-75 minutes
Alteration Fittings: 30 minutes
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*Our shop is busy celebrating "yes's" during the weekend. If you would like a more intimate appointment, we suggest during the week! Contact us for more information!
What designers does
La Bella Moda carry?
The designers in our collection are Eddy K, Calla Blanche, L'Amour, Paloma Blanca, and Mikaella Bridal. Our sample rack has a blend of our designers plus some other options as well! Check out our "Bride" tab for more details on the specific styles we have in store as well as the size we have the gown in!
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What sizes are your bridal gowns?
Our bridal gowns start at size 8 and go up to size 26. We have a large selection of gowns in a range of sizes and styles! Worried about the dress being too small or too big? Your bridal stylist will clip you and help you visualize the "final product" of an altered gown! Our seamstresses make the magic happen to get your gown fitted to your needs!
Do you carry plus sizes?
We do! We are an inclusive bridal boutique, and we are proud to have a lovely selection in our Curvy Collection! We carry plus sizes in bridal and evening gowns! Contact us if you have any questions!
When should I shop for my dress?
Our gowns are available for purchase right off the rack as well as orderable options, so there is no need to worry or stress about ordering time frames! We do recommend searching for your gown earlier on in your engagement journey, if you plan to order a gown, they can take around 8-10 months to arrive! That way the rest of planning is a breeze! For "Ready to Wear" gowns, there are no holds out of respect of all appointments to keep it fair!
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Are alterations separate?
When do I start?
Alterations are a separate cost, since you will be paying the seamstress directly! You have the option to use ours or take the gown with you and get it altered elsewhere! Alterations are not a flat rate; they are determined by what is needed! Average bridal alterations costs can range from $500-$800! The cost also includes steaming and pressing your gown and veil too! Other gown upgrades such as customizations, additional fabric, adding buttons, etc. are part of alterations, and not included in the initial gown price!
We do offer cleaning and preservation packages through the shop at an additional cost as well!
We will begin your fittings 2 months in advance of your wedding date!
Please give us a call or email to get scheduled for them a few months in advance!
**We only offer alterations for bridal gowns purchased at our boutique. **
Do you offer cleaning + preservation services?
Yes we do! We offer cleaning packages for any of our sample gowns at an additional cost! We pride ourselves in keeping our gowns in pristine condition, however occasional things happen when being tried on, we are only human!
We also offer cleaning and preservation packages for after your special day! All you have to do is drop your gown off to our store and we will take care of the rest! In abut 8-10 weeks, it will be shipped directly to you in a lovely box! Contact us for pricing!
Can I shop for accessories even if I get my gown somewhere else?
Of course! We carry a beautiful collection of veils, belts, earrings and sparkly beauties for your hair to add the finishing touch for your special day! Contact us to schedule an accessory appointment!
Have an additional question?
We are here to help you from the time you say. "YES" to when you say, "I do"! Feel free to contact us with any further questions and check out our 'Friendors' to see some awesome wedding vendors we love to work with!