Trying on wedding gowns - alone?

ginadog

We're getting married in July 2012.  I visited 3 bridal shops yesterday, and I went alone.  I have no family here.  We aren't inviting anyone in town to the wedding, so women friends are slim.  No MOH or BMs. 

I've never been one to to clothes shopping with friends anyway.

I do have one friend who I thought of asking to come with me this next weekend to take photos and for general input, but she has a 3 year old and is remodeling her house.  Kind of busy!  She is moving to Australian soon, so she won't be going to the wedding.  She would be invited if she were still here.

Should I just go alone again and take my own photos?  I guess I don't need anyone convincing me of a dress that looks good KWIM?  They all looked good!

cebrady89

I went with only my mom, but I'd stay in the changing room with the consultant and discuss it with her before I showed anyone. I think having time to see for yourself what you like without any input from someone else was helpful. 

I will say though, that when I thought I found "my dress" it was SO nice to walk out and have the great reaction I got from my mom. In that case, it's nice to have somewhere there.

I agree though, I like shopping alone. I don't think dress shopping needs to be a big group affair.

ginadog

I was going to take photos and come back to the forums to get some votes! 

ginadog

Wow, no photos?  I mentioned how I wanted to come back with a camera and they were like, "Sure!"  I will double check just in case.

omwall

I've been going alone. I finally found my dress. It's Verawang, green. Not what I thought I'd get, I thought I'd have to dye one blue, but I fell for the dress

Sydney91

When grad dress shopping, security was called on us for taking pictures! My mother is in a wheelchair and couldn't come with us (very cramped stores) and the stores wouldn't budge on their policies. Stupid.

Now that I am wedding dress shopping, I've gone alone. I found I left second guessing everything because I only had the shop owner's opinion to go with mine. She led me to the cheaper dress, but I think she's not the most trustworthy, though most knowledgeable, opinion.

Louisa1000

I went alone, because my only day off is Monday's. I'm kind of glad I didn't have to worry about too many opinions. I did bring a BM back with me to see my final decision before buying, though.

achiduck

I went alone and ended up buying my dress that day at a blowout sample sale. I actually preferred being alone since I had so many people that wanted to come with me - my 4 BMs, FMIL, SM, FI's two aunts and his 2 cousins. They all wanted to know when I was going and if they could come and I was feeling very anxious about trying to please everyone but keep the group small. I do feel kind of bad that my FMIL and one of my BMs couldn't be there so I'll probably have them come to a fitting. My MsOH live OOT so my BM will need to come to learn how to bustle my dress.

Lawyer Barbie

I saved shopping unti l could go with my Mother and my sister, and it was lovely, but I felt a little pushed in different directions. Now that I got the obligatory ritual out of the way, I have been going alone. It satisfies the control freak in me....I pull my own dresses, put them on and take them off, done most times in less than 20 minutes. I havent found anything yet, but trying on dresses is taxing enough without having folks slow ya down!

Giaspo

I went alone for much of my dress shopping, and it was so nice and peaceful to look at and take in each gown without an audience. So many brides on TK say that they regret dress decisions made when their audience oooed and aaahed to the point where they influenced their decision. It's your dress for your day. Love every moment! Good luck!

gmcr78

I plan to go alone when I first start looking so that I can get a feel for what I like and what looks good on me.  I'd like to bring my mom and sister with me when I commit to a dress, but other than that I'll probably go alone or with my mom only.

frogger6673

I am going to go alone as well until I am able to have my FMIL, mom, FSIL and MOH with me in mid-January.    I want to narrow the search first, then have them look at what I am thinking, after I already have an opinion.  I want them to be a part of this process symbolically, since the rest of the wedding is pretty much taken care of.

rlavach

I went with only my mom and it was a great day. My mom is pretty chill & doesn't impose her views on me, so I knew I could trust having here there. My BM and MOH are another story, which is why they weren't invited. 

I was allowed to take pics in the David's Bridal, but not in the boutique I ended getting my dress from...until I purchased it. Then my consultant took the pics for me! (I had sneaked in a few pics in the dressing room anyway)

Elle1036

I went by myself on most of my shopping trips, too.  I thought I would feel weird and would miss having people there with me, but I actually liked it better.  It was nice to be able to think without having other voices chiming in.

ginadog

Thanks!  Maybe it's TV that makes you think you need a gaggle to go with you.  I am going back this weekend and I have a list now. 

No way in hell I'd bring my mom even if she lived in my state.  I vowed never to discuss anything wedding with my mother anymore.

000123

I think it’s ok to try on your wedding dress alone just take picture of yourself maybe this book can help you decided it’s called Seamstress Nightmare The Do’s and Don’ts of Buying a Wedding Dress Guide and Planner  Buy it at lulu.com