Do wedding boutiques overcharge?

[Summerflowers79]

I found a dress I love but it’s around 4 years old, however the designer never shelves older designs they are always available to buy. The designer is based in the US but has stockists in the UK. I’ve enquires about trying on this dress when safe to do so with UK stockists but all have said they no longer have samples of this dress to try and I would have to order new and have it made for me.

The price I’ve been quoted by one boutique to do this is £1835, however the designer said their dresses only range from $1100-$1800, which converts to £900-£1472. I’ve seen the dress I like in American boutiques to order new and they are all costing $1575 converted to £1288.

A tad off topic but check out the link above or google
Man Stroke Woman Wedding Flowers.

If you are planning a wedding, it might be worth remembering this.
Its only a minute or so long.

Happy wedding!

The price I’ve been quoted by one boutique to do this is £1835

I’m assuming this is the all in, delivered price though?

the dress I like in American boutiques to order new and they are all costing $1575 converted to £1288.

Yes but if the dress is coming from the US to the UK, then on top of this price, you also have to factor in:

1. Shipping, packaging & insurance costs

1. 20% VAT (which is charged on the total value, so dress cost + shipping, packaging & insurance costs + customs duty)

1. 12% Customs Duty (which is charged on the total value, so dress cost + shipping, packaging & insurance costs)

Ahh thank you that explains it!

Have you tried on the dress or a similar dress? I would be really reluctant to order and pay for a dress that I’ve never put on. My wedding dress was completely different to what I thought I liked. I tried on the ones I’d been looking at in the magazines and they looked very boring on me.

Yes, everything specifically produced for weddings is over priced but if this is something that's difficult to get hold of that will be factored into the price.

I found fabric and used a local dressmaker. Had been to a wedding boutique but they had nothing for me.

I took a jacket, a photo of a dress and thoughts on a third and dressmaker took the bits from each dress and put them together with me.

It was fabulous and so wonderfully comfortable. I would wear it today if I could.

And, it came in at least $500 cheaper than the boutique.

I've been obsessed this lockdown with watching Say Yes to the dress on TLC (not getting married, just enjoy watching some trash tv!) and so many brides have an ideal of exactly what they want, and end up with something the complete opposite. I would go and try some on. I'm sure in the big shops you can find something that's similar