With elopements, justice of the peace ceremonies, and small micro-weddings on the rise, more brides need a wedding dress on short notice.
If you need a wedding dress quickly, you can always order one online and hope it arrives in time or grab something off the rack.
But now some brides have another option: ordering your dress with a side of fries.
That's right, David's Bridal has an unconventional solution for brides who decided on a last-minute wedding.
"A 'DoorDasher' can pick up an item that's in stock in your size and color," said bridal shop manager Tasha Rupard, "and deliver it to your home."
David's Bridal has partnered with DoorDash to deliver dresses as quickly as fast food meals.
"In an hour, absolutely," Rupard said.
David's offers more than dresses through this new partnership. From jewelry to shoes and veils to last-minute bachelorette party accessories, Rupard said brides can get what they need in an hour or two.
"This is going to be something you can absolutely DoorDash," Rupard said of a bridal cowboy hat for a bachelorette party.
Items that can be delivered also include party dresses for a last-minute formal gathering, undergarments, or dresses for mom.
Watch David's Bridal show some dresses that they will DoorDash to your home:
Some downsides to consider
Of course, don't expect custom tailoring. David's sends temporary alteration tape with the dresses so you can pull in the waist or lift a hem for the ceremony.
That's very different from the services offered by Elizabeth Stockhauser at her alterations shop, St. Clare's Closet. She said she's had to fix plenty of dresses ordered online that were a poor fit.
"There's less layers in there, less foam, the pads are a little cheaper," she said, "and sometimes you get a look that doesn't quite fit right."
Esther Lee, deputy editor of The Knot, also has concerns about shopping solely online. "You don't know how it'll fit and whether it'll even arrive on time," she said.
Instead, she suggests you try your local bridal salon for sample or off-the-rack dresses, which David's Bridal offers.
"You're able to see their ratings, what they offer," Lee said, "all kinds of information around what kind of designers they carry."
According to The Knot, other options for last-minute looks are buying a dress secondhand, checking out department stores for off-the-rack dresses, and renting a dress via a rental platform. However, remember that those dresses cannot be altered.
Rupard doesn't expect brides to order $2,000 wedding gowns via DoorDash. The platform offers mostly inexpensive dresses that you can order after taking three simple measurements of your bust, hips, and waist.
"Most cost anywhere from about $100 up to $200 for that little white dress,” she said, adding that it's a perfect service for that forgotten accessory two hours before a ceremony.
Bride-to-be Toni Goldsmith, being fitted for her dress at David's, loves the idea of DoorDash if a small detail, like jewelry, slips through the cracks.
"I think that would save a lot of bridezillas from happening," she said, "if they were able to have that."
That way, you can get exactly what you need in an hour and don't waste your money.
_____________________________
"Don't Waste Your Money" is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. ("Scripps").
Follow John:
- Facebook:John Matarese Money
- Instagram: @johnmataresemoney
- X/Twitter: @JohnMatarese
For more consumer news and money saving advice, go to www.dontwasteyourmoney.com
