I just said "YES"! When should I start shopping for the dress?

Congratulations! You can start looking for your dress whenever you like, but a good rule of thumb is to have your date and venue arranged first - so that you'll have an idea of the season, look and theme for your wedding. (For example, a beach wedding in August requires a very different dress from a cathedral wedding in January!)

How much does a wedding dress cost?

Most off-the-rack dresses will fall somewhere in the $500-$3000 range, but you can find options priced much lower and much higher. You'll likely need alterations as well, so don't forget to factor in those costs (which will depend on which service you use).

Why would I buy a wedding dress online?

In today's world, you can buy anything on the web - including a wedding dress! In fact, as many as 20% of brides in the US get their dresses online. If you've had a hard time finding one that you love locally, the internet may be your best option. Online retailers of wedding dresses make it much easier to find the right sizes, hottest trends, and all of the accessories to match.

How do I know which size to order?

That can be tricky, but almost every single online wedding dress store has a helpful sizing guide. You can usually reach out to the store's customer service team for extra help in taking measurements and finding several dresses to choose from that should be a good fit. Keep in mind that wedding dresses tend to be sized differently from regular clothes, often 1-2 sizes higher than what you wear day-to-day. (So unfair, we know!)

Is shipping expensive?

For wedding dresses, it's usually free. (Good luck finding anything else about your wedding that will be!) A few retailers have a minimum order requirement, but let's be honest: with as much as you'll spend on a wedding dress, you probably won't have a hard time reaching that amount!

My dress arrived. It doesn't fit (or I hate it). Can I return it?

That's probably the biggest fear brides-to-be have when buying their wedding dress online, but rest assured that most stores let you send it back - as long as it's still in new condition with all tags attached (no wearing it for your big day and then returning it!). Make sure you read the return policy of any store you're considering for your purchase, though: some don't accept returns under any circumstances!

What else do I need besides the wedding dress?

When budgeting and planning for wedding attire, many brides forget that it's not just the dress. You'll need shoes, any desired accessories like a veil, gloves, and/or jewelry, and suitable undergarments!

How do I preserve my dress after the wedding?

Great question, because without preservation your dress may yellow or oxidize, experience mold or mildew, or be permanently creased in the wrong places. You can pay a professional to preserve your wedding dress; expect to pay anywhere from $250 to $700 for the service.

The Dessy Group vs ChicSew for March 2026 | Best Wedding Dress Stores

Item: The Dessy Group vs ChicSew
Rating: 2.5
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Monday, March 9th We evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

2026 Wedding Dress Store Reviews

Here you can see how The Dessy Group and ChicSew match up head-to-head in a battle for the Best Wedding Dress Stores in 2026.

The Dessy Group

From $448 to $520
9 custom-made dress styles
Hundreds of bridesmaid dresses

The Dessy Group specializes in apparel for wedding occasions, but their wedding dress selection only includes 9 styles. We recommend that customers check out their bridesmaid dresses and see if any of them would work as a wedding dress since this opens up hundreds of other designs. All dresses are made-to-order and take 7-8 weeks to ship. If your dress doesn't fit (like many customers complain about) you'll need to pay a 25% restocking fee plus return shipping if you choose to send it back. Overall, The Dessy Group doesn't appear to be the highest-quality store or offer generous policies and services, so they've not earned a top rating from us.

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ChicSew

Prices from $199 to $389
Made-to-order dresses
40 wedding dresses

ChicSew has 40 wedding dress styles ranging from sizes 0-30 with custom sized options as well. The company says they can make their wedding dresses in any color and you'll never pay more than $389 for any of them. We don't believe that you'll get the high quality dress you see in the photos for the low prices advertised, so we are skeptical of what we see. The company also isn't transparent about where they're based out of, but we would guess China due to the way some of their pages are written. Shipping costs are exorbitant through ChicSew and you can only return some dresses within 7 days, but with a 10% restocking fee. We see too many potential problems with this company, so they've earned a low rating.

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Of everything you'll choose for your wedding, the dress might be the most meaningful. It's the piece you'll look back on for years - and probably tuck away to keep forever - because it isn't just another outfit. This is the gown that marks a huge milestone with the person you love, surrounded by the people who matter most. Long after the day ends, it will live in your photos and memory, reflecting who you were and how you felt.

Your wedding dress should feel timeless and true to your style, make you feel beautiful, and be one you'll love seeing in photos years from now when you look back on your day. Shopping online makes it easy to explore a huge range of options and compare prices in one place - and it helps to save favorites so you can revisit them as your vision comes into focus. Before you buy, check return policies and timelines, since alterations can take longer than you expect.

Back when finding a wedding dress meant trekking from boutique to boutique, making a choice could take ages. Now, with online shopping, you can lock in the dress you love in a day or two and relax knowing the most gorgeous gown is already on its way. You can compare styles, check reviews, and confirm sizing from your couch - no appointment needed. For even more peace of mind, many shops offer virtual consultations and easy returns, so it's all surprisingly stress-free.

You don't have to blow your wedding budget to find a dress that ticks every box. From online boutiques to local salons, plenty of retailers carry distinctive designs - the kind that spark double takes and happy tears. Keep an eye out for sample sales and off-the-rack options to stretch your dollars without sacrificing style.

Use the filters to dial in your style - short or floor-length, strapless or long-sleeve, glittery or simple - and set your budget at the same time. With a few clicks, you'll see the wedding dresses you've been imagining, all within your price range. You can even narrow things further by silhouette, fabric, or designer as you browse.

When you're shopping for a wedding dress, timelines vary: some brands offer custom-made gowns that take time, while others send ready-to-ship styles the moment you check out. Plan ahead by factoring in production and shipping windows - and build in breathing room for fittings, alterations, and any surprises once it arrives. Before you commit, ask about lead times, rush options, and nearby tailors so you know exactly what to expect.

We're so excited for you to get shopping for the perfect dress! Before you dive into all the options out there, we recommend taking a few things into consideration:

Customer reviews. What have other brides said about their experience with a particular company? Do they report that dresses arrived on time, the material was high quality, and the sizing was accurate? It's really useful to read what others have to say about a company or particular dress.
Selection. How many dress styles does a company have? No one wants to have a dress that looks "just like everyone else's", but rather one that feels like you. Ideally the company is transparent with their lead times if they have to make the dress and has a lot of in-stock options as well.
Return policy. If your wedding dress doesn't fully meet your expectations, you deserve to find one that does. Check the return policy with the company you're shopping at to make sure they let you send it back for a full refund if it isn't high quality, doesn't appear as it looked online, or the sizing is wrong.

Congratulations on your engagement! We're excited for you to go shopping. Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the best places for you to find beautiful wedding dresses online. We hope this information helps you find a wedding dress that you love for your big day.

Tips on Buying your Wedding Dress

If you're recently engaged to be married and in the market for a wedding gown below are some helpful tips to making your wedding dress purchase as smooth and affordable as possible. The overall key to successfully buying a beautiful wedding dress is to plan in advance and to be smart about your purchase. Here's how:

Shop early. Think ahead and shop well in advance. Most designers require four to six months to produce a gown so you should be shopping at least nine months in advance. Some brides purchase their gowns as much as 18 months before the big day. Shopping early will give you the largest selection to choose from.
Size it right. If you have major diet or exercise plans in mind that's great but still buy a dress that fits today. If you're successful at meeting your goals then alterations can be made, and if you're not you'll still have a beautiful dress to wear the day of your wedding. All gowns can be made smaller, but the opposite is much more difficult and often unsuccessful. With all the stress of organizing a wedding, diet and exercise can be hard to accomplish. The last problem you want on your list of wedding issues is a dress that doesn't fit and no budget left to buy a new one.
Make an appointment. Find out in advance if you must make an appointment at the bridal store you're considering. Many bridal salons prefer to have brides make appointments, and some will not assist you without one. If you make an appointment but have to cancel make sure you call the store or they may not be kind with the next appointment you attempt to make.
Prepare for try-on fees. Find out if the bridal store you have in mind charges a service fee for trying on dresses. This is a recent trend by bridal stores to deter brides from trying on dresses without a plan to purchase.
Choose your audience. Limit your dress shopping audience to just one or two trusted friends or family. Leave the kids at home and plan on hearing opinions you might not like to hear. However, in the end, this is your decision to make and don't let others sway you from the dress you feel best in.
Come Prepared. Plan on wearing aappropriate undergarments including full underwear a strapless bra, pantyhose or a slip similar to what you'll wear in the wedding. Bring shoes that are the appropriate height to identify any major alterations in advance of the purchase.
Don't over spend. Determine your budget before you go dress shopping and stick to it. Try on dresses that are within your price range and avoid falling in love with anything you can't afford. If you over spend, cuts will have to be made in other areas that might leave you embarrassed at the event.
Shop online. Ordering a dress online is a great way to browse a full selection, avoid the hassle of salespeople when shopping and save money. Online dress shopping is one of the top ways to meet your tight budget. A number of online wedding dress stores are available to saves you hundreds or even thousands over the cost of a dress at a local bridal shop. If you already have a specific designer or dress style in mind it's easy to find the same or similar dress quickly from a quality wedding store with strong inventory.
Check the return policy. Before you purchase a dress online or from a bridal salon identify the specific return policy and what if any fees are associated with the return. Only choose an online wedding dress store that allows you to return your dress should you change your mind. This is an important aspect of successfully finding a dress.
Do your research. If you are buying a dress in person do some research on customer satisfaction. Try the Better Business Bureau and talk to friends. If you are shopping online utilize independent product reviews to rresearch the online seller before making your final decision. These companies take much of the hassle away for you by identifying return policies, history, customer service levels, selection, costs and more.

If you are in the market for a wedding dress make sure you start the effort early, stick to your budget, research any store before you shop, consider shopping online and fully understand the return policy. These tips will lead to a more successful wedding dress purchase you can feel confident with.

The Dessy Group vs ChicSew

2026 Wedding Dress Store Reviews

The Dessy Group

ChicSew

Wedding Dress Store FAQ