In Over my Head (people-wise) for my Bridal Appt

KristaMC1723

Okay, so I am slightly nervous about something. I am in college, as are my bridesmaids, so I figured it would be best if we went to the bridal store and got the bridesmaids dresses thing out of the way before we all went our separate ways for school. I invited them all (all as in 5) to my Bridal Appt because I figured they could look at dresses for them, I could look at dresses for me, and we could all just get lots of stuff done that day. Well, naturally, my mom is coming to my bridal appt as well, and my dad wants to be there when I pick out THE dress so he can give his opinion so he will be there too. Also, my FMIL never had a wedding dress and she is super excited about the whole thing so I invited her and she is coming. 

Moral of the story: There will be 8 people there not including myself. That seems huge and like it will be pretty hectic, but then again I haven't had a real bridal appt yet so I don't know if that should work out fine-like they can look for stuff while I try on stuff and everything will be peachy? Anyone have any thoughts, words of wisdom, advice on how to handle what I am afraid is going to be a ClusterF so everything will go smoothly? I can't take back the invites now, so I am just trying to decide how I should approach the day...

CassieeK

TOO MANY PEOPLE!

Your intentions are good in wanting to knock out multiple tasks, but don't you think your bridesmaids will want to look at dresses as you try them on, too, if they are there?  I think you need to split up the appointments.

HandBanana

I would avoid trying on dresses yourself at this appt. It is overwhelming enough the first time you try on dresses (especially if you have a sales girl that is hell bent on you walking out with a dress that day.)  That alone can leave you in tears.  You have to have seen those "Say Yes to the Dress" episodes where the BM poo poo all over the dress the bride loves.  Why even put yourself in that position?  Why not go before and narrow it down to a few dresses?  Is it possible you could explain the situation to your mom or MOH and they could go with you before? or they could even temper the attitudes/opinions the day of?

I think I would have ripped my hair out if I had that many people with me at my fitting.  I'm just imagining them pulling dresses and giving unsolicited opinions on what you should be wearing. aghhh too much.

Good Luck!

Summer2011Bride

I agree it is too early to look at BM dresses. If you are in college, will you all be home for the Christmas holiday? If so, go then. If not, perhaps give them 4 or 5 dresses to choose from that you like and they can pick the one they like best, so it is not necessary you all go together.

I think 8 people at your appt. is way too many. You will have so many opinions, it'll drive you crazy. I say just go with mom, FMIL, and dad. Maybe your MOH if you really value her opinion. Just tell the girls you realized it's way too early to be hashing out dresses now. You'll reschedule for later this year.

nannewmur

It is way too early for the bm dresses.  You have plenty of time and BM dresses usually need to be ordered like 4-5 months out. 

Have you set your budget and booked your venue?   Picked your colors?  Decided on dress lengths?  These factors determine the formality which will also determine the dresses.  These  need to be done before you start looking for your dress.  I would recommend only taking your mom, a trusted female friend who has a good eye for style and what fits you.  You don't have to buy the first day.  Narrow it down and and then take your mom, friend, dad to make final decision. 

Six months out, narrow down the BM dress to three or four.  Then take your BM crew in.

Trying to choose your dress and BM in one trip will not be good.  Bringing that many people will be a disaster.  Watch a few episodes of Say Yes to the Dress and you will quickly understand why this will make your life A LOT easier!!

KristaMC1723

You all make all kinds of sense. I am going to feel like ripping my hair out no matter what at this point though, seeing as I will either have a crazy hectic day of it that day or I will feel guilty about uninviting them to the appt. Oh well, I will think things over and decide which is worse....I am definitely leaning towards just uninviting the BMs but we'll see what happens.

Summer2011Bride

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_moms-maids_over-head-people-wise-bridal-appt?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:357Discussion:b43a224a-2fd0-49c5-9cd1-f704e11a8a19Post:41136ccd-7c97-41e1-b6a3-5f0101853697">Re: In Over my Head (people-wise) for my Bridal Appt</a>:
[QUOTE]You all make all kinds of sense. I am going to feel like ripping my hair out no matter what at this point though, seeing as I will either have a crazy hectic day of it that day or I will feel guilty about uninviting them to the appt. Oh well, I will think things over and decide which is worse..<strong>..I am definitely leaning towards just uninviting the BMs </strong>but we'll see what happens.
Posted by KristaMC1723[/QUOTE]

I think you could just say, "You know what, I decided I jumped the gun on looking at BM dresses. I think I'm just going to hold off on that, so you can clear your calendars for _____ (whatever date you decided on)." I don't think that's jerky or anything; this is one case, where "uninviting" someone is fine IMO. Even if you still go to try on dresses for yourself, that's OK. If they ask about it, say, "I didn't want to bore you all with sitting there while I try on a bunch of dresses. But when I narrow down my choices, I'll send you some pics."

ShakeUpTampa

Too many: 1) A bridal appt is normally 2hrs and is for the bride only. 2) bridesmaids get a one hour timeslot or shoved into walk in status if no appt was made. 3) If you want real attention from a stylist you do not want that many people pulling their opinions all over the place. You need to make a separate appt for your bridesmaids and have some ideas of what you want them in prior to going.

KristaMC1723

The appointment went off WITHOUT A HITCH! I didn't want to uninvite them because that seemed incredibly rude to me since some of them had made plans to come from out of town/were counting on it etc, so I just decided that if I felt uncomfortable at any point I would not feel any pressure to make my dress decision that day and move on. Turns out, they were all wonderful people to have with me. They all loved the dress I loved and were super encouraging and at the same time not too overbearing. I bought my dress, they all found their dresses, and the day was literally perfection.

Whew, now I remember why I chose them- they are all laid back, just like me, and we have tons of fun together :-).

Thanks for the advice anyway, I just went with what I felt was right and it totally worked out!