Who to bring dress shopping?

I had my mil with me for most of the dress shopping but some of the shopping had my aunt and future sister in law once she is married and my maid of honor. I didn’t want a ton of people there to influence my decision of the one. I went with my aunt and she made me second guess my dress that I loved and wanted to find something else. But in the end I found the dress I love and I didn’t want any opinions to influence my decisions this time.

Similar situation to Sara’s. But My plan was to bring my sisters and SIL’s (FH’s sisters) to one dress appointment and my MOH and bridesmaids to another but realized all of our schedules don’t work out. I ended up going randomly with my sisters and aunt and ended up getting a discounted dress unexpectedly and loved the dress. I feel bad because my plan didn’t work out as planned but I’m actually happy it happened that way because I would be too overwhelmed with everyone’s opinion. The only opinion that mattered to me in the end were my sisters & aunt.

I only took my mom and my sister (MOH). My FH said that I should have invited his mom but I didn't want to open a can of worms because with his mother comes his grandma and if the grandma comes she's going to tell his aunt and she's going to want to come. It's just to stressful. Maybe go with just your mom and sisters and once you narrow it down to a few dresses you can invite your FMIL to come for the big decision.

The way I handled it was I made my 1st appt with just my mom & sister and future appts with everyone. You could make it extra special with them the 1st time by getting mani pedis and a nice lunch

I took my mom, best-friend/Maid of Honor, & FMIL. My mom & MIL get along fantastic though.

It is best to shop with only a few people, 3 or less. And these should be people who share your taste, or your vision. Something I used to see in shops when measuring people, brides who brought several people " for the bonding experience", or because they have watched on TV as whole bridal parties and family cheer on the bride. But in real life, that often disintegrated quickly. Sister and one BM want sexy, tight, bare club wear. Mom and 2 bridesmaids criticize anything not a ball gown. Bride cries because she does not want sexy, or a ball gown, or anything like that. And every blush, lace over sheath she loves, the others all criticize. So either she gives in to pressure, coming back later to cancel the order. Or they all leave unhappy. No positive bonding occurs when no one agrees. If you ordinarily shop with your mom, or a particular friend, or sister, and agree about what looks good on you, bring that one or 2 with you. But if mom has always wanted frilly and modest, and you want sleek and fitted, and you have never agreed much, you will have a miserable experience, and likely get nothing, or get what you want but other shoppers will criticize it. Don't choose a big group, because everyone wants to go. Choose just a few who want the same romantic, or sleek and stylish, or casual boho you do. Go for successfully getting a dress you are happy with.

I had a very similar scenario to Lauren above. My FMIL and I are not that close. I opted to have just my mom and my sister there (MOH). And good thing cuz by the end they might've been annoyed cuz I surely was after seven shops! My mom had this idea in her head that it's supposed to just be the bride's mom; like that's special to them. Maybe your mom is thinking something similar to this? You could totally go to your first shop or two with your family and then include everyone. Or have them come to the fitting when you decide on a dress? I decided to surprise my bridesmaids as well so they haven't seen the dress either.

I brought my mom, FMIL, all 4 of my bridesmaids, and my flower girl (one of my girl's daughter).

If you're really just going to look and not planning to buy this early i woudl do a trip with jsut your mom and sisters and then go another time with your MIL and SIL. My mom would also get kind of upset if I wanted to invite H's family along, and i can understand that. Also, just from experience, smaller groups are FAR easier to shop with.