faq

Are appointments required for trying on wedding gowns?
Appointments are only required on Saturdays.  We schedule appointments to better assist you in your search for the perfect gown.  Because your bridal gown purchase is a once in a lifetime event, you deserve the time and attention of a professional consultant and a relaxing experience.  Our salon is quite intimate, so rooms do book in advance.  We do attempt to assist walk-ins when possible.  However, unless there is an opening, we will need to schedule you an appointment to view our gowns and try on.  Our appointments are scheduled during business hours in one-hour increments unless otherwise specified.  To schedule an appointment time, please contact us by phone at (336) 333-9016.

What should I bring to my appointment?
We have strapless bras, bridal shoes, and petticoats (slips) for you to try on with the gowns.  As with any specialty garment, you’ll need to wear your own undergarments when trying on.  If you have your own strapless bra or shoes you can bring those as well.  Other things you may want to bring include photos of the style of gown you are most interested in and one or two people to help you decide.  It is important to bring someone whose opinion you value, so you can decide what looks best on you.

Can I bring children to my appointment?
A child's safety is our highest priority.  Our bridal shop is not intended for children. Unless the child is part of the bridal party and being fitted, we encourage you to make other arrangements for them during your appointment time.  Our store is not a safe or secure environment for small children.  We are located on a very busy street and have displays that are intended for adult use only.  If you decide to bring children, we expect that they will be either in a stroller or held while they are in attendance in our store.  It is also required that you bring someone to keep an eye on the child at all times.

How many people should I bring to my appointment?
We recommend that you bring one or two people who are key in helping you choose your wedding gown.  Since we are a small store, we are not able to accommodate large groups and generally find that too many people make it hard for you to decide on what gown YOU love.  If you are bringing a group with you we ask that you let us know ahead of time so that we can try to accommodate your request.

Is picture taking allowed during gown appointments?
Designers copyright all of their gowns.  Therefore, our policy does not allow photos to be taken during your appointment time.  At the time of purchase, please feel free to take as many photos as you wish!

Do you have recommendations for alterations?
Yes we do.  We have a list of qualified seamstress in Greensboro.  They are experienced in bridal alterations and will gladly meet with our customers for consultations before beginning any work.  Since each seamstress is independent from us, we do not charge any additional fees for your alterations.  This keeps alteration prices more reasonable than salons with an in-house seamstress and allows you to get the value and quality service you deserve.  Please keep in mind that most gowns will need some alterations to fit properly.

How often do you get new gowns?
We receive new gowns every week.  Gowns are ordered throughout the year to ensure that we have the most current collection of gowns.  You are sure to be surprised by the diversity of our selections, as well as the prices.

How far in advance should I shop for my gown?
We usually recommend shopping at least 6-12 months ahead.  Most wedding gowns take about 3-6 months to arrive when ordered depending on the designer.  Therefore, it is ideal to have that much time, as well as allowing extra for any alterations your gown may need.  You will also need to allow time for portraits if you plan on having them done before your wedding.  Many gowns are available on a rush for additional charges and we do sell some of our samples off the rack.  Please inquire if your wedding date is close so we can better assist you.

How much time should I allow for ordering my bridesmaid dresses?
It is suggested to order them about 6 months prior to the wedding.  This ensures the closest fit and allows time for alterations.  Since we stock such a large sample selection, you are sure to find the perfect gowns available for any time of year.  All bridesmaid dresses are available with a rush delivery option if you are in a hurry or have expectant bridesmaids.

How do I place orders for out of town bridesmaids?
Most bridal parties have at least one attendant out of town.  We make ordering for these attendants simple and easy.  To order, we need their bust, waist, and hip measurements.  They can go to a seamstress or bridal store to get these measurements.  They can then call us and do everything over the phone.  We can also ship the dress to your out of state bridesmaids for an additional charge.

My plan is to lose weight before my wedding.  Should I purchase a smaller sized gown than I presently wear?
This is not recommended.  A gown is always easier to be taken in, than let out.  Generally, alterations cannot increase the size of a gown, they can, however, make a slightly loose gown fit perfectly.

Do you carry alternative sizes?
Our sample gowns, available for all brides to try on, range in size from 6-24, with most between 8-14.  Bridal sizes do typically run slightly smaller than standard sizes, so please keep this in mind when selecting a size.  Most of our gowns are available in size 0-28+

What is your return policy?
Cardinal Bridal & Formal Wear does not do returns, exchanges, or store credits. Once a gown or dress is purchased, it is yours. When we special order a dress from a designer they do not allow cancellations.

How can I pay?
We take cash, credit, or checks. We take VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express credit cards.

Will I be notified when my dress is ready?
Yes, one of the employees at Cardinal Bridal & Formal Wear will call you and let you know your dress is in and ready to be picked up. We can store the gown for 30 days at no charge but after that a storage fee will be assessed.