Hi! Welcome to the brand new Bridal Gallery blog where you can find all of the tips and tricks you need to help you have a seamless and fun wedding dress shopping appointment. Shopping for your wedding dress is perhaps one of the most special experiences you will ever have. In fact, your first appointment, while exciting, may leave you feeling a little nervous. But never fear! We are here to tell you what to expect during your wedding dress appointment. There should be no stress when you are shopping for THE dress!
Booking an Appointment
When researching bridal salons, make sure to check out which styles they carry and the overall price point so there aren’t any surprises! Once you’ve landed on a boutique or two, you can book your appointments. We recommend a weekday because they tend to be quieter, leaving you with a more intimate dress shopping experience. If you do plan on visiting multiple boutiques, don’t make more than two appointments in a day if you can help it, and allow time to grab a bite to eat and travel to your next destination.
Be Prepared!
To prep for your appointment, we recommend starting a Pinterest board of gowns you love and your overall wedding inspiration to share with your consultant. This will help her curate gowns for you to try on and will be a huge timesaver as well, ensuring that you squeeze the most out of your time together. We also recommend wearing nude seamless undergarments, a strapless bra, and/or shapewear, and a pair of shoes similar to what you will wear on your big day. Many gowns have structure in the bodice so you may not need a bra when trying them on, but feel free to dress in a way that makes you feel the most comfortable. These small details will help you better envision yourself walking down the aisle in each dress. To take it a step further, we also recommend styling your hair and putting on a little bit of makeup, so you feel your absolute best. And don’t forget to hydrate and eat before. Getting in and out of the gowns can be a workout!
Your Bridal Squad
When it comes to choosing who you bring to your appointment, we recommend no more than two guests if you can help it! Often more people equals more opinions, which can be frustrating when you’re trying to make a dress decision. Always choose friends and family who are honest, understand and support your wedding vision, and have your best interest at heart. You will have so many more opportunities in the wedding planning process to include those who weren’t at your appointment and make memories with them as well.
The Basics of Wedding Dress Appointment
Typically, bridal appointments will be about an hour and a half long. When you arrive for your appointment, you will meet with your consultant and discuss your big day! Details about the season you are getting married in, your venue, décor inspiration, and any photos you have of gowns that catch your eye are perfect for helping your consultant get an overall picture of your bridal vision. The more details you can provide, the better! And remember to be honest about your budget. Trying on a gown that is over your price point can lead to disappointment if you happen to fall in love. In addition, if your budget includes alterations and accessories, be clear about that so your consultant can allow for it when choosing dresses.
Shopping
Next, your consultant may have you walk through the dresses with her, or she may shop solo and bring some options to the fitting room that she feels will fit your overall aesthetic. As you try on gowns, she will ask what you love or don’t love about each dress. Don’t be shy! This will help your consultant really hone in on what you are looking for and maybe even make suggestions that are a little out of the box. Remember, your consultant has experience and has helped so many brides, and keeping an open mind is key. Sometimes what you think you want isn’t what you end up wearing, and it is more than okay to change your vision! Also, when it comes to trying on gowns, the sample may not fit perfectly. Your consultant will do her best to give you the best visual of what the gown will look like on you once it is ordered in the proper size.
You Found the One!
If you happen to find THE dress, stop looking and start accessorizing if the boutique you are at offers headpieces, veils, and/or jewelry. Shopping for accessories is best when you are already wearing the gown. After all, some boutiques don’t have pieces that you can take home that day, so they need to be ordered ahead of your gown/s arrival. Once you feel like you’ve nailed your bridal look, it’s time to celebrate with your crew and snap a few photos to remember the moment and the dress. (Just make sure no one posts them!) Your consultant will whisk you away to your fitting room, where you will be measured. From there, she will order the gown in the size that most closely matches your measurements. Once you pay your deposit, you’ll be on your way to celebrating with your bridal squad!
We hope you found these tips and tricks helpful as you prepare for your wedding dress appointment! If you are ready to find your dream dress at Bridal Gallery, you canschedule your appointment today. We look forward to helping you say yes to the dress!
