Expert Tips for Brides: How to Prepare for Wedding Dress Shopping
Getting ready for your first bridal store visit can be so exciting! I’m going to share some of the important details about how to prepare for your appointments so you can have a great experience!
The first thing to do is be sure you have appointments set up with the bridal salons you know will cater to your personal preferences. If you are petite or plus size, go on the website and look at what they offer for you. Look at the featured designers to see if they have the styles and options you want. I recommend setting appointments as soon as you set your wedding date and have the venue decided. The wedding date and season along with the venue will impact the type of dress you will want. Ideally you order a dress at least 12 months ahead of your wedding date because it allows you the most flexibility. There are options if your wedding date is less than 12 months out, but be sure to discuss this with each bridal salon so they only show you dresses that require less time for delivery.
Decide on your dress budget so you can look for options in your price range. The average cost of wedding dress in my area is $1500, but it can be different in various geographies and the designer of course. Take some time to research dresses in a price range that you can work with. I fell in love with a dress that was $14,000 but that was not in my budget so I ended up finding my dress at a designer sample sale for a whole lot less. I brought photos of the dream dress and found something I really loved.
Before you start your wedding dress shopping, I strongly recommend taking some time to prepare yourself mentally and emotionally. Be kind to yourself and promise yourself that you will remain positive about your body throughout the experience. You can find a beautiful dress at any size so please do not allow this to become a time where you indulge any negative ideas about how you look. On that note: be very discerning about who you include in your bridal salon visits. Many salons limit the number of people you can bring with you so ask about that, but also consider that this is an important moment for you to start realizing your own vision. I do not recommend bringing anyone who often voices a strong opinion and doesn’t completely support you and what feels right to you. With anyone you decide to bring, please consider having a discussion about expectations at the appointment. You don’t want to be one of the brides crying in the dressing room with her stylist because a friend or family member made negative comments about how she looked. It is okay to ask for opinions and it is also okay to say that you love a specific dress so you won’t be soliciting any other opinions on that. It is also okay to tell people who might expect to go to the bridal salon appointments with you that you want to surprise them on the wedding day with how you look in the dress and not invite anyone you aren’t absolutely sure will be positive and supportive for you.
Have something light to eat before you go to a bridal store appointment. It is a lot of work to get those big dresses on and off, so a little nutrition and good hydration are a good idea.
WEAR NUDE UNDERGARMENTS. You can wear a strapless bra, although many dresses will not require a bra since it is sewn into the garment. Its generally advised to avoid shape wear at a bridal appointment, but if you want some smoothing you can always wear control top panty hose because they won’t add any bulk.
Do your research before your appointment and look at the current dresses from various designers featured in the salons in your area. Bring photos of some dresses that called to you online, AND be willing to try new things that you hadn’t considered. A bridal stylist often sees things you aren’t aware of, so give it a try and you might find the very best unexpected option!
Bridal salons have limited sample sizes so don’t be surprised if they use clips or bungee cords to get you into a dress. They will measure you and when you order a dress it will be ordered for your largest measurement. Almost every dress will need alterations and this is additional to the cost of the dress.
Don’t feel pressured to make a decision on the spot. I usually recommend setting an appointment with 2-3 bridal salons. If you are working with a wedding wardrobe stylist they will schedule the appointments for you. You can do this in one weekend and then look at your photos of you wearing each dress when you have time to process the experience. If you happen to be one of those people who just fall in love with a specific dress and you just know it is your dress, go ahead and order it!
Many brides now are wearing one dress for the ceremony and a second dress for the reception, so if you love two dresses and you have the budget for it, you can always wear both of your favorites.
You can also consider pre-owned dresses, designer sample sales and online orders if you need a dress more quickly.
The important thing about dress shopping is to have a good time and a positive experience is really created with the right expectations and the right attitude. If you are having a really tough day, or something has happened that has really thrown you off, bridal salons will suggest that you reschedule. This can be a fun, exciting experience so make sure you are in the right frame of mind to give that to yourself.
If you have a good budget, but limited time, you can also consider a wedding wardrobe stylist like me. I will have a detailed discussion about your body type, your style, your vision for your wedding and then create mood boards for your wedding looks including all the accessories. If you don’t work with a fashion stylist, you can still create a wedding mood board for yourself on Pinterest for each one of your wedding events. It is a great way to get clear about what you like and to edit out things that don’t work for you.
Last but not least, this is your wedding. This is your vision and you will be wearing this outfit in all those photos so make sure it expresses your style and what you want. You don’t have to feel constrained by any opinion or any tradition. If you want a pink, black or floral gown or you want to wear a suit, there are options for you! Find the look that makes you smile when you look in the mirror and remember to have fun doing it.
Your Fashion Fairy Godmother,
Julie Scott
