Stupid question - how to put on wedding dress

I've never dove into a gown before....Nor have I ever been to a boutique or salon that lifted the gown above me.

You step into it...

I stepped into mine every time.

I should have mentioned, while stepping into it seems like the obvious solution, it's a ball gown so I have a petticoat as well...

The consultants went over my head to put on each dress then I stepped out to take it off. Go slow and take your time if you have to go over your head since your hair and makeup will be done

Yeah, you can't step in when a petticoat is involved. Usually though, I've found the zipper/buttons/corset is far enough down that there should be some room. You just have to be very careful.

Slip the crinoline under the dress and step into both at the same time.

Yes you just have to be careful lifting it up. The trick is the person helping you had to put their arm all the way through our as much as they can to get near the bottom of your dress. You then need to stick your arms up straight, bend or squat to help get it started. Most of the dress just falls into place then. Just also FYI most dresses you can't step in, ex mermaid or trumpet there would be no way in hell you could step in.

My friend had a big dress like this, we did what annie said, it worked great

I have a ballgown. You reach in and swish your arm around to create hole in the petticoat so you can see through to the floor, then just step in. Do not do this already wearing your heels, as you're more likely to tear the dress that way.

@AmanadaJeffrey if the petticoat isn't attached, how do you get it line up under the dress when you're not wearing it? I'm thinking about getting a petticoat too, but I don't know that I'd be able to line them up to create the hole to step into.

My first wedding, I wore a ball gown with a petticoat... I stepped in. It was the only practical way to do it. I arranged the petticoat inside the dress and then stepped into both at the same time. Then I had get somebody to zip and button me up in the back.

I stepped into my dress.

Very carefully. I stepped into mine, but I still had to put part of it over my head because it was a side zip and had an illusion neckline and straps. At every alterations appointment the seamstress tried to get me to put it over my head and every time I was like no, no, no, let's do it the complicated way.

It sounds like you'll have to dive into yours so, again, you do it very carefully. Maybe have one of your bridesmaids hold your dress in addition to your mom and go slowly.

I have to step into my dress. Going over my head would not work.

I did both. I think the easier method depends on your body type and dress style. When I was trying on dresses that were too small, it was easier to get them over my head than it was to step into them. Even though my bust and hip measurements are the same, it's easier to compress the chest to squeeze into something slinky.

Double Post!

It isn't as hard as it sounds to line the petticoat up with the dress and step into it. My dress was a fit and flare with a mermaid slip, and I was able to step into it and rearrange myself without any issues.

I stepped into mine but here's a pic of my friend diving into hers with a lot of help.

I dove into mine. It didn't cause any issues!

Ok good! I'm glad so many of you were able to manage without any issues. I supposed I should put on my dress more often to "practice" putting it on. Haha. @ Laura I love that pic!