Tip for Dress Shopping?!

Also, should I bring in pictures of styles that I like or try in go in blind with an open mind? I honestly have no idea what style will look best on my body.

Strap less bra.

Don't worry about your shows and hair just yet. You will know with our having either of those things perfected yet. Enjoy ! And bring pics of what you think you'll like

1. I would just put it up. Doesn't have to be fancy, but do put on makeup and stuff. It will make you feel a lot better about yourself and give you more confidence while shopping.

2. I didn't worry about shoes because they normally don't order them in the height you need.

3. I think the bra depends on the dress. I'm not wearing a bra so it didn't matter.

I personally would also suggest trying going on your own at some point. I bought my dress when I was by myself and it was really nice not having people in my ear telling me what they did and didn't like. At the end of the day, it's your dress.

Definitely bring pictures of what you like but be open to trying on different styles and colors! You never know which will be the One. I think considering comfort is important, some dresses are itchy or whatever and I did not want to itch while marrying my FH! I just threw my hair in a ponytail don't worry about it looking super nice. And take tons of photos to look at later to help decide! I loved a dress and it turned out to look awful in photos so you never know. And have fun!

Most dress shops sell shoes as well so you can try different types.

I know the place I went gave me undergarments to try and shoes! Just don't settle! That's all I can say!

You practically get naked minus your underwear when you're in the dressing room with the dress attendant with you - hope you aren't shy!

I recommend wearing a nude or a light colored thong.

Bra: doesn't matter, I just took mine off in the dressing room.

Don't eat before you go, but do bring a snack bar with you. I got terribly hungry while trying on dresses.

Decently fix you hair and makeup and bring a ponytail holder so you can put it up as an option. I wouldn't advise looking like he just rolled out of bed, but you don't have to look like you're going to prom either.

Unless you already have your shoes it doesn't really matter. I just went barefoot. Your dress is going to get sized/altered anyways on your second trip.

Every dress is usually going to be way too big, try to look past all the clamps and clips.

Ask what their waiting period is. Some dresses take six months to come in, others take a month.

Take photos in the dress. Some dresses that look beautiful in person, look awful in photos.

Have fun!

Thanks all, definitely makes me feel better!! Also, out of curiosity, how many times did you go shopping before you found your dress? I'm a very indecisive person, so I'm super nervous about not being able to make a decision! Did you really just KNOW it was the one?

Hey there! I just found my dress the other day!

For your hair, I would probably wear it in just a simple ponytail if you're thinking of an updo for the big day. That way you can see what the dress looks like with your hair at least up.

For the shoes, if you don't know what kind you'll wear, I would just wear some that are easy to take on and off since you'll be changing all day. You can figure out what shoe works with your dress later.

I didn't wear a strapless bra when I shopped, but I also took my bra off when I put on the dresses. All of the dresses were supportive enough, and I don't really have enough boobage to cause an issue. But it just depends on what you're comfortable in!

Also, pictures are a great help if you kind of know what you're looking for. But I brought pictures and still chose a dress that was completely different than what I imagined.

As long as you love it, it'll be great!! Have fun!

I realize lots of these questions have been answered, but what worked for me:

I did my makeup fairly full faced, but didn't worry about hair. My hair is short, but for long hair I'd recommend having a pony tail holder so you can see dresses you like a lot with hair up and down.

I wore nude, no-seam boyshorts and they were perfect. I took my bra off and didn't wear one with any dress, but I'm small chested. I brought a strapless bra, but didn't end up using it.

I don't think shoes matter unless you're tall. I'm 5'11 so heel height could mean the difference between a dress being perfect and having to add hundreds of dollars for extra length. I brought shoes of the approximate height I thought I would like and am glad I did because I know realize flats or kitten heels are probably best (I don't want to pay $400 for a couple of inches of length...).

I didn't bring any photos, but had a definite idea of what I thought I wanted. I ended up buying a dress I never would have pictured on me that was stunning and basically everything I thought I would hate. I say try on what you think you like, but keep an open mind and don't roll you eyes if the stylist suggests a few things. It turns out, she was right in my case!

Oh and I went to one store, one time. I didn't have a super emotional response, but I did suddenly feel like a bride when I tried it on. I just knew. I then tried on a few more dresses and tried on "the one" about three more times. Each time it felt right.

Have fun!

Take lots of pictures if you're able, and don't be shy. if you don't like something, say something about it. you never know what can be customized, made differently, made detachable, etc.

my dress had this beaded belt thing i couldnt get over, so my stylist suggested getting it made as a separate piece, then i could decide what i wanted to do with it later. guess what i decided to do with it? sew it back on the dress.....such is life!

Also, from my experience you really only have time to try on a few dresses at each shop. rarely are they letting you paw through the dresses and try on whatever you want like you'd normally shop for yourself. that being said, if you don't like a certain aspect of a dress, stop trying that on. i quickly learned that i didnt like anything with illusion netting, so i stopped pulling dresses with it.

and be sure to try on at least one shape or style you thought you wouldnt be caught dead in. you never know, you might fall in love with that ball gown!

Try on something you'd never expect to see yourself in. It's a fun experience so don't stress too much! I'd bring a simple strapless bra.

Definitely keep an open mind! When I went dress shopping I had this idea of how I thought I "knew" how I wanted to look... I. WAS. WRONG!

The dress I specifically went in for was pretty, but NOT my dress. Have trust in your consultant. Mine picked me out the most amazing dress.. It had so much of what I thought I did not want.. but its perfection. I can't wait to wear it

Like many people said.. try on ALL styles! I ended up hating the dress style I was set on when browsing the internet. Wear comfy clothes, something easy to get on and off! As for a bra, I didn't wear one when trying on dresses.

Don't worry about your hair or shoes yet. Worry about that at a later time. Definitely wear a strapless white or nude bra if you have one. If you don't, the boutiques you go to might have one you could wear.

Try ALL styles as already said. I ended up going for something I didn't think I would. You may not cry when you find "the" dress. I took a day to look back on the dresses I tried on and had to retry on 2 before I decided on the dress.

Just make sure your undergarments are things you dont mind a consultant seeing you in. Maybe nude colors? I wore a regular bra, but I brought a strapless and never used it. Be comfortable, it could be a long day. We started at one place and because we liked what we were seeing we canceled the other appointments. If you want an up do just wear your hair up. When I decided on the dress the owner came out, quickly twisted my hair up and gave a veil so really seal the deal. Places like David's will give you undergarments to try on with. Depending on the dress and how it fit they let me put a corset on with it and other undergarment type things.

I took heels with me since I knew I wanted to wear heels and I didn't need them. Unless you are super tall, they told me all bridal gowns are made for a 5'10" bride. Heels/shoes will be of better use when you see alterations.

Ahaha...I went into David's Bridal just wanting to glance, without an appointment. I ended up trying on 6 dresses because they didn't have an appointment for another few hours and they could squeeze me in.

Since it was super unplanned, I had a regular bra (they had me wear one of theirs). I was wearing gym shoes at the time, so I tried on dresses barefooted lol! However, I had created an account and favorited some dresses I liked that I saw online. Coincidentally, the dress I went with ended up being one I really liked online. I didn't even recognize it on the hanger; I just liked the look of it. The associate printed out my list and showed it to me once I was wearing it.

ETA: My advice is to most definitely keep an open-mind! Try on dresses even if you don't think it would look good on you. You'd be surprised! I had it narrowed down between two I really liked: a trumpet and a ball gown. I went with the trumpet, but never imagined I'd be torn with a ball gown! Also, I had a price point in mind. If I saw a comma in the price tag, I didn't even consider trying it on. I personally didn't want to fall in love with a dress that was over $1,000! One for the price. Two, in the moment you're not thinking about it, but you'll have to pay to get alterations done as well and that adds up! But that was my preference. If you're not picky on the price, then the world is your oyster!

I wouldn't worry about a bra. I took it off to get into the dress. Don't worry about having an exact hairstyle; if you're planning on wearing it up, wear it up, but don't worry about doing anything to fancy. Maybe clip it up so that you can take it down in case you get curious about what that would look like.

The biggest thing I can tell you is to go in prepared to walk away. I was soooo overwhelmed when I went dress shopping by the feeling of wearing the dress, and I bought my dress that day. I LOVE my dress and I felt beautiful in it, but there's a chance I would have found something that I liked better if I had said "I love this, but I'll keep looking." If you choose to take someone with you, ask that they remind you of that so that you don't feel pressured or end up pressuring yourself to buy something then and there.

I'm glad I'm not the only one! I'm going dress shopping for the first time this Saturday and I'm so excited, but also nervous because I tend to be indecisive.

Good luck and I hope you find the perfect dress for you!