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Michelle
Dedicated June 2018

Wedding dress shopping...alone?

Michelle , on June 29, 2017 at 10:31 PM Posted in Planning 0 35

My first and only (to date) dress shopping experience was at David's Bridal in February. I took my mom, friend and sister with me, for support. Well, I was so overwhelmed by everyone's opinion! I tried on every silhouette and nothing stuck out! I tried on $1,900 dresses, looked at myself in the mirror and was like "eh." Plus it didnt help that I felt the DB girl helping was expecting me to buy THAT DAY. I can't manage to get my schedule with even 1 person to come with me. I'm contemplating going alone. Our wedding date is 6.22.18 so I have time. But I thought this was supposed to be fun? It's just not for me. And, we've secured our venue at a local golf course.

35 Comments

Latest activity by Alicia, on July 5, 2017 at 8:49 PM
  • SaraJ
    Super November 2018
    SaraJ ·
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    I haaaaaate shopping and especially trying on clothes. It's sweaty and constricting and awful IMO. I have set very low expectations of my dress buying experience hahaha. I would totally go alone if I felt others would influence my decision too much or if I was just trying to get it done faster lol.

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  • Brittany
    Devoted October 2017
    Brittany ·
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    I did both, 4xs with my mom and MOH. went alone and on a weekday 1x. Honestly i liked being alone better. Good luck

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  • MnmsMonique
    Super June 2018
    MnmsMonique ·
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    Hi date twin! You're further along than me. I haven't gone dress shopping yet. Like you said you still have time. Maybe schedule an appointment with one person close to you for whenever you two are free, even if it's a month from now. In the mean time do some research online and in magazines so that you at least know what styles you want, color, material, shape, etc. Also if you didn't fell David Bridal was giving you the attention you needed, try another bridal place. Not sure where you live but I have lots near me.

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  • alma
    Devoted October 2017
    alma ·
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    At first I went with all my bridesmaids dress shopping but they all had different opinions as to what I should get "if I were you I would get something like this" the following 5 times I went with just my sister and my mom. It didn't go so well I ended up more confused than ever. So the 6th and final time I went by myself best thing I could have done. Wish I would have done it earlier to avoid the rush order charge. The lady that help me took the time to actually sit down with me for 30 minutes to get to know the style I was looking for before even putting me on a dress. I ended up finding my dress that day. Something totally different then what I was originally looking for.

    Sometimes it's just better to go alone

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  • Amanda
    Expert September 2017
    Amanda ·
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    I normally prefer shopping alone. Wedding dress shopping may have been the exception. I only went twice. First was with my aunt and two of my friends who I knew would wait for my reaction before making a comment. The second time with the same aunt, but my mother and sister, two very opinionated people who speak before thinking. It helped the first time to be able to gather my thoughts and figure out what I wanted. The second time I found my dress, but I don't know if I would have if I hadn't had the first experience with people who were more able to sit quietly while I spoke my own opinions.

    There is no harm in going once by yourself. Maybe you will be able to focus on your own opinions instead of everyone elses.

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  • Natalie
    Super September 2017
    Natalie ·
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    I went with my MOH and BM the first 2 times. Found one I "liked" but didn't love. Went the last time by myself so I could walk around and look at my pace. Found my dress that day, took my mom back to see it the week after then bought it. Definitely go on a weekday. When I called and made the appt I told them that I just wanted to walk around for a while and look by myself. It worked out great because they booked 2 people for the consultant and she left me alone. Haha she was wonderful I just wanted to do it by myself. Good luck!

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  • stephanie
    Super October 2017
    stephanie ·
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    I ordered mine online to avoid this. After searching various sites and thinking about doing DB's try on at home option, I just ordered two inexpensive dresses from a place in China (should be here in a couple of weeks) and hope I like one of them and that it fits "good enough." If neither work I'll go to stores and look for something off the rack. I hate shopping. (And my wedding is only a few months away so I realize I need to figure this out pretty soon.)

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  • MrsPreach2018
    Master August 2018
    MrsPreach2018 ·
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    I wasn't looking forward to dress shopping, at first. Like MnmsMonique said, I looked online and watched SYTD, it helped me understand what I didn't like, the silhouette, fabric, styles and colors. I went once completely alone and the second time I took my MOH, daughter, mom and 1 bridesmaid with me. The consultant talked to me on the phone couple days before for about 30 minutes and the day of for about 15 minutes. Everyone kept their opinions to themselves until after I said how I felt. I ended up picking a dress completely the opposite of what I wanted, the choice of my daughter, MOH and the consultant.

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  • Katie
    Dedicated June 2018
    Katie ·
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    I had my mom and my mom and sister in law come. I went to David's Bridal the first two times and a local shop the second time where I got my dress. I loved having them there to take pictures and for feedback, but I went alone the last time when I actually ordered the dress. sometimes other people like dresses that you don't like and it skews your opinion....when I was ready to buy I had it narrowed down to three dresses and I just wanted to be alone with the dress! it helps I think.

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  • DesertFox
    Super March 2018
    DesertFox ·
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    I went to Over 5 stores and tried on at least 40 dresses during a couple weeks with my mom, mil, and sil . I ended up buying my dress by myself and enjoyed it the same. Got to listen to my own mind and opinion. It was nice!

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  • SarahKay
    Super July 2017
    SarahKay ·
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    You could always go alone and try on a bunch more dresses. If you love one, you could go back the next day or so and try on again with family/friends and buy it that day. That way you get the experience with everyone but you already know you'll love the dress!

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  • Andrea
    Devoted September 2017
    Andrea ·
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    I went alone to try on wedding dresses three different times at three different stores! I highly recommend it. I was able to go in and try on the dresses I wanted to try on. I wasn't swayed by anyone's opinion except for my own. Try going by yourself and figuring out what style of dress you like. It's less stressful that way!

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  • TAG Events
    TAG Events ·
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    Sometimes it is best to go alone. Both the sales personnel and people who go with you expect you to make a choice right away. Browse silhouettes that you like and then look up dresses you like online. Then you will narrow down what you want in the stores. If you're open to shopping online, that is a great way to find unique styles. Try JJshouse.com



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  • QueSeraSera
    VIP December 2017
    QueSeraSera ·
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    DO NOT BUY FROM JJSHOUSE.

    Not worth the risk. No.

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  • MrsRies&Love
    VIP May 2018
    MrsRies&Love ·
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    I would definitely go at it alone. I only took my mom because I knew she would be brutally honest with me, but otherwise would have gone by myself.

    If you're by yourself you'll have time to really look at each dress and decide what YOU want!

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  • NautiBride2018
    VIP June 2018
    NautiBride2018 ·
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    I actually went on my own yesterday and just bought my new dress, because sadly, one, I let others influence what I bought, and two, my original dress actually got ruined. Otherwise I would still have my original dress lol! But go alone if you'd like, it makes it much easier for you to make your OWN decision, not one based on other people's opinions.

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  • 033118
    Super March 2018
    033118 ·
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    I recomend going by yourself to narrow down the style/cut you really want. Then bringing a group for the final decision, so the vips still get to be part of the experience.

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  • bobbileighba
    Expert June 2018
    bobbileighba ·
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    We are date twins! I am not going with a conventional bridal gown so I have gone to Macy's and Nordstoms and tried dresses on just to get an idea what I like. I am going to visit my bestie in September and a bridal shop there has 4 watters gowns I love that no shops where I live have, so I will try those on with her, but have no problem coming back and doing more trying on by myself if needed. I think bringing too many people causes a mixed opinions. I prefer either one person or by myself.

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  • Heather
    VIP September 2017
    Heather ·
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    I had others go with me found one I loved but the others didn't. I finally got frustrated and went online to shop. Long story find one off the rack and have it fitted for your taste.

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  • GettingReady2Rumsey
    Devoted May 2018
    GettingReady2Rumsey ·
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    I went alone the first time, to get an idea of what I wanted. The next time I took my aunt and a friend. I ended up going back to the same shop alone to bite the bullet and buy my favorite! Going with someone was fun and helpful, but I also liked making the decision alone. I didn't need to hear any more opinions about my dress not having enough bling or it being at the top of my budget.

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