Your soul mate is now your bride and you are so happy. This is the exciting part of the wedding planning process: Finding your dream dress!
These are some things you should know before going to a bridal shop. They will make your first trip to the boutique easier.
This guide will help brides make the most out of their shopping experience. Here are some tips to help you prepare for your wedding dress shopping trip.
A wedding requires a lot planning, including dress shopping. This entire process can take a while, from the initial appointment to the final fitting. You can start shopping as early as one year prior to the event so there is no rush. You will have 2-3 months to browse, try on and make a selection. It will take 4-6 months for your dress to arrive and be shipped to you. Then it will be time to fit and tailor.
Many brides fail to find the right gown their first day of shopping. Don’t be discouraged. Here are some tips for first-time shoppers.
Set up an appointment
While some bridal boutique are open to walk-ins and others require appointments, you will have a dedicated sales representative to help you find the right dress. These consultants will help you find the style you are interested in and give you suggestions on other styles. You can also see how the dress will look after any alterations by having it cut and fitted. You can also make an appointment at each salon to create a schedule for the day.
Consider taking the day off during the week, as the shops will be less crowded than on weekends.
The sooner you start looking for your wedding gown, the better. You should plan to spend time in different boutiques, especially if you are looking for a wedding dress. It is important to allow enough time for you to find the right dress and to make any necessary alterations. It can sometimes take up to 6 months for a gown to arrive once it has been ordered.
Find your favourite wedding dress styles
Most consultants will ask about your favourite wedding gown styles when you visit a boutique. It’s a good idea to do some research about the necklines, silhouettes, fabrics, and styles you prefer before the appointment. This will give the consultant an idea of the dresses they can pull.
The most common necklines for wedding dresses are:
Sweetheart
V-neck
Strapless
Scoop
Halter
Doing your research before you shop will help you to determine what styles you like and which ones you don’t. It can save you time by knowing what styles you like and removing the ones that don’t work for you.
This is only a guideline that you can use to help your consultant and you during your appointment. Try it on if you’re not sure about a particular silhouette or embellishment. Sometimes, a particular style or design will surprise you.
Keep a budget in your mind
Many brides shop in boutiques without having a set budget. Shopping can be stressful when you have to deal with the cost dilemmas. You can research the average price of dresses and set a budget to fit your needs. Consider attending a trunk-show where you may receive exclusive incentives for certain designers.
Make sure to talk to your potential buyer about the details so that you are on the same page. When deciding on your dress budget, consider the following:
Changes cost
Veils
Shoes
Accessory
Many brides-to be forget to include these costs in their budget, and end up exceeding their budget.
Important Tip: Don’t try on dresses that cost more than your budget. Avoid falling in love with dresses that are too expensive. You may feel the same way about other dresses you try. You have plenty of options, even if you are not within your budget.
Select the right entourage
This is a great opportunity to have fun with your mom, mother-in law, aunts, grandparents, and other family members. Remember, having a large entourage can cause stress and trouble. Stress!
Your entourage will have more opinions the larger it is. While different opinions are helpful, too many can lead to disagreements. Your entourage might start to feel that their opinions are not being heard, and may become frustrated. Remember that your opinion is the most important.
You may have the best chance to say “Yes!” to the gown if you bring two to three close friends. These are the people you will regret not having as a part your wedding dress shopping experience. They could include your mother, maid-of-honor, best friend, or future mother-in law.
You will receive the best opinions if you keep your support group small. They know you well and they are the closest to you. Even if they don’t love the particular dress you are wearing, they will still love it as much as you do. A great bridal appointment will be made when you have the right people.
Use minimal makeup
You’ll be likely trying on wedding dresses in expensive colors like ivory, champagne, cashmere, and white. We recommend that you don’t use too much makeup to avoid being responsible for paying extra for a gown you don’t like.
You don’t want your appointment to look like you just got out of bed. You don’t want to give the wrong impression by looking unprepared when you are wearing a wedding gown that is supposed to make your feel beautiful and amazing. Use the most makeup that you are comfortable with. Apply a little foundation, moisturizer, blush, and mascara to brighten your cheeks.
Your hair should be styled in a similar way to the one you envision for your big day. If you know that you will be wearing your hair in a low bun for your wedding, you can tie your hair up in a low bun while you try on dresses. This will give you a better idea of your wedding day look. Your consultant will also be able to help you choose the right accessories for your gown.
Before you shop, make sure to eat.
It is exhausting to shop all day! Your mind can wander in many directions when you are shopping for wedding dresses. Before you go, eat something. You can have a full breakfast, granola bars, or yogurt. It will make your shopping experience much easier.
Hangryness can impact your mood, attitude and behavior towards the dresses and others around you. You may feel unmotivated, unexcited, and even blah about trying on wedding gowns. Even better, bring a snack to give you a boost if you need it.
We recommend that you only make three appointments if you have multiple appointments planned in one day. You’ll be glad you did! A great idea is to plan a lunch between appointments. You and your group will be able to unwind and enjoy a delicious meal before you continue shopping. This allows you to talk about what you have seen so far and what you hope to see at your next appointment.
*Bonus Tip: Avoid eating too much or eating too many greasy meals. This can make you feel unwell and may lead to bloating. Eat something light and filling instead.
Keep your mind open
This is a crucial tip for brides shopping. You have done your research, and you know which styles you like. It’s possible that you think you know which style you will choose. You should still be open to new ideas, even though you may think you know what style you will end up buying.
Bridal gowns have silhouettes that you won’t wear in your daily life. Be prepared to bring the must-have styles that you would like to try, but be open to new ideas. Your consultant is an expert in all styles, shapes, and silhouettes. You may be able to get ideas from them about styles that will fit your body and shape.
It will make the appointment more fun for everyone if you keep your mind open. You don’t have to be afraid of stepping outside your comfort zone. But, you should also be open to receiving feedback. Tell the consultant what you like and don’t like. Also, tell them what you feel comfortable in. Your feedback will be invaluable in helping them find the perfect wedding dress.
How to Style a Wedding Dress
While you’ll likely try on many dresses while shopping, most brides prefer to wear comfortable clothes to their appointments.
You may already own the undergarments you will be wearing underneath your wedding dress (strapless bras, shapewear, etc.). Consider wearing them while you shop. Proper undergarments can not only reduce sagging, but they can also make a difference in whether a wedding dress fits well or poorly. It’s best to measure exactly what you will be wearing, as there are likely to be adjustments made to your gown. It will save you time and help you avoid having to alter your dress after the first fitting.
Bring or wear shoes that are similar to the ones you will be wearing with your gown. You can even find your wedding shoes online before you go dress shopping. Bring the heels or the shoe style you want to wear so you can see how your dress will look.
It is better to be prepared for shopping for wedding dresses than to be underprepared.
The Key Takeaways
Everybody has pictured the moment when they try on a dress and all their loved ones fall in love with it. No matter who brings you to the appointment, your opinion will be number one. Do your research before you go, but keep an open mind about whether you want to try certain designs.
Trust your instincts, and don’t listen to anyone’s opinions.
