How to Prep for Wedding Dress Shopping
Finding ‘the one’ isn’t just about your partner. It’s also about your dress for that special day. Finding a dress that makes you feel like the best version of yourself can be tricky. There are so many styles and trends out there. Rather than jumping into the many styles, which we’ve delved into before, we’re digging into how to prepare for wedding dress shopping today.
So, why should you prep for buying the perfect dress? You’ll cut down on feeling overwhelmed and make the most of your appointments. We’ll explain timelines, budgets, and mindsets to help you on your wedding dress journey.
Step 1: Set Your Timeline
Ideally, you’ll want to start finding your dress 9-12 months before your big day. While this may seem like a lot of time, it’ll give you time to order and possibly alter your wedding dress. Of course, traditional bridal boutiques aren’t for everyone, and neither is shopping for a dress this much before your wedding day. Sample sales and off-the-rack options allow you to wait till close to your wedding. The only thing to keep in mind is that you may still require rush alterations.
Key Date Guidelines:
Book first appointments for dress shopping 10-12 months out from your wedding
Do final fittings 4-6 weeks out from your wedding. This will give you time for extra alterations if needed.
Step 2: Define Your Budget (Realistically)
This step is essential to not only minimize your dress shopping time but also to remove any unnecessary stress. Rather than falling in love with a dress only to find out you can’t afford it, define your budget early on. Doing research on what kind of dress you want can help with this, but we’ll delve into that a little more later. To stay realistic, consider the price of the dress, alterations, accessories, and, of course, taxes. Think about where you want to invest and where you want to save.
Budget Tip: Sample sales, trunk shows, and pre-loved dresses can help you save money.
Step 3: Discover Your Style Inspiration
Research tools like Pinterest, bridal magazines, designer lookbooks, and even a session with one of our stylists will be your best friends. What theme are you searching for? Classic, boo, modern, or vintage? Creating a mood board can help guide you.
Step 4: Choose Your Shopping Squad Wisely
Who you bring on your shopping excursions is essential. Go with 1-3 trusted people. You don’t want too many opinions, that’ll only lead to confusion. Avoid bringing anyone who will be a Negative Nancy or overly opinionated. Remember, the consultant helping you has helped 1000’s of brides before you. They’re well equipped to help you find your dress.
Step 5: Prep For Your Appointment
Wear nude, seamless underwear and easy-to-remove clothing. This will make trying on dresses easier. It’s beneficial to wear the undergarments you’ll be wearing with your gown on your wedding day. Bring heels similar to your wedding shoes, especially if they are the same height. You can also bring inspiration photos, your mood board, and any other reference material you have to show what you’re looking for.
Tip: Remember to ask questions. What’s included in alterations? How long does shipping take? Can you customize the neckline and sleeves? These are just a few of the questions you might like to ask.
Step 6: Mindset Matters
This step is different for everyone. You might want to do some emotional prep. Whether you might cry when you find the perfect dress or not is different for everyone. Remember to trust your gut. You’ll know when you’ve found ‘the one’. If you keep comparing dresses to one, that’s your answer.
Tip: Watch out for red flags when shopping, like pressure to buy, pushy upsells, or rushed appointments.
Are you ready to say yes to the dress? Keep in mind your timeline, budget, squad, and mindset. If you don’t find your dress during an appointment at a boutique, it’s okay. Book another appointment at a different boutique and never feel pressured to buy a dress. You’ll know when you’ve found the perfect gown. Remember, if you need extra help, our stylists are here for you, and some even specialize in bridal styling.
