How many friends to take dress shopping

cloncaric

I'm going dress shopping for the first time in a couple weeks I've been planning on going with my mom and my MOH, but now the guest list seems to be growing.  My mom wants my grandmother to come along, and my future sister in law has asked to come as well.  I need advice--how many is too many to bring along when dress shopping??

Googs79

The fewer people the better!  We all have different tastes, and too many opinions often confuse your natural feelings about the dress.  I went dress shopping twice: Once with my mom only and once with a bigger group of friends and family.  I have to say that the time with my mom was the best, and that's when I found my dress.  If you watch the show "Say Yes to the Dress" you can see the stress people have when they bring a huge crowd. 

jilliibabii

As someone who felt bad saying no to anyone, I had a CROWD the first time I went dress shopping. I think 7 people with me? (Mom, Sister, MOH, Both FSIL, Godmother, Flower girl- yupp 7!) It was too much. The bridal shop was empty so they didn't mind and it was a fun little fashion show, but there were way too many opinions flying around. I also took a few trips by myself which weren't all that great. I needed SOMEONE else's opinion besides the sales lady. Fortunately I made friends with a MOG who was shopping for her dress at the same time and she was great with the constructive criticism. LOL. When I found THE dress, I was with my mom and sister and I think that was a good number. I would've liked it if my FMIL could've been there, too, though.

jagore08

I think that the four of them is plenty. Is your FSIL one of your BM? If so maybe she can try on some BM dresses with your MOH.

soon2beMRSSOSNA

I went dress shopping with 3 of my bridesmaids [including MOH] and i felt that with the 3 of them there i couldn't think straight because they all have such different tastes and if i loved one, they'd argue how it wasn't right. I found my dress when i went with JUST my MOH - it was alot nicer to actually find one that I FELT was right as opposed to having 2 other girls there to tell me how wrong it was in this way and that! I'd say only 2 - i do wish my mom or my MIL could of been there!

Laurms15

The first time I went I went w/ mom, sister(moh), and grandma. The Second time I went w/ mom and sister. Once I had narrowed it down to a few gowns I liked I took my mom and sister again, and 3 of my BM's so there were 5 of them total. The day I bought my dress I tried on everyone's favorite from the week before and a couple new ones and ended up going with the favorite. I think everyone tells you not to take too many people but it really depends on the personalities of the group. Everyone in my group really took their cues from me and so I didn't have the same trauma many girls have. All of my girls were honest with me but took their cues from me. And honestly one of them noticed a flaw in the design of one of the dresses (where the crinoline was sewn in) which I was very thankful for.I do agree that it is easiest to take the larger group when you narrow it down to a couple of favorites but every group is different even that won't work with some friends/families.

Just Jen

I brought 5 the first time and it was fine. After that, though, it was usually just my mom and sis, and sometimes one other BM

Brie2010

I brought way too many the first time (5 people).I had the best experiences shopping alone.  And now I know that I picked out my dress by myself and wasn't talked into it, which is why I think there are a lot of two-dress brides out there.

cloncaric

Thanks so much for the input!! I think I'll end up taking the bigger group the first time - I can get really anxious when a store employee focuses just on me (awkward and blotchy does not go well with beautiful wedding gowns), so I think it will be good to have some other people that know me really well around the first time.  After the first trip out I think I'll be happy to just go with my mom or MOH. 

[Deleted User]

Maybe 2-3 people no more. Please will start to go with their taste not what looks best on you. I went twice with 2 friends where I live, the several times with my mom or my mom and sister/ MOH. I think it worked well.

Lindze75

I have been going with two people at a time (mom and one BM - alternating which BM) but last weekend I went with 4 BMs and no mom.  It was not bad since they both took thier cues on how I felt in the dresses but still were honest.  But I went last night all by myself! and it wasn't bad.  I was sad to go w/no one but no one was available.  The only prob was no one to take pics so I really wish I had one person there for that.  I found a dress I really like that is WAY out of the budget so I don't know what I'm gonna do.  I came in asking to try it on but said it was the only one in that price range I wanted to try on - all others should be like $1000 less but she kept bringing me $$$ dresses.  This bridal shop in particular makes me feel like they push you toward the priciest dress...grrr...just had to vent!

p1nklemonade

honestly, i only brought my mom with me, in order to avoid too many opinions and stress. if you have a friend or another family member whose opinion you value and who shares the same taste as you, it wouldn't hurt to bring them, but the less people the better.