Our Hottest Dress Shopping Tips
One of the first tasks you will focus on when you begin the exciting journey of wedding planning is finding the perfect wedding dress. While it may seem like a high pressure decision, with the right tips and advice, you can make this experience enjoyable and stress-free. With the help of a local bridal shop, “Vows Bridal & Formals”, we are sharing our most valuable advice. Here's a guide to help you navigate wedding dress shopping like a pro:
Research Your Options
Start by researching bridal shops in your area. Yelp reviews and personal referrals can provide valuable insights into the reputation and quality of different stores. Look for businesses that have are known for providing great service and offer dresses in your price range. Find 2-3 stores that fit the criteria you are looking for and only plan to go shopping for your dress there. Vows Bridal & Formals shared that “Looking for your dream dress at too many stores can end up being more confusing than it is helpful.” It can take 6-8 months for your dress to arrive after being ordered and for alterations to be done. Remember to keep the date of your wedding in mind to give you enough time to find your dress.
Make Appointments in Advance
Bridal shops typically do appointments only, so plan ahead and schedule your visits in advance. When making the appointment, communicate your goal budget and the style of dress you are looking for. This allows the consultants to prepare and pull dresses that align with your vision of your dream dress before you arrive. Wedding dresses come in quite a range of prices - think $90 - $20K. Vow’s Bridal recommends managing your expectations by sticking to dresses in your budget. “It can be very difficult trying on a dress that is 3x your budget and then going back to dresses that are $500.”
Inspiration Photos
When it comes to finding inspiration photos for your dress, Vows Bridal & Formals recommends not using social media. It will give you unrealistic expectations and your dress won’t be unique to you. “Your dress will instead look like everybody else’s.” Keep in mind that the dresses in pictures will look different on, because we all have different body types. Our recommendation is to go into a bridal shop with an open mind and find the dress that makes you most confident. Finally, you can trust your bridal consultant and their opinion. They are there to give you the best experience and help you find the perfect dress.
New Inventory
We asked Vows Bridal & Formals to give us some insight on when to expect new styles to arrive in store. They shared that new dresses are expected every few seasons. The most popular time of the year is the beginning of the year, the Fall, and the Spring. These are great times to book your visit with a bridal shop because you will be seeing their most up to date inventory. Vows Bridal & Formals keep over 300 dresses in stock for their clients with a broad range of pricing and sizing.
Wear the Right Undergarments
To get the best idea of how a dress will look and feel, wear proper undergarments. Consider bringing nipple stickers, a strapless bra, shapewear, and heels. This ensures that you have the right pieces for trying on different styles and silhouettes.
Hair and Makeup Matter
Doing your hair and makeup can enhance the overall look and help you visualize how the dress will look on your wedding day. This small detail can make a big difference in your decision-making process. It always helps to look and feel your best and do what makes you feel most confident.
Keep the Group Small
It's tempting to bring a large group to share in the excitement, but too many opinions can be overwhelming. We recommend going to the first appointment alone or with one family member or friend to get a clear understanding of your preferences before including the input of too many people. Some people may not have your best interest at heart and Vows Bridal & Formals says they have seen friendships end over wedding dress shopping. When it comes to something as special as your wedding dress, always trust your opinion over others.
Ask About Alteration Estimates
Before committing to a dress, ask the bridal shop for estimates on alteration costs. Lace and other intricate details may require more work, and different factors can influence the final price. Having this information in advance helps you budget accordingly. Vows Bridal & Formals does their fitting a month and a half out due to weight fluctuation or other circumstances. Don’t be hard on yourself about weight loss or gain, its normal and bridal shops expect it.
Schedule Payments and Fittings
Once you've found the dress of your dreams, work with the bridal shop to schedule payments and fittings. Typically, their will be a deposit made once the dress is ordered. Planning the rest of the payments in advance ensures that you have plenty of time for alterations and that everything is ready for your special day.
Wedding dress shopping is a unique experience for every bride. By following these tips, you'll find the perfect wedding dress that makes you feel confident and beautiful on your wedding day.
