An Affair to Remember Is Why I Drive Past Every Other Dress Shop in Fayetteville

Hey y’all! Sarah here, and can we just talk about prom dress shopping for a hot minute? Because as a mom of two daughters and someone who’s been blogging about fashion in the Cape Fear area for the past six years, I have OPINIONS about where to shop for formal wear around here.

“I was so nervous about prom dress shopping because I’d heard horror stories from friends. But the team at An Affair to Remember made the whole experience actually fun! They listened to what I wanted, showed me options I never would have considered, and helped me find a dress that made me feel absolutely beautiful. The alterations were perfect, and I got so many compliments on prom night. I’m already planning to shop there for homecoming!” – Emma, my daughter (yes, I got permission to quote her!)

And honestly? After trying pretty much every dress shop within a 50-mile radius, I keep coming back to An Affair to Remember on Ramsey Street. Let me tell you why.

The Time My Older Daughter Almost Had a Meltdown

So picture this: It’s March 2022, Emma’s junior prom is six weeks away, and we’ve already struck out at three different stores. David’s Bridal had nothing that didn’t look like it came from 2015. The place in Cross Creek Mall was… well, let’s just say their “customer service” left a lot to be desired. And don’t even get me started on our disaster trip to that boutique in Raleigh where the sales girl acted like we were bothering her just by existing.

Emma was ready to order something online and call it a day. I was ready to pull my hair out.

Then my friend Jessica (hey girl!) suggested we try An Affair to Remember. She’d taken her daughter there the year before and raved about it, but honestly, I was skeptical. How different could it really be?

Y’all. SO different.

From the moment we walked in, it was like stepping into a different world. Not in some overwhelming, intimidating way – more like walking into the closet of your most stylish friend who happens to have incredible taste and genuinely wants you to look amazing.

What Makes Them Different (Spoiler: It’s Everything)

First off, let’s talk about selection. I thought I knew what “a lot of dresses” meant until I saw their inventory. We’re talking Jovani, Sherri Hill, Ashley Lauren, Rachel Allan, Johnathan Kayne – basically every designer you’ve ever screenshot from Instagram. And not just a few pieces from each designer – we’re talking full collections.

But here’s the thing that really sets them apart: they actually know their inventory. Like, really know it. When Emma mentioned she loved a certain neckline but wanted something in emerald green, the stylist didn’t just vaguely gesture toward the green section. She immediately knew three different options that would work and had them pulled within five minutes.

The fitting room experience? Complete game-changer. None of this “here’s a room, holler if you need help” nonsense. They bring you options, help with zipping and adjusting, give honest opinions about fit and style. It feels like having a personal stylist, not like you’re fighting for attention in some overcrowded department store.

Let’s Talk About Price (Because We’re All Thinking About It)

Look, I’m not gonna lie to you – this isn’t where you go if you’re looking for a $50 prom dress. But here’s what I learned: sometimes you really do get what you pay for.

Emma’s dress was $380, which honestly made me gulp a little at first. But when I compared it to what we almost bought at other places – a $250 dress that would’ve needed $100 in alterations and still wouldn’t have fit right – suddenly it made sense.

Plus, they work with you on payment plans. No shame, no judgment, just “hey, let’s figure out how to make this work for your budget.” They want you to get your dream dress, not stress about finances.

And can we talk about alterations for a second? Having that expertise in-house is HUGE. No hunting around town for someone who hopefully won’t mess up your daughter’s prom dress. No coordinating between multiple vendors. They handle everything, and they do it right.

The Pageant Connection (And Why It Matters for Prom)

Here’s something I didn’t really understand until Emma started getting compliments all night long: An Affair to Remember isn’t just a prom store. They’re serious pageant people. Like, state and national winners serious.

Why does this matter for regular prom shoppers? Because pageant dresses have to look incredible under stage lights, photograph perfectly from every angle, and help the wearer project confidence in front of judges and audiences.

Those are pretty much the exact same requirements for prom, right? Looking amazing in person, gorgeous in all the photos that’ll be posted everywhere, and feeling confident enough to own the dance floor.

The staff understands things like which colors photograph well, which silhouettes are most flattering for different body types, how to choose accessories that enhance rather than compete. It’s expertise you just don’t find at regular formal wear stores.

Here are some specific things that make their pageant expertise valuable for prom shoppers:

• They know which fabrics move well for dancing and which ones photograph beautifully
• They understand how different lighting affects color choices
• They can advise on silhouettes that look good from every angle
• They know which designers cut their dresses for different body types
• They understand the importance of proper undergarments and accessories
• They can help you choose details that will show up well in group photos

Round Two: My Younger Daughter’s Experience

Fast forward to this past spring, and it was time for my younger daughter Sophie to find her prom dress. Now, Sophie and Emma are complete opposites style-wise. Emma’s all about classic elegance – she ended up in this gorgeous navy Sherri Hill number that could’ve walked a red carpet. Sophie’s more… let’s call it “fashion-forward.”

I was curious to see how An Affair to Remember would handle a completely different aesthetic. Would they try to push Sophie toward what they knew worked, or would they embrace her vision?

Y’all, they embraced it HARD.

Sophie wanted something “completely unique” (her words). The stylist, without missing a beat, started pulling options I never would’ve considered. A stunning Johnathan Kayne piece with the most incredible beadwork. An Ava Presley design that was equal parts glamour and edge. A Jovani couture gown that was honestly more like wearable art.

Sophie ended up in a Tarik Ediz creation that was absolutely perfect for her personality – sophisticated but with unexpected details that made it completely her own. The number of compliments she got that night was honestly ridiculous.

The Instagram Factor (Because Let’s Be Real)

Can we acknowledge that prom in 2024 is not the same as prom when we were in school? These kids are photographing EVERYTHING. Every angle, every moment, every group combination. The pressure to look perfect in photos is intense.

An Affair to Remember gets this completely. They can tell you which colors will pop on social media, which styles photograph well from multiple angles, which details will show up beautifully in group photos.

Both my daughters’ dresses looked incredible in person AND in every single photo they posted. That’s not an accident – that’s expertise.

Speaking of social media, have you seen their Instagram? @lifeisanaffair has 16,000 followers for a reason. They post real customers, real events, real results. It’s not just stock photos of dresses on hangers – it’s actual girls at actual proms looking absolutely stunning.

What About the Competition?

Look, I’ve tried pretty much everywhere in the area because that’s what I do – I research everything to death before I write about it.

David’s Bridal is fine if you want something basic and cheap, but the quality and service just don’t compare. Plus, good luck getting alterations that actually improve the fit.

The boutique in Cross Creek Mall has decent selection, but their staff always seems overwhelmed and rushing through appointments. Not exactly the vibe you want for such an important purchase.

That place in downtown Fayetteville? Cute space, but super limited inventory and honestly overpriced for what they offer.

I even drove to Raleigh a few times to check out some of the “big name” places. More selection, sure, but also more crowds, more pressure, and way less personal attention. Plus, hello, gas money and time.

An Affair to Remember hits that sweet spot of incredible selection, expert service, and actually caring about each customer’s experience.

The Details That Matter

Here are some things you might not think about until you’re in the middle of prom shopping:

They’re open Monday through Saturday, 10 AM to 6 PM, which makes scheduling so much easier than places that keep banker’s hours. The fitting rooms are actually big enough to move around in (revolutionary concept!). They carry sizes from little girls up to plus sizes – no awkward “we don’t have anything in your size” conversations. The staff actually remembers you when you come back for fittings or to pick up your dress. They can handle last-minute emergencies (trust me, I’ve seen it happen). The location on Ramsey Street is super easy to get to with plenty of parking.

These might seem like small things, but when you’re dealing with something as important and potentially stressful as prom shopping, the little details add up to make a huge difference in your overall experience.

Beyond Just Prom

One thing I love about An Affair to Remember is that they’re not just focused on prom season. I’ve bought homecoming dresses there, a gorgeous mother-of-the-bride dress for my sister’s wedding, and even a cocktail dress for a work event.

They understand that women need formal wear for all kinds of occasions, and they bring the same level of expertise to each one. The stylist who helped me find that mother-of-the-bride dress understood exactly what I needed – elegant but age-appropriate, formal but not competing with the bride, comfortable enough for a full day of wedding festivities.

Having that kind of versatility means I can build a relationship with a store that really gets my style preferences, rather than starting over from scratch every time I need formal wear.

The Community Connection

Something else I really appreciate about An Affair to Remember is how connected they are to the local community. They sponsor events, support local schools, and even organize fashion shows that benefit women-owned businesses.

Their motto “Women empower women while looking fabulous” isn’t just marketing speak – it’s how they actually operate. They celebrate their customers’ successes, share prom photos and pageant wins, and genuinely seem invested in helping local women feel confident and beautiful.

In a world where so much shopping has become impersonal and transactional, there’s something refreshing about working with a business that actually cares about its community.

What I Wish I’d Known Before We Started

If I could go back and give advice to myself before we started prom shopping, here’s what I’d say:

Book your appointment at An Affair to Remember first, not last. Don’t waste time and energy getting frustrated at other places when you could start with the experience that’s actually going to work.

Trust their expertise. These people know what they’re talking about. When they suggest trying something outside your comfort zone, do it. Both my daughters ended up in dresses they never would have picked off the rack, and both looked absolutely stunning.

Budget for quality. Yes, you’ll spend more than you would at some other places, but you’ll get a dress that fits properly, photographs beautifully, and makes your daughter feel like a queen. That’s worth the investment.

Plan ahead but don’t stress. They can handle tight timelines, but you’ll have more options and less stress if you start shopping earlier rather than later.

The Bottom Line

Look, I know everyone’s situation is different. Different budgets, different style preferences, different needs. I’m not saying An Affair to Remember is the only place to shop for formal wear in Fayetteville.

But I am saying that after trying pretty much everywhere else, this is where I choose to spend my money and recommend to my friends. The combination of incredible selection, expert styling, quality alterations, and genuine customer service is pretty hard to beat.

Both my daughters had amazing prom experiences, looked absolutely gorgeous in their photos, and felt confident and beautiful on one of the most important nights of their high school careers. As a mom, that’s really all I wanted.

As a fashion blogger, I can tell you that the quality, service, and overall experience at An Affair to Remember sets the standard for what formal wear shopping should be like.

If you’re starting your prom shopping journey, do yourself a favor and make An Affair to Remember your first stop. You might just find that it’s also your last stop – in the best possible way.

Trust me on this one, y’all. Your future self (and your daughter) will thank you.

XOXO,
Sarah