Wedding Dress Shopping

I went alone once, and then another time with my mom and sister — not my entire wedding party - I mean I would have eventually but I ended up finding my dress at the second store I went to lol

I brought my mom sisters and grandmas. Not the wedding party. I hadn't even picked a wedding party at the time

I went with just my mom and have no regrets. None of my bridesmaids cared.

Daughter has very clear opinions and she's a fairly private person. Her choice was that only she and I would shop for her wedding gown, so she just didn't talk about it with others/invite anyone else. When we picked up her dress, there was a bride with a huge "entourage" in the shop at the same time -- moms, probably at least 6 BMs, little kids all running around, and all talking super loud. Daughter had to do a quick try-on of her dress before they'd let us leave with it (to make sure everything, pre-alterations, was perfect). By the time we got in the car, she was shaking and repeated several times that she could NEVER have shopped like that! Everybody has their own preferences, and I think this is absolutely one where the bride should get her way. Good luck!

Actually some articles or blog that I have read in regards to dress shopping say that no more than two people is recommended so you have less opinions. In fact I know that some bridal stores will only allow a certain amount of people. If you just want your mom just go with your mom that is fine. You do not have to include your bridal party.

No need to take everyone - I would even vote against a huge party. I went the first time by myself and found a dress I thought might be the one, but when I went back I had my mom and sis with me....and then it was a Saturday and most of the women had their entire bridal party with them. I'm not even sure if I really liked my dress. It was hot, it was loud, it was crowded. I was miserable and it was hard to think. I'm not sure how the brides in those groups were able to focus.


I went back this time just myself. Take who you want, but make sure they're supportive. And remember that you're gorgeous and you will find a dress that makes you feel beautiful!

Not at all! I went to a shop with my mom & sister, then another shop with my mom & friend, but to most shops I went by myself.

The first appointment I had I went alone. I had no idea what I was looking for or how I would feel in a gown since I hate trying on clothes. I wanted to be the only one. It went okay.


The second, I went with my mom. I didn't want a group of people with me. I ordered my dress that day. I have no regrets about not inviting more people.

I went with just family. Honestly I think the expectation of taking your bridal party is overblown. Your bridesmaids shouldn't mind if you want to keep it a private family affair.

I went with just my mom and my aunt. I'm so happy I did because then it was really about my opinion mattering. I sent a picture of the dress to my now ex bridesmaid and she told me if she would have been with she wouldn't have let me pick it. Not the reason she is an ex bridesmaid but I didn't care what she thought but found that very rude. So for me the smaller party worked out well for me.

I went with my mom and my FMIL. Go with who you feel comfortable!

I went with just my mom and I once, and then showed my bridesmaids my options. And then I went with my mother in law and mom, when I found the dress. Since I always have a hard time deciding and I was torn between two dresses I asked if I could FaceTime my maid of honor for help.

I went dress shopping 4 times and the first 2 times I brought my mom, grandmother, MOH, matron of honor (future sister in law), and future mother in law. It was too much. I ended up getting the first dress I ever tried on but it wasn’t until I went back with just my mom that I was able to make a decision. And the moment we shared is something I’ll never forget

It is NOT traditional to shop with your whole wedding party. That is a recent trend, started by reality TV shows.
Traditional for a century before that, bride went with one or two trusted friends or family, to hire a dressmaker, to a Dept store or salon, or to a designer. Large celebrity style entourages give plenty of opportunity for drama and conflict, which tv producers want. And there is an image many people like, of a bride surrounded by her loved ones, tending to her every need, like a princess's Ladies in Waiting. But most dress shops hate it. More brides who like and might buy a particular dress if left alone, one that suited their figure, and their image of what they want in terms of elegant or country, romantic vs sexy, royal or cathedral excess or cutting edge fashion, instead get overwhelmed by too many different opinions. Awful when mom and grandma get into a dispute with the salesperson, and neither wants the bride to try on what she wants. Lots of the wrong kinds of tears. Many salons have posted, no more than 2 or 3 in a shopping group. People end up upset, and with a bad experience, too often. Lower sales. And other brides find the chaos and crowding and noise of large groups upsetting, at an emotional time. . . .If you go with 1 or 2 people max, you will be more likely to be able to try on a greater variety of styles, in a shorter time, just to see that ones you never considered, can do for your figure type, without 3 to 8 opinions on each. Then get down to the business of multiple dresses in the one or two styles you like best. Salon consultants will only spend a limited time with you. And many know their stock, and which dresses will look terrible on you due to cut and style, however nice on a magazine model or website. So do not feel bad about the more traditional thing, shopping with very few people.

I went with my mom and sister and am 110% confident that that was the right decision.

(Nothing against people in my extended family or my wedding party; this was simply a moment I wanted to share with my mom & sister.)

You should bring (and not bring) whoever you want. I think wanting to go dress shopping with just your mom is totally fine.

Coordinating dress shopping with my mom and MOH (who both live in the area I grew up in, 4-5 hours from where I live now) would have been a huge hassle so I just went with the wife of one of our groomsmen. Kind of random, but it worked out nicely because she was really invested in our happiness but had zero preconceived notions of what I should look like as a bride, so I found her to be super supportive but not at all judgey or opinionated.

View Quoted Comment I’m so glad it ended up working for you! Since I’m the one who lives out of town it would be hard to find time where everyone could come on the same day. So I figured my mom and sisters would be easier thank you for responding

I’d would either bring only one person or shop alone. Too many opinions and different tastes if you bring a whole crew (i’m sure you’ve seen enough examples of that on of Say Yes To The Dress)🙃


For my first wedding, I saw the dress in a magazine and knew it was the dress I wanted. I showed a pic to my best friend. And then my mom went to the bridal salon with me to see it in person and purchase it.
For this wedding, I didn’t even go into a bridal salon to try anything on. I saw my dress on a salon’s website, I really (really) liked it and knew it would look great with me (which it does). So I contacted the bridal salon (out of state), they sent more pics and a video of it and I purchased the dress online from a bridal salon. The only people who saw a picture of it was my FH and mom.
I realize that’s completely untraditional. But it was also completely easy 😁

I’m just taking my mother and my sister. No body else. No. Body. Else. 😂

Less people is better