Top 10 tips for Wedding Dress Shopping
If you are reading this then the romantic countdown for your wedding has begun. You have taken the wonderful step of agreeing to spend the rest of your life with someone special and now it’s time to prepare for the wedding day itself.
There are many items to be put on the to do list but perhaps the favourite one is deciding what you are going to wear on your special day.
Our advice is to enjoy every moment of the preparations and let us offer you some tips to help with your wedding dress and accessories shopping.
Our top tips will cover everything you need to think about, from wedding dress shopping etiquette and shopping traditions.
To use a well-known phrase, we can help you to ‘keep calm and carry it off’, with our shopping guide.
Our Top 10 Wedding Dress Shopping Tips
1. Start Online
Do you have an idea of how your wedding day will look and feel?
Whether you decide on tradition and elegance or modern with a twist, the best starting point to research dress styles is to start researching online.
There are a variety of online wedding dress shopping websites that can give you ideas of styles and trends that can help you decide what will suit you best, and how and where to buy wedding dresses.
Searching online using key words, such as ‘where to buy wedding dresses’, and ideas for dream wedding dresses to initially give you an idea of what is available and where to find it.
Social media can help too as there are many online blogs that may give you ideas, try searching through YouTube, Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook.
2. Shop Locally
Many future brides like the idea of getting the personal touch and being made to feel special. Where better to start than checking out your local wedding dress shops and specialist bridal boutiques.
You can have a quick search on the internet to locate your closest bridal dress shops, and have a quick peak at what they offer and see if it attracts you.
Searching for ‘wedding dress shopping near me’, with your postcode or town \ city.
This is where your feelings come into play, if it feels right then it is worth checking it out. Ask friends for their recommendations of where to buy wedding dresses. Then make a list of all options for wedding dress shopping near me, and which ones you want to visit first and begin.
3. Plan Ahead
How do you plan wedding dress shopping?
One of the most frequently asked questions from brides-to-be is ‘when should I go wedding dress shopping’, meaning just how long before my wedding leaves me enough time to organise my dress and accessories.
There is no strict answer it depends on how long you have to prepare for wedding dress shopping. If your wedding is planned for well into the future then many brides to be will begin around 12 months before their wedding day.
If you do not have that amount of time, don’t panic, you simply need to get organised as soon as possible and make a wedding dress shopping checklist, covering what, where, when, how and with whom.
How do you plan for wedding dress shopping?
When you have an idea of the style you want then before you venture to the boutiques you need to prepare and have questions written down before you discuss your plans, as you may forget something you wish you had remembered.
When you decide where you are going to visit give them a quick call first as they may only see brides–to–be by appointment, to give you that quality time you deserve.
Don’t forget to ask what you need to bring when wedding dress shopping and what you should wear for that first visit.
What happens if you are getting married soon or going last minute wedding dress shopping?
Then preparing for wedding dress shopping needs to be more focused and prompt and this could be the time to enlist the support of a bridal boutique consultant to help you choose the dress fit and ensure that it is ready in time for your wedding day.
4. Going it Alone
Will you have company on the shopping trip or will you be going wedding dress shopping alone?
Most brides-to be ponder who to take wedding dress shopping, if anyone.
Are you traditional? Should you go wedding dress shopping with your fiancé?
It’s the bride’s choice.
If you plan to go with others then it is best to check how many people the wedding dress boutique can cater for indoors.
Covid distance restrictions may have changed the etiquette for wedding dress appointments and it is best to check out the rules with each boutique or shop before you book, like can the groom go wedding dress shopping with you.
Going wedding dress shopping by yourself it is probably straightforward at the moment, but probably no more than 2 or 3 people at any one time is now possible
What about wedding dress shopping while pregnant?
It is best to check in advance what facilities are available to cater for pregnant brides–to–be, as it will enable the venue to facilitate a more pleasant and accommodating experience.
It is also important to check out in advance if you have special needs what would need to be catered for, and how they could accommodate that too.
5. Enjoy the Experience
This is leading up to one of the most special days of your life where you will be the centre of attention and the subject of endless photos capturing your romantic day in your dream wedding dress.
The wedding dress shopping experience and ambience should make you feel really special.
6. What to Wear for Wedding Dress Shopping
When trying on wedding dresses it is important to be comfortable.
If you’re not sure what to wear when going wedding dress shopping, then ask the experts in your bridal shop of choice. They have seen it all before and will advise you how to prepare for trying on wedding dresses through to final fittings.
Most wedding dress shop will have a consultant or assistant. You only need to ask.
They can explain what are the proper undergarments or underwear for wedding dress shopping. It makes sense to be comfortable while considering the type of dress you wish to try and wear the proper undergarments. If you think you are going for light colours then it is probably best to wear nude-coloured underwear.
7. Size Doesn’t Matter
Size is no barrier when it comes to shopping for a very small or a larger size.
Most bridal shops and boutiques can cater for petite through to plus size wedding dress shopping. Any bride to be will feel like a special client and will be welcome.
8. Set a Budget
How much should a wedding dress cost?
It depends on what you can afford.
It is best to decide how much you can spend and set a budget. The overall cost of a wedding can spiral but don’t let it get out of control.
That’s why you need a Wedding budget checklist.
According to the website www.hitched.co.uk, the average price of a wedding dress in the UK is £1,313. Of course it could be cheaper or more expensive, as there is a huge range of elegant inexpensive dresses through to ones costing over £10,000.
Even the smallest budget can take advantage of canny shopping through the availability of occasional sales, demonstration pieces, samples and off the peg affordable dresses.
9. Keep an Open Mind
Ask for help and advice from staff in the bridal boutique, they will tell you what is right and suits you and also what is not and doesn’t, they are the experts and have seen man brides prior to you. Take time and take stock of all the styles, themes and options available.
We recommend you try before you buy rather than end up with wedding dress regret.
10. Make it Fun!
There are various ways to make wedding dress shopping fun.
Get in the mood, enjoy the feeling of romance, love and feeling special and encourage anyone with you to think of fun ideas for wedding dress shopping.
If you want help consider sending out wedding dress shopping invitations and make it an event, plan lunch and drinks afterwards to make it a truly memorable occasion.
Finally, always remember you will never be alone in your search from that special wedding dress, the majority of bridal boutiques will guide you through all the steps required, right up to your big day!
[ABOUT LILY ROSE BRIDAL]
Nicky (boutique owner) and close friend Jess have vast experience in helping brides choose their perfect wedding dress, they love what they do, meeting brides and helping them choose the most important dress they will ever wear, they find their work (if they can call it that!) so rewarding and so much fun. Give them a call today!
