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Concerned about purchasing your wedding dress online? This BHLDN review includes advice on how to shop for a wedding dress online as well as my account of how I “say yes to the dress” via the internet.
Others can dribble a basketball with the same ease as walking, while some people are naturally good singers. Me? I’ve always been a dress nut.
To me, “art” was clothing rather than paintings or sculptures. I adored every aspect of cloth and construction. I enjoyed watching Red Carpet broadcasts, creating my own best-dressed lists, and keeping a binder of magazine cutouts (before Pinterest existed).
Contents
BHLDN REVIEW
This BHLDN review incorporates my personal account of how I “say yes to the dress” online with all the information you require to successfully shop for a dress at BHLDN online.
My now-husband went upstairs to sleep when we got home from the excitement of our engagement and Martha’s Vineyard trip, leaving me alone for the first time to think about our upcoming wedding. I took out my iPad and Googled the first bridal retailer that came to mind: BHLDN.
BHLDN Wedding Dresses & Gowns
It was then visible. The entire top half of the modest dress was basic, and it had a high, bateau neckline. I admired how this dress might continue to look elegant and ageless over time; it reminded me of Audrey Hepburn-style wedding outfits.
This particular dress was from Whispers & Echoes, a brand that belongs to BHLDN. I was drawn to the “Tuscany” gown because of its buttoned keyhole back, a distinctive and unusual construction feature that made me think of the expensive gowns by Carolina Herrera and Oscar de la Renta that I had admired in the past. I’ve always enjoyed how the remainder of the back was lined with buttons.
Know About BHLDN
The well-known women’s clothing retailer Anthropologie’s BHLDN (pronounced “beholden”) is renowned for selecting and manufacturing stunning off-the-rack bridal gowns, accessories, and other bridal party items rapidly and at competitive pricing. Watters, Catherine Deane, Jenny Yoo, Needle & Thread, Tadashi Shoji, Marchesa Notte, Flor Et Al, ML Monique Lhuillier, Nouvelle Amsale, and more designers are represented in the styles. Although their designs tend to be more bohemian, they also provide fashionable items, vintage ball gowns, chic slip dresses, small white dresses, and more.
BHLDN Sale
The Tuscany gown was on sale from $1,300.00 to $800.00, which I noticed right away.
(A wedding dress costs, on average, $1,564.00. Typically, dresses from BHLDN cost less than that! We were looking for the best methods to cut costs for our wedding, so I was happy to hear this.
BHLDN Philadelphia
Without even considering the location, the season, or any other truly crucial wedding elements, I scheduled an in-store appointment at BHLDN Philadelphia for the next weekend since the dress I liked was on sale. (Yes, I mean it!)
(BHLDN has a location in Philadelphia, which is where I live, despite the fact that they are largely an online retailer; they also offer virtual appointments!)
But when I checked online the day before my try-on session, I saw that dress sizes were disappearing quickly. (As was previously indicated, sale items tend to sell out quickly.)
Since BHLDN offered a thirty-day return policy, I pondered just buying the dress, but I was unsure if I wasn’t just being an emotional, wacky bridezilla.At that point, I had not even tried on any dresses, and when I inquired about the rest of the wedding’s plans, I was given the bewildered response, “We don’t know yet.”
Am I crazy if I order this outfit tonight? I texted a friend in response to that. I asked her a hypothetical question, and she responded by telling me that I wasn’t insane (or that she was just being polite). I responded, “Okay. I’ll purchase this dress.
BHLDN Earrings & Veil
I also bought the BHLDN-recommended veil and earrings for this exact dress that the bridal consultant added for me to test on when I was there. Even though I bought my dress off the rack and online, I felt confidence knowing that the higher-level design team hand-selected this specific veil and earrings for this unique dress, giving me the feeling of a high-end boutique stylist.
BHLDN Shipping
Unlike a regular boutique, which often offers dresses created to order and takes up to 6 months to make, the BHLDN dresses I had ordered arrived in the mail just a few days later (less than a week). The outfit came in perfect condition and according to plan.
According to BHLDN’s return policy, I had a total of 30 days to decide. Nothing in those thirty days caught my attention in the same way as this outfit did, or combined my favourite aspects more effectively. And the discount price!
BHLDN Sizing
As previously stated, I ordered THREE sizes from BHLDN for my wedding dress, one, two, and three sizes larger than my street size. I used the sizing chart for my specific dress, customer feedback from the dress’ website, the consultant’s recommendations, and my general understanding that wedding dresses tend to run very small.
BHLDN also provides instructions on how to gauge your own size.
Although the intermediate size fit me (the one the bridal consultant also suggested), I decided to keep the larger size and get a really good tailor because I was concerned that it might not fit if I gained any weight.
BHLDN Returns
Merchandise must be returned within 30 days after delivery for a full refund to your original mode of payment, according to BHLDN’s return policy as of the time of posting. After 30 days, a merchandise credit will be given for returns. Also noteworthy:
I shipped back the dresses I was returning to BHLDN in packaging that was as similar to how they had been given to me. I merely left them at my UPS location and requested a receipt/tracking slip. I promptly received a hassle-free reimbursement for the two dresses I had returned.
Tips on Wedding Dress Online Shopping
Verify the retailer’s credibility.
BHLDN’s affiliation with Anthropologie gave me the assurance that they were a trustworthy retailer. I also received the advantages of speedy shipping and a hassle-free return policy from BHLDN.
Do your best to confirm the legitimacy of the retailer if you choose to shop somewhere else. Look them up on social media, give them a call, or Google them.
Be aware of the delivery date.
I absolutely loved how quickly BHLDN shipped my dress out to me after I placed my order. Knowing it was in my closet months before the wedding helped me to relax. Less to be concerned about!
If you are shopping elsewhere online, make sure you have ample time for delivery of your dress before you place the order.
Try to read as many reviews as you can.
As previously noted, I had faith in BHLDN’s reputation, but I still enjoyed reading as many reviews as I could about the business and the specific dress I was interested in when I was online shopping. I was resourceful in my review-seeking, and you can be too: Google, Pinterest, Instagram, and websites that sell pre-owned wedding gowns.
Look for images of the clothing worn by real people in real life.
I really enjoyed looking for images of my outfit in actual settings. It was beneficial for me to see how other brides appeared on their wedding days, including the type of flowers they carried and how it appeared in photographs.I was resourceful in where I looked for photos, and you can be too: websites for used wedding dresses, photographers’ websites, Pinterest, Instagram, and Google (including Google Images).
