The Do's + Don'ts of Bridal Gown Shopping!
Feeling nervous about shopping for your wedding dress? We've got you covered!
Nowadays there are even more pressures on a bride, everything from reality tv shows, social media expectations, to the stress of finding or maybe not finding the Dress, (not to mention all the new restriction put in place due to Covid) We understand how the modern bride can easily feel overwhelmed by it all, so we have compiled some Do’s + Don’ts for your bridal gown shopping experience!
By Kate DeAngelis | Junior Marketing Coordinator + Bridal Stylist
DO’S
DO eat before you shop! I know this may sound silly, but trying on gowns can be mentally + physically tiring, so in turn shopping on an empty stomach won’t be as enjoyable. Be sure to have a nice meal before heading in. We have some great recommendations, so feel free to give us a call for some local restaurants!
DO have a budget set! It’s good to do some research on how much gowns cost. Want more details on particular designers? Give us a ring + chat with a stylist prior to making an appointment. Tell your stylist the price point you want to be respectful of, if there is a gown we truly think you'll love + it's out of budget, we’ll leave it up to you if you’d like to try it on. PRO TIP: If you do love a dress that's a bit more than you were willing to spend, most brides pull from another area of the wedding budget, you know what details mean the most to you + which you could go without.
DO know the vibe you want on your wedding day! Timeless, romantic, ethereal, rustic? What are some adjectives you want your guests to use when they are describing your wedding? Share this with your stylist + she'll have a better idea of your vision. PRO TIP: Showing a Pinterest board to your stylist will help her get a sense of the whole day.
DO tell your stylist the honest truth! Your stylist didn't design the dresses - we promise you won't hurt our feelings! We're here to help you navigate these uncharted waters. We want you to find your dream dress as much as you, so let us know if you aren't loving a certain gown, we'll be sure to go a different route.
DO love your dress without accessories! You're only going to have a veil on for a small portion of your wedding day, so we want you to LOVE your dress as is - the accessories make the look THAT much better! Once you’re down to your favorites, we'll put a veil on to tie the whole look together. PRO TIP: Request an accessories appointment after you say yes to the dress, these are an hour in length + you can really dive deeper into the over all vibe you're looking for.
DON'TS
DON'T bring too many guests (and bring the right people!) The more people, the more opinions to cloud your judgment. Bring the opinions that mean the most to you. During current times we are inviting brides to bring up to two guests.
DON'T forget undergarments! Be sure to pack seamless under garments that match your skin tone. A stylist will be helping you in and out of dresses, so be sure you wear something that you feel comfortable being seen in.
DON'T over-shop! Trying on too many dresses clouds your vision, allow yourself to fall in love, choosing the one you feel yourself in, beautiful + can envision yourself loving in the future.
DON'T rule anything out before trying it on! Most brides come in looking for one style + leave with the complete opposite. If you don't think you like something on the hanger, but your stylist believes it's a great option, just try it. If you don't like it, you can easily take it back off. Our stylists know the fit of all our gowns, so be open to taking a leap out of your comfort zone. You may be surprised by what you fall in love with!
DON'T get a dress that you want to completely customize! A few customizations here + there aren't too uncommon, but if you find you're completely redesigning the dress, it isn't really your perfect gown. It's probably time time to look at dresses similar to what you're trying to recreate. Share what you're envisioning with your stylist so they can help your dream come alive!
In Store Photos: Brooke Allison Photo
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