How To Prepare for Wedding Dress Shopping
Feeling a little bit anxious about the wedding dress shopping process? Totally understandable. This isn’t just regular shopping, it’s shopping for one of the biggest days of your life! All eyes and cameras will be on you and that thought alone can stress out some brides. It can be really hard to know where to start or what to expect. Luckily, I’ve been there myself and helped other brides navigate the process. Keep reading for a wedding planning expert’s tips on what questions to ask, what to pack for your shopping day, and more!
Make an Appointment
Wedding dress shopping is a bit different than a normal shopping day, since the salespeople will need to help get you into the dress and sort through all the options to find what you are looking for. For this reason, it’s important to always make an appointment. That way, you can ensure that someone will be available to help you. I don’t recommend making too many appointments in one day, as you can easily get burnt out and not see the dresses with a clear eye. Spread it out over a few weekends to really allow yourself the time to find the perfect wedding dress.
Research Wedding Dress Styles Ahead of Time
Shopping always goes smoother when you have an idea of what you’re looking for ahead of time. Before your wedding dress shopping appointment, research some of the terms for materials and silhouettes. This way you can explain to the shop attendant what style you like. For example, do you like V-necks, heart shaped necklines, or something else? Also think about what aspects of your body you’d like to accentuate. Pinterest is a great place to compile images and then you can show them what you like. Pro tip: take a look at vintage photos of wedding dresses from Old Hollywood stars or scans from vintage bridal magazines. This will give you some timeless ideas that exist outside of the current trends.
What to Bring
It’s important to properly prepare for your wedding dress shopping appointment. Here’s a short list of some things that will make the process more enjoyable:
-Water bottle to stay hydrated.
-Small towel in case you get overheated.
-Snacks in case your appointments run close together.
-Mints, deodorant, and feminine wipes to stay fresh. You’ll be in close proximity to lots of people!
How to Dress
Wearing the right clothing and underwear will give you a better idea of how the dress truly fits and how it highlights your features. First, I recommend wearing undergarments that will be similar to what you would prefer to wear on the wedding day. You want to be comfortable and supported under the wedding gown. You should also wear clothes that are easy to put on and off, without excessive buttons or ties. Next, make sure to bring heels at your preferred height so that you can get a good idea of what it’s like to walk in the wedding dress. Also bring a hair tie or clip so you can see how it looks with an updo vs loose hair. Lastly, go easy on the makeup, you don’t want to stain any of their dresses!
Who to Invite
Wedding dress shopping is definitely more fun with a few trusted companions. You’ll want to invite a few friends and family who understand your personal style, but also have a sharp eye for detail. Remember, there’s a fine line between creative critique and judgmental commentary. Avoid inviting family members who always make you feel self-conscious. After all, you want to feel good about trying on the dresses. You don’t want unsolicited negative commentary about your body! Invite the friends who always keep it real and offer helpful advice.
How to Keep Track of Your Faves
Whenever you find a dress that excites you, take a video of the dress and also a photo of the price tag with the information about the style and cost. Ask a video-competent friend to record, including some closeups of the small details. I really recommend videos because you can better record all the angles and the movement of the wedding dress. You’ll also get an idea of how the light plays on the different fabrics and beading. Since the wedding dress shopping process can all start to blur together, having videos to examine after the fact will remind you of which dresses sparked real excitement. You may even notice your own facial expression light up when wearing certain wedding gowns.
Wedding Dress Shopping
Every step in the wedding planning process is a chance to create memorable moments. It’s a great opportunity to solidify your personal style and glam out in the mirror. With a little preparation, you’ll enjoy it that much more. Just remember to trust your gut and enjoy the feeling of being pampered! Make sure to subscribe to my newsletter for more helpful guides to navigating the wedding planning journey.
