Wedding Dress Shopping Tips

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It is very important to have your budget determined before scheduling appointments. If someone else will be paying you NEED to have that conversation beforehand. Research stores to find their price ranges. Be honest with the stores about what you are willing to invest in your dress. If a particular dress is out of your budget, don’t put it on. If the store doesn’t have gowns in your price range, don’t schedule an appointment. No one wants the heartbreak of finding a dress outside their price point.  

Nine to twelve months is the ideal time to be shopping for and ordering your wedding dress. Shorter timelines may limit the options available to you. If your wedding date is further out than that styles may change with the new seasons, the gown you love and are waiting to order might be discontinued, or the sample dress your tried on might sell off the floor and won’t be available for your to try on again later. Follow-up appointments are usually shorter and used to try on favorites dresses (not start over) and there may be fees for multiple visits.  

Dress shopping fatigue is a real thing and the whole process can be overwhelming. Go in prepared to find THE ONE so when it happens it doesn’t take you by surprise and complicate your decision. You would be surprised how many brides find their dream dress at the first appointment they visit. Many times, it’s the first or second dress they put on. Avoid scheduling back-to-back appointment in one day.

When you have a dress on that gives you all the feels it’s okay to say YES! Don’t worry about missing out on experiences (you’ll have plenty of chances to put your dress on again). Don’t worry about reasons others give you to hold off on enjoying your YES moment. Don’t think about what else might be out there. There is a reason you are having this feeling ....EMBRACE IT! Cross wedding dress shopping off your list and move on to the next exciting part of your wedding planning process.