The moment is finally here-- wedding dress shopping! You have dreamt of this your whole life, and now it is a reality. EEK! We are so pumped for you. Though this moment is super exciting, you may think to yourself--- "wait, what do I need to do to prep for this?!" Been there, felt that. Luckily, we are here to inform you on all the "Do's" and "Don'ts" when prepping for your bridal appointment.
DO
Bring all ideas + inspiration! We love to get a grasp on what you envision for your big day. Whether that be colors, decor, style of dress, or even just your venue. Show us everything!
DON'T
Fixate too much on a certain style or dress. Be open to trying on other options! Bridal gowns can fit so much different than they photograph. Who knows, you may end up loving a dress you never would have imagined for yourself!
DO
Come feeling your best. We don't encourage a full face of makeup (white dresses + makeup don't mix!) However, we do recommend coming feeling prepped + gorgeous for your appointment! As close as you can get to the real day is a plus, whether that be hair up or down, tan vs no tan, nails done, etc. This is not necessary, by any means, but consider it an excuse to spoil yourself. (;
DON'T
Intensely diet for your appointment. You are beautiful as you are and we know we will find the perfect dress for you + your body! The dress is meant to fit you, not you to fit the dress. We encourage eating as you would leading up to the wedding, so all measurements are accurate and you feel most like yourself!
DO
Bring your fav girl gang! Having your support system along for this experience is priceless. We recommend making a whole day out of it! Champagne is always encouraged, and we will always have all the dinner recommendations when needed!
DON'T
Bring members that you know will be very opinionated and/or pessimistic. We know this is such a special time for you + everyone wants to be involved + have an opinion. However, we are strong advocates of setting boundaries. Instead, plan to do a private showing with those friends or family members once you have said yes to the dress. We promise you won't regret it!
DO
Set a realistic budget before coming in. Knowing how much you are willing to spend + knowing in advance what the dresses typically cost is a way to not be blindsided or overwhelmed. Having a down payment ready to go just in case (fingers crossed) you find your dream dress is always a plus, as it helps split up your payments into more manageable amounts.
DON'T
Come in planning to spend $100-$200. Unless you are shopping on Amazon or at a consignment store, this amount is very unattainable for most bridal stores. We love a good deal as much as anyone else, but in bridal we truly stand by the statement, "you get what you pay for".
DO
Have fun + enjoy the process! This is a super exciting time in your life, and we want to make it just that. When you walk in our doors, there is no stress, pressure, or rush. This is why we are open "by appointment only". For your appointment, our store is your store. You have our undivided attention, and can truly make your time at The Dress your own.
DON'T
Overthink it! There is no reason to rush in making your decision. Typically, if you leave and can't get your mind off a certain dress, your gut is telling you something. Trust the process and yourself when it comes to finding your special dress!
We hope this was helpful in planning your first big appointment! & of course, if you have any concerns, questions, or thoughts, you can always reach out to us prior to your appointment. We are always just a phone call or email away!
xoxo,
Morgan
