Who to take dress shopping?

ukjenn231

So here's the situation! I am getting married in January 2010, and am starting to look for a dress. There's a bridal gown sale in September that I want to attend with my mom. We live in Lexington, KY and the sale is in Louisville, which happens to be where the future in laws live. I want to ask my future mother in law to come because I think it would make her happy to feel involved (she's bummed already because we decided to go to St. Thomas by ourselves to get married). However, the future sis in law lives in Louisville too, and I am afraid if I ask my fiance's mom to go that it will be expected that the sister in law goes as well. I like the sister but she is VERY opinionated. She also has a 4 year old and a baby and I definitely don't want to deal with the kids. I could probably put up with the sister if the kids didn't come, but her husband works evening shift... Is there a tactful way to say, leave your kids at the sitter?

eskiimobby

Honestly, I only took my mom and one bridesmaid to try on BM dresses. As much as I would have liked to include like, 50 other people, it's so much harder. Everyone is going to have a different opinion about every dress you try on, and you need to only have one or two people with you that will give you an honest opinion, and an opinion that you actually care about. Too many people makes it too hard to shop and you get frustrated and end up wanting to go alone next time. Hope that helps, and good luck

bridesrighthand

I would take the MIL and your mom and that's it. Just tell the FSIL that you only want moms there.

Googs79

You probably don't want a really opinionated person with you when you go shopping and the fewer people in general, the better.  My best dress shopping experience was with my mom only.  When by invite FMIL, I'd slip in that you want it to be just you and the moms and no one else.  Or you can say, "I know (FSIL) may want to go, but I was really hoping it could be just you and my mom."  You can invite FSIL for a second opinion another time or to come for the first dress fitting/alterations.  After I found the dress I wanted with my mom, I brought MOH and a BM to check it out before I ordered it.   

krissydawn16

if she's married with kids then she has gone dress shopping before.  she knows how small the stores can be.  explain there won't be enough room for extended family to be there and just MIL is invited.  it WILL be crowded if there is a sale that day...