Wedding dress shopping is one of the most exciting steps in the wedding planning process! It is the moment that every woman dreams of, and an experience that you will cherish for years to come. However, shopping for your gown isn’t as simple as just showing up. Here are a few things that you need to bring with you to the boutique, to make the job that much easier.
Family & Friends
You can’t go shopping without your girls! Be sure to invite anyone you would like to attend, such as your bridal party, close friends and/or family. These should be people who will kindly provide their input, without taking the experience away from the bride. It’s your wedding day after all! Make sure that the people who you are bringing are supportive. Namely of you and your happiness. Otherwise, you’ll leave the store feeling further away from finding your dream dress than ever before.
Dress Inspiration
Walking into a wedding dress shop without a clue of what you want is a bad idea. You’ll end up overwhelmed and having spent more time at the racks than in the dressing room. Instead, spend some time looking up designers and styles the week or so before. When you come into the store, you will already have a basis for what you do and do not want to try on. Plus, you will be able to share your inspiration with your stylist, who will then be able to make tailored recommendations. It’s a win-win!
A Budget
Don’t you dare walk into a store without a budget! This is a common mistake that brides make, and more often than not it leads to some serious heartache. Without a budget, you risk falling head over heels for a gown that you simply can’t afford. This is why before your appointment, you need to tally up exactly how much you have and are willing to spend. This also means talking candidly to mom and dad, or your grandparents, about whether or not they plan to pitch in.
Hair Ties & Pins
Unless you have a hairstyle set in stone, we recommend packing in a few hair ties and bobby pins. Some brides do have a plan in place, in which case you should wear that style to your wedding dress appointment. But if you don’t, then you may want to test out a few different styles. Once you have narrowed your options down to two or three gowns, play around with some hairstyles. This will give you a better idea as to which gown best aligns with your wedding day vision.
Undergarments
The garments you wear beneath your dress are just as important as the gown itself. They can literally ruin a dress! So plan to bring a strapless bra and no-show underwear to every wedding dress appointment. No ifs, and, or buts. We also recommend that you have your bust professionally sized. This way the dress you order is correct and will require less tailoring. Lastly, skip the shapewear. The dress you end up buying will dictate your shapewear options, not vice versa.
Wedding Shoes
Your wedding shoes are the cherry on top of the cake! If you already have a pair of wedding shoes picked out, be sure to wear them while you try on dresses. Not only may the style influence your choice, but the height will allow you to find the best skirt length. If you don’t have a pair of shoes picked out, no worries. You can grab any pair of heels that best replicates the height you plan to wear on the big day. Just keep in mind the styles and colors that you are leaning towards while trying on gowns.
Do you have plans to go wedding dress shopping soon? Drop the date in the comments below & tell us what you’re most excited about!
