Dress shopping was really disheartening

Hi Megan!
I'm really sorry to hear that you had such a terrible experience. Don't give up. I'm sure you will end up having an appt that will be great. As far as knowing what you like, you can look up different dress styles and save the photos for reference.
You can check the wedding dress tab under Planning to see what stores are near you or as far out as you're willing to travel. If you can't find a dress you like in store or just curious, don't be afraid to also check online. I got my dress off a bridal resale site called stillwhite.com. I wish you the best of luck.

I know how you feel. I’m a size 14 now ... was a 16 when I went shopping and I couldn’t try on a lot of gowns because of the hips and t***ts I was “blessed” with. I was fortunate that all of the consultants I had were very attentive and accommodating. Don’t get down on yourself or let this affect your next appointment. When you meet with your consultant tell her what you want and tell her about your last experience and I’m sure she’ll try to make up for what happened to you. I’d also call ahead and makes sure they have sizes in the gowns you want. I called each boutique before my appointment and made sure they had a good number of gowns in my size and had some of the gowns I wanted to try on. It’ll get better. You’ll find the one. If you’re a thicker girl like me you can try Brides By Young I believe they have a Chicago location.

Go to Jenny Yoo bridal. My cousin is a consultant there. Ask for Emma and you will have a great time!

It's okay! I almost cried from frustration and self-pity tbh, when I was trying on dresses alone with my mask on, in a store that had almost all the lights off due to covid and the store being "closed." It was all business and I was trying things on in the dark dressing room alone without the attendant. I heard one say to another "Oh! I forgot I had someone in the dressing room, be right back!" And then they acted inconvenienced when I asked to try on a veil, since they'd have to sanitize it when I was done. It was heartbreaking.

It's hard to choose a dress when you have to go off of what you think it'll look like when it's in the right size/color. I'm a visual person and didn't get that "oh my God, I look like a bride" moment until after the alterations. And even then, I only partially felt it since I didn't see it with the entire ensemble. I think it'll hit me the day of. But please know it's okay to feel discouraged, especially when you had imagined you'd feel a certain way and then it plays out different.

The person who loves you, loves YOU. And thinks you are so much more beautiful than you think you are. Unfortunately, not many women see themselves the way the rest of the world sees them. Sounds like you will have better luck with a different consultant who respects what you want! Every body is beautiful, you just need to be brave and keep an open mind until you find that perfect, beautiful gown that celebrates every inch of your figure. (I went to 4 different places before I realized what suited me best was a white bridesmaid dress).

Dress shopping was less than ideal for me too. One of the shop people actually started taking my bra off without telling me right after I explicitly said I am keeping it on.


None of the dresses felt right to me for one reason or another. I ended up trying on a lot of ridiculous dresses for the sake of the shop people (few will fully listen - I started not showing them pictures and full details but general feelings and my bare minimums and that actually helped a bit) and family and ended up choosing a dress family liked to have it over with and so there was a chance of me getting it on time. The shop person knew my height and that I wasn't wearing heels but sure enough - the dress they put me in and family fell in love with only comes in two lengths - either too short or too long and the edging is too difficult for their seamstress to hem.
There were a couple of outstanding places and people I did visit though. If the store isn't for you, you'll know and don't feel bad leaving without anything. If the store is for you, you'll know and focus your energy there and with them.
Once I accepted it wasn't the fairytale of the movies, it got easier for me. I also was much more pleased with more of the smaller shops.
One place offered to order a dress for me to try, are there any shops that can do that for you?
I'm hoping it gets better for you!

My first try in at David's was a nightmare and I left with a terrible headache . The local small shops were much better.

I'm so sorry!! That's so sad, but it isn't super surprising. The consultants aren't always great, unfortunately. I would wait a bit until you aren't so upset about it and then try a smaller, non-chain store!

It gets better! That was a terrible consultant. It did take me 8-10 stores to find The One even though I knew I wanted an A-like/ballgown (sleeves weren’t in when I shopped).


Definitely visit another shop. A good consultant will listen and also notice your reaction. She’ll help you go in the right direction. You’ll find it!

Aw I’m sorry that happened. I would say definitely do another appointment elsewhere because you never know it might be better

I agree with the other ladies here! It does get better. I've heard some advice of other brides telling consultants at other places about past experiences to gage of that bridal shop would be different. I would definitely ask people you personally know where they went and how the experience was. I'm so sorry this happened to you!

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Sara, thank you so much for the suggestion. I really appreciate it!

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Breann, I appreciate your post and related to it the most. I was definitely feeling some self pity and frustration after the whole thing. You're right, it is just nuts with the Covid restrictions and the businesses trying to bounce back so they're having many brides coming in. Thank you for the wonderful, positivity throughout. I hope you have your "bridal" moment and your big day is everything you've wanted.

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Thank you Megan! I hope you find the perfect dress soon

I'll keep an eye out if you post a pic on here

I completely understand! At my dress appointment, my mother and my stylist actually discussed the size of my hips and how I’d put on quarantine weight and needed to lose weight to look good in any of the dresses. Really, the stylist was putting me in dresses that didn’t flatter my body OR match what I told her I wanted (I’m a small person in general, maybe a LITTLE hippy but that’s just my body type, and the stylist kept trying to put me in mermaid dresses when I wanted flowy). I tried on 22 (yes, I counted) dresses and everything looked awful on me. I ended up sitting in the dressing room crying, calling my MOH because I was so upset. I was positive I would never find a dress I loved or that looked good on me. My mother ended up finding my dress in the plus size sale section. It was 16 sizes too big, and I was in love. It’s stunning and classically elegant with just a bit of lace, and a beautiful plain train. It fit both me and my venue and wedding style perfectly, and best of all the designer had the same dress in their warehouse ready to ship in my size.
I PROMISE it will get better, just hold out hope and remember, most of all, stick to what YOU want. My stylist was getting frustrated that I didn’t like any of the dresses she was putting me in, but at the end of the day, it’s MY wedding and MY $2,000, so I was going to try on as many dresses as necessary to get a dress I loved within my budget. Don’t compromise because other people make you feel like you have to! If you have to wait it out and go to fifteen bridal shops, do it! You won’t regret it in the end, and the right dress will be there that will make you feel beautiful!!

Been there and it does get better!! I’m in PA and after a few unsuccessful trips to other places, I went to a little boutique by myself. The Lady, her name was Sara, asked me what I was looking for. I told her “I want to look as thin, tall, and lean as possible” 😉 she actually picked dresses for me on styles that would compliment my shape. That’s when I found THEE dress! Mine has rousing around the middle (problem spot for me) that helped tremendously. I sing Sara’s praises wherever I go! You are not alone ❤️❤️❤️❤️