Wedding Dress Shopping – 7 Best Tips on How to Say “Yes” to the Dress
This post is about wedding dress shopping.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!These wedding dress shopping tips are going to tell you exactly how to remain calm and find your dream wedding dress! This is going to be a great day, say it to yourself now! You will find your dream wedding dress!
Wedding dress shopping can be so overwhelmed and filled with pressure. Obviously this is one of the most important pieces to the wedding puzzle. But, it should be also be one of the most beautiful moments in the wedding planning process.
This is your time to shine. Your dress should make you feel gorgeous and confident. This is a once in a lifetime moment.
I found my dream dress at The White Magnolia (this boutique has locations in multiple different cities) and it was an AMAZING experience. I found my wedding dress on my first visit because of the amazing collections, kind staff, and personalized experience. We had our own room and the whole process was customized to what I wanted in my wedding dress.
If you prepare and set yourself up for success, you will have no problem saying yes to your dream wedding dress.
There are so many gown shops and bridal boutiques, you really cannot pick a bad place to go shopping. You also know yourself best, so make decisions to ensure you will be confident and successful when wedding dress shopping!
7 Wedding Dress Shopping Tips you NEED to Know
1. Do your research before going wedding dress shopping.
Choose the place that fits your style. Going to a million bridal shops is exhausting, find a max of 3 shops that could potentially have your perfect dress. Book an appointment to one at a time.
Call, stalk their website, ask for recommendations, and have communication with the stylist before going in for your appointment.
Pick a realistic location: You will have at least a pick up the dress appointment after you find your dress so you don’t want a location that is not easy to access.
Depending on your engagement timeline, the bridal shop will need to know how much time you have until your wedding day. Most bridal shops need 6-11 months to order your dress if it is not off the rack.
2. Bring people that you actually want at your appointment.
Every mom, mom in law, grandparent, aunt, father, sister, cousin, will want to come to your appointment. If you can’t handle that big of a crowd, do not bring them. This is your day, not theirs.
TIP: Easy excuse when telling someone they cannot go, tell them the bridal shop only allows x number of people.
3. Do not be afraid to say “no”.
When it comes to opinions on wedding dresses, don’t be afraid to say no. Say no to the stylist when she bring back an option you don’t love. Say no to the people you brought to the appointment when they point to a dress that you don’t love.
Be open to trying a variety of dresses, but be your authentic self when giving your feedback. The only way to find your dream dress is for you to be the one to love it.
It is your wedding day! Let me say it again: it is your wedding day. You are the one who has to wear the gown all day.
4. Don’t have over the top expectations.
Have a dress idea or couple ideas when it comes to your expectations.
Being too specific can lead you to be disappointed when you do not find the exact dress. Being too open to all dresses, can lead to disappointment in not finding any dress you like.
Build your pinterest board of some styles you like so your stylist has a base idea. Some bridal shops have an instagram or website, save some dresses that they already have so you can start to build your dream dress in your head.
5. Be specific with your feedback when trying on wedding dresses.
If you try on a dress and it is not the one, tell your stylist what you specifically don’t like: the neckline, fit, color, material, etc.
You are essentially crafting your perfect dress after each one you try on. Finding the right shape and style of the dress will be depend on your feedback after each one.
Don’t hold back either, give honest feedback on wedding dresses so you can find the perfect one for you.
6. Put yourself together for the appointment.
Wear a cute outfit, you will want a picture with the sign saying “I say yes to the dress”. Pull yourself together for the wedding dress shopping appointment.
If you are a Type A bride, try and match your dream wedding look:
- Style your makeup and hair the way you may want on your wedding day.
- Get a spray tan if you plan on doing that on your wedding day.
- Bring any accessories that you may already have picked out.
- Wear heels.
This may sound crazy, but it is so much easier to get the full look when you actually have the full look.
You will also just feel more confident in yourself if you are pulled together.
7. Have fun wedding dress shopping!
You will be overwhelmed, you will be stressed, you will feel like your world is over when you try on dress #3 and you still have not fallen in love. The world is not over, keep trying.
You only do this appointment once (the moment you will say yes), you want to have a great experience and feel beautiful in your dress.
TIP – Have a celebratory brunch/lunch/dinner after the appointment (or whether you bought a dress or not). You deserve to chill out after the stressful two hours.
Even if you don’t find your dress, enjoy the process. Wedding dress shopping is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
