Wedding Dress Shopping Guest Guilt - covid

I had my friends zoom in at my dress appointment and it was super fun. My boutique was actually well prepared because due to covid many brides are doing this.

It was a little bit hard to involve them but that's also because two different languages were involved.

To make it more special for your mom, you could ask someone who is with you at the appointment to take lots of pictures (if allowed) and look at them together with your mom later. Another idea would be to do accessory shopping (veil, shoes, jewelry) online and when they're delivered try those on with your mom. Many brides seem to shop accessories online and I wish I did because you can save a lot of money.

Is there a specific dress or designer that you're looking for? If you have more of a general vision in mind, there are still some places that offer try-at-home options (with a security deposit) so that your mom can be there with you in person when you make the final decision. I left a few examples below just from a quick search but I'm sure there are more options.

Vow Weddings: https://vowdweddings.com/try-at-home.html

Azazie: https://www.azazie.com/all/sample-brides?current_in_stock=yes

Grace and Ivory: https://graceandivory.com/try-on-process/

It might also be worth calling some local boutiques and seeing if after your appointment at the shop, you can maybe (with a security deposit) try 2-3 dresses on with your mom at home. The worst they can do is say no

We brought a 40 inch tv screen into the shop and connected the laptop to it and faced it to where bride would stand with the dresses. This way the bride could clearly see and hear the people who were participating via zoom bc of covid. No need for chat bc screen was large enough bride could see reactions, etc.

My mom and sister were really concerned with COVID and didn't attend my first dress appointment like I had wanted. I went with a friend to the first one and then went by myself a bunch of times to narrow down what I liked. I sent my mom tons of pictures and called her to talk about the dresses. Once I narrowed down my dress I asked my mom and sister again if they would be able to make it, but again if they weren't comfortable I didn't want to make them go. In the end they were able to make my last dress shopping appointment when I purchased my dress.

It ended up working out, but yes, dress shopping during COVID was a struggle because I felt like I didn't get that dress shopping experience that most brides do with a large group of girls drinking champagne and having lots of fun!

You could always go back to the shop with just her if she would feel comfortable doing that. Don’t have to limit yourself to only trying on dresses or even your top choices at just one appointment.

My mom was supposed to come, but she scheduled her COVID vaccine without telling me, so her second dose will be administered 2 days before I go dress shopping. Since most doctors suggest quarantining for 2 weeks after your 2nd dose, she won't be able to come. Which has me really upset because this is literally the only thing she'll be able to participate in because she lives in another state...

I'm just having my MOH and one of my bridesmaids come instead. I trust both of their opinions, and they're honest about what looks good on me, and what doesn't. I'm going to have my mom facetime in so she can at least see the dresses.

It's a bit further along, but what about when you get the dress altered? I also like the idea that @whirlwind mentioned, accessory shopping together to pick out the little things that will really make your outfit!

It sounds like you did a good job of communicating your concern for your mother and I'm sure she understands. Everybody is having to adjust and compromise with the world situation so we just do our best.