Wedding Wednesdays: Tips For a Successful Bridal Appointment
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING:THE DRESS! 👰‍♀️
You wake up and today is THE DAY, your bridal appointment. Whether you have dreamt about your wedding day, envisioned your bridal glory for years, or you’d like to skip ahead past any potential hassle and fuss, we get it and we are here to help you plan your bridal appointment and make finding your wedding dress as fun and seamless as possible. We know that commitment on your consultant’s part doesn’t come without questions on yours, so allow us to answer a few and paint a picture of what to expect!
FIRST, BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT!
They can’t wait to meet you and want to make sure we have time fully devoted to you, so before you come in, give us a call and make an appointment. This ensures you are well taken care of when you come in and that they may cater to you without distraction. When you call, there will be a quick chat to get to know you and what you need from them. Wedding date helps us determine which dresses they can get in time for your wedding, your venue paints the picture of your wedding day, your price point helps us know which designers you have to choose from, and any style preferences just helps them direct you to your dress!
First, you'll need to have a few things prepared before your visit. Even if you don't know what style you prefer, select photos of dresses from designer websites or Pinterest that appeal to you and bring those to your appointment. This will help your consultant gain an idea for your style, and she may be able to pull samples that are similar to these as a starting point.
START EARLY!
Wedding gowns typically take 6-8 months to arrive in shop, even longer if its customized. Typically, 8-12 months before your wedding is a good time to start shopping. If jumping in early isn't an option, or if you simply do not want to go early then buying your gown off the rack is also an option. This means you would be buying the sample from the store, which means any sizing issues or repairs would need to be adjusted in alterations. But make sure you allow 6-10 weeks for alterations.
KNOW YOUR BUDGET!
You should have an idea of what you want your budget to be. Even if you do not know an exact number, have an average. It's always good to set your budget where you're comfortable but have wiggle room in case "the one" is a couple hundred above that. Make sure you leave room in your budget for your veil and other accessories as well.
BRING A SUPPORTIVE CREW!
Whether you bring your entire bridal party, or just a few close family members, make sure they are on your side. Even if you love something, sometimes it can be hard to say yes if your loved ones aren't as excited as you may be. While it is great to have other opinions, the decision is ultimately on you. You should be able to pick the dress that fits your dream and makes you feel most beautiful! And your "I do crew" should respect that.
BRING A SUPPORTIVE CREW!
Whether you bring your entire bridal party, or just a few close family members, make sure they are on your side. Even if you love something, sometimes it can be hard to say yes if your loved ones aren't as excited as you may be. While it is great to have other opinions, the decision is ultimately on you. You should be able to pick the dress that fits your dream and makes you feel most beautiful! And your "I do crew" should respect that.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO TAKE A BREATHER
Once your appointment begins, it is easy to get lost in the sea of ivory and lace. If you begin to feel overwhelmed, feel free to say so. It's important that this stays a positive experience for you, and that your thoughts stay clear. Also, it’s okay for family to browse and help you make selections, but it can become really overwhelming if they keep pulling dozens of options, so maybe suggest to them to just enjoy the moment until the bride or consultant says otherwise.
Trust your consultant and don't be afraid to try on gowns he or she suggests that fall outside of your traditional comfort zone. They spend hours studying their own inventory, how it fits, and the language used to categorize it in the bridal industry. Also, you would be surprised how often brides say yes to a dress that is a totally different style than they came into the store wanting!
Sometimes it can be good to keep trying on dresses, even if you have some for sure favorites, but it can also lead to confusion. I like to say finding your dress is much like finding your spouse- once you find the one, you don't keep looking. So, if you keep feeling your heart lead you back to a particular gown, probably best to go with your gut.
If you don't have that "AH-HA" moment when saying yes, don't feel discouraged. Not everyone feels emotions the same way, and it doesn't happen for everyone. Just simply trust yourself, and the decision you make will be the right one!
We hope this helps you say yes to the dress of your dreams!