Dress Shopping Next Weekend!

Eat a meal before and bring water with you. Wear the underwear that you’re most comfortable with a stranger seeing you in. Preferably white or nude with no patterns. Bring shapewear if it typically makes you more comfortable. Bring/wear a strapless bra if you have one. Prepare yourself to take your loved ones feedback into consideration, but ultimately choose the dress that you love even if it’s not their favorite.

Yay! Try to enjoy it... I also suggest wearing underwear you'll be OK having a stranger see you in. Also have snacks around if it's a big store or know where you'll grab a bite after. But most importantly, I think you should come in in the correct headspace: have some kind of vision (even if there's several very different ones!) saved on your phone to show the woman who will help you find the dress. Also try to arrive happy, calm, and confident. It's best to be as straight forward as possible and just say what you like and what you don't--that shouldn't offend anybody and it will keep the appointment on track.
I was afraid I wouldn't find any dresses special because I wear costumes for a living, but that was sooo not the case. You just might surprise yourself! 😊 Hope you have a good appointment! 😊

Be open to trying on a lot of different styles- they look SO different once they’re on as opposed to on the rack. I tried on a bunch I had no interest in, and it was nice to see certain aspects of each dress that I liked. Also, be open to 2 pieces! I ended up choosing a top and a skirt and will just have them sewn together.

Also, when telling any consultant your budget, factor in alterations so you don’t end up with a dress as your maximum budget that needs a lot of tailoring. Good luck, have so much fun!!!

Relax and enjoy. I'm also not a dress person but I had a few styles in mind and was open to trying on new ones as well. Fun fact: my dress was not on that list haha.

And don't feel bad for sticking up for yourself. If you feel like the consultant is bringing you dresses out of your budget, then speak up. Mother driving you nuts about wearing a veil? Speak up!

View Quoted Comment Thank you!! Very helpful!

View Quoted Comment Thank you!! I’ll definitely give your advice a try!

View Quoted Comment Didn’t consider adding alterations as part of the budget! Thank you!

View Quoted Comment Thank you!! I will stick up for myself!

Go with an open mind and try on a variety of styles/fits. I thought I knew exactly what I wanted for YEARS lol but then when I tried the style on, it just wasn’t for me. Take video of you walking in the dresses you like the most as well so you can see how they move with you. Have fun!!!

Be open to trying on different styles, you might be surprised what looks good on you. Breathe and have fun

-Take a ton a photos AND videos.
-Research designers/dresses and save photos to your phone in case they carry those dresses so you can try them on
-Try on each style, you might be surprised and end up liking something you never thought you would
-Limit your entourage, having too many opinions may be unnecessary. In the end, it’s what you feel beautiful in and what you see yourself wearing when you marry your hubby
-Wear a strapless bra and seamless underwear. Two of the bridal salons I went to didn’t provide robes, one of them let me get undressed in front of them and said “we do this all the time.” Made me feel a little uncomfortable.
-Maybe have your hair curled/makeup done so you can visualize more of how you’ll look on your wedding day.