First Dress appointment and I can't get passed my nerves.

francesca01

I am going Dress shopping for the FIRST time next week. I know this is supposed to be such a happy time, but I can't get passed my nerves. I'm scared I won't find MY dress because I don't know what MY dress actually is. I and completely indecisive and can't decide on a style and I feel completely anxious. Is this normal? I feel like I am the only one who has felt like this before dress shopping =(

mlg78

Yes, it's normal! Try on white, try on ivory...try on lace and try on something sparkly...try on a mermaid, a ball gown, a halter and a strapless. See what works best on you. You'll quickly eliminate some but others will help you get closer to figuring out what you're going to fall in love with. It may not happen on your first shopping trip...but eventually, you'll get there

manateehugger

It's normal. Don't get so caught up on the "OMG I HAVE TO FIND THE ONE DRESS!" Think about it - how often do you have an excuse to play dress up with expensive, elaborate dresses? Just go and have fun with it. Try on all sorts of dresses - some because you like them and some just because it will be fun to see yourself in it. 

And FWIW, I think many brides don't have the crying omg moment. I know I didn't. I just found a dress I didn't want to take off. 

Just go play dress up! Unless your wedding is in a couple months, you have plenty of time and absolutely no reason to stress. 

JennyColada

I felt EXACTLY like this. In fact, I had an emotional breakdown and started crying. But after all that I've found three dresses that I love and I'm going final shopping with my mom on Sunday.

Just try anything on that you're interested in. Your dress is out there, I promise!

themuffinman16

I agree with the other PPs.  Your dress is out there.  I think it is all the hype that this is the most important dress that we will ever wear.  It makes it really stressful on brides, to find the absolute right dress. First, worry about shape and which one looks best on your body. (ballgown, fit and flare, mermaid, and a-line).  Then decide on a favorite fabric (tulle, organza, chiffon, satin, lace etc). Then decide on neckline.  You could luck out and find your dream dress at your first appt, but most likely it will take you at least 4 appts to find the right dress.  After the first appt, you get much closer to knowing what you like, and what looks great on you.  Once you narrow it down to a few, your perfect dress may not bring you to tears, but you will think about it for days.  That is the one.  After that, do not try on any more dresses... it will only confuse you.  Keep your party small when trying on dresses. Too many differing opinions can make any bridal dress appt go awry.

MandyMost

I went dress shopping a few weeks ago--2 appointments in one day. I found what MIGHT have been the dress. Then the next week I went to a few more appointments, and found the same dress again, and fell in love more. Then made SURE by trying on some more dresses. Then went back a few days later to buy the dress I loved (at the second store I tried it at, which I liked a lot more than the first store I went to). 

For me, part of the stress is the general thinking that "your dress" is out there. And that there's "the one". Yes, you are going to find a dress that makes you feel beautiful and like a million bucks...but maybe you'll find a few such dresses. Maybe the dress that is most flattering (as in, makes you look tall and skinny, for example) is just NOT your dress. Maybe it's too heavy, or too poofy, or too princessy, or not princessy enough. Even though you look great in it. That's OK!!! And remember that the people you bring with you are thinking about how they want you to look, not how you want to look, and that can make things tricky. 

My biggest advice is to come up with some adjectives that describe how you want to look and FEEL on that day. Pretty? Glamorous? Sexy? Pure? Ethereal? Grown up? Classic? Princess-like (and I don't mean just a ball gown--a lot of dresses of all cuts can make you feel like a princess)? Or a million other possible adjectives. This will help a lot when you're putting on all the gorgeous dresses, and looking amazing in them, but looking in the mirror and thinking "nope, not quite right". 

doeydo

It's normal.  Go try on different styles and materials, see what you like and dislike and go from there.

erinlin25

totally normal!  Sometimes you think you know what you want and end of loving something totally different. I thought I wanted "something simple and not strapless..." I ended up with a strapless lace and blinged out beautiful dress, lol.

JaniV123

I am right there with you! I am going dress shopping on the 15th and I am nervous. I am excited and worried. I have fallen in love in pictures with a dress that is not available on the island so I am being open to other ideas. Browse pinterest and your salon's site to see which collections they carry and if you any particular dress that you would like to try on and go on from there. Best of luck and looking forward to pictures!

francesca01

You guys are really the BEST...you've calmed me down immensely. I was beginning to think I was the 'odd ball out' because I am mostly nervous than excited. I guess I am just scared of having a terrible first experience. Thank you for all of your advice..I appreciate it so much! xo