Fit for a Bride: Shopping for a Wedding Dress in Alexandria

The most popular month to get engaged is December, and the most popular month to get married is September—that means there may be a ton of engaged women in Alexandria shopping for wedding dresses and starting to plan their wedding right now.

Whether you're a bride, mother of the bride, or a (willingly or not) interested party, shopping for "The Dress" can be a little overwhelming.

The good news is you don't have to travel far—there are some great bridal stores in and around Alexandria, and some people believe smaller stores often offer better service and attention.

"You are on a first-name basis with most locally owned bridal shops after you walk in the door once," said independent bridal consultant Nikole Payne. "They become friends with their customers and count on that special relationship they build with their clients."

Payne says building these relationships is what makes shopping locally so special and keeps her customers coming back. "Chances are, the bride's bridesmaids, mom, sister or even a guest at the wedding will be their next bride or client. Locally owned bridal shops are greatly dependent on word of mouth in small communities," she said.

The wide selection and the quality of the dresses are added benefits of shopping locally.

"The customer will get better dress quality because the owner is personally vested in the business," said Payne. "In the bridal industry, the top designers and trendsetters are typically only sold to boutiques who are locally owned retailers."

Where to Look for a Wedding Gown in Alexandria

Here are a few suggestions to get you started on your wedding dress search: 

Katherine’s Bridal Boutique - 3104 Duke St. 703-370-8922

Elegance by Roya - 1311 King St. 703-838-9282

Ellie’s Bridal Boutique - 225 N. Washington St. 703-683-8697

Hannelore’s of Olde Town - 106 N. Lee St. 703-549-0387

Global Bridal Gallery - 623 S. Washington St. 703-739-2743

4 Everly After - 687 S. Washington St. 703-838-2006

Save These Dates

• The Greater Virginia Bridal Expo is April 28 at the Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner.
• Ellie's Bridal Boutique is having its spring sample sale March 22 through 24.
• The Bridals by Natalie Trunk Show is in the Fort Hunt area March 23 through 24. 

Where did you buy your wedding gown? Where did you find your bridesmaid and groomsmen outfits? Did we miss a great resource nearby? Please tell us in the comments.