Top Wedding Dress Shopping Tips for Your First Appointment

During my time working as a consultant intern at a famous bridal salon (if you want to figure out which one, just go to my “About” page), I learned the many ins and outs of what to do when it comes to your first wedding dress shopping appointment. The first appointment can be exciting, yet stressful, but don’t worry! Keep reading for some of my top tips and the answers to some of your wedding dress shopping questions.

How soon before a wedding should you go dress shopping?

While all designers have different lead times, I would recommend shopping about a year to nine months before. You want to give yourself time to shop around if needed and be able to make a decision that isn’t rushed due to time constraints.

What should you do before wedding dress shopping?

Establish your budget.

It’s important to establish your wedding dress budget before shopping. We’ve all heard of those brides that try on a gown wayyyy out of budget and then disaster ensues when they fall in love with it and nothing else can compare. Just be aware when deciding on a budget that you may also need shoes, a veil, and accessories (and you will need alterations…no gown is perfect off the rack unless you are super duper lucky). When giving your consultant your budget, make sure to just state the gown budget alone, or else they may end up pulling dresses that are outside of your price range.

How many people should go wedding dress shopping with you?

I would say no more than 3! Keep your group small because more opinions usually equal more stress. And make sure to choose your posse, squad, groupies, or whatever you want to call them, wisely. Invite people who are supportive and honest. Remember, you want someone who will tell you if something flatters you while keeping their personal opinions out of it. There’s a difference between someone who says she doesn’t like ball gowns because SHE doesn’t like ball gowns and someone who doesn’t like ball gowns on YOU. Big difference! I know you probably feel bad for not having your entire family and bridal squad with you, but remember that you can incorporate them in other areas of your wedding planning if you choose to do so.

Do you bring anything to wedding dress shopping?

Come with wedding dress inspiration!

To get the most out of your appointment, it’s best to come prepared with a Pinterest board, photos, saved Instagram posts, TikTok videos, or old-fashioned tear sheets from bridal magazines. Make sure to tell your consultant what you do and don’t like as far as fabrics, details, and silhouettes are concerned. Just remember that what you originally envisioned you may end up not even liking, and that’s totally okay. Sometimes your wedding dress is something out of the box!

Don’t forget about your undergarments!

When it comes to gown shopping, the right undergarments are everything, so make sure you bring anything you think you may wear on the big day. A pair of seamless skin tone panties (wow I hate that word) is perfect, as well as any other undergarments you think you may wear (like Spanx). Why skin tone you ask? You can see pretty much any other color underneath (especially when it comes to fitted gowns), and this can be a major distraction when you’re trying to envision yourself in the gown on your big day. As far as bras go, chances are you will try on your gown without one (most gowns these days don’t require any kind of bra if they are well-constructed or backless), however, you will need one for measurements.

Seems super obvious but you would be surprised: bring your moolah.

You would honestly be surprised to hear how many brides say they weren’t expecting to find THE gown on their first trip and didn’t bring a checkbook, the right credit card, bars of gold, etc. Make sure you’re packing some currency people.

What is the most important thing to remember when going wedding dress shopping?

Above all, HAVE FUN! Wedding dress shopping should be an enjoyable experience. I mean how many times in your adult life do you get to play dress up for the day, sip champagne, and have people constantly tell you how pretty you look? Sounds great to me!

Starting your dress search? You can wedding dress and bridal fashion inspiration on my Instagram!