Shopping for wedding dresses

Dress shopping can be fun or stressful, so having a positive attitude is super important going in! Be open to trying different styles, even if it isn't your vision or it looks weird on the hanger. Trust your consultant, but don't be afraid to say what you like and don't like. Take your time! Don't let anyone pressure you into buying a dress you don't love 100%.

Trust your gut and take your time.

Agree with the other ladies.

And don't feel like you have to buy that day. I went to other places after my big trying on day with everyone and that's when I found the dress I actually chose.

Ask about if the dress comes in different colors. Know that if you get a ballgown or something with a lot of beading or embroidery detail, the alteration process will be longer. (Those dresses are still worth it, just giving you a heads up)

Don't get too worked up if you're feeling like you haven't found the right one. I went shopping Saturday and I was starting to get upset because I wasn't really getting that "WOW" factor you see in movies. I even asked my dressing room attendant if all brides have that movie magic moment. She said "I have seen it happen before, but I don't think it's fair of you to expect that to happen if you're not really that kind of person". She was absolutely right. I'm a much more level-headed, logical person and I just accepted that this wasn't a fairytale. I found a dress I felt beautiful in, she spoke some sweet words about my FH seeing me walk down the aisle in the dress, and voila the tears came! Everyone is different

Bring as many pictures as possible of dresses you like, even if it's more a feature here and there not the entire dress. Be willing to try dresses you may not have thought you were looking for. Take people that are there for you and whose opinions you value. Bring a hand fan, I was sweating so bad when I went shopping. You may not find the one right away, but when you do you may not cry and have they big emotional moment. Stay open and enjoy the moment. I hope you have a wonderful experience.

I agree with the above- I was kind of down that I didn’t have that super magical moment- I have years of watching say yes to the dress to thank for that. My advice is to try on a variety of styles and fabrics. While I absolutely love my dress and don’t think I would have changed my mind... sometimes I regret not trying on more beings that I hope this is a once in a life time occasion. My other piece of advice is to take the time to do your hair and makeup prior to the appointment- you don’t have to go overboard, but you want to feel good 😊

Well at first I would say go in prepared, know what (silhouette, fabric, neckline, etc.) you think you like. But don't get too caught up on 1 or 2 types of silhouettes or styles because I was super prepared and ended up getting a dress total opposite of what I walked in liking lol. At least go with an idea of what you like and if the first 5 - 8 dresses you pull from your dream list don't scream at you. Try on a total different style.

Everyone has opinions so I'd keep the dress shopping team down to just 1 or 2. I took 3 with me and at times it was too much for me. You may be able to knock those opinions out like baseballs lol!

Trying shopping at a store that carries a wide range of sizes, especially your size! It doesn't feel good when you see 15 dresses you like but can only try on the 2 that are in your size 👎🏾

Don't go hungry and don't go tired

Remember to walk around in it, sit and dance in it before saying yes.

DON'T feel pressured by anyone to say YES, you DON'T have to buy on the first day unless it speaks to you. Otherwise...sleep on it!

Get pretty! Not like full blown glam but go looking nice, it'll make you feel better in the dress when you look up and see your pretty face in a beautiful dress.

Say no when you don't like something. Don't feel obligated to make the stylist feel good about a dress they pulled for you but you don't love. A quick "this is nice but not the one" will do the trick. They should be able to handle a no with grace!

Have an open mind. Things look different on hangers than they do on the body.

Also know that yes it's supposed to be a fun time but we are human and it may get a little stressful. That's ok! Keep shopping and sometimes you may have to change up the people you shop with or even stop in a store alone from time to time. Everyone is different and it's ok if you don't have that cry moment! Just remember that dresses are meant to be pretty but your looking for that feeling! Good luck!

Be careful who you bring with you! I just went dress shopping last weekend and it didn’t go well. I had 3 of my 5 bridesmaids with me and they were supportive & great. My mom was pretty quiet. And then there was my aunt/godmother who told me I looked fat or unattractive whenever I tried on anything that wasn’t a traditional, fully covered ballgown (totally unrealistic considering I’m having a destination wedding on the beach!). By the end of the day, I felt like crap and couldn’t like myself in any dress.