this is the code for the render ad
Attire & Accessories Forum

New here, newly engaged and first time dress shopping!

Hi everyone! I'm new here, just got engaged last week, and I went dress shopping for the first time yesterday! I had my fiance with me and I’m really happy that I did because he gave a lot of feedback (for a guy lol), and was even willing to pick dresses out for me after I gave him a challenge and no direction to pick out a dress (and he picked 3)!

First we went to Alfred Angelo and I showed them my favorites, told them my budget, said it was going to be a church wedding and said that I want a dress that isn’t ivory or white. My consultant was super sweet, and because at the time I was the only one in the store, her coworker and manager helped out too and gave their opinions. I tried on every dress but one that comes in color, and only didn’t try it on because they said it is extremely poofy which is something I don’t like, so they definitely didn’t hold me back in terms of only letting me try on X number of gowns. From all the ones I tried on there, there are 3 that I would revisit for sure. It was a very fun experience and FI took pictures of everything I liked.

After that, we took a mini break and went to Kay’s because I needed my ring sized, grabbed a snack and then went to David’s Bridal. That was a very different experience. My consultant was nice, and she listened to what I was looking for, but she was also given at least 1 bridal party to handle at the same time so about 3 or 4 times she said let me do X and I’ll be right back, leaving me to my own devices. I found a number of dresses I liked, and again, FI took pictures of all of them. One in particular sticks out in my mind, even though it only comes in ivory — it was just beautiful and hit me in all the right places, and with a colored sash added…wow!

All in all, we spent about 3 hours shopping which was definitely enough for one day!

I’m glad I went shopping because it was fun and it gave me a better idea of what I’m actually looking for, so even if I end up having my aunt make my dress, I know what I like and what looks good on me.

Re: New here, newly engaged and first time dress shopping!

  • Congrats and happy planning!
    What did you think would happen if you walked up to a group of internet strangers and told them to get shoehorned by their lady doc?~StageManager14
    image
  • Hi everyone! I'm new here, just got engaged last week, and I went dress shopping for the first time yesterday! I had my fiance with me and I’m really happy that I did because he gave a lot of feedback (for a guy lol), and was even willing to pick dresses out for me after I gave him a challenge and no direction to pick out a dress (and he picked 3)!

    First we went to Alfred Angelo and I showed them my favorites, told them my budget, said it was going to be a church wedding and said that I want a dress that isn’t ivory or white. My consultant was super sweet, and because at the time I was the only one in the store, her coworker and manager helped out too and gave their opinions. I tried on every dress but one that comes in color, and only didn’t try it on because they said it is extremely poofy which is something I don’t like, so they definitely didn’t hold me back in terms of only letting me try on X number of gowns. From all the ones I tried on there, there are 3 that I would revisit for sure. It was a very fun experience and FI took pictures of everything I liked.

    After that, we took a mini break and went to Kay’s because I needed my ring sized, grabbed a snack and then went to David’s Bridal. That was a very different experience. My consultant was nice, and she listened to what I was looking for, but she was also given at least 1 bridal party to handle at the same time so about 3 or 4 times she said let me do X and I’ll be right back, leaving me to my own devices. I found a number of dresses I liked, and again, FI took pictures of all of them. One in particular sticks out in my mind, even though it only comes in ivory — it was just beautiful and hit me in all the right places, and with a colored sash added…wow!

    All in all, we spent about 3 hours shopping which was definitely enough for one day!

    I’m glad I went shopping because it was fun and it gave me a better idea of what I’m actually looking for, so even if I end up having my aunt make my dress, I know what I like and what looks good on me.

    Congratulations on your engagement.  When is your wedding date?

    Shopping for your dress can be fun, but have you done your homework, yet?

    1.  Write out a complete guest list for your wedding.
    2.  Make a budget.  Just how much money do you have to spend on your wedding?  Is this your own money, or are you expecting money from relatives to help you pay for your wedding?
    3.  Now that you have your budget, you need to figure out how much you have to spend on your dress, your wedding ceremony and your reception.
    4.  After you have all the money in the bank, you can shop for venues.
    5.  Now that you know what your venue is, and what time of day your wedding will be held, then you can shop for a dress that fits your venue, time of day, and your budget.

    Slow down!  Relax!  Enjoy the planning!
    httpiimgurcomTCCjW0wjpg
  • Sounds like a fun experience! Congrats!

  • CMGragain said:
    Congratulations on your engagement.  When is your wedding date?

    Shopping for your dress can be fun, but have you done your homework, yet?

    1.  Write out a complete guest list for your wedding.
    2.  Make a budget.  Just how much money do you have to spend on your wedding?  Is this your own money, or are you expecting money from relatives to help you pay for your wedding?
    3.  Now that you have your budget, you need to figure out how much you have to spend on your dress, your wedding ceremony and your reception.
    4.  After you have all the money in the bank, you can shop for venues.
    5.  Now that you know what your venue is, and what time of day your wedding will be held, then you can shop for a dress that fits your venue, time of day, and your budget.

    Slow down!  Relax!  Enjoy the planning!

    Thank you! I'm one of those girls that has literally been waiting for the day I could legitimately try on wedding dresses (meaning I waited until I was engaged). Our tentative date is 7/29/2017.

    I've already written out a list of who needs to be invited whether I want them to be or not (etiquette in my family is to invite everyone) and FI is working on his list. I told him we need to keep it under 200.

    My parents are paying for the wedding (they've said this for years and we were actually just talking about it a few weeks ago, before I was engaged), and while I don't know the whole budget, I know my dress budget is $1000 unless I want to use my own money.

    Venue is going to be my church as I absolutely will not have it any other way. It has always been my dream. I was baptized there, confirmed there, and I will be married there. So I need a church appropriate dress. As for the reception, we've got a good idea of where we want it.
  • CMGragainCMGragain member
    10000 Comments 500 Love Its Fourth Anniversary 25 Answers
    edited June 2015
    Honestly, if your wedding isn't until two years, you are dress shopping way to early.  Most dresses are only available for a two year period.  The dresses you looked at will be discontinued by the time you need to order.  Styles do change, too.  Before William and Kate's wedding, everything was strapless with pick ups or ruching.  Afterwards, we have a return to lace and A line styles, thanks to the lovely Kate.  David's Bridal has a much faster turnover, and their dresses can be discontinued in as short a time as six months.
    The right time for you to shop for your wedding dress is about a year out from your ceremony.  There will be a completely different selection.
    You do need to understand that when your parents are giving you money for your wedding, sometimes that money comes with strings.  You need to know how much money you will be budgeting.  Even today, there was a post about a bride who was promised money by her father, but Dad had a change of fortune, and re-nigged on his promise.
    Are you Catholic?  If you are, you should talk to your priest immediately to find out the requirements and rules for your church.  We have seen many brides who were shocked that they couldn't have an afternoon ceremony - this, after planning an evening reception!
    Beware of bridal porn TV and magazines.  They are supported by the wedding industry, and their purpose is to make you think you should spend more money on your wedding than you need to spend!  Pinterest can be bad, too.
    As I said before, relax!  Enjoy your engagement.  When it comes time for you to make firm plans, we will still be here for you!
    httpiimgurcomTCCjW0wjpg
  • I'm chill, just excited.

    I will most likely have my aunt make me a 100% custom dress, so I don't think there's such a thing as shopping too early. I can take this part from one dress and that part from another. Even if I don't and I fall in love with a dress now (well, in December when I go dress shopping with my mom), I'll be fine with that and stop looking.

    I'm Episcopalian...so there are requirements of the church, but they aren't nearly as strict as in the Catholic church!
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards