QUESTIONS?
Frequently Asked Questions by our Brides!
I booked an appointment, now what?
Your gown and your experience at Carrie’s are a big deal!
Before your appointment, one of our Master Stylists will call to answer your questions and go over the important details—your day, gown styles, and guests. We want to learn all about you, your style, and your venue! Feel free to bring pictures or your Pinterest board. Our highly trained Bridal Masters are here to listen and style you. We’re here to soothe any anxiety, support you, and be your bridal bestie.
What to bring: Please wear proper undergarments to keep things sanitary for all brides. You’re welcome to bring a bra, but we usually don’t use one—our gowns are beautifully constructed, and strapless bras can add bulk and flatten your shape. Wear what you’d wear on your big day so you’re comfortable. Skip the heels for now—bring those to alterations!
Your experience: Our boutiques are down-to-earth, no-pressure spaces where you can relax. You’ll have your own Master Stylist, a private changing and viewing area for you and your guests, and a magical hour-and-a-half experience. We even have front-of-store mirrors to see your gown in different lighting. Ask all the questions and take all the pictures—this is your moment!
One thing to remember: We know this is exciting and your guests may want to shop all day, but the more stores you visit, the more everything blends together—we call it “white out.” Many brides return to us alone to buy the gown they really wanted, after settling elsewhere just to be “done.” We don’t want that for you! When gown magic happens, acknowledge it, bask in it, and celebrate it. This is YOUR moment—not your mom’s, not anyone else’s. Don’t let anyone take it from you!
Most brides leave saying, “That was so easy!”—and it truly should be. We’re here to help!
How long is a bridal appointment?
What does Off the Rack mean?
Our gowns are designed to be purchased during your appointment and taken home the same day. Best for brides who are ready to say YES now—not “just looking.”
YES, we’re perfect for you if:
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Your wedding is within the next 12 months
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You’re ready to purchase your gown during your visit
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You’ve done some browsing and are prepared to make a decision
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You want a unique gown not found anywhere else in Georgia
We may NOT be the best fit if:
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You’re just starting to explore styles
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You’re not ready to purchase yet
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You want to try on gowns “just for fun”
And that’s okay! We’d love to see you when you’re truly ready! Why? Our inventory literally changes on an hour-by-hour basis, and we never know what the next bride after you will want, but we don’t want her buying your favorite gown! – and YES, it happens!
Are Appointments Required?
To ensure every bride gets the very best experience – appointments are required on weekends, and very highly recommended during the week. Walk-ins are only accepted during the week based on staff & dressing room availability, and not guaranteed. We’re not a warehouse, we’re an intimate boutique with only a couple of dressing rooms. Please take a quick moment to book an appointment. This makes sure everyone gets all the time they need and gets the full Carrie’s experience!
You can make an appointment online or call in to your closest location!
Please note that children and babies are not permitted at appointments.
How many guests can I bring?
I keep appointments to a maximum of four guests, and I’ll gently encourage you to choose them carefully. I’ve watched the perfect dress get talked out of the room by a well-meaning group, and I’ve watched a quiet bride find her voice the second the crowd got smaller. This isn’t about limiting your support — it’s about protecting your yes from the noise. We’ve found a cozy group keeps the day focused and calm — and keeps your voice and instincts front and center. It’s our #1 secret to a confident, happy bride.
While we love the little ones, our small staging areas simply aren’t safe for infants and toddlers, and can be distracting for brides and other brides, so our minimum age is 13. We want this day to be all about the Bride, as well as protecting the experience for other brides in the store.
Do you have a payment plan or layaway option?
We’re happy to work with you on a layaway plan, so you can get your dream dress! We typically require a 50% deposit, but if you need adjusting, please ask us so we can work it out with you. Gowns must be paid in full before leaving the store. If you are needing a special order gown, layaway must be completed before ordering. Also, all layaway payments are non-refundable, even if the gown has not left the store.
What is the difference in your locations?
We love this question! Our boutiques have their own unique styles, just like our brides! Each store is charming and boutique-y, but relaxed and fun. Our inventory in each store changes daily, so you never know what diamond you will find! You are more than welcome to book an appointment or walk in to either or both locations.
Our Atlanta location has strictly wedding dresses, while our Macon location also has a limited selection of formal wear like Mother of the Bride, Bridesmaids and Prom! Both locations have bridal accessories like veils, earrings, headpieces and belts, as well.
Do you do plus size wedding dresses?
We don’t categorize gowns or brides as “plus size!” We get that question a lot, but please know that our brides are brides, not a number or a category. We have all size gowns. Our inventory includes sizes 00-30, and we have over 100 dresses in sizes 14-30, and our inventory changes daily! We also have gowns with extra length and options to add materials to the bottom, as well as easy ways to shorten a gown! Our seamstress referrals are rockstars!
How is Carrie's different than other bridal boutiques?
Your Gown Shopping Experience is an EXPERIENCE! We offer an intimate boutique salon, as opposed to the big name stores. Our pricing is a huge differentiator, because we’re under $1800! You get to take home your gown same-day, and we have sizes 00-32 in stock!
We promise that from the moment you walk in the door, you’ll feel at ease! We truly have your best interest at heart. We understand what an important day this is! We focus on helping you throughout the entire process! By the time you leave, we will feel like old friends!
How are your prices so much lower than elsewehere?
Great question! Our gowns are brand-new. Our dresses are not consigned. We do not buy back gowns. Our brides love that each dress is a brand new gown that you can only find with us! You will find similar styles in other stores, we just cut out the “middle man” because Carrie designs in-house! Our stores are Carrie’s showrooms. We don’t pay outside designers for their dresses so ours cost less! When you try on our gowns, you will be able to feel the superb quality and construction of our dresses!
Do you have seamstresses you recommend, and what is the time lime for alterations?
Absolutely! Here are our recommended seamstresses, and if you need one closer to you, let us know so we can try to help! Our recommended alterations seamstresses typically will ask for a first fitting about 12 weeks from your wedding date. We certainly have seamstresses that can accommodate a shorter timeline, we just urge our brides to start rather sooner than later so there is no pressure to rush!
Keep in mind, if special ordering, you will need to factor in alterations to your timeline.
Upon checkout we give you our seamstress list and an alterations “cheat sheet” telling you what to expect.
A seamstress can give a general quote over the phone, but an accurate quote can only be made after seeing a dress on a bride in person. Please be mindful that most seamstresses do book up quickly, so we urge you to call you seamstress as soon as possible to make you appointment! If you need to order extra materials, we will need at least 3 months for the order to come in. Your Stylist will go over all these options with you during your appointment, and we encourage you to purchase during your gown purchase.
You are welcome to use any seamstress of your choice, whether we recommend them or not. It’s up to you! We do recommend using a bridal experienced seamstress.
What is your return policy?
All sales are final. This is standard in the Bridal industry and we thank you for understanding. We do not consign nor buy gowns.
WE ARE SO EXCITED TO CELEBRATE YOU!