Freaking Out A Bit,...

lacqueredlover

I'm going wedding dress shopping tomorrow.  I hate shopping.  I've literally only found one dress on the entire internet so far that I've liked.  I haven't been able to go to the gym in 2 weeks because I pinched a nerve in my neck.  I'm freaking out that I'm going to hate everything and feel like I'm trying on costumes.

I don't really know what I"m asking here but did anyone else freak out about shopping but then it was a great experience?  Or will it be awful?

esstee33

It's definitely going to be awful if you go in there assuming it's going to be awful. 

Relaxxxxxxx.

hikebikebemerry

I was super worried that I wasn't going to find anything, or feel good in anything.

I ended up saying, "I like lace and I don't want a strapless dress.. and I don't want to spent more than $X".  Not being too tied to a specific style was a great way to let the expert do her job.  She ended pulling dresses that I felt great in that I wouldn't have originally tried on.

sarawifenow

esstee33 said:

It's definitely going to be awful if you go in there assuming it's going to be awful. 

Relaxxxxxxx.

Ditto. Enjoy the experience.

novella1186

Just go in with an open mind. Don't decide you hate the dresses before you even see them. And wedding dresses aren't for everyone. If you seriously feel like they're costumes and hate the idea of wearing one, no one says you have to. You could wear any dress, from any store, in any color, and it will be just as special. 

Just relax! 

lacqueredlover

hikebikebemerry said:

I was super worried that I wasn't going to find anything, or feel good in anything.

I ended up saying, "I like lace and I don't want a strapless dress.. and I don't want to spent more than $X".  Not being too tied to a specific style was a great way to let the expert do her job.  She ended pulling dresses that I felt great in that I wouldn't have originally tried on.

I'm definitely willing to try on anything since I haven't really seen much I've liked (and I know things look better on) but I think I just am stressed about shopping in general.  I blame it on being small on top with a big tush all these years so shopping for jeans in high school made me terrified of trying on clothes haha.

emmaaa

My best advice is to be open to suggestions. Dresses will look completely different on your body than in a picture or on the hanger. Try on a ton of different styles to get a feel for what you like. Also, don't get think you have to decide on your first shopping trip. But, once you find the dress you love and feel bridal in, stop looking! there are a ton of dresses out there and very many beautiful ones, you don't want to always try and "top" a previous dress.

Good luck and most importantly, try to enjoy it and have fun!

sarawifenow

Quick tip: DO NOT LOOK AT THE SIZES ON THE WEDDING DRESSES YOU TRY ON! They run really, really small. My dress was like 8 sizes bigger than what I normally wear.

 

You will look beautiful. Are you going alone or with other people?

RebeccaFlower

sarawifenow said:

Quick tip: DO NOT LOOK AT THE SIZES ON THE WEDDING DRESSES YOU TRY ON! They run really, really small. My dress was like 8 sizes bigger than what I normally wear.

 

You will look beautiful. Are you going alone or with other people?

Great advice. My dress was 6 sizes bigger than my pant size, total bullshit. 

I'm also curious, are you bringing people? It's probably too late, but I only brought my mom and it was the best decision for me. 

pinkcow13

It's not that bad. Where are you going to go? Just relax, be open to anything, once you try different things on, you will have an idea of what it is that you like, and what you don't like. And the dresses don't look that great on the hanger (IMO), but look aswesome (for the most part) once you try them on.

wandajune6

I agree with the PP's: be open and don't look at the sizes.

I ended up with a dress that was nothing at all like what I had in mind, in a size that made me want to cry. I told the salesperson my requirements: nothing strapless, no ballgowns, and off-white. I ended up with something more beautiful than anything I could have imagined.

amelisha

Eh, if you're not into shopping, you're not into shopping, and you probably won't love wedding dress shopping either, honestly. It doesn't have to be awful or anything but yeah...it's just clothes shopping like any other clothes shopping experience, at least it was in my opinion. I wasn't into it, so I left pretty quickly and just ordered from David's online.

Having a bad attitude won't help, obviously, but you can't help it if you're worried. I get it.

I don't think you have to feel bad if you're not thrilled about the wedding-dress-buying experience, either. At the end of the day it's just something to wear for one day, you know? Not worth getting freaked out over if you're not into the whole thing.

These ladies are all right, though, being open to assistance from the consultant should help bring the stress down to a manageable level.

charlottesmom0626

My dress is a size 12. I wear a 4. Wedding dress sizes are not awesome. But agree wit PPs I put on a million fabrics and shapes to figure out what I liked.

lacqueredlover

Oh luckily I don't care about size number. I just want to look beautiful and feel comfortable.

I'm bringing my parents and my maid of honor. (My dad has great taste and my MOH is my BFF and like a second daughter to my parents.) Definitely the people i want there.

We are going to kleinfelds and having a consultant that helped 2 of my friends and they both looked amazing. I know I'm just being anxious over nothing but man, this is like my one stressor with the wedding!

cafarrie

I had nothing specific in mind while shopping and brought my mom, gma, and sister.  It was hard to get a feel for what I liked with 3 outside opinions on everything although it was a fun experience.  I took one appointment alone and picked about 7 dresses that i really loved (all different styles) and then had another appointment with my family for opinions on only those 7 dresses I had picked from my previous appointment.  Worked out well for me!

theartistformerlyknownas

PPs have great advice. I'm so glad I didn't see the size on my dress because it's like size a billion and I would have had a nervous breakdown.

Try not to think about anything you've seen online. It won't look remotely the same on you because none of those models have an ass. Keep an open mind, have fun, and think about this cat.

NowIamMrsKlein

I was terrified of dress shopping. Im super short (5feet) but am pretty curvy in the bum and boobs department so I was really worried that nothing would suit my body type or that it would be hard to imagine what a dress would look like once it had been altered to fit my 'stubbiness'. I practically begged my FI to come with me because he's got a surprisingly good eye for what suits my body. But he really didn't want to ruin the 'dress surprise' so refused to come. I also browsed online ahead of time and was super discouraged because I liked so few of the dresses and thought that none of them would suit me.

While I didn't have the greatest shopping experience customer service wise (Davids Bridal. hit or miss!), my mum and sisters stepped up to the plate and dove into the racks. I found the best approach if you're not sure on a style is to try at least one of each silhouette on to start to get a better idea of your vision. Echo PP's on not worrying about size tag. I was trying on dresses from size 4 up to 12. All dresses and designers fit differently. 

Have fun with the experience! You are 'playing dress up' in a sense!!!

lc07

PrincessOfHavoc

Listen to your stylist! I swore trumpet/fit and flare would look trashy on me. WRONG! Strapless ball gown type was evil, I had pornographic level boobs. I gave up and tried a trumpet. Oh, my insane cleavage and big ass are what that dress style is designed for. I'm curvy, a near perfect hourglass. I need to rock it.

loro929

PrincessOfHavoc said:

Listen to your stylist! I swore trumpet/fit and flare would look trashy on me. WRONG! Strapless ball gown type was evil, I had pornographic level boobs. I gave up and tried a trumpet. Oh, my insane cleavage and big ass are what that dress style is designed for. I'm curvy, a near perfect hourglass. I need to rock it.

Yes! I totally agree with this. I went in there with pretty much no opinions whatsoever, without even looking too much at dresses. When the stylist asked me what I wanted I said anything but trumpet/fit and flare. I ended up going to two stores and trying on about 15 dresses. Finally, the stylist told me to just try on this one and see what I thought. It was a trumpet. I said I wasn't into it. She said just give it a try. 

Guess who walked out of that store with a trumpet dress. LoL.

blabla89

I'll echo what lolo said: forget the dresses you looked at online. Unless you're built like one of those models, the pictures don't tell you what they'll look like on you. A good consultant can find dresses that will be absolutely perfect for your taste and body shape.

That said, if you find that you really don't care for traditional wedding dresses and they feel like costumes to you, then go for something non-traditional. That's totally okay. It's your day, so pick whatever makes YOU feel beautiful.

Have fun shopping!

anjemon

My advice is to be honest with your consultant.

I went to a little bridal store first, and the consultant picked a bunch of stuff. Then my friends and I picked a bunch of stuff. And we found a lot of looks that I thought were really flattering and that I liked.

We went to a different bridal store next. I gave my consultant some ideas, and she pulled a bunch of dresses. But it took us awhile to find one I really loved, because I didn't want to be mean and tell her what I didn't like. Or what I was really looking for. Once we found one that was my style she was able to pull a couple of others I really liked. But my not being specific meant it took us a while to get everything figured out.

ETF: Words

lacqueredlover

Thanks for talking me off the ledge ladies!

I've seen too many brides wear dresses that are unflattering because they were "in style" so I think I just really dont' want to be in that boat.  All of the dresses I've sort of liked online so far at least are styles that I usually wear for formal events and I know look good on me (tighter on top, A-Line skirt to hide the tush) but I know I have to just try on everything today.  I'm glad I'm not on a major time crunch so I don't feel pressured to buy something.

Thank you for all the tips!

dcbride86

lacqueredlover said:

Thanks for talking me off the ledge ladies!

I've seen too many brides wear dresses that are unflattering because they were "in style" so I think I just really dont' want to be in that boat.  All of the dresses I've sort of liked online so far at least are styles that I usually wear for formal events and I know look good on me (tighter on top, A-Line skirt to hide the tush) but I know I have to just try on everything today.  I'm glad I'm not on a major time crunch so I don't feel pressured to buy something.

Thank you for all the tips!

I also have a bigger butt, and I went with a slim A-line.  It looks SO flattering on our bodytype!  I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by how NOT like jeans shopping it is.  HAVE FUN!  I'm sure you'll look beautiful!!

 

But I do agree with PP - NEVER look at the size.  It's 6-8 sizes above your normal size

lacqueredlover

ssautter said:

lacqueredlover said:

Thanks for talking me off the ledge ladies!

I've seen too many brides wear dresses that are unflattering because they were "in style" so I think I just really dont' want to be in that boat.  All of the dresses I've sort of liked online so far at least are styles that I usually wear for formal events and I know look good on me (tighter on top, A-Line skirt to hide the tush) but I know I have to just try on everything today.  I'm glad I'm not on a major time crunch so I don't feel pressured to buy something.

Thank you for all the tips!

I also have a bigger butt, and I went with a slim A-line.  It looks SO flattering on our bodytype!  I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by how NOT like jeans shopping it is.  HAVE FUN!  I'm sure you'll look beautiful!!

 

But I do agree with PP - NEVER look at the size.  It's 6-8 sizes above your normal size

my size fluctuates so much due to a small waist and a big tush that I stopped caring about numbers a long time ago.  The slim A-Line is definitely a type I love to wear!

theartistformerlyknownas

lacqueredlover said:

Thanks for talking me off the ledge ladies!

I've seen too many brides wear dresses that are unflattering because they were "in style" so I think I just really dont' want to be in that boat.  All of the dresses I've sort of liked online so far at least are styles that I usually wear for formal events and I know look good on me (tighter on top, A-Line skirt to hide the tush) but I know I have to just try on everything today.  I'm glad I'm not on a major time crunch so I don't feel pressured to buy something.

Thank you for all the tips!

Hide? Hide the tush? I know not of what you speak. Show that thang off. Put a bow on it. Make it look like a big present, cuz it is.

lacqueredlover

lolo883 said:

lacqueredlover said:

Thanks for talking me off the ledge ladies!

I've seen too many brides wear dresses that are unflattering because they were "in style" so I think I just really dont' want to be in that boat.  All of the dresses I've sort of liked online so far at least are styles that I usually wear for formal events and I know look good on me (tighter on top, A-Line skirt to hide the tush) but I know I have to just try on everything today.  I'm glad I'm not on a major time crunch so I don't feel pressured to buy something.

Thank you for all the tips!

Hide? Hide the tush? I know not of what you speak. Show that thang off. Put a bow on it. Make it look like a big present, cuz it is.

Haha mine just looks disproportionate.  I legit barely fit a b-cup but then have this gigantic ass.  I prefer to show off my tiny little top and hide up the thunder thighs and tush lol

dcbride86

lacqueredlover said:

lolo883 said:

lacqueredlover said:

Thanks for talking me off the ledge ladies!

I've seen too many brides wear dresses that are unflattering because they were "in style" so I think I just really dont' want to be in that boat.  All of the dresses I've sort of liked online so far at least are styles that I usually wear for formal events and I know look good on me (tighter on top, A-Line skirt to hide the tush) but I know I have to just try on everything today.  I'm glad I'm not on a major time crunch so I don't feel pressured to buy something.

Thank you for all the tips!

Hide? Hide the tush? I know not of what you speak. Show that thang off. Put a bow on it. Make it look like a big present, cuz it is.

Haha mine just looks disproportionate.  I legit barely fit a b-cup but then have this gigantic ass.  I prefer to show off my tiny little top and hide up the thunder thighs and tush lol

We have very similar body types, except that I'm a full B.  I get very uncomfortable if my butt is "shown off" in my outfit.  I got an A-line skirt to wear with suits because I felt like I looked like a slutty secretary going on interviews.  I'm not saying that's how other saw me, but it was my perception, and it was really uncomfortable

lacqueredlover

ssautter , I'm much more comfortable in an a-line bottom with a tighter top.

lacqueredlover

Also I just hate bows in general.  On anything.  Not my style.

Sugargirl1019

You want my dress? I'm barely a 34B and have a huge butt.

But really - I ordered a size 12 dress to fit my hips (street size is a 6) and had the top altered down to a street size 2! They did it, I'm sure you will find a perfect dress to accent what you want and hide what you want.

Also also: I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but this dress is technically an a-line. My hips make it not so.