Wedding dress shopping

I brought my family/bridesmaids, but if my family was that way, I’d bring my maid of honor or a friend that would be supportive😊

I went dress shopping multiple times. I ended up having major dress regret so I ended up with three different dresses. The first dress I didn't wear, but the other two I did. The second dress was the dress I planned on wearing for the entire event, but a month before the wedding I went to a bridal salon looking for a short wedding dress for our after party. I tried on a beautiful ballgown that they said we could shorten, but I immediately fell in love with it so I wore that dress for the entire wedding. I had the second dress shortened and wore to the after party. My mom was the only one with me when I got that dress. Previously I had my mom and grandmother with me each time I went dress shopping. My former best friend who was supposed to be my maid of honor went with us the first time and my sister went with me the second. I went dress shopping four times.

I went by myself the first time! It was nice to just try things on without extra opinions, and I was able to narrow things down from there. The second time, when I went to exchange due to weight loss and dress regret I found a gorgeous dress by myself again. I think a few Solo trips just to get an idea what you like is valid, and don't feel pressured to take everyone. This is your day, and you need to be comfortable in the dress.

I agree with Kathryn. I plan on going solo too. Maybe I’ll bring someone for another appointment. I know what I want in my dress for my day so I don’t want opinions to make me feel differently about it. I’ll take the opinions if I am unsure of something and need help in making a decision. I guess I just have my mind set right now.

I did go alone and I didn’t send anyone a picture of them. I shared only to my besties and sis once I ordered the dress. I wanted to choose the dress myself, no outside opinion or influence.
🥂

I went with just my mom. I had planned on taking my mom, sister, FMIL, and SIL but I found a dress on that trip. If your family will be too judgmental I say go alone! You need to be completely happy with your dress and it gets hard to choose with too many opinions! Luckily, my mom knew what I was looking for and instead of saying which dresses she liked/didn’t like she would refer to how happy I was in them / how natural some looked as opposed to others (eg I couldn’t walk well in large ball gowns). Nothing wrong with going alone and taking everyone to a fitting once you’ve found the one!

I brought one friend with me to my first and only appointment. I’ve since tried on dresses at home I ordered online or did a home try on since things have shut down. I shared images of the dresses with my mom and two close friends. The problem is I have gotten varying opinions from all three. I finally decided on a dress that I feel confident in and that they can all agree on some aspects of it.

I only brought my FH, but that was more due to the pandemic than anything else. I have no regrets :-)

I did that ! I felt like only my opinion mattered aha so I just wanted to go on my own and also not bother with the hassle of trying to schedule everyone

I brought my bridemaid and maid of honor i wanted my mom there of course however we live in two different countys and she couldn't come. Ill say invite those who are closest to you

Yup! I went to two shops first by myself to figure out what I liked. Then I went to a shop with my mom & sister, but ultimately found my dress by myself. I would never invite any judgmental friends or family—wedding dress shopping is stressful & exciting enough. It’s a lot more relaxing when it’s just you & the stylist.

Oh I never shop with other people if I can help it. If you don't normally like to shop with others, there is no need to start now.

I only took my Maid of Honor with me. I didn’t want to deal with any negative comments.

I went by myself. The staff was amazing. It truly allowed me to focus on my opinion amd feelings. Before COVID-19 I intended to shop with family and friends for acessories, but that is different now.

I agree with many of the benefits of shopping alone, but having done it, there are definitely some big cons too.
My first shopping experience the consultant was very pushy and made me feel I had to explain “why” I didn’t like the dresses. I have no problem saying no to sales people, but it was weird standing there in silence looking at myself or trying to make small talk with strangers while they just repeated how great everything looked. I ended up going dress shopping 4 times and have been put in a veil and asked if I was saying yes AT EVERY APPOINTMENT. It can be easier to say no, or even just distract them while you think, if someone else is there.My advice, make sure you ask the consultant take pictures from different angles to see how it photographs and fits ( including close ups of the back!) and if you are feeling like you NEED to say yes, you should probably sleep on it. When I’ve asked to come back that afternoon/next day to retry one I couldn’t forget, they have always found time to “squeeze” me in!

I had a similar problem that you are experiencing. My 3 bridesmaids are totally different from each other and with that being said I wouldnt know which way to look. So I took my mother and we looked. I found that going with one person made the experience so much more positive and not only that I felt like I was really able to concentrate. With that being said I found my dress on the very first appointment. Good luck!!