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I brought a strapless bra & champagne. I wish I would have brought heels because the bridal salon didn't offer me heels.
Take a strapless bra undies that cover your bottom (I am shy and don't care to moon anyone.)
Take a camera. Even if they say no pics, sneek a picture while in the fitting room
Oh and something to munch on, like a granola bar, in case you get hungry in the middle of dress fittings.
This last one is just personal preference, but I think it will help. Do your makeup nicely and your hair nicely. This way when you try your dress on, you'll get a better sense of how you'll look.
strapless bra and heels (unless you're planning on wearing flats) are a must. wear undergarments that you'll feel comfortable standing in front of a stranger in.
other nice to haves: bottle of water, camera (or failing that a notebook so you can jot down style numbers, etc to search around for alternative pricing). makeup is a nice touch too so you get a sense of what you'll look like all done up. pictures of what you like (if you already know) help too.
also strong resolution: do NOT look at dresses above your budget. they'll try to upsell you and it'll be tempting. no point falling in love w/ a dress you can't have tho.
Try on several types of dresses, if you think you like one, try it on again later. I bought mine the same day, but sometimes it is best to shop around at several places and have time to sleep on it. Bringing a snack, strapless bra and heels/flats is also a good idea! Places like David's Bridal will let you take pictures so bring a camera just in case! Also, everything looks different on, than on a hanger, so try everything!
Yes, definitely make sure you eat before you go or keep a snack in your purse--if you get hungry, you might get cranky and frustrated, and you won't like anything you try on. Well, that's how I get, anyway...
It also helps to put on some makeup (if you usually wear it) and do your hair--you'll like how you look in the dresses better! Strapless bra and heels are also great recommendations.
My personal advice--if someone else recommends or suggests a dress that you don't think you'll like, try it on anyway. Dresses look a lot different on the hanger than they will look on you. If I hadn't tried on a dress my mom suggested because she liked the material, I might still be shopping for the perfect dress.
Good luck! Oh, and don't forget to have fun!
Do your hair and makeup. Don't go with a yucky ponytail. Bring heels, if you plan on wearing them and wear the good undies. :) You're going to be in them a lot. Try on a lot of dresses, even in styles you don't like. You never know!
depending on the thickness of the dresses that you're trying on, you might want to wear white undies. i was going casual so mine were all thinner lacy dresses. my blue underwear was not very attractive.
i second do NOT try on dresses out of your range. I got talked into doing it just for fun and man was i upset when I fell in love and couldn't afford it!
Don't eat anything, starting last week. And then, don't eat anything ever again. Just kidding. I second all of the advice (not that I am that seasoned, I'm going out for my second round of shopping this weekend myself) but one thing about makeup - be careful not to wear too much or stuff that easily rubs off - they like to put the dresses on you over your head, which surprised me - told you I wasn't that seasoned a wedding dress shopper.
I would also say shapewear might be good if you are looking at some formfitting styles and think you might be wearing it with your dress eventually. I knew I wanted A-line and not a mermaid style, or at least I had already decided I didn't want a dress that required shapewear because I hate it. I respect it, I own some of it, but I don't feel that great in it.
I think the most important part of dress shopping is the consultant - and don't let a consultant who doesn't listen to you or makes you feel unimportant ruin the experience for you. You can always go back and request another consultant, or move on.
I really hope it goes well!
Don't be shy and speak up for yourself!
But also try on all sorts of dresses, even if you know what you want... I did and am really glad I did, because it made me really sure of the one I wanted.
And most importantly - have fun!
I would recommend sleeping on your decision for one night before buying, in addition to all the tips already mentioned above (definitely bring the strapless bra) :)
It sounds totally obvious, but I didn't take my own advice, and now I am a two-dress bride. So go home and sleep on it, and really make sure that you're getting what you want. And be open! I had a "look" in mind, and it turns out that the dresses that look best on me and fit my personality don't really fit into that "look".
1 - strapless bra (if you are going to wear one)! I am flat as a pancake, so I didn't bother...and I don't plan on wearing one (I'm getting cups sewn into the dress)...but I would assume most people would need one! My shop provided me with corsets/etc if I wanted to use one to try on.
2 - heels! I totally forgot to do this...and I felt stupid!
3 - light makeup. Don't look like a scrub...but I did my makeup nicely that day so that I could get a good idea of what I'd possibly look like
4 - an open mind. Seriously, if your consultant is a good one, she will know exactly what to bring you that will look good on your figure. My consultant was an angel...I described what I was looking for in a dress, and she brought me THE dress...it was the first one out! I just had to trust her instincts to bring me the right dress!
5 - a positive attitude! It can be frustrating to try on dresses at times, but don't get discouraged! One is out there, and you will find it! I only searched for a short time, but I was so satisfied with the experience.
Have fun!!!!
Be prepared - they are going to want to go into the dressing room with you. It's not that they're pervs, it's that wedding dresses tend to be heavy and difficult to get on and off. I was a professional model for years and specialized in wedding dresses (that was 15 years and 30 lbs ago) and I have gotten stuck in dresses - it's far more embarassing than having someone in there with you.
In preparation for your dressing room company, you may want to wear either boy shorts or a half slip (your mom or grandmother may have one). Really, they cover you up well. Also, if you have a friend who is around your size, you may want to borrow a longline bra. Some shops will loan you one, but if you have your own, that's better. Finally, remember not to overdo it. You can go shopping again another day. If you try on too many in one day, they all kind of blend together. Good luck.
In addition to all the things others mentioned, I think it's really important to have along friend(s) who know your style and can keep a good attitude all day. I went with a friend from college and she kept me laughing even when dresses wouldn't zip or looked terrible! If you have a friend along who tends to think everyone should dress HER/HIS style (we all have one!), take that advice with a pinch of salt. You want to feel like yourself in this dress.
And I think it would be a good idea to be very clear with the attendant what your price range is and hold her to it. As others said, you probably don't want to try on dresses that would be way too expensive!
Don't go with too many people (one or two at most). Too many opinions and you'll start to lose sight of what YOU feel best wearing.
Most of all have fun!
All the comments about bras and heels are spot on. I'd like to add - wait to buy. Make sure you love the dress and love it more than all the others and that it matches your venue and that you love, love, love wearing that dress more than all the other dresses in the world. Or you will indeed find yourself a two dress bride.
Great advice from the PPs. I definitely agree with trying on dresses within your budget. There's nothing worst than falling in love with a dress and then learning you can't have it. Then the usual: bring a camera because it'll be hard to remember details of each dress you try on, and try on every imaginable dress style.
I'm not sure how many shops you plan on visiting but make sure you have some time in between shops so you can mull over everything. After trying on so many dresses, you'll probably feel mentally exhausted. Try and not to visit too many shops in one day...remember, dress shopping is a marathon, not a sprint.
Most importantly: HAVE FUN!!!
Bring a strapless bra with you (although most places have long line bras available), undies that cover you up or you feel comfortable in, heels (although some places have beautiful shoes for you to wear as well), a camera, snack/water, and do wear some make up and try to get your hair done a bit...unlike me...I showed up with no make up...in sweats...and greasy hair. Ooops.
Have fun!
All the PP had great advice. I also think it's important just to try dresses on with an open mind. You may have an idea in your head of what The Dress is going to be. However, you could end up falling in love with something completely different. I know I did! I would have never even tried my dress on after seeing it on the rack, but the consultant pulled it and I kept an open mind. I loved it, but it's nothing like I originally thought I wanted.
Also, HAVE FUN! I look back at my dress shopping experience and I think I spent a lot of it stressed out--worrying about making the right decision, worrying that I wouldn't find The Dress, etc. I wish I had just relaxed a little and had more fun.
Bring a camera, and if you're not permitted, try to sneak pictures! If it's REALLY not allowed, designate someone to take copious notes, possibly sketching dress silhouettes and necklines -- that'll be a huge help when everything starts to get muddled and confused in your mind.
Try on a bunch of different styles. You might be surprised by what you end up loving!
And have so much fun!!!
The dress shop I went to had me pick out one dres in every shape (a-line, ball gown, mermaid, wrap, etc.) and then I tried on each one and had to pick which style was the most flattering and also pick which dress was my favorite in case it wasn't the same dress. And then we went back and picked out dresses similar to those two dresses.
I really liked this process and even though one of the first ones I tried on and loved was what I got, I felt more confident in my decision because I had given so many other dresses a chance.
Good luck and have fun! And I agree, do your hair and makeup so you feel extra pretty trying on the gowns!
HAVE FUN!!
Unless you're shameless, wear something that covers your breasts and butt since you won't be getting dressed alone. You can either do a strapless bra and panties or a slip.
Bring high heels in a comfortable height. If you are interested in form fitting styles, bring non-bloaty snack foods and bottled water. I also brought control top hosiery in case I started bloating. But I also had a giant sandwich and a margarita for lunch in between dress shops... and I only tried on super clingy dresses. Great ideas, self.
You can try on dresses outside your price range if you're open to trying to find those styles used or sample. You can actually double your price range that way.
At first, I was annoyed that the consultant working with me was bringing in dresses but then I put on what I believe to be THE dress and I NEVER would have picked it. I asked her who brought it and she said "I did!" I apolagized and thanked her! She did an amazing job and I made sure the shop knew that!
My BMs do not like that they have never seen me in a wedding gown since I went with my mom so we're going again in Oct. I never thought to take heels! Good advice!
I took a bra, did my hair and makeup, and wore cute undies. I also ate very healthy that day. All the PP have most of it covered but my biggest piece of advice is have an open mind and try every style on at least once!
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I am going dress shopping for the first time this weekend!! SO excited... :) Does anyone have any advice on what to wear, bring, keep in mind, do, etc? I figured there would be no one better to ask for advice than all of you! Thanks bees! :)