So, you’ve pinned countless gowns on Pinterest, accompanied some friends during their wedding dress pursuits, and now it’s your turn.
Maybe your search will end after one visit to the bridal salon, or maybe it will take multiple trips, shops and appointments. There’s no “right” number of gowns to try on, or places to look, so don’t sweat the details and soak it all in!
That said, here are a few things to know before your first appointment (that you may not have heard before)…
1.You might hate your ideal silhouette or fabric.
Before you build your entire wedding aesthetic around a gown’s fabric or shape, make sure you’ve tried it on! Your “perfect” dress may look completely different in your mind than on your body. Perhaps you’ve always been drawn to lace gowns but are surprised to love how you look in satin. Or, maybe you wanted a ballgown, but after trying a few on, you determine you’re drowning in the fabric.
It’s okay not to love something as much as you thought you would (it’s actually very common with wedding gowns). The most important thing is to enter your appointment with an open mind.
And that leads us to our next point…
2.Your bridal consultant makes a major impact.
We’re about to say something controversial: your consultant, a perfect stranger, will likely have a bigger influence on your dress search than the friends or family you bring with you. Consultants are trained to listen carefully, study your reactions, and guide you in the direction of your dream dress—especially if you are not sure what that dress looks like.
Let’s face it, you’ll spend half the day nearly naked with this person in the dressing room, so it’s okay to be direct with them about what you want. But make sure you are hearing them out, too. A consultant knows every dress on the floor, and they’ll have the perfect compromise between the dress you’ve always envisioned, and which dresses you’re liking the most in person.
Pro Tip: If you don’t connect with a consultant, don’t worry! You can always try the same salon again with someone else, or you can try a new place entirely. The best thing about wedding dress shopping is having plenty of options—both with gowns and consultants.
3.You may need to use your imagination. a lot.
Without a doubt, you’ll run into a snag or two during your shopping trip. You may love the look of a gown that is only offered in blush as the sample… but can you envision it in ivory? Or maybe the gown that seems like *the one* is two sizes too small (or too big) on the rack. Your consultant will pin it into place as best they can, but the rest will be up to you to imagine.
Only take a risk you’re comfortable with. If you can’t confidently commit to that gown without seeing it in the right color, don’t. Or at least give yourself some time to think about it. This is a once-in-a-lifetime purchase—no need to rush or force something that seems off.
Trust us, that dream gown is out there. Pay close attention to what you gravitate toward, listen to your consultant, and have an open mind. Remember: You’ve already found your partner for life—now you just get to choose a dress to wear to the party!
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