Need Some Advice

alpinker

Hi Ladies, I am going dress shopping this weekend for the first time and I was wondering if you could all give me a little advice. Specifically I would like to know what I should wear there, what to bring, should I eat beforehand, or wait until I am done trying on gowns, is there a specific bra I should bring along? ...ect. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Have a great Tuesday! Cheers!

OFF

Definitely wear a stapless bra. Bring water, it's hot thirsty work trying on dresses! I would recommend wearing tights or spanx instead of just underwear alone. Bring a camera, a lot of shops wont let you take pics but some will or will at least look the other way. Good luck and have fun!

ajensen8

Best to wear a strapless bra, although most places do have them if you need them and I wore a nude/white pair of underwear so that you can't see it under the dress (recommended by a bridal magazine). Most places have heels for you to put on while trying on dresses.If you have any pictures of dresses you like bring those and a camera in case they let you take pics. Up to you if you want to eat or not, my longest appointment was 2.5hrs, depends on how many dresses you try on or if you're scheduled for a specific length of time etc. Good luck!

lizziemoopsc

Definitely water! I only went to Davids Bridal (and was lucky enough to fall in love with the first dress I tried on, although I did try on more just to make sure :-P) and they have the slip/strapless bras. However, it's always a good idea to wear one anyway in case they don't provide it and tame undies. Bring a camera and dress ideas you like but don't be afraid to try on something completely different. Most of all, have a great time and enjoy it! I am not a girly girl but it was lots of fun trying on really fancy dresses

mbcdefg

Strapless bra, Spanx if you want, and underpants you aren't ashamed for the saleswoman to see you in. I also might bring flip-flops, because I went barefoot to try on some gowns and the saleswoman warned me that there were some stray pins on the floor to watch out for. I brought a bottle of water but didn't really need it - couldn't hurt to bring one, I guess. I'd eat enough so that you don't feel faint but also don't feel bloated or full. Stash a camera in your bag ... maybe someone can sneak a pic (or a camera phone pic) if you're not supposed to take photos. If you want to try on specific dresses, be ready with the designer & model number as well as a picture. I asked for a specific gown but  the saleswoman said they didn't have it (even though they said they did when I called ahead), so I showed her a pic to ask for something similar and she said, "Oh! We have that!" She said that the salon's naming system is different from the designers', so give lots of information about what you want. Go with an open mind! Try on the stuff the saleswoman brings you, even if you hate it on the hanger. Be very vocal about what you do and do not like about each gown, because that'll help the saleswoman narrow down the features you're ultimately looking for in your dress. Be honest (but be polite, of course) and don't worry about hurting her feelings - she didn't design the dress, after all. Don't let anyone talk you into anything you're clearly not digging. And tell the saleswoman your budget before she starts pulling dresses, so that she doesn't bring you something you cannot afford.  

Deidra123

Definitely, a good friend - with good taste.  Someone who you are not afraid to look ridiculous in front of (like maybe your Mom - I took my Mom and one sister, could not reach the other) but who will give you an honest opinion about how a dress looks on you.  If she knows your personality and has good taste, all the better.  Some dresses are not cut out for some body types and I was told by the supervisor of my bridal consultant about how mad she was at a consultant on a tv show who told a woman she looked so great in a dress, and she really did not have the body shape for it.  I've heard that before - consultants just telling you you look great to make a sale, so bring someone with good taste, who is willing to tell you what looks good on you (and what doesn't look as good on you), and what fits your personality.My consultant picked my dress, it was totally different than the ones that I picked but when I put it on, I loved it.  Then, what sealed it was that my Mother exclaimed that it was me when I walked out - she knows my personality and that's what I mean about having someone who knows you to help you find a dress that looks like you.  It can be very reassuring (as compared to relying on the sales person).Good luck, and enjoy!

ldcf11206

I brought my mom, grandma & 2 best friends.  Yes, everyone you bring will give you their opinion, but in the end all that matters is whether or not YOU like the dress!  Be prepared to try on lots of dresses, and be willing to try on ones that you don't think you'll like.  The dresses don't look the same when you try them on, as they do when they are in the bags.  You can't really tell what a dress looks like when it's in the bag.Also, make sure you bring a hair tie so you can pull your hair back or put it half up/half down to see what kind of hairstyles look good with the dresses.  And try on different lengths of veils...you don't know what you'll like until you try them.  One more thing...bring some tissues!  I am typically not an emotional person, but when I tried on "the one," I cried!  It surprised me that simply a dress could make me cry.  And, if a dress you try on doesn't feel perfect but you still kind of like it...don't settle!  You only get married once...make sure you find the perfect dress!  You'll know when you try it on if it's "the one" or not.  Good luck and have fun! 

erinrc1

I was really glad that I brought only my sister to the first dress shopping session.  She helped me narrow down my choices... Then I brought a girlfriend and my mom back to help me with the final decision.  It was perfect because there were opinions available, but not too many, so I wasn't overwhelmed. Also, I'd make sure to have had a snack beforehand, just so you have the endurance to put all those heavy dresses on and take them off again! And this is advice I read in an article somewhere that was also really helpful: don't go looking like you just rolled out of bed.  Put a little extra effort into your hair and makeup... Otherwise, it's hard to imagine the full look for your wedding day.

ejsaeger

I agree with erin. You'll want to have hair and make-up somewhat done. It will make you feel SO much better in the dresses, especially if you're dreading trying on the most unflattering color in the universe! Just be careful about foundation and lipstick that could rub off. Most salons will not be pleased with a red streak across their gowns.

jolynn326

First off, thanks much for asking this question! I was wondering the same thing...Secondly, I know what Spanx are, but where do you buy them?

pristinedemon

Pretty much everything mbcdefg said. Definitely keep an open mind. I went to a few different places to try dresses, and I went with an Alfred Angelo that I definitely did not think would be my first choice. Your consultant will bring you dresses based on your body type and based on the styles you pick out, but even if they don't look good on the hanger, they may look great on you!Oh, and I guess this only applies if you're not an emotional person like me, but the unspoken rule that "the one" has to make you cry is bogus. I squealed when I tried on the one, but didn't cry. Have a snack beforehand, and definitely bring a hair tie as mentioned before. Most of all, have fun!

pristinedemon

That post came out weird...If you're looking for Spanx, try Nordstrom Rack. If you have one in your area, it's a great place to find them at a good price.

fawnkay0ne

I usually wear a convertible bra that I can take the straps off of so that I am more comfortable while shopping, but a strapless will do also.  I didn't wear spanx or anything like that.  They had everything I would need to wear under the dress in the store, however I am wearing an A-line ball gown and it isn't sheer or thin in any way.  Had I been considering a different type of gown spanx may have been a must.I agree with everyone who says do your hair and make-up that day.  Bring a clip or hair tie and wear your hair down if you're not sure how you want it.  Different dresses make you envision different hair so you want it to be easy to play with.  Also, your hair helps you decide whether you want a veil, at least it did for me.Don't get pushed into anything... and just go with what feels right.  I swore I would end up with a retro looking, perhaps vintage gown, but fell in love with a dress that was much more "Gone with the Wind" looking (although it is strapless).  Good Luck and Happy Hunting!

bmd14

Make sure to wear underwear! I wore boyshorts instead of the usual thong so everyone wouldn't see my butt!

mizdiz444

A bottle of water, maybe some granola bars or a small snack, and an open mind.  I ended up loving dresses on me that I would've never picked.  Also, leave any men at home.  I don't care if it is your brother or your very best friend.  There is nothing worse for other brides that are at the salon to walk out half in a dress with part of their underwear hanging out and see there's a guy there staring right at them!!!  That happened to me several times for trying on and fittings!!!  Someone thought it was a great idea to bring their boyfriend and here I waltz out of the dressing room with a dress halfway on!  Also, bring your mom!  This is one of the few things she will get to do with you!  Good luck!

saedavis

First of all, definitely eat breakfast before!  I did, and I still got really hungry from trying on dresses.  I would take a strapless bra, but the bridal shop will give you a bra that works best for the styles you'll try on.  Also, take heels approximately the height that you'll wear for the wedding.  I also recommend wearing the type of underwear / undergarments that you'll want to wear for the wedding.  If you're not wearing Spanx for the ceremony, then don't try on a dress with them.

natorria

Bring someone who will give you their absolute honest, opinion!  Oh, and if I were you I would go on a slow day at the shop (ie Mon-Thurs or early friday morning) so you can have a reps undivided attention!  I also split my dress shopping into 3 trips.  All those white dresses can be overwhelming!Good Luck!

ophiophi89

I don't plan on wearing a bra during my actual wedding, so what should i do when dress shopping?I appreciate any responses!

cynasmin

if your if gonna do cups in your wedding dress still bring a bra. even if you think you don't want to wear on you may change your mind based on how your dress looks so i'd bring one just in case. SHOES!!! you'll be standing for a long time on hard flat surfaces and i was much more comfortable in shoes or sneakers vs bare feet. open mind...what you think you love/hate on the hanger might be a totally different story on you