Number of entourage for dress shopping

I went with my mom and then went back with my MOH to decide between two dresses. Check with the store, there might be a limit on the number you can have but personally I recommend keeping it small so you don't get overwhelmed by their opinions.

I have just been going with my mom and my sister who is also my maid of honor. I did not want too many people with me. However I send pictures of the dresses I like the most to my other bridesmaids and FMIL in a separate message so I can have their honest opinion lol.

My first appointment, I went with my MOH and we both tried on dresses for fun. I am so glad I went with just her. Although she would never tell me if something looked bad on me 😅 I will end up getting what I want regardless of anyone's opinion. I may ask for it, but it's not what matters.

My next appointment, I'm bringing my mother, my FMIL, and my FSIL. I had invited his aunt as well but she declined. I thought it would be nice to include his family for at least one appointment and I definitely want my mom there. I've reminded her probably 100 times to get the day off and I swear if she tells me she can't come (she's prone to flaking), I will be so upset. I don't think you need a huge entourage, I'm doing this more as a courtesy to them with the exception of my mom. I think it's much more peaceful and special to bring just one or two people.

View Quoted Comment See this is exactly how I feel. I want my FMIL and FSILs to be there because it’s like the nice thing to do. We are going to be family so why should I only bring my family now with me. But I already have my mom and sister coming and a really close family friend thats like a second mom (or I guess third now lol). So if it’s just family present and future, that will be six people. But I also want to bring some of my friend-not-family BMs. But that would be over whelming.

And i I like the idea of bringing different groups each time, but then what if I find the dress st the first place I go to? Ugh.

View Quoted Comment Maybe if you find the dress, you can still take them back later, or I have seen brides take them for the first fitting when the dress comes in. That's also a special moment, especially since it will be a dress that is your size. It could be a good compromise. I think people understand that you can't bring EVERYONE you would ideally like, it's just not practical.

I found my dress during my first appointment but I'm sort of dating it, I didn't put a deposit down (I wasn't even planning to find one, my wedding is super far out) and so when I bring future family and my mother it won't be my first time having it on. It will be their first time seeing it though and I'll also toss on some other dresses for fun for them.

I am struggling with what to do with this too. My older sister pretty much demanded that she go with me, but she lives 10 hours away and I also have several other sisters, bridesmaids, my mom and future mother in law to consider too. I like the idea of bringing a few to shop and then inviting the rest to come to fittings.

View Quoted Comment Me too but who to choose! 😭 even the littlest of things stress me out

You’ll have several visiting opportunities to see the dress, so maybe bring different people at different times. Bring different groups when you “try on” then once you select your dress, bring another group when you go back and try it in again and make the deposit. Once it comes in you’ll get to go view it (and try it in again!), then 6 weeks out or so your have your first alteration appointment (another try on) then when it’s done a final fitting (and try on) and then they will clean and store it until you pick it up.