New Bride with No Clue

IceQueenSupreme94

Hi all!

I am a 20 year old bride and I've been planning my wedding for January of next year. I've gone to check out the local David's Bridal to see what I can expect when it comes to dress fittings. No one in my family has been married before so I really have noone to turn to for advise. I know some basic things like who to brings and price ranges, but I know so little about what to expect in the fitting room and what not. Any advise for a new bride??? 

Maggie0829

Well when I went to David's to try on dresses I had two consultants.  The first one was not very nice and she basically was pissed because I came with a list of dresses I wanted to try.  She hung the dresses in the room and then left me to put them on myself.  So basically my sister had to help me in and out of them.  Well we were getting ready to leave and my Mom complained about the service so they gave us someone else.  She was much nicer and more helpful.  She would let me step in the dress alone and then she would help to zip it up or tie it or what have you.  She also offered suggestions.

I didn't end up buying from David's but I think your experience will be determined by what type of consultant you get.  If you do not feel comfortable with the person they assign to you speak up because a shitty consultant can really ruin an appointment.

Some more advice when trying on dresses.  Wear underwear that you won't mind being seen in.  Also bring a strapless bra.  Bring some hair ties, water and even a granola bar.  Try on a variety of shapes and styles.  When you find a style you like (such as ballgown or trumpet or a-line) then start narrowing down your choices from there.

Don't bring too many people.  I would recommend no more then 3.  And make sure these individuals will listen to you and won't push their likes on you.

Finally, don't feel pressured into making a decision right away.  If you aren't 100% sure about a dress don't get it.  There have been too many stories on here about brides second guessing themselves.

Oh and when you do buy a dress, STOP LOOKING!  There are thousands and thousands of dresses out there.  But you only need to fine one that makes you feel beautiful and good about yourself.

IceQueenSupreme94

Thanks so much! Haha yeah I was worried about the whole underwear thing and having a stranger see me. I've heard a lot of horror stories ESPECIALLY when it comes to David's Bridal.

When would you advise is the best time to start shopping?? I've heard 4-6 months in advance but I don't want to get it too early or it may not fit for the big day (sweets are my enemy)

NowIamMrsKlein

Davids Bridal definitely depends on location and day of week.

When I went my consultant was also helping two other brides. So I basically never saw her beyond the initial pull of dresses.

That being said I recommend bringing someone with you you can trust. My mother and sister in law ended up going through the racks and pulling dresses for me, while my sister helped me in the dressing room getting into the dresses.

They gave me this strapless long line shapewear to wear but it fit poorly, And i wish I had worn my own strapless bra instead. So i recommend a white strapless bra, and some white or nude full coverage underwear (boyshorts, panties) since someones going to be helping you in or out.

Be vocal about what you like and dislike about a dress. Don't just be like 'I dont like this' because then they may pull something similar not knowing what you didn't like about it. Say things like 'I like the shape, but I wish it had more beading' Or 'I don't like the way the ruching bunches around my stomache' And say the positives too! "I really like the sweetheart neckline' Communication is key to pulling other dresses.

Also remember the dresses may not fit you properly! For me this was hard since my consultant wasnt around to help. For some dresses that were too big I had my sister stand behind me and hold it tight while someone snapped a pic So i could see.

Maggie0829

Knottie56690751 said:

Thanks so much! Haha yeah I was worried about the whole underwear thing and having a stranger see me. I've heard a lot of horror stories ESPECIALLY when it comes to David's Bridal.

When would you advise is the best time to start shopping?? I've heard 4-6 months in advance but I don't want to get it too early or it may not fit for the big day (sweets are my enemy)

Typically people start shopping for their dress 6 months to a year out from their date.  Mainly because some dresses take that long to come in and you may not find what you want on your first trip out.

When you order your gown you should order it the size you are at the time of purchase.  Then it is on you to maintain your weight.  Dresses can be let out but only so far and even sometimes not at all.  But dresses can always be let in.  Alterations should be scheduled about 2 months out from your wedding.  You will typically need more then one alterations appointment.  Two to three appointments is an average.

esstee33

As PPs have stated, your experience is going to vary depending on the consultant you get. 

I found my dress by accident at a regular retail store, but I still kinda wanted to check out a big bridal store just in case there was some incredible dress lurking in there that I HAD to have, so I went to David's. They were having a $99 sale, and there was a dress online that I really liked, so I mostly just went in to try that one dress on. My consultant was obnoxious as hell and not actually listening to anything I said, so after I tried on that dress, decided it was way too blingy and not what I wanted, proceeded to bring me EVEN BLINGIER dresses to try. I indulged her, mostly because my FI was there and he was really enjoying the spectacle. She also kept insisting that I wear a tiara, despite my repeated "NO MORE BLING" warnings. 

Be firm with them about what you do and do not want in a dress. If they start bringing you dresses you don't like or that are out of your price range, put your foot down and be ready to leave. Remember that you're the bride, and you're the one who is going to have to wear the dress for an entire day. Make sure you're comfortable and you actually like how you look! 

kvruns

try to plan your shopping for either a weeknight or a Sunday vs. Saturday - especially somewhere like David's Bridal or another chain.  My first trip to DB was on a random Friday and I think I tried on 10+ dresses because the girl just kept bringing them, she said it was way better to do it on a weekday because she only had one person to focus on (and later on 2) vs having 3-4 brides and the store being a zoo on a Saturday.

southernbelle0915

Ditto everyone else - 

- Try to go at a slow time so that you have their attention, whatever mirror you want and a better selection

- wear undies you don't care if people see

- bring a strapless bra, or if you plan to try on backless dresses, bring stickies or whatever you'd normally use

- have a budget in mind - it's the first thing they'll ask you

- have some styles in mind, but keep an open mind - something you might think will look awesome on you may not and visa versa

- only bring a couple of people - too many opinions is NOT helpful sometimes

beachyone15

I know there are some bridal stores out there that may not allow you to take pictures, but I would highly recommend taking pictures of yourself in the dresses if you are able to. Looking back at pictures really helped me determine which ones I liked best on myself. There were some that I thought looked great and then when I saw them in pictures I changed my mind!

[Deleted User]

Maggie0829 said:

Well when I went to David's to try on dresses I had two consultants.  The first one was not very nice and she basically was pissed because I came with a list of dresses I wanted to try.  She hung the dresses in the room and then left me to put them on myself.  So basically my sister had to help me in and out of them.  Well we were getting ready to leave and my Mom complained about the service so they gave us someone else.  She was much nicer and more helpful.  She would let me step in the dress alone and then she would help to zip it up or tie it or what have you.  She also offered suggestions.

I didn't end up buying from David's but I think your experience will be determined by what type of consultant you get.  If you do not feel comfortable with the person they assign to you speak up because a shitty consultant can really ruin an appointment.

Some more advice when trying on dresses.  Wear underwear that you won't mind being seen in.  Also bring a strapless bra.  Bring some hair ties, water and even a granola bar.  Try on a variety of shapes and styles.  When you find a style you like (such as ballgown or trumpet or a-line) then start narrowing down your choices from there.

Don't bring too many people.  I would recommend no more then 3.  And make sure these individuals will listen to you and won't push their likes on you.

Finally, don't feel pressured into making a decision right away.  If you aren't 100% sure about a dress don't get it.  There have been too many stories on here about brides second guessing themselves.

Oh and when you do buy a dress, STOP LOOKING!  There are thousands and thousands of dresses out there.  But you only need to fine one that makes you feel beautiful and good about yourself.

All of this.

primafaba15

Do not be afraid to be vocal about what they put you in *under* the dress too. I had a decent experience at David's but my consultant there was much more sales-y/pushy than at other stores. I bought my prom dress there years ago and had a similar experience, so I came prepared. 

You would think based on what the consultant says that you 'need' to try on gowns with their bridal shoes and their shapewear, corset bra, etc. -- but that is not true! If you have your shoes or a similar style of shoe you want to try with, if you have your own bra, don't be afraid to say so. Corset bras do not work for me and I was determined to find a gown that I could wear without one, but if I hadn't been firm with the consultant I would have found myself wearing one for the appointment anyway (I wanted to be sure I knew what the dresses felt like *without* the corset I had no intention of buying). So don't be afraid to speak up.