Wedding Dress Shopping

The only person I took was my mom and it was the best decision ever. Fewer people, fewer opinions. I would also check with the shops that you plan to visit since most places are limiting the number of guests due to covid.
I don’t think there’s any “normal” way to go about dress shopping, but my mom and I did go to lunch before my appointment. You will definitely want to eat before going and bring a water bottle. Changing in and out of dresses is exhausting! I wore leggings, a “bride” T-shirt, and a denim jacket, but I didn’t think it was necessary to wear something special shopping. I would recommend doing your hair and makeup for your appointments to get a better idea of the whole package when you’re all done up on your wedding day. Also bring a strapless bra if you own one and nude or white underwear.

I would recommend checking with the bridal shops you plan to visit before inviting anyone to come with you. I am also in process of setting up some appointments, and have found that since reopening, many have dramatically cut back the number of people they allow to attend with the bride (some that I've looked at only allow 1-2).

I only took my mom and dad with me dress shopping. I decided I did not want a bunch of opinions thrown my way. My parents paid for my dress, so my own opinion, and theirs, was all that mattered to me. My bridal party went with me to pick it up when it arrived. Many bridal boutiques limit the amount of people you can bring. So make sure you check on that before you get your crew together!

We did brunch before and celebratory drinks after I said "yes to the dress". I wore nice jeans, a dressy top, and botties (it was winter).

I brought my MOH, my mom, (facetimed my dad when I found the one) and my mother in law. I trust their opinions the best and they're always honest. We went to a late lunch after and celebrated me finding my dress. It was a very special day.

I only brought my mom, I don’t think having a ton of people with you is a good idea. Too many opinions, and right now a lot of shops are limiting number in your party due to COVID.

Oh, I didn’t answer the other questions:


I dressed in jeans and nice top, so did my mom. Wore jewelry I might wear day of to get the idea. We had lunch after and cheers’d finding the dress in the first appointment.
I think a lot of people there will prevent from finding the one right away. Trust your gut and maybe one other person. Have fun!!!!

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Great ideas! Thank you!!!

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The main one i want to visit is open only by appointment. They aren't a walk in facility so I'm sure the rules will be a bit more lax.

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Awwww! Sweet!!!

I would want my mom and my bridesmaids... i feel that expereince is very special .

I had my mom and one of my bridesmaids who FaceTimed the MOH. Tons of pictures were taken to share with the other bridesmaid and others as I saw fit.
I wore jeans, flats similar to my wedding shoes, a strapless bra, and a shirt that had my new monogram on it.


We came back to my house afterwards and had a glass of wine to celebrate. We were very low key.

I went dress shopping on 3 occassions: with my mom and dad to one store, with my mom to one store, and with my mom to two stores. We didn't do anything special, but make sure you do eat something because trying on dresses is tiring! But give yourself time to digest.


Also, wear shoes that will be a similar height to what you will wear at your wedding so you get a real feel on how you'll look. (For instance, your posture changes if you're barefoot, in heels, in flats.) Also so the same with your hair and make up. A lot of brides do their trial prior to dress shopping. I didn't do that much, but I knew my hair would be down, so I wore it down. (I had it in a bun for one round, and it completely changed the look!) And I threw on some basic eye shadow and lipstick.

I wore clothes that were easy to change out of: leggings and a tunic for one trip, comfy jeans and top for the other two. Make sure you're wearing nude underwear, because colored underwear will show through the white and white-like dresses. You will get up close and personal with your consultant (potentially topless), and the dressing room may be small or hot, so make sure you're freshly showered and wear deodorant.

Finally, don't let anyone talk you into something you're not 100% in love with. I bought my dress in late March for a July wedding, and my seamstress would have had alterations done by May, so don't buy into the "you have to order NOW" marketing (unless you're doing designer or custom). With stores changing their return policies, you might not be able to cancel or exchange a dress you regret. But if you do find something you love, grab it and enjoy the glow. It's a major piece of your wedding puzzle, and it's a joy to find your dress.

Fewer guests are better or you get overwhelmed. Allow 90 minutes for the appointment. Bring water (you get thirsty). Don’t book more than 2 appointments in 1 day. Get your guests to take pics. Enjoy!

I did a pop-up sample sale, so my MOH and 2 other friends went with us (it was the middle of a weekday). It was a week after I got engaged, so it was very spur-of-the-moment. Ended up finding my dress, so we celebrated with lunch.

There's no "normal" - there's what works for you!

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I also feel the same

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Thank you SOOOOO much!!!! I appreciate your detailed response!

I went dress shopping last August and took my mom and my bestie who is one of my MOH. My Bestie video chatted my sister who lives out of state and couldn't be there. We went to lunch before the appointment. The best advice I was given was limit the amount of people you take with you and do your hair/makeup. Normally I'm a throw my hair in a ponytail, no makeup and a jeans and tshirt kind of girl. But for that day I wore a dress and did my hair and makeup like I was going out for a nice evening. It made it a lot easier to see what the end result could look like. I had a basic nude bra on because I was planning on looking at different styles and wasn't sure what to wear. Many of the stores had more "proper" undergarments (like the ones you would actually wear under it....not just a basic bra.) that they had me try on.

COVID-19 unfortunately high-jacked my experience. I could only take FH and everything was closed. Even though you do have an appointment, I'd still recommend confirming that you can bring anyone you want. I just wore leggings and a tank, clothes I could get in and out of easily. Also made sure I wore makeup to get a better feel.

In my dream scenario, I'd go to brunch first with my mom, SIL, and best friend. I'd eat light though....I bloat easily. Then I'd have a champagne toast at my place if I found the dress.

I will say, I was engaged when I was in college and I made the mistake of wearing a super sexy, black lace g-string shopping.....it was kind of embarrassing!

I took my mom and my sister and we facetimed my other sister and my MOH. I wore a dress with a nude, strapless bra and nude underwear. We did eat afterwards, but I think that would depend on everyone's schedules.

I wore my wedding shoes and jeans and a tee shirt. I didn't wear any makeup or really do my hair. I only brought my maid of honor, but I would have brought my mom along too.