What to expect when dress shopping?

It's exhausting (at least it was for me). Hydrate & eat a good breakfast that morning, and bring a water bottle with you. Wear nude seamless panties & pasties (if you want to be more covered) because a lot of dresses don't allow for bras. Take a lot of pictures to reflect back on later, don't buy a dress at the first store! Go to several, you can always go back for a dress. Try on every shape, size, fabric you can!

Definitely try on as many as you can during your appointment. Pick some you wouldn't normally choose and use the associate's suggestions, too. Mine chose the prettiest dress for me that I never would have picked!

I ate a light breakfast because I didn't want to feel bloated or fat while I was trying on gowns, then had a hearty lunch after. But I always do this when shopping for clothes.

I did wear a strapless bra and they provided a smoothing slip, but if you have your own you should bring it.

And shoes! If you have a pair you're thinking of, bring them, but they will also give you some to try on if you don't.

Take your time and don't get overwhelmed. And then even after you've decided, wait a little while longer before purchasing so you don't have FOMO about another dress. This is especially helpful if your wedding is still quite a ways out.

Most importantly, follow your gut. If you love it, lean in and enjoy it. If you don't, make a hard pass.

Have fun with it! Once you pick one and pay for it, you don't really get to do it again. Unless you're rich.

When I went to David's Bridal for my appointment, I wasn't sure what style of dress I would end up with, and I didn't own a strapless bra at the time, so I just wore my regular bra. Well, my consultant saw that I had several strapless dresses to try on, so he went and got a strapless bustier in my size (new in the package), and we used that for the entire appointment. Then, when I had decided on the dress, I told the consultant I wanted that bustier too, to go under the dress. I was thinking I would just take the one that I used to try on dresses, but he insisted on ordering me a brand new one! Ok, since I was paying for it anyway, might as well have it brand new.

So, you might want to wear a strapless bra. Also, make sure to bring water. Trying on all those dresses can make a girl thirsty!! Have fun!!

I thought of one more thing, and this is REALLY important. If you have a particular budget for your dress (most of us do), DO NOT try on anything that is out of that budget!!! Make sure your consultant knows what your absolute max price is, and tell them you will NOT go over, and please do not bring out any dresses that cost more than that amount.

It's heartbreaking to hear stories of brides who tried on a really expensive dress (out of budget), then are so sad when that's the one they fall in love with, but can't afford it.

The best advice I can give is bring a bottle of water and eat A LOT before you go. My experience was enjoyable at first, but towards the end I started to want to leave because I was honestly so exhausted, dehydrated, and hungry lol. It’s way more tiring than you would expect!

also wear a strapless bra

Have reference pictures with you! I collected pictures from Pinterest and online shops to use to explain my vision. In fact, I found “the dress” when I showed my consultant a still from the show Outlander. Go to more than one place for sure and don’t be afraid to tell them that you have to think about it-a lot of stores will try and push a dress on you if they think you’re even a little bit interested to get the sale. It’s perfectly fine to tell them you’ll come back! good luck!

David's bridal on a weekend will be INSANE!!! I was lucky that I had my first appointment on my own DURING THE WEEK- just to get my nerves over it because I'm on the larger side and I wanted to just have the experience under my belt because I was having some major nothing fitting anxiety - and I able to get the undivided attention of a lovely consultant. We weren't rushed; she took my ideas, picked a few with me, then gave me a slip and a corset to try things on. I got to look at things, ask questions, study what worked and what didn't.

Now the classic advice of "you will end up with the opposite of what you thought" was true for me. I saw the ballgown, and I almost passed it up. But we pulled it just to try it, and I fell in love with how the drop waist just makes me look TINY. I thought I would end up with a mermaid, but my gut had other ideas.

Now, I did not buy that day. I came back that Saturday with my mom and sister to look at it again, and the place was CHAOS. Hot, women everywhere because they brought their whole damn bridal party, and the poor consultants were beat by my 3 appointment. I tried on my dream dress with a miserable saleslady and a screaming infant from another party nearby. Because I had narrowed it down to like two, we were lucky to be in and out.

Fair warning though. If you can get a weekday appointment, I highly recommend it. It was just not magical to deal with five other brides in a tight space with layers of tulle. My dress is still the One and perfect beyond words, but I would have enjoyed the experience more if I hadn't been near heat stroke.

Sadly my fiance is a teacher and works long hours so week day appointments are out of the question for me since I can't drive (Plus it wouldn't be much fun to try on dresses alone)

Thank you for all the great advice everyone!!!

Also went to David’s Bridal and had a different experience than a previous post. Went on a Saturday afternoon and it wasn’t busy at all—I was the only one trying on dresses during my appointment. The only thing was that there was an appointment after mine and the hour and a half went by so fast, wish I could have had a little more time. I think I only got to try on 6 dresses.

I went dress shopping in Kentucky too! That's where my wedding is actually

I went dress shopping twice, once with my FH and then again with my family and friends. When it was just me and FH, it was really fun because he picked some dresses for me to try on and we talked about what I liked and what I didn't like. He was super supportive and it was fun to do it with just the two of us Just HAVE FUN. Try on things what you wouldn't normally pick because you could be surprised! I didn't cry but I got very excited when I found my dress the second time I went shopping. Just enjoy doing it and if you find the dress, great! If you don't, there are plenty of other shops to look at! Have fun and congrats!!