Wedding Wednesdays: How to Plan a Perfect Day of Dress Shopping

Dress shopping doesn't have to be stressful! Make it the perfect day by planning ahead. Before you make an appointment, consider these five tips to getting the most out of your bridal experience! And don't forget to bring the bubbly!

Tip #1: Call Ahead and Make a Game Plan
While most of us do our usual shopping by popping into our favorite stores on a whim and unannounced, wedding dress shopping takes a bit more planning. You will want to start shopping 6-8 months before your wedding date to allow for time to have your dress come in and several alteration appointments after you find “the one.” Make sure to call ahead to the stores you’re going to want to visit, and they will set up an appointment for you so that a retail associate can give you their full attention and help you find the dress of your dreams.

Once you have a dress appointment, decide on who will be joining you that day and make sure they put it in their calendars! You'll need their undivided attention for the whole day. It’s also a great idea to get to your appointment 5-10 minutes early so that you can browse the racks of dresses before you dig into all the details.

Tip #2: Go into Your Appointment Prepared
You’ll want to have as many details in mind for the dress consultant as possible. Here are some good questions to keep in mind: What time of year are you getting married? What will the weather be like? Will it be a formal affair or a casual one? Then as far as your taste goes, you will probably be asked what silhouette, fabric, and embellishments you have in mind. But don’t worry too much about having a specific wedding dress vision. It’s good to stay open-minded! You never know what you’ll feel best in, so don’t box yourself into one category of dresses.

Another important piece of information to know ahead of time is your dress budget. There’s nothing worse than falling in love with a gown just to discover that it’s out of your price range. Not to mention, it’s such a waste of time trying on dresses that you won’t end up buying. So, tell your sales associate right away what you are expecting to pay.

Tip #3: Look at the Dress from All Angles
On your wedding day, you will be photographed at so many different moments, and seen by your guests from all angles. So, it’s a good idea to make sure you are viewing your wedding dress from all angles before you decide it’s the one. We even recommend having someone snap some photos of you at different angles so you can see how the dress photographs. And, it’s nice to have those photos with you while your dress goes to alterations, so that you can remember each beautiful detail (just don’t let your groom sneak a peek on your phone!).

Tip #4: Focus on the Fit
When you’re trying on dresses during your shopping day, make sure you’re narrowing in on dresses that flatter your figure and make you feel good! You’ve probably heard it before, but there’s truth to the saying that “it’s all about the fit.” It doesn’t matter whether you love a dress that has lace, embellishments or tulle if the fit isn’t right. On your wedding day, you will want to feel your best without fidgeting or adjusting areas of your dress constantly.

Tip #5: End the Day with a Celebration
Once you’ve said “yes!” to your dream dress, it’s time to celebrate! We recommend ending your day of dress shopping with a celebratory lunch…and some champagne, of course! You’ll be able to reminisce about the moments of the day and relax while you enjoy your meal.

Don't stress! Say yes to your dress and devour the details of a perfect day of shopping with these helpful planning tips!