Deborah Chan
Shopping for a wedding dress can be a magical experience, but it can also be overwhelming. There are many factors to consider, from price points to styles, fabrics, and silhouettes. It is important to do your research beforehand and establish a baseline of likes and dislikes. This includes determining your bridal style and the theme of your wedding, as well as setting a budget and identifying designers that appeal to you. When preparing for your appointment, it is recommended to bring hair ties or clips to sweep your hair up and to go barefoot for ease of trying on gowns. It is also beneficial to keep an open mind and trust the expertise of your consultant.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Do research beforehand to establish likes and dislikes, including preferred silhouettes, necklines, sleeve types and fabrics. |
| Create a Pinterest board or compile a file of favourite dresses from magazines, online boutiques and celebrity looks. | |
| Identify commonalities in styles, such as embellishment, lace, open backs or strapless necklines. | |
| Be aware of your budget and any additional costs such as tailoring, accessories and cleaning. | |
| Know your wedding design, venue and theme to ensure the dress fits the overall aesthetic. | |
| Consider how you plan to style your hair and makeup on the day. | |
| Appointment | Select a weekday morning or afternoon to avoid crowds and feeling rushed. |
| Be on time for your appointment. | |
| Be open to recommendations from your consultant. | |
| Try on dresses to get a sense of the style and fit. | |
| It's normal to take your time and try on multiple dresses. | |
| People | Choose friends and family carefully to ensure they uplift and celebrate you. |
| Split up activities like accessories appointments or final fittings to include more people without feeling overwhelmed. |
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What You'll Learn
Do your research and prepare a vision board
Wedding dress shopping can be overwhelming, but doing some research and preparing a vision board can help you go into your first bridal consultation with a clear idea of what you want. Start by browsing wedding dress trends on Pinterest, Instagram, or bridal boutiques and screenshotting or saving your favourite looks. Consider the venue and theme of your wedding to ensure your dress complements the overall aesthetic. Also, think about your preferred silhouettes, necklines, sleeve types, and fabrics. If there are designers that keep popping up, make a list of these brands and book appointments with them.
You can also create a physical vision board by tearing pages out of magazines and arranging them on a board. Look for commonalities in the styles you've chosen—do they have similar embellishments, lace, or volume? Do they feature open backs or strapless necklines? Identifying these overarching themes will help you communicate your vision to your bridal stylist.
While doing your research, keep an open mind and remember that your wedding dress may end up being something completely different from what you initially envisioned. The process should be enjoyable, so don't stress too much about finding the perfect dress. Trust your bridal stylist's expertise and recommendations. They will be able to suggest options that capture your personal style, flatter your body type, and are within your budget.
Additionally, consider how you plan to style your hair and makeup on your wedding day. Emulating your wedding day hairstyle during your bridal appointment can help create a complete vision. Some brides even schedule a hair or makeup trial on the same day as their bridal appointment to further enhance the dress shopping experience.
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Choose a bridal shop and book an appointment
Choosing a bridal shop and booking an appointment can be a daunting task, but with some research and preparation, you can make the process enjoyable and efficient. Here are some detailed instructions to help you navigate this exciting step in your wedding planning:
Research and Select a Bridal Shop:
- Determine your bridal style: Before choosing a bridal shop, it's essential to have a sense of your preferred wedding dress styles. Browse Pinterest, Instagram, online bridal boutiques, and magazines to gather inspiration and identify common themes among the gowns you're drawn to. Do you prefer embellished, lacy, or voluminous dresses? Are you interested in open backs or strapless necklines? Defining your style will help you choose a bridal shop that aligns with your vision.
- Consider your budget: Think about your wedding dress budget, including not just the dress but also any alterations, accessories, and cleaning costs. This will help you choose a bridal shop that offers options within your price range.
- Research shops and designers: Make a list of bridal shops and designers that carry the styles and price points you're looking for. Read reviews, browse their websites, and explore their collections to ensure they match your vision and budget.
Book an Appointment:
- Choose a less busy time: Saturdays are typically the busiest days at bridal salons. Consider booking your appointment during the week, preferably in the morning or afternoon, to avoid crowds and ensure a more relaxed experience.
- Prepare for the appointment: Before your appointment, take some time to prepare. Browse the shop's or designer's website and save or favourite the dresses that catch your eye. This will give your consultant a better understanding of your style preferences. You can also bring screenshots, magazine cutouts, or Pinterest boards to your appointment for further inspiration and guidance.
- Select your entourage carefully: Decide who you want to bring to your appointment. While it's special to share this moment with loved ones, consider bringing only a few people whose opinions you value and who will uplift and support you. You can always involve more friends and family members in other wedding-related activities to ensure everyone feels included.
- Be open-minded: Remember that trying on wedding dresses is often very different from shopping for everyday clothes. Keep an open mind and trust your consultant's expertise. They may suggest styles you hadn't initially considered, but their experience can help guide you toward finding the perfect dress that captures your personal style and flatters your body type.
By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to choosing a bridal shop and booking an appointment that sets the foundation for finding your dream wedding dress.
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What to bring to your appointment
Wedding dress shopping can be overwhelming, but there are many ways to prepare for your appointment. Here is a list of things to bring to your appointment:
Visual Inspiration
Before your appointment, gather visual inspiration for your wedding dress. Browse Pinterest, Instagram, online bridal boutiques, and magazines to find styles, silhouettes, necklines, sleeve types, and fabrics that appeal to you. Create a collection of these images and identify common themes. Do you prefer embellished, lacy, or voluminous gowns? Are you drawn to open backs or strapless necklines? Bringing these ideas to your appointment will help your stylist understand your taste and vision.
List of Designers
After gathering inspiration, you may notice certain designers that consistently create looks that appeal to you. Make a list of these designers and book appointments at boutiques or salons that carry their collections. Knowing which designers you want to try will streamline your shopping experience and ensure you are visiting the right places.
Budget Information
It is important to be mindful of your budget when shopping for a wedding dress. The cost of the dress itself is not the only expense to consider. There will also be costs for tailoring, accessories, and cleaning. Communicate your budget with your stylist so they can recommend options within your price range. Be open to their suggestions, as they are experts in finding the best choices for your style and budget.
Hair and Makeup
Consider how you plan to style your hair and makeup on your wedding day, and try to emulate this look during your appointment. This will help you envision the complete look and ensure the dress complements your chosen hairstyle and makeup style. Some brides even schedule a hair or makeup trial on the same day as their dress appointment to further enhance their experience.
Trusted Companions
While you may want to involve several friends or family members in your dress shopping journey, it is important to carefully select a small group that will uplift and celebrate you. Too many opinions at once can be overwhelming. You can include loved ones in other aspects of the process, such as accessories appointments or final fittings, to make them feel included without overwhelming yourself.
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$61.99
Try on different styles and silhouettes
When it comes to wedding dress styles and silhouettes, there are many options to choose from. Before you start trying on dresses, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the different styles and silhouettes available to help narrow down the options. Compile a visual file of your favourite wedding dresses by tearing pages out of magazines, saving Instagram posts, creating a Pinterest board, browsing online boutiques, and making note of celebrity looks you love. Then, identify common themes among the dresses you've chosen. Do they feature embellishments, lace, or voluminous skirts? Do they have open backs or strapless necklines? This will help you determine your bridal style and guide your choices when trying on different silhouettes.
One of the most popular wedding dress silhouettes is the A-line dress, which is known for its universally flattering shape. It features a fitted bodice that showcases the waist and a skirt that flows gently in an A-shape from the hips, creating a timeless and elegant look. Another classic silhouette is the ball gown, which has a full skirt, fitted bodice, and cinched waist, defining your waist and highlighting your bust. If you're looking for something more form-fitting, the sheath dress is a sleek and elegant option that contours the body with a straight cut and zero waist seam, flattering brides of all heights.
If you want to highlight your hips, the trumpet style, which is fitted below the knee, and the drop waist style, which showcases the waist and hip area, are both great options. For a more dramatic look, consider a high-low silhouette with a raised front hemline and a longer back that creates an asymmetrical look, perfect for showing off your bridal shoes. If you're looking to add curves, a chiffon dress with asymmetrical pleating and heavier embellishments can exaggerate your shape while adding a modern twist.
While trying on different styles and silhouettes, keep an open mind and don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. You may be surprised by what you end up choosing. Pay attention to how each dress makes you feel, and don't be discouraged if the process becomes overwhelming. Take your time and seek guidance from bridal stylists to help you navigate the vast array of options and find the perfect dress for your special day.
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Consider the cost and your budget
Wedding dresses can be expensive, and for many brides, the bridal wardrobe doesn’t just start and end with a wedding dress. Some decide to incorporate multiple looks, including a ceremony gown, reception ensemble, and after-party outfit—which can make shopping even more expensive. It is therefore important to consider the cost and your budget before you start shopping for a wedding dress.
Before you start wedding dress shopping, it is important to do your homework. Know what your wedding design will look like, whether you want a laid-back, garden-themed, or a formal affair. Always keep the venue and theme in mind as you browse gowns, because you don't want your dress to clash with your overall wedding aesthetic.
It is also a good idea to do some research beforehand so that you can establish a baseline of likes and dislikes—for example, your preferred wedding dress silhouettes, neckline, sleeve type, and fabric. Start by browsing wedding dress trends on Pinterest and screenshot your favourites to show your stylist during the appointment. You can also check out wedding dress galleries to sort through a variety of gowns and wedding dress designers in one place. This will give you an idea of the price range you feel good about.
If you are working with a budget, it is important to stick to it. If you are working with a $3,000–$5,000 budget, for instance, you don't want to fall in love with a $20,000 gown. It is hard not to fall in love with something once you do, and it can be hard to look at anything else in the same way. Communicate your budget to your stylist and ask them not to recommend anything outside your budget without first letting you know.
There are plenty of ways to maximise your budget. Shopping at a trunk show or sample sale, for instance, can give you the opportunity to score a designer gown at a reduced price. Trunk shows usually include a discount on dresses purchased during the sale. You can also save money by purchasing the floor sample of a bridal gown you love, rather than having it made to order. You can also consider buying a preowned, used, or second-hand wedding dress, which can be found at a fraction of the cost of retail.
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Frequently asked questions
It's a good idea to do some research beforehand to establish a baseline of likes and dislikes. Browse wedding dress trends on Pinterest and Instagram and screenshot your favourites to show your stylist during the appointment. Compile a list of brands that appeal to you and book appointments with those designers. It's also a good idea to be mindful of your budget and communicate this with your stylist so that they can make recommendations accordingly.
It's helpful to bring along family or friends who will uplift and celebrate you throughout your bridal appointment. If you're bringing several people, consider splitting up activities such as accessories appointments or final fittings to ensure you don't feel overwhelmed by too many opinions at once. You may also want to bring hair ties and clips to sweep your hair up and emulate the hairstyle you plan to have on your wedding day.
Bridal consultants are professionals who do this all day, every day, so it's important to trust their recommendations. They will be able to suggest options that capture your personal style, complement your body type and are within your price range. The length of appointments varies depending on the bridal shop, but they typically average between one to one and a half hours.
According to the The Knot 2025 Real Weddings Study, the average bride will visit two different stores before purchasing their wedding attire. In those visits, they will try on an average of seven different dresses before making a selection. However, it's important to remember that every bride is different, so don't be discouraged if it takes longer to find your dream dress.
