Wedding dress shopping - how long should I plan to be at each place?

DakotaG

I'm going wedding dress shopping for the first times with my mom & sister.  Ah!  I am about to call the places I want to go to, but I want to make sure I schedule enough time between appointments.  How long did it take you at each place?

Also, is there anything that most people forget to take or do when trying on dresses? Other than the obvious... strapless bra, underwear that will work with anything, etc.

QueerFemme

Most appointments are either an hour or 90 minutes.  Give your self enough time between locations to drive there with traffic, and maybe take a break to have lunch.

Things to bring with you... bottled water (it gets hot in those dresses), a hair tie, and maybe a couple of granola bars, in case you don't end up with time for lunch.

Also, the shoes that you are planning to wear with your dress, if you already have them. If you don't... bring a pair that have a heel about the height you plan to wear.

DakotaG

Ok good, that's about how much time I was thinking it would be. 

Good idea about the makeup!  I probably would have just had on everyday makeup, so I'll do it up a little bit more.

And thanks for the tip about the water bottle.  I would not have thought to bring that. 

KSerafin17

Also, if you do stop in the middle for lunch...try not to eat anything that will make you feel bloated or really full. Chances are if you have a big lunch, you will be tired and too full to want to try on more dresses!

cnf2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_wedding-dress-shopping-how-long-should-i-plan-to-be-at-each-place?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:e64878c9-04f8-464b-8a40-afcce6a7725aPost:8dd85850-0bab-4581-b74f-a56645ac7e9b">Re: Wedding dress shopping - how long should I plan to be at each place?</a>:
[QUOTE]Also, if you do stop in the middle for lunch...try not to eat anything that will make you feel bloated or really full. Chances are if you have a big lunch, you will be tired and too full to want to try on more dresses!
Posted by KSerafin17[/QUOTE]

<div>That! My first time out we went to a pasta place because FMIL had a gift card. I ate too much heavy pasta and the second stores a/c was not working right and the combo of hot and full made my second round for that day difficult.</div><div>
</div><div>I don't think I spent more than an hour in any store. I never even asked what the length of time for appointsments were. Even places where I tried on like 10 dressed didn't take more than an hour for me. It's a lot quicker to get in and out of the dresses than I had originally anticipated. I agree to bring water and go light on makeup. </div>

SmallenForever

I took about two hours at each store (I went to 7 different ones!) I never had a store tell me that I was taking too much time. In fact, two of the stores wanted me to stay longer and try on more dresses. 

My other advice for dress shopping is really different than everyone else's. I wouldn't worry about a bra or shoes. Just wear a normal bra and most places will give you a longline bra to try on with the dresses or ask you just to not wear a bra. And don't bother with shoes. I'm tall and every dress I tried on was so long on me, shoes would not have mattered. And have fun!

ljsquintz

The bigger stores had appointment times ranging from 60 minutes to 90 minutes.  The smaller boutiques I went to let me try on dresses for 2 hours.  But ask before you go so you can be prepared knowing how much time you have.  Definitely a strapless bra and nice underwear - the consultant will see you in your undies!

mtrosales

90 minutes-two hours. Most of the stores I went to had a two-hour limit. 

If you're doing multiples in one day--REST UP! Carrying the weight of the dresses can get exhausting. 

Also, I'd take a pair of heels/wedges... just something to give you the extra height you might have on the actual day of.

Have fun! 

mamabear329

David's Bridal's appointments for brides are 90 mins. I didn't look anywhere else, but I would assume that it would be the same or close. 

Ditto PPs on water, snacks, hairties, shoes, etc.  Also, pictures & ideas of what you're looking for, just in case you find yourself drawing a blank like I did when my consultant asked what I wanted to look like....I ended up having to find my favorites on the DB website on my smart phone, and that's how I ended up in my dress!