What to Expect Before Making Your First Wedding Dress Shopping Appointment
Planning ahead before you head out on your first dress shopping appointment can help ensure you know everything you need to know.
Being engaged is one of the best parts of life! Before you rush off to your nearest salon with all your saved photos and best friends, here are a few tips: Is it wise to bring your bra with you when shopping for wedding dress attire? Are there hidden fees or other helpful hints when selecting the ideal gown? We have answers and are sharing them with you now – read on to discover more!
How to Shop for Wedding Dresses
Looking for wedding dresses can be overwhelming when you don’t know where to begin? Here are a few tips on finding the perfect dress.
Do not just head straight to your local boutique to start picking out dresses. There are important decisions that need to be made first, such as how to dress for your wedding.
Find inspiration for your dream wedding dress.
After becoming engaged, don’t feel overwhelmed by all the possibilities. It doesn’t need to take long for you to try on wedding dresses in person – actually it’s better to research your options before visiting a bridal shop. This way, you can establish an idea of what type, neckline, sleeves type, fabric and silhouette you prefer. View real weddings online and save photos to Pinterest; share these with your stylist during your appointment so they understand what aesthetic qualities you are searching for visually.
It’s wise to become acquainted with popular wedding dress designers. This will enable you to determine how much money is necessary for the look desired. Look for a local boutique that stocks gowns from your favorite designers and has an assortment of wedding gowns. Call the salon to confirm if they have the dress in stock if you find one online; even if it isn’t their standard selection, a consultant might be able to request a sample for you.
Once you’ve identified the boutique that appeals to you, we strongly suggest making an appointment. Even if the salesperson is available, booking ahead will ensure the best experience possible. Not making an appointment could put you at risk of being turned away; many shops have no-walk-in policies due to COVID-19 regulations and precautions.
Select Your Shopping Team
Before booking an appointment at the salon, inquire about their guest policy. This way you’ll know how many people are allowed to come try on wedding dresses. Our tip: Avoid bringing a large group. Although it may seem like an enjoyable experience having all of your bridal party members present, conflicts and unnecessary distractions can quickly make the experience challenging.
Start your search for the ideal home with two to three VIPs such as your mom, grandmother, maid of honor or other family members. By doing this, you can ensure that you only desire what truly desires and not feel pressured by others.
Finally, set a budget for your bridal dress purchase.
Once you and your significant other have created a wedding budget (or use The Knot’s wedding budgeter if this is your first time), it’s time to decide how much money you will spend on an attire for the big day. Our company data indicates that wedding attire accounts for an average of 6% of a couple’s overall wedding expense; in 2021, this average dress cost was $1,800.
Before you begin shopping for wedding dresses, creating a budget is essential. Not only will this save you time and effort, but having one helps your consultant choose the ideal gown according to your budget.
- Shopping for Wedding Dresses: What to Look Out for when You Visit the Boutique
- Now you’re ready to shop! These tips will guarantee a successful dress shopping experience.
- Before attending your appointment, take a moment to eat something nutritious.
Save the heavy and boozy meals for after you have tried on the wedding dresses. A light meal ahead of time will keep you fueled up for your appointment and help ease any nerves you might experience. Make sure to drink plenty of water and get enough sleep in the days leading up to it so that you feel your best on the big day.
Don’t forget to include any hidden fees.
Now you should have an idea of how much you can afford to purchase your dream wedding gown. But remember: the cost isn’t the only consideration – you also need accessories like a veil or sash, jewelry and shoes as well. Alterations on wedding dresses may add onto the cost depending on which service you select; these costs should be factored into your final shopping budget if uncertain; ask the salesperson for an estimate.
Get in touch about sample sales and trunk shows.
Shopping a trunk sale or sample sale can be an excellent way to save money or find that perfect last-minute dress. These events provide you with the unique opportunity to purchase designer gowns at an unbeatable price point.
Trunk shows are in-store displays of a designer’s entire collection that are usually discounted. You should make an appointment to shop these shows as they tend to be popular and have limited stock.
Saving money by purchasing a floor sample of the bridal gown you like rather than having it tailored to your specifications can be done for less money. It may be tempting to rush off to your local boutique’s sample sale, but the crowds and overwhelming atmosphere may make shopping on the first day difficult. If unsure how long the sale will last, call ahead and inquire about dates; perhaps attending one of the later dates might work better if unsure what you are searching for. Regardless, come prepared!
When possible, opt for a weekday shopping spree.
Avoid being overwhelmed when shopping for your wedding dress (related), so set an appointment on a weekday morning/afternoon. Saturday is typically busiest at bridal salons, so it’s wise to try on dresses during the week.
Your stylist and intuition are your two closest allies when it comes to styling yourself.
Before your first appointment, it’s essential that you know exactly what you want and trust your stylist when they offer suggestions in the dressing room. Shopping for wedding dresses requires a different approach than purchasing everyday clothes; this makes having an experienced stylist invaluable – after all, they do this every day!
A professional bridal consultant can assist you in finding the ideal wedding dress that complements your style and fits within budget. Even if you don’t find it immediately, it’s perfectly acceptable to keep searching. There are hundreds of designers with thousands of designs available; there’s sure to be a beautiful gown waiting for you. Even if you come home empty-handed after your initial trip, don’t despair – there are always other options available!
Do You Have Questions About Shopping for Wedding Dresses?
Don’t fret if you have questions! It’s not difficult to try on wedding dresses; here are some common inquiries.
When should You Try on Wedding Gowns?
Most wedding dresses can be tried on as soon as you know your venue and date. Although it may take several appointments to find the ideal gown, try purchasing it nine months prior to your special day – this gives enough time for customizing and tailoring of the garment.
What is the average time it takes for brides-to-be to try on wedding gowns?
Standard wedding dress appointments last an hour. Depending on which salon you visit, they may be able to extend your appointment at an additional fee or accommodate extra time if needed. Otherwise, consider coming back another day; typically salons have other appointments scheduled before yours and may need to cancel or postpone it if not.
What Can You Wear While Trying on Wedding Gowns?
Your experience will be even better if you bring along the correct accessories and undergarments. Neutral-toned, seamless underwear such as a thong or panty is essential for wedding gown fittings; however, don’t worry about bringing bras or fancy lingerie; most won’t fit with the dresses that are being tried on. Your stylist can temporarily clip your dress so it provides enough support and coverage before leaving the fitting room.
Shoes are another essential item you should bring on your big day. Even if you don’t yet have the ideal wedding shoes, we suggest bringing shoes that look similar to what you plan on wearing during the ceremony.
Are you a bad luck charm when shopping for wedding dresses?
Contrary to popular belief, trying on wedding gowns is not a bad thing – especially if your big day is quickly approaching. After all, how else can you find the ideal gown? It’s normal to feel nervous before your appointment but once there, you will quickly relax and find what fits best. We suggest trying different styles so you can see which ones you like best.
You can share your wedding gown with your partner or keep it a secret until the big day. While we doubt there will be any bad luck if you reveal it ahead of time, it can be fun to keep everything under wraps until then.
You can try on wedding dresses without buying them.
Before making a purchase, you can still try on wedding dresses. But we do recommend that you do this only if you are serious about finding your dream gown. Don’t expect to find it the first time around; if it fits perfectly then congratulations! You may need multiple appointments in order to find it; making multiple appointments shows disrespect to both the stylist and other customers by not making an immediate commitment.
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