I felt all kinds of nervous when I first started the search for a dress but mostly I felt a premature exhaustion already taking over: I really, really loathe the process of trying on multiple things and hoping with bated breath that whatever I try on next just happens to be it. I had done the minimal amount of research (really just looking up places like Pronovias, BHLDN, Kleinfield's) and then closing all the browser tabs because the white, off-white, lace, mermaid tail, backless, halter top combinations got to be too much.
So imagine the shock when a random ad popped up on my Instagram feed and showed THE dress. And it was definitely within my budget range. This was the wedding dress equivalent of a Manhattan apartment with an elevator and an in-unit washer/dryer. Plus a wine fridge.
The process actually leading up to me trying on the dress was such a breeze. You sign up for an appointment via the website (though keep in mind, you only get one 1-hour appointment and if you want to come back to try in person, you have to sign up for the waitlist), fill out some basic questions about what you're looking for, and then a stylist pings you to go over some logistics. You can bring as many people as you want but the waiting room for the Jay St. location was pretty small, so I wouldn't bring along more than 4-5 people max. After which, you can try on as many as you want within an hour. I had my eyes and heart set on one dress in particular and it actually turned out to be just as wondrous in person so ... that was pretty much it for me. And you get a 10% discount if you buy right then and there, which, for dresses that are in the $1,000-2,000 range, is nothing to sneeze at.
I will just note that their dress range is a bit smaller than, say, Kleinfield's or Pronovias, and, if you're very, very open to what you might like, I would put Floravere as maybe your fourth or fifth stop. But, if you're nearing the end or you're decisive and overly impatient like me, I wholeheartedly recommend Floravere as the first place you go to try on things in-person. I wanted something super simple and classic, with clean lines and minimal lace/puffiness, to go with the beach wedding theme, and a lot of the dresses I was seeing online were beautiful definitely, but not right for the situation and not in line with my own personal style.
When so much of the wedding process is fraught with uncertainties and information overload and the constant feeling of looking over your shoulder and seeing what someone else is doing, Floravere was definitely a bright spot. Stephanie was so helpful and friendly, not pushy at all, offering some good suggestions and overall just making sure everyone was comfortable.
Definitely 100% recommend. read more