24 Best Wedding Dress Shopping Tips: What to Prepare
Going to your first bridal shop soon? This guide has all the best wedding dress shopping tips you need to find your perfect dress!
Ah wedding dress shopping— such an exciting time in the wedding planning process! Finding the perfect dress was one of the things I was looking forward to most when we started planning our big day!
I grew up watching Say Yes to the Dress (iykyk) and it always felt like such a special occasion – not just for the bride, but for your best friends, family members, and even your bridal stylist to come together and celebrate YOU!! It all just seemed so magical: trying on a dream gown that makes you feel like an ABSOLUTE princess.
But let’s be real… going to your first bridal appointment can feel kinda overwhelming. I had NO idea what to expect before stepping into my first bridal boutique, but luckily, I had an amazing bridal stylist who made the entire dress shopping process a great experience (shout out to Ashley at Nyanza Bridal <3 If you’re in Seattle area, PLEASE check them out!!).
SO… if you’re about to start your bridal shopping journey, don’t stress! I got you. I’m breaking down everything you need to know before your first appointment, the top tips on what to bring, and do’s and don’ts!
This post is the ultimate guide to the best wedding dress shopping tips.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if you purchase through them at no extra cost to you. All opinions are genuinely mine.
WHAT TO DO BEFORE YOU START LOOKING FOR A DRESS
First of all, congrats for reaching this milestone in the wedding planning process!! I’m SO excited for you to start your dress journey. Whether you’ve been dreaming of this moment since childhood or you’ve just started to think about the styles you like, it’s totally normal to feel a mix of excitement and nerves. I wish I had done just a little more research before I went, so you’re already one step ahead of me by reading this article 🙂
Before you even look at boutiques, there are a few things you should think about! This will help inform whether a boutique is worth your time or not.
Tip #1: Determine your budget
Set a REALISTIC price range BEFORE shopping! There’s nothing worse than falling in love with a dress that is way out of your budget. It’s a good idea to also make sure you’re factoring in alterations, accessories, taxes, and shipping too – these can actually add quite a bit to the final cost ($500 – $1,000+).
Tip #2: Consider your wedding date and timeline
Most wedding gowns that are made to order can take 6-9 months to arrive, plus another 2-3 months for alterations and final fittings!
This is definitely something I didn’t realize would take so long – so if you don’t think you have enough time, don’t worry! There are still tons of options for you. You can check if a place does rush orders, buy off-the-rack, check out a sample sale, or buy used.
💡 Insider Tip: the best time to start shopping is at least 9-12 months before your big day!
Tip #3: Do research on what you like and don’t
Make a Pinterest board and pin inspo pics of any dress that you love! Here are some things you might ask yourself:
- How do I want to feel in my wedding dress? e.g. romantic, timeless, modern, sexy, dramatic
- What bridal gown silhouettes do I like? e.g. a-line, ball gown, mermaid, fit-and-flare
- What neckline do I like best? e.g. strapless, sweetheart, off-the-shoulder
- What dress fabrics do I love? e.g. lace, satin, tulle, beaded
- How comfortable do I want to be? e.g. fitted vs more breathable, heavy vs light
- What features are a MUST-HAVE? e.g. pockets, sleeves, open back, slit
- What feels best for my body type? Are there certain areas I want to accentuate over others?
- How might my wedding venue affect what I choose? Think about your overall wedding theme and personal style. e.g. more lightweight for a beach vs whimsical for a garden wedding
While all these questions are helpful – at the end of the day, my best advice is to choose what just works for YOU. It doesn’t have to check all the boxes if you absolutely love it!
Tip #4: Decide on your wedding dress shopping guest list
Too many opinions can be super overwhelming! Don’t let your experience be a drama-filled episode on Say Yes to the Dress. Great for reality tv, not so great for reality.
Choose 2-3 people whose opinions you trust and you know will encourage you to make the right decision. This dress is for YOU. Not for them. Bring a best friend, maid of honor, your mom — whoever you know will let your opinions matter the most!
TIPS FOR BOOKING YOUR FIRST DRESS APPOINTMENT
Now that you have some prep work done, it’s time to look around and book your appointment! Most bridal boutiques don’t allow walk-ins, so make sure to do your research on a place before you go. These wedding dress shopping tips are all about making sure you’re scheduling appointments at the right places. Here’s what you should keep in mind:
Tip #5: Find the right boutiques
Do your research on local bridal salons to see their dress options, what designers they carry, their price range, and whether they align with your wedding dress style. Wedding dress shopping can be physically taxing – you won’t believe how exhausted you might be after trying on 10 dresses in an hour LOL. So it’s important to visit boutiques that actually have dresses you’re interested in!
Tip #6: Check appointment fees
Appointment fees can vary greatly by boutique – I’ve seen anything from free to $250 for an appointment! Different shops might also offer a variety of packages, like a simple try-on or the VIP appointment with champagne toasts.
Tip #7: Check available sizes at each boutique
Most bridal boutiques carry sample sizes between 8-12 (which roughly translates to 4-8 street size). These samples may not fit your perfectly, but your stylist will use clips to help you visualize! If you’re looking for plus-size wedding dresses, be sure to check if your boutique carries extended sample sizes.
Tip #8: Schedule your appointments in advance
A lot of bridal boutiques will book up quickly, so schedule your first appointment early! Weekend slots can fill up fast. Start early.
DO’S AND DON’TS FOR YOUR BRIDAL APPOINTMENT
Woohoo, the day has come and you are so excited to go to your appointment! Here are the best tips for Do’s and Don’ts at your appointment.
Tip #8: DO your makeup ✅
While it might be super tempting to just roll out of bed and go in sweats (you’re not going to be wearing your clothes anyway!), take some time beforehand to do your makeup. This will give you a more realistic image of how you’ll look and feel in your wedding dress! Even just some mascara + lip gloss makes a difference 🙂
Tip #9: DO put your hair up ✅
Regardless of if you’re going to have an updo on your big day, it’s a great idea to put your hair up so you can see how the dress looks from every angle. Either come in with an updo or have hair ties on hand!
Tip #10: DO wear nude underwear ✅
Some wedding dress styles can be more transparent or sheer. I bought this pack of undies and they were super comfy the entire time.
Tip #11: DO decide if you’ll wear shapewear or a strapless bra ✅
If you want extra support and plan on wearing either during your wedding, bring them!
Tip #12: DO bring inspiration pics ✅
You know that Pinterest board you made? Bring it up and show your bridal consultant! There’s no better way to help your stylist pick out the right wedding dress than by showing them.
Tip #13: DO voice your changing room preferences ✅
Depending on the boutique, your bridal stylist may or may not decide to join you in the changing room. If you have a preference, just ask. It’s not fun being uncomfortable during an experience that should be exciting. I wish I knew this wedding dress shopping tip before I was caught off guard with my stylist staying in the room with me!
Tip #14: DO try on different styles ✅
You think you know what you want… until you step into the dress room LOL. Definitely keep an open mind! I went in with a vision but still tried on every type of dress – from mermaid to ballgown and from simple to completely embellished. Funnily enough, the runner-up dress I almost choose was the COMPLETE opposite of the dress I picked. Sometimes the dress you least expect will be the one that makes you feel most like a bride… so have fun with it!
Tip #15: DO expect to try on 5-10 dresses ✅
Even if you feel like the first dress you try on is your dream wedding dress, give others a shot. Trying on 5-10 dresses will help you compare different styles, fits, and fabrics. This will help you be absolutely sure you’ve found the one. And if every other dress you try on just makes you love that first one even more… that’s your confirmation!!
Tip #16: DO take photos & videos from EVERY angle ✅
This is my FAVORITE wedding dress shopping tip! Front, back, sitting down, walking around… your wedding photographer won’t just be snapping straight-on shots, so seeing the full look is key. See if you can play around with lighting too, e.g. in front of an open window vs where the light might be dimmer.
Tip #17: DO test your comfort ✅
Test each dress for comfort. Try to dance, walk, sit, run(? probably not LOL), or just move! Think about the different activities you’ll be doing on your wedding day and if you’ll be comfortable doing those things.
For example, is dancing super important to you? Maybe a mermaid dress isn’t practical because you’ll get more wiggle room in an a-line or a ball gown!
Tip #18: DO think about your veil and accessories ✅
Your entire wedding look isn’t just about the dress! Finding the perfect accessories and veil will help pull it all together. If you love a simple dress but think it’s too plain, you can always pull in a lacey or embroidered veil to soften it up.
Tip #18: DO ask good questions ✅
The more you know the better! Here are some key questions you might want to ask:
- What’s the timeline for delivery?
- What’s the payment like?
- What’s the alteration process?
- Can they customize details?
- Do they offer storage?
Tip #19: DO HAVE FUN & ENJOY IT!!! ✅
This is one of the most important wedding dress shopping tips out there. At the end of the day, this experience is simply about finding your dream dress and feeling beautiful in it. Enjoy the experience and soak it all in!
Tip #20: DON’T stress over finding “The One” ❌
Some brides might have that “say yes to the dress,” tears, and all the emotions moment, but if you don’t? That’s okay!! If you don’t have that instant emotional reaction, that doesn’t mean you haven’t found your dream dress. Focus on how the dress makes you feel. Do you feel beautiful and like you? Can you picture yourself walking down the aisle?
Tip #21: DON’T look at dresses over budget ❌
DO NOT BREAK UR OWN HEART!! I set a comfortable budget target range and then a “MAX-I’m-not-spending-a-penny-more-than-this” budget. Stick to this and tell your stylist so she doesn’t pull dresses over budget for you. It’s not a fun feeling to have your “this is the one” moment with a dress you can’t take home.
Tip #22: DON’T let a stylist pressure you ❌
This is for all my people pleasers here (fully empathize, that was me!!) – remember that this is YOUR dream dress, YOUR big day, and YOUR decision. Some bridal consultants work on commission, so they might try to close the sale and get you to buy soon to stop you from finding something else. Don’t be afraid to say no. If they’re being way too pushy, you can also leave!
Tip #23: DON’T freak out over sizing ❌
Wedding gown sizes are NOTHING like street sizes. It’s totally normal to be sized up—just focus on the perfect fit! Your bridal stylist will measure you and recommend the best size based on your body shape. Getting alterations will also help you get the perfect fit. So forget about the number 🙂
Bonus Tip #24: DO look for sample sales or trunk shows (optional) ✅
What is a wedding dress sample sale? It’s when a bridal store is selling the floor models that customers try-on (limited size and styles). This is a great way to save money! I actually ended up buying a sample from my boutique and it was 45% off! What is a trunk show? Trunk shows are when a bridal store brings in a wide selection of dresses from a particular designer. If you find yourself drawn to a certain designer, keep your eyes out for if they’re doing a trunk show in your area!
Shopping for the perfect wedding dress is such a fun part of wedding planning, but it can also be a lot. I hope you feel just a little more prepared with these wedding dress shopping tips and ready to find that dream gown! Just remember that this is YOUR special day. Stay true to what you like, keep an open mind, and have fun 🙂