Caveat Emptor: Gown Costs

• By Lily Rothman
• Published Winter 2006

Before a bridal boutique can create your dream gown, it will require that you provide your signature and at least 50 percent of the cost of the dress. What you're signing is more than a guarantee that you'll pay up when you get the goods. It's a contract to be sure that both parties know what to expect. To wit: Tax and shipping should be included, but alterations will be extra unless your gown has been custom-made. Bronnie Kupris, owner of the Gallery of Wearable Art, includes fittings in contracts for made-to-order dresses; three is usually enough, plus one fine-tune at the very end of the process. After that, the success of your pre-wedding diet will start to cost you.