Trying wedding dresses

At alfred angelo they give you the slip and bra to put on by yourself.. if you need assistance they help but once you have that on they will come in and help you put on your dress.. If your nervous about that take someone with you that your trust that your not 'shy' around and you can change infront of so they can help you if you need it... =) hope this helped

I only went to one store.. and ended up getting my dress online.. but when I was at the store they waited for me to be in the dress and then came and did up the back or clipped it.

Well when I went you could wear a strapless bra or they gave you one that cover your entire upper half and a slip also. So I was covered up and she only came in after to help me in and out of dresses.

I just wore my regular undergarments. The lady doesn't have to be in the room with you, if you can do as much as you can for yourself and call her in maybe just to zip you up, you should be just fine. Just make sure she knows that you'd like to remain covered as possible and that you would like her to wait outside the room (and she actually should be asking you which you prefer if she is good at her job). You won't need a slip because she will likely provide you with one.. she will probably ask for your bra size so she can bring you a bra to wear under your dress (at David's Bridal they give you a shaper with a bra attached & a petticoat- or poofy skirt so you can see what you'll look like in the full bridal attire)

What a relief! I had no idea they provided the undergarments.

Thanks ladies!

I went to davids bridal and the gave me a seamless long line bra to try the dresses and the consultant would only come in the dressing room if I needed any help.

It definitely depends on where you go! some places leave you in the room and wait until you have the dress on. two places i went to stayed in there while i got undressed, waiting with the dress (my mom and sis were in there too) to pull over my head.

i think all shops have bras for your to try on; personally i don't wear bras other people tried on, and i wash all my "new" underwear before ever putting them on, so i brought a corset bra and a strapless bra.

I went to both DB and AA, at DB the lady was in the room with me the whole time. While I put on the bra they give you and put on the slip. Honestly I didn't really care, I think at one point I actually walked out of the room with just the undergarments on, but since they covered everything I didn't mind. At AA the girl had me put the slip on by myself (very different than the one from DB), and they didn't give me a bra. She just told me to tuck my straps in. She was with me the whole time while I was putting on and taking off dresses.

I preferred them in the room with me because it made everything so much easier. They work with these dresses everyday and know exactly how to put them on and take them off in a short time. I feel it would've taken me forever to do it by myself.

I feel you. I was super nervous my first time, not knowing what to expect. I've been to DB, AA and independent bridal salons. All three have provided the strapless bras and slips if wanted. I was left alone to undress in private, then the consultant would come back in to help me with the gowns. I couldn't have tried the dresses on alone, nor would I have wanted to.

Have fun! These are exciting times for you! I wish you the best in finding THE dress! : )

Shave... legs and armpits.

Wear nude panties that cover your butt. (you'll be flashing your butt, maybe even wear leggings)

Bring a camera and a note book. (some don't let you take pictures but you can write down the designer tag name... and some have style # on the Bridal Shop tag *sometimes they are the designer#, sometimes it is the designer # reversed)

Wear a strapless bra. (some provide one)

Bring some heels.

Don't wear too much foundation - if it is too noticeable they will ask you to wash your face.

Only bring 1 or 2 people... too many opinions will drive you crazy

Try on EVERYTHING!!!!! NEVER trust the hanger... you may hate it on the hanger but it could be THE ONE when you get it on.

Don't turn away a dress because it is not what you were looking for. Your "dream dress" might not fit your body. Try all silhouettes.

and a hair clip... it gets hot getting in and out of those dresses.

When you start saying "I like it but not as much as the last one" you know you are getting close - you will start referring to one as "the one"

Don't feel pressured into getting it that day. I found "the one" and still went to 2 stores and tried on more dresses and went back the next week to buy "the One" when I was absolutely sure.

and HAVE FUN!!!!!

good luck!

@Ester C...keep in mind too that your consultants are trained to help make you comfortable and nothing shocks them anymore. They should be very good at giving you your space while slipping between the two dresses. I used to work in a bridal salon and that time in the room with your consultant is valuable. They are your biggest advocate, and as they get to know you they can start to make suggestions and pull dresses. Your consultant will know her stock, and not everything is found online (some stores have instore exclusive dresses to protect the designers).

Once you get into the long line bra (most salons should have samples...they are trying to sell them!) and the slip you will practically have on a strapless gown. You will be completely covered.

I was worried about that too, honestly, but the women that work at those stores are sooo used to seeing women's bodies that they don't even really look. I was self-conscious the first couple of dresses and then I just stopped caring and let everything hang out!

And yes, I agree, wear full-butt underwear. I felt a little exposed in my thong... Didn't think that through!

I also agree with the other women that said to try on everything, even though it doesn't seem like your style. I tried on a dress that I wouldn't have even looked twice at on the rack and it turned out to be perfect!

Good luck, and happy shopping!

I've been to Kleinfelds and RK bridal in NYC and at both places the consultant stayed in the room with me the entire time. Kind of awkward at first but you get used to it. I also wore a strapless bra each time, but both consultants suggested i remove it since most dresses I was trying on had built in support.

This was also an issue for me. I brought what I thought I could wear as a body armor only to find out that I needed their corset. Well, I was having issues with the corset. So, the consultant knocked and I told her I needed help. I was facing the wall, only my back where the corset needed to be fastened and my granny whites were showing. The consultant helped me step into each dress and zipped me up. If you are uncomfortable, bring someone you are comfortable with to help you.

Hayley...I love your list. Sadly, I didn't read the undie suggestions and wore my "granny whites". I was mortified.

Keep in mind that not all salons will allow you someone not employed in the rooms to help you with the dresses. (the more expensive the dresses, the more of a chance they will not let you try on unless they are in the room with you). But it is also about offering good customer service. In the room is where you make your first impressions of the dress when it is on your body. Having someone there to help (and that is neutral) makes a huge difference, especially if you have an opinionated crowd with you, they will always have your best interest in mind, where your family will have their own visions of what they want. I have had instances where a bride never tried on "the dress" because her helper did not like it on the hanger. Your "helper" guides the appointment, and you want them to be knowledgable about what is going on.

I didn't find it an issue when I went to try on dresses, even though I am quite modest as well. Next time though I will actually try to do my hair a little nicer before I go. That was one thing that was actually a distraction (I have relatively long hair)

By the way, I'm just a LITTLE creeped out now by you ladies mentioning people trying on dresses in a thong or no undies. Ewwww! lol

When I was fitting bras for customers, I always stood behind them, while their own bra was still on. I would hold the bustier up in front, then the customer would hold

the bustier while I would unsnap their bra. Then, once I started hooking up the bustier, the customer would pull out her own bra. No girls exposed. I always let the customer adjust herself into the cups. It is very important that the consultant dress the bride. These gowns are heavy and have fragile materials. We know where they need to fit on the body so that they will look their best. If the sample is not the right size, we know how to make the sample look like it does fit so that you will see its potential. The consultant is your ambassador. They are on YOUR side, while members of your bridal party may have their own agendas even if they don't realize it. When picking out your wedding gown, I agree with Hayley and Romona. Only bring one or two people with you.

Don't make the mistake I made the 1st time I tried dresses on. NO THONGS!!! And yes... it was at DB where the consultant was in the dressing room with me the whole time. I couldn't believe I didn't think to put on full coverage panties.

At both places I went to one being DB I went into the fitting room myself and was told to ask for help if I needed it. I'd come out with the dress on and the consultant would fix the back for me. It wasn't awkward at all.