Wedding Dress Shopping Advice

1) Only went to one shop. Didn't find anything I was in love with so I bought the only dress that I kinda liked. HUGE mistake, major dress regret. Ended up exchanging for a store credit to use on bridesmaid dresses and ordered my custom sized dress from Azazie!

2) I definitely didn't have the "yes" moment. But I was much happier in the dress I have now. The fitting room attendant told me that you shouldn't be expecting this "omg this is the one moment" if you're just not that type of person, which I'm not. I'm a very logical person and don't really get excited about any piece of clothing, so if you're in a similar boat, it's just not fair of you to expect a movie magic reaction from yourself if you're not that type of person. It was definitely a hard decision, but once I stopped expecting so much out of myself, I just chose a dress that made me feel beautiful and like a bride

3) Unless you are absolutely HEAD OVER HEELS for a dress, I wouldn't buy it. Take photos, shop around, and sleep on it. If you find yourself obsessing over the dress and you can't get it out of your head because you know you had it right the first time, you can ALWAYS go back and get it! Most bridal shops have very strict exchange/return policies, so give yourself time to breathe and think it through before committing to one. It's easy to get caught up in the emotions of dress shopping and buy a dress that you don't exactly love (exactly what I did lol)

4) The only people that have seen my dress are the people that went dress shopping with me (mom, two sisters, FSIL). I asked that no one else take pictures of the dress on their phone because I'm super paranoid that SOMEHOW someone who isn't supposed to see it will see it. It's definitely not rude to say no if someone asks to see your dress, just say something playful like "you'll have to wait until the wedding day!"

5) Since I got my dress online, I had alterations done elsewhere obviously. Otherwise, I probably would've had my alterations done at David's Bridal where I bought the first dress.

6) I would strongly advise against buying any sort of accessories that the fitting room attendants put on you until later down the line. You can often find the exact same thing (or close to it) for a much lower price somewhere else. My veil was only $20 from Amazon and I like it so much more than the ones I tried on in-store.

7) I just wore jeans and a tshirt to my appointment. I brought my spanx with me and the bridal shop gave me a corset bra to wear as I tried things on.

8) Yes, wearing my go-to spanx that I always wear for formal events and I also bought a nice strapless bra. The spanx I got at Target years ago and the bra I got from Amazon.

9) I just wore TOMS when I went to try on dresses, but I was barefoot the entire time I tried things on. I knew I didn't plan on wearing heels anyways, but if you do plan to wear heels, I might bring a pair just so you can see how the dress looks with them.

I know that was a TON of information, but hopefully it helps! Best of luck

1) How many shops did you go to? I went to two. David's Bridal, another store, and then back to David's.

2) Did you have the "yes" moment? Or was it a really hard decision? A little of both. I definitely did a lot of narrowing down, but once I was down to three it felt like a no-contest and I knew when I had the right dress on.

3) I'm going to 4 stores. If I find a dress at the first one should I go for it? Or can I ask them to hold it for me until I've gone to all of them? Ideally I'd like to go to all 4 stores before making my decision! Especially because the last one is a second-hand boutique so a dress there would be the cheapest! It depends on the stores and their policies. If you have a dress you love in the first store then ask them what their policy is on holding it.

4) After you got your dress, did you show people photos of it? Right now I feel like I'll want to keep it a secret until the wedding day, but I might be so excited that I want to show it off. Is it rude if people ask to see it and I say no? I only showed it to a handful of people. For the most part, the guests will see it when the groom does.

5) Did the store where you got your dress do your alterations as well? Yes.

6) Is it best to get the veil at the same place/same time that you get the dress? Probably not. Each store will have a different selection so you may find your dress in one store and a veil in another. I went to a few places before I decided to not to a veil because I couldn't even find one I liked.

7) What did you wear to your appointment? Jeans and a t-shirt, something that's easy to get in and out of.

8) did you get any special undergarments to wear with your dress? If so, did you get those at the same place as your dress or did you find them elsewhere? I found my under garments elsewhere.

9) What shoes do I wear for trying on dresses??? I wore sneakers, but every store I went to had a pair of heels for me to wear while trying the dresses on. They're unaltered so they don't want the gown to drag on the floor too much.

My advice- be open to new ideas. I went in knowing exactly what kind of dress I wanted and walked out with a dress that was the complete opposite because I was open to trying it on and I fell in love with it. I don't know who is going with you, but don't be afraid to use your voice. They may push you towards a dress that they like, but that doesn't matter. Go with whatever dress you like! Be vigilant of prices while you're browsing dresses. You don't want to try on a dress that's double your budget and end up loving it. Next, it's okay to leave. The second store I went to treated me terribly and even though they had a dress I liked was considering, I walked out and found my dream dress back at David's Bridal. And finally, it's okay if you don't find your dress on day one! You can always schedule to go again or try different places. I didn't find my dress until the second time I went when I went back to David's Bridal and tried on a bunch of new stuff I hadn't gotten to try on my first day.

1) I went to only one store, David's Bridal, and I kind of regret it now. I probably could have found a much better dress at a boutique for the same price.



2) Not really. My mom and my sister cried over the first dress I bought, but I really think it was more the idea of me being married and my initial giving that this HAD to be the dress. But even as I bought it, I realized I loved it but there were still parts that bothered me. And I obsessed over pictures of brides in the dress until I finally exchanged it for the mermaid fit I wanted the whole time.

3) They will always have the dress for you. Please do take the time, step away, look at the pictures and think about it. Even if its the very last sample that store has, there is a very good chance that a different salon will have it or you can find it online. Don't buy it just because you're worried about it being sold. Please take your time - way too many women end up on here pleading with us to validate their choice.
4) not rude! I showed my mom, my sis, and my FMIL. But all 3 didn't offer, I wanted them to share my excitement! If you want to keep it secret though, just tell everyone its white and they'll see it on the day!
5) David's Bridal will be doing mine because I trust the big store more than finding a random alterations lady. They might not do as good of a job, but it only takes one horror story of a cigarette smoke dress.
6) don't fall for this! I had a veil custom made for a fraction of the in store veils. Plus you'll probably consider the length a few times over as you pick other things.
7) Jean's and a t-shirt! I wanted to be comfy while stressing.
8) I used David Bridal'a corset and was shocked by how good it looked on me. And it was comfy too! I also bought spanx from Amazon.
9) I wore flats. I'd advise against heels because you'll probably have to step out of dresses, but you may be more coordinated than I am.

1) I went to 3 salons.

2) I had one, but wasn't 100% sure so I waited. I had another at the 3rd salon and knew it was the right dress.

3) I'd hold off. They order dresses so you don't take the ones in the store, so you don't have to "hold" them. Take lots of pictures if you find a dress you like so you can reflect later.

4) I did. I didn't care who saw it as long as my husband didn't.

5) Yes.

6) I got mine later, at a dress fitting but at the same salon.

7) Wear something easy to get in & out of (strapless romper I found easiest). Wear nude seamless underwear & pasties since a lot of dresses don't accommodate bras.

8) I didn't.

9) I'm short so every dress was too long for me in the store as far as sample dresses go, I just wore flip flops and took them off while I tried on dresses.

1) I went to two (but looked online a lot)

2) I honestly really had the "Yes" moment, ugly cried and everything. They mean it, when you know you know.

3) That's what i did i had my yes moment but still went to the other appointment that same day just to confirm but i went back and bought the dress. Once you have the moment then try on the other dresses nothing compares.

4) I showed my close family and friends. Not my FH.

5) I plan on getting my dress altered at the same place but no harm in shopping around.

6) I got my veil at the same place - just went with the dress and felt right.

7) I tried to look cute, a jean skirt with a long sleeve orange top with some wedges.

8) i didn't need to with my dress, but i will get some for the day of the wedding ( like a lingerie set)

9) I brought the heels i am planning on wearing to my wedding, or a few different sized heels so you can see how it feels to walk in it.

1. I went to 4 shops (2 per day, shopping excursions were a week apart)


2. I did not have a "yes" moment. After my first dress shopping day, I very logically created a list of features I wanted/did not want, and then proceeded to find a dress that matched my requirements.
3. Always have them write down the information for any dress you like. Definitely wait until the last shop before making a final decision.
4. Omg, I could literally not keep the dang dress to myself lol. I have chilled out a bit, but I showed it to *all* of my coworkers.
5. I bought online and found a wonderful local seamstress.
6. Some designers make a veil to match the dress. Otherwise, just buy the veil you love most, wherever it happens to be sold.
7. I wore a comfortable dress, nude strapless bra, and nude shaper short.
8. Yes, but this will totally depend on the dress. Mine has a deep v, so I got tape to keep the girls in place, and I also got a corset for maximum waist cinching. Both from Amazon.
9. I wore low heels that were easy to get in and out of (no straps or anything). Honestly, a lot of the places just have the brides trying on dresses barefoot.
Good luck to you!!!

1) 2 shops twice - first times by myself and second times with my family.

2) I honestly think many dresses felt like an almost yes, until I found one that I reaaaally liked, and then it was more of a gradual DEFINITELY yes moment as the mental boxes kept ticking off!

3) You can totally wait on buying the "one" until you go to all your stores!

4) I started showing photos to my bridesmaids and everyone who asked, but that's just my personality, and I'm super excited to show people since I can't show my fiance. When my close friend got married, she was able to keep it a surprise all the way up to her wedding day! And if people wanted to see it, she just said "it's a surprise!" and everyone respected that. The buildup was worth it.

5) Yes, I'm getting alterations at the same shop because they will be experienced at altering for my specific designer's dress, but I don't think it's a must.

6) You do you when it comes to the veil! Amazon has amazing veils at 1/10th of the price of a veil in store. I'm going to purchase the one I tried on with my dress, because I know for sure it goes with it.

7) Yoga pants and a sweater

8) I haven't planned yet on special undergarments, but I wouldn't limit myself to that store either.

9) I was also barefoot - it was much easier to hop in and out of dresses and to walk between the pedestal and the dressing room. But, if you say yes to the dress then and there and start taking your measurements for the order, sometimes you can save on alterations by taking the final height of your dress (aka with your wedding shoe height) and letting the designer hem it before it gets to alterations. However, I don't think this is available for all dresses/designers.

Other advice:

1) sit in your dress and make sure you can be comfortable, you'll be wearing your dress for hours and hours on your wedding day!

2) alterations can take care of almost anything - adding/making straps, covering cleavage, adding a hem, you name it. So if it's "almost" the dress, you might be able to make it THE dress (with a little bit more &dollar

3) have people take photos of you in your dresses and really take a look at them. Some dresses look nice on you, but not so great in photos, which arguably is equally important! Especially if you are choosing between two colors (ivory vs. blush, ivory vs. nude, etc).

4) don't try to find a dress that pleases everyone... find the dress for you!! But if everyone of your group does not like a dress you like, then you may have to think twice!

5) do your hair and makeup, so you'll feel as close to your wedding look as you can when trying on dresses. Most dresses you try on you'll step into, so don't worry about getting your makeup on the sample dresses.

GOOD LUCK!