Dress shopping?

Definitely don’t buy the first dress you try on. Keep an open mind and try on everything. Be aware that models are airbrushed and nothing will look like it does on a real body. Make sure to go to at least a couple shops to see what your options are, but stay within budget. Don’t fall in love with a dress that costs you $1000 if you plan to change out of it after 60 minutes into a different dress. . Keep your entourage very small because too many opinions can sway you the wrong way. You will know it’s the one when you don’t want to take it off. Then stop looking.

I had a ton of ideas of what I thought I wanted but there dress I ended up getting wasn’t close to any of my ideas! I made appointments at 3 different shops but canceled my last appointment since I found my dress. At the 1st shop I tried on 6 different dresses before I found my dress. I knew it was the one, I could picture myself marrying my husband in that dress, I felt absolutely beautiful in it! However, I still couldn’t commit to it & I had another dress appointment to get to. I went to my other appointment & chose 5 more dresses to try on. I compared all those dresses to that last dress- that’s when I knew that I’d found my dress! It is possible to find your dress at the 1st shop!

So advice I was given that I really found beneficial was at your first appointment try on a dress in each silhouette to start. I started with a ballgown and worked my way down (Aline, mermaid, sheath, etc). Even if you are sure you don’t want a specific shape it’s worth it to try them all, you may be surprised.

I went to three different ones. The first one was terrible! They carried tiny sizes and not my style. The second one was a great experience but ai didn’t fall in love with any of the dresses. Third place, it was in the middle of COVID, and the shop had just reopened. The outside left me with a lot of doubts. But they had the best selection, and I fell in love with a dress that almost doesn't make sense for the venue! But I look incredible! So go in with an open mind, and try the all until you find the one
You’ll know it when you see yourself and other people’s reactions.
Lastly, the third place let me choose exactly what dresses I was going to try out beforehand and made me fill a questionnaire. Try to find something like that, because it makes shopping so much easier.

View Quoted Comment I’m only bringing my mom my sister and my aunt with me. I don’t like strapless Ssi that’s a no go but I’m willing to try all styles on. I just don’t know what I’ll like

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None of us do when we first start trying on dresses! Unless you live a lifestyle of ballroom gowns, none of us have ever tried dresses this elaborate. Go on Pinterest and make a folder- make it private and share it with the three people going with you. You might see a pattern emerging! Good luck!

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I did this as well. I scheduled an appointment at David's bridal for this, even though I knew that I likely wouldn't like anything at David's bc I went with my sister about a year or two before (for her dress that time) and didn't really love anything I saw. Then when I knew what silhouette I liked for my body and had style ideas of lace/satin/long train/short train/etc, I went to a local bridal salon that had a TON of options and i loved several. I started with dresses that were satin with flowy, tiered skirts and slowly worked to lace A lines with an illusion bodice and more sparkle and lace appliques than I thought I'd want. As I was trying them on, we set aside the ones I loved. And then I tried on the ones I loved again. There was one I knew (even after the first time putting it on) was the one, but I wanted to be certain. So I tried on THE ONE three times in that one visit. Ultimately I only went to two places, but tried on 16-18 total dresses.

I personally found mine at the first place I looked but I think it just depends on where you go, what your looking for and the number of dresses they have/the time you have there. I think I spent like 3 hours & tried on like 8 dresses and fell in love with one. I totally get not rushing to say yes at the first place, but you’ll know when you know. Definitely try to at least narrow down what kind of styles you do or don’t like so you’re not so overwhelmed with options

View Quoted Comment My wedding is in October of 2022. I’m in no rush to get a dress but it does take time to get the dress ordered then altered so I feel like I’m running out of time

View Quoted Comment Don’t stress out too much just yet! I’m getting married in May of 2022 and just found my dress last month! Obviously the earlier you find your dress, the less stressful it will be, but just try to schedule your first appointment and try on different silhouettes to find a style you truly love on you, and then you can narrow down your next appointment to know more of what you’re looking for. I was really worried about time too, but I luckily found my dress at my first appointment & hopefully you will too☺️

Well I ended up with the first dress I tried on at the first shop 😆. But I did try on others and went to another store just to be sure. I would say be open minded because you just never know which dress will make you feel amazing. If you find one that you know in your heart is the one don't let anyone else's opinions sway you. Enjoy the process!! It's so much fun.

One thing I don't think anyone has mentioned yet...be sure to sit down in the dress to make sure it's comfortable! My mom made me sit down to make sure I'd be okay with how it felt to sit in it. Try on different silhouettes as others have said. When I went, I had a good idea of what material I didn't want...satin is very hard to keep wrinkle-free sometimes and I'm not a huge fan of lace. I told that to my consultant and she let me pick some and she picked some. I ended up with a dress I absolutely love and it wasn't anything like what I envisioned myself getting when I walked in.

If you're able to, I recommend doing your first appointment by yourself, so you know what YOU like, without others' opinions. Good luck!

So I'd highly suggest going with as few people as possible. Everyone I know that brought a lot of people, regretted it because of all of the conflicting opinions.

Have a general idea of what you're looking for, but also don't be afraid to branch out. I ended up purchasing two dresses, both strapless and one is very fitted, which were two things I said I didn't want, but ended up loving on me. Don't worry about hurting feelings. If you don't like the direction your consultant is going, let them know, it's their job to help you find a dress, and they need your honest feedback.

I went to 3 shops. 2 in one day, the third on it's own. I'm glad I waited because I was close to purchasing one at the first store that I liked only because I was getting discouraged and tired of trying on dresses lol. I'd go to at least 2 stores to figure out what you like. You don't have to purchase your dress that day, and I highly suggest sleeping on it if you aren't 100% sure.

When in the store, walk around in the dresses, sit down, jump around, dance etc. Make sure that it's comfortable. Also, bring the shoes you'll be wearing, or ones of a similar heel height.

Most importantly, HAVE FUN!! I let my mom get to me at my first 2 appointments and it ruined them for me, so stick to your guns and enjoy the moment!

The issue is my mom and I disagree on the style dress. She wants me to try on something with a bit of poof to it and I don’t want that at all