How is Elite Bridal different from other bridal stores?

We strive to provide exceptional customer service and offer the best shopping experience for everyone, regardless of budget, size, or style! At Elite Bridal, you will find 5 grand stages, extra large dressing rooms, a whole room dedicated to accessories, and a special formalwear lounge. 

Do I need to make an appointment to try on wedding dresses?

We recommend scheduling an appointment to ensure we have a consultant available to work with you! However, if you need to walk-in on the day-of, we will do our best to help you!

Do I have to pay to have an appointment at Elite Bridal? 

There is no cost to schedule an appointment with Elite Bridal. You can upgrade your appointment to a private VIP Appointment, though! Go to the “Appointments” tab and select “VIP Appointment” to learn more!

How long is my appointment?

We allot 1.5 hours for bridal appointments, 1.5 hours for bridesmaid appointments, and 1 hour for any other type of appointment.

What should I bring to my appointment?

We recommend bringing pictures of dresses you’re interested in. We also suggest bringing undergarments you think you would want to wear on your wedding day. The most important things to bring with you are an open mind and any family or friends you’ll want to have with you when you say “yes” to your dress!

What are the price ranges for your wedding dresses?

Bridal pricing ranges from $999 to $4999. We also offer sale gowns starting at $599.

What size gowns are available for me to try on?

Sample bridal gowns range from size 6-32, and formal wear sample gowns range from size 0-30.  We can order bridal gowns in sizes 0-34, and formal wear gowns in sizes 00-36.

May I take pictures of the gowns while I try them on?

Not only are you allowed to take pictures of the gowns you try on, we recommend it! Looking at pictures of yourself in your favorite dresses will help determine which dress is “the one,” and also allows you to capture the special experience of the day you found your dress!

How far in advance do I need to buy my gown?

Bridal gowns can take anywhere from 5 to 7 months to arrive to the store after the order is placed, so we recommend ordering your dress 8 to 10 months before your wedding date if possible. This “stress-free” time zone will ensure that you have plenty of time for alterations. If you don’t have that much time, please read the next Q & A to see how we can help you!

We recommend ordering Bridesmaids and Mothers dresses at least 6 months before the wedding if possible.

HELP! I’m getting married in less than 4 months – is it too late to get a gown? 

No, it’s not too late, but every second counts! We have several off-the-rack options as well as designers who offer in-stock gowns and rush shipping.

When should I order my veil, headpiece, and/or accessories? 

Special order designer veils, headpieces, jewelry, and belts can take as long as 6 months to come in, so making a decision at the time you order your gown is recommended. However, we do have in-stock and rush options, as well!

Does Elite Bridal provide alterations? 

While we do not have an in-house seamstress, we can provide you with a recommended list of alterations specialists located in Champaign and the surrounding area.

What are your payment options?

We accept Cash, Checks, and Credit Cards. When you purchase your bridal gown, we require a 50% deposit. The remaining balance is due within 2 weeks of the dress arriving to our store. All other items must be paid in full at the time of purchase.

You don’t have a dress in your store that I’ve seen. Can you order it for me?

As long as the dress is from a designer listed on our website (see the Bridal Gown Designers tab) and is a current style (meaning it is not discontinued), we can order it for you! If you’re not sure, you can always call or email us to ask!

How many guests can I bring to my appointment?

Ideally, you’ll want to bring only a few trusted friends or family members — it’s less stressful that way. Bring only the people who will help you make a decision and keep your best interest at heart. We can accommodate up to 8 guests comfortably. If you want to bring more please schedule a VIP Appointment with us!

Will this dress still be available if I wait to buy?

It all depends on how much time has passed once the appointment happened! Once you’ve found the dress that makes your heart smile, you should end your search, and go with “the one.” Designers discontinue styles every season, and there’s no way of knowing which ones they’ll choose!