Please see delivery times and costs for Special Orders on DELIVERY & POSTAGE tab above.

New gowns added each week to the Sale & Specials page and the In-Stock Prom page

Please click the category your question falls under

Questions About Returns

Do you accept returns?

Yes, within 8 days of mailing to you on IN STOCK gowns ONLY.  All special orders are non-refundable (bridesmaids, mothers, bridals and specialty prom) Full details are HERE

IN STOCK at the Manufacturer is considered a special order.  Only In-stock at A Formal Choice are returnable.

What if my special order Bridesmaid or wedding gown   does not fit when I get it?

1. Bridals & Bridesmaids  have 5/8  to 1.0" on each side seam for alterations.  If the gown has been ordered to your measures - then it will simply only need a minor alteration to let out the side seams or take it in at the side seams or shoulders. Please refer to a seamstress in your area.   If you discuss the fit with us before you order the fit is Guaranteed.  
2. For serious fit problems or wrong orders see below

The most important thing is to try and prevent an ill-fitting dress.  Call us first and discuss fit with Naomi, or simply email your questions to us.  We will answer within 24 hours (probably less than 2 hours).   We are experts on all of the gowns pictured, and with some information that you supply - we can probably tell you whether a dress will fit or not.  Make sure you have your measurements taken properly before you call so we can discuss how each gown fits.  We have an extremely low incident of returns on formal gowns when we advise on fit ,  as we know how they fit and discuss that with every customer.  

SERIOUS FIT Problems /WRONG ORDERS

Section 1.

A Formal Choice will Re-Order a Special Order Gown at our cost and expense under the following circumstances:

• c    Gown in defective

• c    Gown does not measure the posted measurements on our website.

• c    Knowing the measurements of the customer and they are kept on file, A Formal Choice recommended to purchase a smaller size than the customers measurements. EXCEPTION if it is noted on order that customer agrees, and knows, alterations will be needed when gown arrives and may be too large/small because measurements are too large/small for one specific area of the body.

• c    A wrong size/ color / style is ordered by A Formal Choice

 Section 2

A Formal Choice will Re-Order a Special Order Gown at a reduced cost for the customer when a gown does not fit properly due to the following circumstances:

• c    Improper measurements were taken by customer

• c    Wrong size selected by customer

• c    Customer selected a size that A Formal Choice advised against  

• Postage for all gowns under Section 1 will be paid for by A Formal Choice
• Postage for all gowns under Section 2 will be paid for by Customer.
• Gowns under section 2 cannot be altered in ANY WAY.  Gowns under section 1 can be returned if alteration attempts that are pre-approved by A Formal Choice fail.

 All returned gowns will immediately be measured for accurate cutting when they are returned.  In the event it is quoted that A Formal Choice will pay for a replacement gown and after return of gown it is determined that the gown is cut properly – customer must pay the reduced cost for a replacement gown and all postage costs associated with the re-order before replacement will be mailed to customer

 The fastest we can get a replacement gown to a customer is 5 weeks.

 The reduced cost of replacement gown will include (if necessary) Quick Delivery charge and Postage

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Questions about our Services

Where are you located?

106 West Meeker in Puyallup, WA DIRECTIONS  PACIFIC STANDARD TIME - Call between 8am and 8pm - Phone # 253-446-5030

 Can we come in person and try on the dresses?

Yes  DIRECTIONS, You can buy any in stock gown and take it home that day.  you can also see some of the Special Order gowns and be measured for any special order at this time too.

Can I bring my Youth Group or Ward Group to your showroom for an activity?

Yes we schedule ward, and youth groups - we offer a short talk on Modesty, demonstration of body type and styles and a try on session - This usually takes 1.5 hours - We Will do fashion shows scheduled in advance however - we do require it to be a stake event or at least involving 3 or more wards. We do  not however send out gowns  for shows if we are not in attendance without a deposit of the purchase price.

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Questions about Delivery

How quickly do you mail out IN STOCK orders?

Always within 24 hours - sometimes the same day within 4 hours

How quickly can I receive the Bridal Gown I want?

1. If it is pictured on the website in a specific Size - You can have it in 3-4 days, Shipping is $35.  Overnight / Express is $65 (US).  (remember all bridal gowns have a minimum of 1 "  of seams )
2. If the size you need is not pictured on the website  then it must be ordered.  All Temple Ready Bridals are 12 week order.  Rush orders are available- please see delivery chart below .  

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What are your regular delivery charges?

1. All regular gowns ship at $10 per shipment.  If you order more than one gown - we will combine shipping whenever possible.  These gowns ship same day and go 3 day USPS Priority

2. All Specialty Prom  gowns ship at $15 per gown.  You will be give a ship date when you order, and it will arrive at your house by 3 day USPS Priority

3. All Wedding Gowns ship at $35 per gown.  You will be give a ship date when you order, and it will arrive at your house by 3 day USPS Priority

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The dress I want IS available in my size, how quickly can I get it?

1. If it is pictured on the website in our IN STOCK section - it is probably available (unless it sold in the last 24 hours).  Call or email and confirm your dress is still in stock FIRST.  We can deliver any in stock dress to you in only 3-4 business days!  All deliveries are only $10-15.  (within the US, About 6 days to Canada.) Discounts available for multiple shipments
2. In a HUGE HURRY? Is your Dance or Formal Party this WEEKEND?  NO PROBLEM for A Formal Choice!  We can  OVERNIGHT Express USPS (within the US) your dress for only $35!!!  
3. FOR our Special ORDER prom section please see delivery chart below 

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What are the exact  Delivery Times & charges  for Specialty  Prom Gowns and Bridesmaids & wedding gowns?

Bridal gowns, and special ordered prom gowns and Bridesmaids gowns all ship according to the schedule below: (the dates below are the time it would take to arrive at your home)please see delivery chart below 

Our Factory offers us 3 delivery options with Specialty  Prom, Bridesmaids, and Wedding gowns

1. 7.5 weeks Regular order NO EXTRA CHARGE for Prom & Bridesmaids,  and 14 weeks for Wedding gowns

2. 7 weeks Rush Production Order $15 Extra Charge for Prom and Bridesmaids - 

   1. $20 for Bridals  for an 12week delivery

3. 6 weeks Quick Production Delivery order $25 Extra Charge for Prom and Bridesmaids 

   1. $50 for Bridals for an 8 week delivery -(limited availability  

During the Month of January and February some Rush and Quick delivery options are not available.

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Questions about Fit and size

I usually take a much smaller size - why do your charts tell me to  buy larger?

Wedding and bridal gowns are sized at least 1-2 sizes smaller than regular dresses.  If you normally wear a size 5-6 - You will probably fit a size 6 or 8 in our Bridesmaids or Mother charts.  

This occurs because "off the rack dresses" come in (usually) 6 sizes - but in Bridals - they will span the same measurements but offer about 10 sizes - because they fit more custom, there must be more sizes, that is why size 7-8 in normal clothes usually translates to a 10 or 12 in Bridal Wear.  Don't be alarmed, and DO NOT simply order the size you usually wear in pants or dresses.  Please measure.  Custom orders are non-refundable.

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7.  I'm confused about my size - I don't fit right into any size?

Fit a gown to your largest measurement.  If your waist is larger than the size chart by more than ONE INCH move to the next size, if it is large in the bust when it arrives, it can be altered. (opt for the smaller size if your measures on the waist are within 1 inch of the size chart)

All Bridesmaids (also Mother's) gowns are cut with 5/8 inch finished & open seams on BOTH sides.  So you will have at least 1.5 inches to LET OUT on all dresses.  Do not be alarmed if you opted for a gown that will fit you through the shoulders and bust - and will arrive slightly (1 inch or under) small in the waist.  You simply need the side seams let out 1 inch and it will fit perfectly.  We opt for this in many cases so more costly alterations like sizing down  the shoulders can be avoided.  But the best option is to speak with us before you decide and we can help you.

If you would like help because your measurements don't quite fit well into the charts - simply call us - we are experts on our gowns' fit.   Please  CALL US!!!!  253-446-5030  

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Questions about Special Orders

What is a Special Order?

Most all of our Bridesmaids gowns are special orders unless certain pieces are listed as in stock at our store.  A Special Order  is any gown that is not listed as IN STOCK ,and will be constructed for you personally - You can choose the colors and the size on all special order gowns.  There are no exchanges or returns on Special Orders.  

Special Orders are also Orders which are shipped from the factory just for you.  Some of our factories carry their stock ready to ship - If we ship a gown in just for you - that is also considered a special order. These are also non-returnable. These orders will incur a $15 charge per order and not per dress.  THese dresses are listed as "In Stock at our Manufacturer"

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Can I get a dress in a different size than listed on your IN STOCK gowns?

Sometimes.  But mostly, what we have is what we have.  There is limited availability on all in-stock gowns.  But feel free to call us and see what we can do - you never know - this may be your lucky day.

How do I reach you if I want to call and confirm sizing, or stock?

1. Call us at 253-446-5030 and ask for Naomi.    E-mail may reach us sooner than leaving a message
2. You can also email us at aformalchoice@comcast.net
3. Or if you live in the Western Washington area, you can come in and view our collection and try on your favorite styles.  Call us for an appointment for bridal fittings. otherwise see our hours under the STORE HOURS tab at the top of this page.

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We are happy to give you directions on how to measure, and what size to choose once you have measured.  

any other questions?  Just call!  253-446-5030 

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