I’m back with another wedding-related post! I finally said yes to the dress for my destination wedding. Mine is from Anthropologie, but there are many different options for wedding dress shopping for every budget in Portland, Oregon. In this post, I will go over where to go wedding dress shopping in Portland, Oregon. I honestly wish I had gone to more shops when I was looking, but you can’t help it when you find the right dress!
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Where to go Wedding Dress Shopping in Portland, Oregon
Photo credit: Alecca Synclair Photography
1. Anthropologie/BHLDN
Price Range: $350- $2800 (most under $2000)
BHLDN (pronounced beholden) is located in the downtown Anthropologie within the Pearl District. You can find this shop in the corner upstairs. It is pretty small, but there are a variety of different dresses to choose from. These dresses are off the rack (some may be back-ordered), which is perfect for the last-minute bride (like me…). Online, the sizes range from 00- 19, and in-store, the sample size was typically a 6 or an 8.
My experience was great! We went on a Saturday morning and it felt pretty private. There was only one other group there for part of the time. I didn’t feel rushed and was able to try on 6 dresses. You get your choice of sparkling wine or other fun drinks while you’re there. You can check out the exact dresses they are currently carrying to try on at the Portland location here. Appointments are required and can be made at that link as well.
2. a&bé Bridal
Price Range: $1,200- 5,000 (most $1,500- $3,000)
a&bé Bridal Shop is a modern bridal shop that offers a unique and stylish selection of wedding dresses. They carry a wide variety of designers from independent designers to well-known brands, and they’re always on the lookout for the latest trends. You can check out the designers they carry at the Portland location on their website here, or check out the exact dresses on their Pinterest here.
Appointments are required and can be made on their website above. Appointments are 90 minutes long. The majority of sample sizes that can be tried on in-store are sizes 8- 12. The complete collection can run up to size 24. There is a small selection of off-the-rack dresses, but most are made to order so if you are in a time crunch this might not be the best option.
3. True Society by The White Dress
Price Range: According to the website, “a variety of price points for every budget”
There is a True Society location in both Portland and Beaverton. This is a luxury bridal shop with STUNNING designs. It seemed like it had some of the best boho styles to me, and carried some brands that a lot of other bridal shops in the area did not. This bridal boutique carries up to size 26 to try on in-store and up to size 34 to order.
Appointments are required and last 90 minutes. There are no off-the-rack dresses at this boutique and it can take a few months for your dress to arrive in the store. If you have a shorter timeline, call ahead to make sure this won’t impact your ability to get a dress here!
To make an appointment or see some of the styles that are available in-store, you can visit the website here.
4. Charlotte’s Weddings
Price Range: $1,500- 4,000+ (most $1,600- $2,500)
Charlotte’s Weddings is a popular bridal boutique with a variety of choices for both wedding and bridesmaid gowns. This bridal boutique has been open for more than 30 years. Sample dress sizes can range from 00- 28. The full collection of dresses can go up to a size 32 and some styles can be ordered up to a size 38. The website claims that Charlotte’s has the largest selection of plus-size gowns over a size 18 in Portland and the surrounding area. Most of the dresses they carry are made to order, but there is a small collection that can be purchased off the rack.
For the basic appointments at Charlotte’s weddings (these are free), you can bring up to 5 guests for a 90-minute appointment. All guests over the age of 21 are also offered a complimentary glass of champagne. You can book an appointment here. There is the option to upgrade your appointment for $250 if you would like more of a pampered experience. By upgrading you can bring up to 10 guests for a 2-hour appointment with a mimosa bar, bridal robe, polaroid camera with film, candy, and you get 20% off accessories purchased.
Consignment
1. Brides for a Cause
Price Range: $150- $1,500 (most $300- $900)
I didn’t have a bad experience at Brides for a Cause, but it is not the traditional experience if that is something you are looking for. Brides for a Cause is a non-profit and the dresses are either donated or floor models. While some of the dresses are in good condition, I did find that some were not in the best condition. There were some rips, broken zippers, and discoloration. Some of the damages can be fixed with alteration and if you are on a budget this can still be a good option.
The stock is constantly being flipped, so it is a good place to come back to if you don’t find something the first time around. I had an hour and it did feel a bit rushed. I try on 4- 5 dresses. The dressing area is pretty cramped and there were 3 other groups as well. If you are looking for a dress on a budget and don’t mind having the “traditional” wedding dress shopping experience, this is the place for you!
2. Blue Sky Bridal
Price Range: $500- $3,500 (most $800- $2,000)
This is another consignment shop for new, once-worn, or sample dresses. Blue Sky Bridal has a great selection of dresses from all of the top designers, and they’re always getting new dresses in. At this bridal boutique, the dresses are discounted 20- 65% off of retail prices and can be purchased off the rack. This boutique carries sizes ranging from 00- 28 but since it is consignment, the selection within sizes can vary at any time.
Each appointment is 1 hour long and you can bring up to 3 guests. If you would like a more private experience, you can book the boutique for $75 for 90 minutes and bring up to 7 guests. The $75 will also go towards your dress if you buy a dress during the appointment. If you would like to book an appointment, you can do so on the website here.
Tips for Wedding Dress Shopping
Finally, here are some tips that I think would be helpful after wedding dress shopping myself.
1. Go in with a budget!
Whether your budget is $1000 or $10,000, go in knowing what the top dollar you would spend will be. This can be helpful when you are picking out dresses to try on. Wedding dress prices range a lot. If you go in knowing what you are wanting to spend, it can prevent overspending.
2. Bring just a few people
Everyone is going to have an opinion about the dresses. Bring a select few people whose judgment you trust. However, don’t put all the weight of your selection on who you are bringing. After all, it is your dress and you should choose what you feel the best in (not what others think is the best choice).
3. Try on different styles
Even if you don’t think a certain style is going to look good on you, it doesn’t hurt to try it on. You might end up being surprised by a style you didn’t expect to like.
4. Do your research!
Before your appointment, look online at some of the selections and choose a few dresses that you are interested in trying on. This can help the bridal consultant when picking out dresses for you, and save some time on selecting dresses so that you have more time to try them on.
5. Start dress shopping early
Most bridal shops recommend wedding dress shopping 9 months- 1 year before your wedding date. It can take several months to get the dress back after selecting a gown and then can take another couple of months for alterations. If you have the time, try to start early since you might not say yes to the dress at the first boutique you visit. It can also help take off some of the stress so you can focus on other aspects of your wedding.
Where to go Wedding Dress Shopping in Portland, Oregon
I hope this post has helped cover where to go wedding dress shopping in Portland, Oregon. Finding the perfect wedding dress is an important part of planning your big day. With so many bridal shops to choose from in Portland, Oregon, you’re sure to find the perfect dress for your style and budget.
Once you’ve chosen a few bridal shops, schedule appointments so that you can try on dresses and get a feel for the atmosphere of each shop.
Wedding dress shopping should be an enjoyable experience! Just relax, take your time, and enjoy the process of finding the perfect dress for your big day.
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