Wedding Dress Shopping Rules: 10 Tips to Successfully Guide You To The Gown

Make An Appointment

It’s recommended appointments be booked two weeks in advance as some bridal salons are very busy, however there are salons that do accept walk-ins. Be courteous and verify the salon’s policy prior to arrival so you can plan accordingly. Appointments typically range from 1-2 hours, so if you’re booking multiple appointments be sure to allot yourself enough time in between shops!

Know What You Like

Your appointment will go much more smoothly and be more successful if you already have ideas of what you’re looking for! Print out and bring some photos of what you like or be sure your phone has enough juice to access the pins on your Pinterest board for examples—either way, it’ll be helpful to the consultant to have a visual of your dream dress.

Note: Some dresses look ordinary on a hanger and then turn magical when you put it on. If a dress has qualities you’re looking for but doesn’t wow you on the hanger, stay open minded and give it a try—you could be in for a pleasant surprise.

Don’t Be Afraid To Say No

When a consultant asks you whether or not you like a dress they selected for you, don’t be afraid to be honest. Your consultant can’t assist you properly if you aren’t truthful about how you feel—their goal is to help you find the perfect dress, so be vocal about likes and dislikes. It’ll lead you quicker to that yes!

Have A Budget

Have a budget set prior to shopping and be ready to share that with your consultant. Stay away from trying on dresses out of your financial range because chances are you’ll fall in love with something you can’t afford. Keep tax and alterations in mind when setting on a gown budget because those expenses will most likely be included.

Shopping Entourage

You, the bride-to-be, have no obligation to invite anyone wedding dress shopping. It’s recommended you ask at least one person to accompany you so you have a second opinion—but who that person is and how many persons you want opinions from is up to you! It’s your experience, go with what’s most comfortable.

Bring Your Own Accessories

If you already have special accessories you want to wear on your wedding day or if you’ve already found the perfect bridal shoes—bring them to your appointment so you can see which gown they compliment best. If you don’t have those items in your possession, that’s ok—at least bring (or wear to your appointment) a pair of shoes that resemble what you’d like to wear on your wedding day so you can see how the dress looks with height.

Undergarments Matter

What you wear underneath while shopping for a wedding dress will have an effect on how it looks! Be conscious about the style of dress you desire and what undergarments are appropriate for that dress. You want to create the most accurate visual of how the dress will look on your wedding day, so don’t neglect effect of undergarments. It’s recommended you wear either a strapless or clear strap bra when shopping for a bridal gown.

Request Photo Permission

Most bridal salons will not allow you to take photos of the gowns you try on (sorry selfie lovers) to guard against customers using the photos to have the dress replicated by a seamstress. However, some salons do permit the use of cameras so be sure to verify the policy before conducting a photo shoot.

Discounts and Details

Before purchasing a gown, ask about possible discounts! Some bridal salons offer deals they don’t advertise. In addition, get theses details in writing before committing to any transaction: 

       -       Designer, style and style number

       -       Price of dress

       -       Size of dress

       -       Specific color of dress

       -       Shipping date, when you should expect your dress to arrive

       -       Any special requests

       -       Payment schedule

       -       Clearly stated cancellation or refund policy

Note: If you’re wedding dress shopping around Thanksgiving, some bridal salons have Black Friday deals.

Enjoy the Experience

While there are a lot of details that go into finding the perfect gown, remember to enjoy the experience! Stay true to your style and vision and you won’t end up disappointed. Cherish the moment you say “Yes to the Dress” be glad it’s getting you one step closer to “I do.”