It’s time to go wedding gown shopping! But one detail that you need to keep in mind—in addition to budget and designers you have an eye on—is the possibility that your salon charges a wedding gown appointment fee. This has become a standard practice at a number of salons in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania post-Covid. They were first instituted as a way to limit the number of customers in the bridal salon during the height of the pandemic…and an exclusive opportunity to have a larger group for a private showing if you paid an appointment fee.
But now that Covid is no longer a concern, some salons have continued to charge for a more exclusive experience. Here are the details on what many salons are currently offering and whether you need to pay a wedding gown appointment fee—but be sure to confirm when you call.
Bergen County
Angel Rivera Atelier, Ridgewood. No charge for 90-minute appointment with up to 4 guests. A 2-hour VIP private appointment costs $500 and allows you to have the salon to yourself with a mimosa bar, specialty food and desserts, a pre-appointment consultation, up to 10 guests and a $100 credit toward any gown purchased during the appointment. Credit card required to book; $50 charge for any appointment cancellation under 48 hours or no-show. Wedding gowns designers include Angel Rivera, Allure Couture, Eva Lendel, Jane Hill, Augusta Jones, Barbara Kovchok, Robert Bullock, Justin Alexander and more. Gowns range from $2,500 to $8,000.
Bijou Bridal, Paramus. No charge for 90-minute appointment. Wedding Gowns, Bridesmaids, Moms. Designers include Allure, Hayley Paige, Casablanca, Morilee, Sophia Tolli, Maggie Sottero, Nicole Miller, Stephen Years, Tarik Ediz, Willowy, YSA Makina and more.
Brides by Young, Rochelle Park. No charge for 60- to 90-minute appointment. Wedding Gowns, Plus Sizes. Designers include Demetrios, Martina Liana, Suzanne Neville, Pronovias, Studio Levana, White One, Enzoani, Allure, Casablanca, Alyne, Nicole Spose, Eddy K, and more. Gowns start at $1,400.
Jaehee Bridal, Englewood. No charge for two-hour weekday personal one-on-one consultation. Saturdays are 1.5 hours and also free. Wedding Gowns, Plus Sizes, Bridesmaids, Moms, Flower Girls. Designers include Berta Privee, Allure, Justin Alexander, Kitty Chen, Jim Hjelm, Julie Vino, Paloma Blanca, Pronovias, Rivini, More Lee, Mikaella, Maggie Sottero, Lazaro, Demetrios, Rosa Clara and more. Gowns range from $1,500-$7,000.
Essex County
Bridal Atelier Montclair. No charge for 90-minute private appointments with up to 4 guests. No one else will be in the salon. Credit card required to book. $50 charge for cancellation, no-show, or change not made within 48 hours. Luxury wedding gown designers include Anne Barge, Caroline Castigliano, Dana Harel, Flora, It Was All a Dream, Jesus Peiro, Kelly Faetanini, Peter Langner, Sareh Nouri, Savin London and more. Gowns range from $2,700-$8,000, with most starting at $3,500.
Park Avenue Bridals, Cedar Grove. No charge for 90-minute appointment, with up to 3 guests on Saturdays and up to 5 on weekdays. Wedding Gowns, Plus Sizes, Bridesmaids, Moms. Designers include Allure, Morilee, Pronovias, Demetrios, Enzoani, Madeline Gardner, Maggie Sitter, Morilee and Willowby. Gowns range from $1,500-$8,000.
Sareh Nouri, The Mall at Short Hills. No charge for appointment. Wedding Gowns, Moms. Gowns start at $3,800.
Say I Do, Verona. No charge for appointment. Wedding Gowns, Bridesmaids, Moms, Flower Girls. Designers include Stella York, Justin Alexander and more. Gowns start at $800.
Wander Atelier, Caldwell. No charge for 90-minute appointment with up to four additional guests. Wedding gown designers include Alena Leena, Katherine Tash, Halfpenny London, Sassi Holford, Kate McDonald, Andrea Hawkes and more. Gowns range from $3,500-$8,000.
Morris County
Elizabeth Johns Bridal Couture, Morristown. No charge for 90-minute appointment with up to 3 additional guests. Two-hour VIB (Very Important Bride) private appointments, available on Sunday mornings and select weekday nights, are available for $500 and include up to 10 additional guests, champagne, light bites, a phone consultation prior to appointment and $300 accessories credit. Wedding Gowns, Bridesmaids, Moms. Luxury designers include Amsale, Anne Barge, Carolina Herrera, Ines Di Santo, Lela Rose, Mira Zwillinger, Pronovias, Reem Acra, Romona Keveza and more. Gowns start at $2,500.
Fantasy Bridal, Kinnelon. No charge for private appointments. Wedding Gowns, Moms. Designers include Pronovias Barcelona, Valentini, Nicole Milano, Saiid Kobeisy, Isabel Sanchis, Frascara, Papilio, Jillian Sposa, Luisa Sposa and more.
I Do I Do, Morristown. No charge for 90-minute weekday appointments with up to 3 additional guests, but need credit card to reserve. Saturdays require a $75 booking fee. Sundays are reserved for private appointments; inquire directly with salon about cost. Cancellations need to be made 24 hours before appointment, otherwise there’s a $50 fee. Wedding Gowns. Plus Sizes. Designers include All Who Wander, Badgley Mischka, Casablanca, Enzoani, Essense of Australia, Jasmine Couture, Justin Alexander, Lillian West, Maggie Sottero, Martina Liana, Pronovias, Paloma Blanca, Vera Wang and more. Gowns range from $1,500-$7,000.
L’Fay Bridal, Chatham. No charge for 90-minute standard appointment with up to 3 guests. Two-hour VIP appointment with up to 6 guests includes champagne and bite-size treats costs $250. Wedding Gowns. Designers include Berta, Alyne by Rita Vineris, Caroline Castigliano, Cortana, Ersa Atelier, Jude Jowlison, Pronovias, Savannah Miller, Viktor + Rolf and more. Gowns start at $2.500.
Hunterdon County
White House Bride, Whitehouse Station. You have three options here, all with booking fees: The WHB Bridal Experience comes with a $100 fee that can be applied to your dress purchase) for a 90-minute appointment with up to 4 additional guests. The WHB Gold Experience costs $250 for a 2-hour appointment with up to 5 additional guests, personal senior stylist, sweet and savory snacks, champagne/beverage service, welcome gift, and access to exclusive designers. The WHB Platinum Experience costs $400 and includes a 2.5-hour appointment for up to 6 additional guests with a senior stylist, sweet and savory snacks, champagne/beverage service, welcome gift, $200 accessories credit with gown purchase and access to exclusive designers. Wedding Gowns, Plus Sizes, Moms. Luxury designers include: Berta Privee, Monique Lhuillier, Ines Di Santo, Martina Liana, Stephen Yearick, Zuhair Murad, Ysa Makino, Justin Alexander Signature and Essence of Australia. Gowns range from $1,500-$15,000+.
Somerset County
Seng Couture, North Plainfield. No charge for 90-minute bridal appointment with up to 4 guests. Wedding Gowns, Plus Sizes, Bridesmaids. Designers include Allure, Badgley Mischa, Morilee, Enzoani, Killy Chen, Justin Alexander, Maggie Sottero, Martina Liana, Pronovias, Stella York, Stephen Yearick and more. Gowns range from $800-$4,000.
Three Graces Bridal, Lebanon. No charge for 60-minute appointment with up to 4 guests. The extended package costs $25 for 90 minutes and up to 6 guests. The Champagne Toast package includes champagne and snacks, a 90-minute appointment and up to 6 guests for $100. The Champagne Appointment is a 2-hour appointment for up to 7 guests with exclusive use of the salon and includes champagne, canapés, cheese, fruit and a gift. Wedding Gowns, Bridesmaids, Moms. Designers include Kitty Chen, Mikaella, Maggie Sottero, Demetrios, Eddy K, Paloma Blanca and more.
Mercer County
Bridal Suite Boutique, Hamilton Township. No charge for personalized appointment. Wedding Gowns, Plus Sizes, Bridesmaids. Designers include Essence of Australia, Martina Liana, Lillian West, Justin Alexander, Maggie Sottero, Casablanca, Mikaella and more. Gowns range from $1,200-$4,000.
Middlesex County
Mervat’s Bridal, Old Bridge. No charge for appointment. Designers include Allure, Casablanca, Demetrios, Vera Wang, Martin Thornburg, Sophia Tolli.
Monmouth County
Abigail Bride, Long Branch. No charge for 90-minute appointment. Wedding gowns designers include Chosen by Kyha, Made With Love, Rish, Tara LaTour, Alyssa Kristin, Loulette, Catherine Deane and others. Gowns range from $1,800-$5,000.
Azaria, Freehold. No charge for 90-minute appointment with up to 5 guests.Wedding Gowns, Bridesmaids, Moms. Designers include Stella York, Martina Liana, Christina Wu, Adrianna Papell, Kitty Chen, Kenneth Winston and more.
Castle Couture, Manalapan. No charge for 90-minute appointment with up to 4 additional guests. The two-hour Bridal Celebration Package for up to 6 additional guests and bottle of champagne costs $99. The Crown Rooms offers an upgraded experience, with multiple packages costing between $199 and $499, offering a beverage cart, up to 8 guests, personalized photos placed in the room, a personal message from your fiancé and more; see their website for more details. Credit card is required to book. Wedding Gowns, Moms. Designers include Demetrios, Eve of Milady, Justin Alexander Signature, Pronovias, Stephen Yearick, Ysa Makino and more.
Castle Couture Off the Runway, Manalapan. No appointment needed. No cost. All designer wedding gowns discounted at $799.
The Curvy Bride, Manalapan. No charge for 75-minute appointment with up to 4 guests in a private suite. The VIP Experience for $125 closes the boutique just for you for a truly personal experience.This 2-hour appointment is available on Thursday and Friday only and includes up to 6 guests; you’ll also receive a $50 credit toward a gown purchase. The Saturday upgraded hour-and-45-minute appointment with up to 6 guests and light refreshments costs $100 (with a $50 credit toward a gown purchase). The Ultimate VIP for $250 includes everything from the VIP Experience along with hair and makeup. Credit card is required when booking and there’s a $100 cancellation (within 24 hours) or no-show fee. Wedding Gowns, Plus Sizes. Designers include Allure, Eddy K, Essense of Australia, Stella York, Maggie Sottero and Rebecca Ingram. Gowns average between $1,750-$2,500.
Hearts for You, Manalapan. No charge for 90-minute appointment with up to 3 additional guests, but $100 appointment deposit fee is required; only guests who do not show up for their appointments or do not cancel within 24 hours will be charged. Wedding Gowns, Bridesmaids, Moms, Flower Girls. Designers include Enzoani, Essence, Maggie Sottero, Martina Liana, Sottero & Midgely, Stella York and more.
Sussex County
Sew ’N Sew Bridal, Lafayette. No charge for appointment. Wedding Gowns. Designers include Stella York, Martin Thornburg, All Who Wander, Lillian West, Justin Alexander, Mon Cheri, Rebecca Ingram and more. Call 973-940-3130 for appointment.
The Wedding Store at Liz Clinton’s, Andover. No charge for appointments. Wedding Gowns, Bridesmaids, Moms, Flower Girls. Designers include Allure, Casablanca, Mikaella, Justin Alexander, Willowby and more. Call 973-786-5330 for appointment.
Burlington County
Bridal Garden, Marlton. No charge for appointment for up to 2 additional guests. Wedding Gowns, Plus Sizes, Bridesmaids, Moms. Designers include Aire Atelier, Allure, Calla Blanche, Enzoani, Hayley Paige, Essence of Australia, Madeline Gardner, Maggie Sottero, Martina Liana, Mikaella, Morilee, Paloma Blanca, Rosa Clara, Willowby and more. Gowns range from $1,000-$7,000.
Gloucester County
The Bridal Manor, Sewell. No charge for 90-minute appointments for up to 3 additional guests. Wedding Gowns, Plus Sizes, Bridesmaids, Moms. Designers include Adrianna Papell, Stella York, Grace Kent, Christina Wu, All Who Wander and more.
Camden County
Irma’s Bridal, Cherry Hill. No charge for appointments. Wedding Gowns, Plus Sizes, Bridesmaids, Moms, Flower Girls. Designers include Maggie Sottero, Mori Lee, Allure, Casa Blanca, Kitty Chen, Demetrios and more. Gowns start at $1,000. Call to make appointment: 856-424-1710.
Laura & Leigh Bridal, Cherry Hill. No charge for appointments. Credit card required to book; $25 fee for cancellations with 24 hours or no-shows. Wedding Gowns, Bridesmaids. Designers include Allison Webb, Allure, Eddy K, Justin Alexander, Vera Wang, Savin, Watters, Stella York and more.
Cape May County
Free Love Bridal, Cape May. No charge for 2-hour appointment with up to 4 additional guests. Credit card required at booking; fee for cancellations within 48 hours or no-shows. Wedding Gowns. Plus Sizes.
