Help! How did you get your wedding party and mother to pick a dress shopping day?

I totally get your frustration! But everyone doesn't have to go on the same day if you're having trouble getting a date everyone is okay with. If it were me, I would try one more time to get something together, set a date, whoever can't come just won't be there.

Are you doing matching dresses, colors, chose their own? I know with a wedding I was recently in, we couldn't all go together to try on dresses but the bride had already chosen the dresses she wanted us to wear - whoever didn't go to the fitting just had last pick. I think that's one way to light a fire under people to get them to make time, no one wants to wear a last-pick dress that doesn't flatter them!

Good luck!!

View Quoted Comment Meghan thank you!! The dates idea seems to be common so I am going to use that advice! And the advice to being the ones who couldn't attend to the pickup to try them on is something I will definitely be doing with a few of my bridesmaids. Thank you again for that comment!

View Quoted Comment That's similar to what I'd like to do, I don't want to pick one style of dress as my bridesmaids will not all look good in the same style since they all have different sizes and body features that work well with certain styles. I want everyone to feel comfortable and beautiful. My idea was to take them in small groups like 2-3 at a time and try on what they wanted to find the right style and if I don't have a dress yet I would continue to look for one. I do have a color selected and a few of my bridesmaids are available to come when I select a date so I will start with them. I suppose I can see how it could be overwhelming too and I will definitely take it into consideration, that is a great point. I know some of my bridesmaids are not sure what they would like so that's one of the reasons I chose to start this summer for dress searching also.

View Quoted Comment Thank you! I originally wanted 2 groups but it looks like it will be more like 4-5 which works out better in the end just wasn't how I saw it in my head. I am doing different style dresses but same color of red. Right now I am torn between 2 red shades but shou

*should be picking one soon. I definitely might have to push them with that warning lol that should work as last resort like you said no one wants to wear the last pick dress

Pick some dates that work for YOU, then send them to the people you want to include and go with the one that the most people can attend. Then just go regardless of whether every single person can make it!

It's your wedding they should be accommodating you!

My experience was actually much easier than I expected! I sent a message to everyone explaining how I would love everyone to be there, though understood the reality of finding a day to work for everyone would be difficult. I then suggested a few dates that worked for me, and asked them all to share which of the dates did and did not work for them; I said I would pick the date that would work for the most people, and the others would have to go another time with just me to get their dress! Surprisingly there was a date that worked for everyone, so that was awesome!

Best of Luck!

View Quoted Comment Thank you!! I definitely am not used to being straight forward with things nor have I been in a wedding or planned one lol

View Quoted Comment Yes, I feel they should be accomodating me for sure, it is definitely hard for me to put down that need to adjust to make it work. I know I play a role in this as well. I have expressed my excitement and stated I knew it won't work for all. I'm definitely going to make smaller groups and make that work. I had unrealistic goals and am going to rearrange things so it works. Thank you for the advice!!

Send a google calendar invite - or a meeting invite if you use outlook. That way you aren’t going back and forth, that is for the birds. Think of it as scheduling a meeting for work.

View Quoted Comment Samantha, Oh my gosh!! Thank you!! That is a great idea!!

View Quoted Comment Glad to help! I find with scheduling work meetings everyone seems to wait for the boss to select his preferred time then they all do LOL but this way, YOU aren’t trying to corral them all!

View Quoted Comment I love it!!! Thank you so much!!

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I did exactly that. I had one experience going with just 2 of my closest girlfriends/bridesmaids, and then one experience with just my mother. Somewhat due to Covid, but also due to scheduling issues. I ended up having two completely different experiences, and the Bridal shops were much more respectful and pleasant when I went with just my mother. I ended up ordering a custom gown online and it was THE BEST decision.

View Quoted Comment Megan, so glad to get someone's input that did dress shopping this way! I think all the experiences will be different for sure as they all have there distinct opinions and ways of stating them. I hope the outcomes turned out as well as yours did!!