Our brides come to us with all kinds of experiences. Some have been in weddings before, so they have gone wedding shopping previously; others are experiencing everything for the first time. Regardless of “expertise,” questions like, “Do you need an appointment to try on bridal dresses?” or “How many people can you bring to an appointment?” are super common. Since we know how intimidating the process can seem, we want to do everything we can to make you feel comfortable. That’s why we’ve compiled some tips and advice for wedding dress shopping—now you can feel totally prepared!

Tips for wedding dress shopping:

Our advice for wedding dress shopping is geared specifically toward Wedding Shoppe brides, and it’s important to remember that every bridal boutique is different, so policies may vary from business to business. By all means make sure you double check on anything you aren’t sure about.

Make an appointment.

By setting an appointment, a personal shopper will be assigned to work with you for your 90-minute appointment. She will familiarize herself with the information you provided when you made your appointment, such as general style preferences and where and when your wedding is, making it that much easier to help you find the perfect gown.

Avoid Saturdays.

There’s no other way to put it: Saturdays at the Shoppe can be totally bonkers! Obviously, Saturdays often work best for most people, so it’s completely understandable if no other day works. However, be prepared for the hustle and bustle, and if possible consider a day or evening during the week (check out our hours and directions for more details).

Get inspired and do your homework.

Figure out which styles tickle your fancy by browsing WeddingShoppeInc.com. Bring pictures to your appointment, and define a realistic budget. We don’t carry every item from the website in-store, but your personal shopper will definitely be able to help you find similar products.

Trust your personal shopper and be honest.

Your personal shopper will pull a few gowns she thinks will look fantastic on you. Keep in mind that she knows the designers, fabrics, silhouettes, etc., and can offer tons of expertise, so give her suggestions a try. That being said, don’t be afraid to tell her if you really dislike something. Her job is to help you find YOUR dress—not the one she thinks you should wear.

Choose your skivvies carefully!

Your personal shopper will be in the fitting room with you, helping you in and out of each gown, so make sure you wear undergarments you don’t mind her seeing you in. We have strapless bras for you to use during your appointment, but feel free to bring or wear your own.

Limit the peanut gallery.

Choosing your wedding dress is a huge event! Most brides have several special people they want to share the experience with, and it can be hard to limit the guest list. Keep in mind that inviting too many opinions can be distracting and take the focus off of you, something you definitely don’t want when looking for your dress. Choose up to two or three guests who know you and your style well and whose opinions you trust the most.

Remember the things that are important and replicate your look.

Do you have a family heirloom you plan on incorporating into your look, such as a veil or shoes? Bring that with you. Already know how you want to wear your hair? Style it similarly on the day of your appointment. Having these factors present will help you get a better idea about how everything will look together.

Help us keep our dresses white!

We ask all of the guests in our bridal department to remove their shoes to help keep our floors clean, so that our dresses in turn stay clean. Keep that in mind when choosing footwear for the day of your appointment.

Bring your camera!

Feel free to take pictures of yourself in your favorite gowns. We love our customers and love seeing them in their dresses, so you're welcome to share your photos with us on Facebook or Twitter!

Think big picture.

We are a full service bridal boutique, so we offer other services besides wedding dresses. We also carry bridesmaids dresses, flower girl dresses, mothers’ gowns, tuxedos, and suits! Feel free to ask about those other departments while you’re here. Have more questions? Ready to make the jump and set up an appointment? You can contact us in either case; we'd love to hear from you!