Opinions Needed: Anyone think about trying on dresses without an entourage?

I think if you want to go by yourself then do it! And if you find something you really like you can send pictures to friend's or have them come back with you just to see the one dress.

You still have plenty of time but yes, always good to get moving. As for going alone, I'm too indecisive for that, but if you're not do it! More power to you. If you want everyone to still be apart of it, they can go when you pick it up.

Thats a good idea. Thats essentially what I did but unplanned. I tried on dresses alone and when I was with others I knew the style I was looking for and only tried on like 3 before I got my dress.

I think making a trip by yourself to narrow down what style of dress you want first is a great idea. Dress shopping can be very overwhelming and this feeling is exacerbated when you have multiple opinions in the mix. Once you have narrowed down your favorite selections, that would be a good time to invite a few people to give their input. But I would advise against having a big entourage. Try to keep it around 3 people or less if you can.

I thin it's a great idea! Maybe I should try that as well!

If that's what you want to do then I say do it. Sometimes too many opinions can confuse people.

I think it's a great idea! I went with too many people my first shopping trip and I left feeling completely overwhelmed. If you narrow it down and then take people back to pick, I don't think you'll be as confused and everyone will be able to clearly see what you want. The opinions won't be forced upon you as much!

Yes, i went alone several times.

There is no problem with going by yourself, just have them come to your alterations appointment instead.

Honestly, I wish I had the first time I went shopping. I was trying to look at what I was drawn to and they were constantly calling me over at what they were looking at or pulling dresses I didn't like for me to try on when I was in the fitting room. I was an emotional wreck by the end of it.

As I was living away from family and friends last year I did a lot of dress hunting on my own. I used the professional opinions of the ladies at the shops and it made it a lot of fun and not so much about impressing everyone else for their tastes and the styles they wanted to see me in. I was able to find a gorgeous dress for me and not anyone else. it's not so scary and can be quite an adventure and MUCH easier to plan when you don't have to work around 5 different schedules. Narrow it down to a couple and then take those important people to see it if you so wish. Or keep it a surprise for the big day.

I went to DB by myself to look at dresses before I went to the dress stores with my mom and BP. I just wanted to be able to look by myself and see what I thought about styles without other people's opinions influencing it.

I think it's a good idea. And I probably will do the same. Less pressure.

And what about online shopping? Too risky??

You have plenty of time, but it can't hurt to take a look alone if you want. Or with just a couple of people. I only had my daughter (MOH) and mother with me. I love my friends but didn't want a lot of differing opinions and I knew that my daughter would be brutally honest LOL

First of all, you still have a lot of time. Secondly, I didn't want an entourage either. I felt, as an older 1st time bride, I am a big girl now, I've dressed myself for events for a long time now, please ... I do not need the entourage. I loved my independent dress shopping experiences. ONCE I brought my mom early on to appease her. It was when I had already gone once by myself and found a contender dress that I never did end up getting. She was sort of upset with me that I didn't choose it. Oh well. I'm paying for my dress and wanted to make that ultimate decision. Once I finally found my dress I asked the shop to give me a week to think it over. During that week I brought one bridesmaid with me to go see it to get her opinion. If she wasn't available it wouldn't have been the end of the world for me, I still would have chose the dress with or without her. She did give her approval on it, whether it was BS or not, I don't know, we aren't friends anymore unfortunately obviously she isn't in the wedding either ... that's another story. The way I look at it is there will be plenty of other opportunities for bridal party get togethers with champagne and girl stuff. Your dress is very personal. As you will see on this forum, often girls will write that so-and-so didn't really like their dress .. and that they feel disappointed. It really is all about the glow of the bride I am learning and that damn dress that we stress about often goes unremembered. I had a bridal consultant tell me that early on ... that no one remembers the dress but they always remember how happy the bride looked

The first time I went, I went alone - intentionally, for some of the reasons you listed above. I loved it!! I was able to see what style I liked, what i felt good in, etc. The 2nd time, I just took my 12 year old daughter. We had blast! I can always count on her for HONEST feedback, which is great. And she tried on some BM dresses, too. For my first time looking, I wouldn't do it any other way.

I did it myself, although unintentionally. I just went to browse because I had some free time and ended up falling in love and getting the dress. I love it and I know FH will love it so that's all that matters to me. I'm sure some ladies in my life are going to be pissed, but hey it happened.

I went alone dress shopping. I did not bring anyone until the last day when I had already decided which dress I liked. And the friend I brought is not very opinionated, she told me she knew it was my dress because they way my face looked in the dress. I am happy with my decision. I took pictures and sent them to my mother but she didn't sound so excited because she was thinking about what she like for herself. There is nothing wrong with going alone. If you do go with others, don't let them sway your decision because you know what you like.

I'm thinking about going alone, too, at least at first. My MoH lives out of state and my other bridesmaids, though very sweet, are sort of the opinionless types which I can see becoming irritating. I'm easily swayed by the opinions of others--especially my mom--and I want something I love. If I have to be convinced, then it's not real. If I have to be talked out of it, it's not the right decision.

I think you're on to something! Go by yourself first, narrow down your options, and then invite your friends/family to ohh and ahhh with bubbly! :-)