Bride Stunned by ‘Wild’ Wedding Dress Fee: ‘Am I Delusional’

A bride-to-be expresses shock over fees for trying on wedding dresses, sparking debate online about the bridal industry’s practices.

Bride Stunned by ‘Wild’ Wedding Dress Fee: ‘Am I Delusional’
Bride Stunned by ‘Wild’ Wedding Dress Fee: ‘Am I Delusional’

Sydney: So, there’s this bride-to-be, Katrina Matias, who recently went viral on TikTok. She was totally shocked to find out that many bridal boutiques charge a fee just to try on wedding dresses. Can you believe it? She posted a video asking, “Who was going to tell me that there is a fee to try on wedding dresses? Am I delusional for thinking it should be free?”

This really struck a chord with a lot of people. Some commenters were right there with her, saying they wouldn’t book at a place that charges. But then, others defended the fees, saying they help cover the time and effort of the stylists. It’s a mixed bag for sure.

Katrina shared her experience of dress shopping, mentioning that she had to visit three different bridal studios to find the right one. She said the fees are becoming more common, especially in Australia, as the bridal industry changes post-pandemic.

The fees are meant to keep out those who just want to play dress-up and take selfies. But Katrina argued that these costs should be included in the dress price, just like when you test-drive a car or check out a house.

She also pointed out that the appointments usually come with personal consultations, styling advice, and even drinks for you and your friends. For her, the $50 fee was worth it for the attention and help she got.

Katrina did her homework before booking, which kept her total fees down. She thinks boutiques should do a better job of letting brides know about these fees upfront. Maybe offering different appointment levels could help too.

Not every boutique charges fees, though. Some, like Grace Loves Lace, offer free styling sessions. And while you can usually only try on a limited number of gowns, it’s often enough to figure out what you like.

Katrina’s final stop was at Karen Willis Holmes, where she had a great experience and even got a courtesy waiver on an extra fee when she found her dress. Her advice? Do your research, know the policies, and focus on a few key stores. Happy shopping!

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