Wedding Dress Shopping HELP!

gmjpeach

Ok knotties!

Date:  Nov 26 2010
Venue:  Mountain Meddows Country Club
Church:  St. Christopher's Catholic Church

Now everyone keeps asking me about the dress!  I am kinda in put it off mode, but all my gals and family wants to go and start looking at dresses for me.

When do you guys think I should start looking?

Oh, and EVERYONE I know wants to come!  I don't want to be that girl who has 40 people, but I don't want to hurt people's feelings!  How do I invite some brides maids but not others?  Should I feel obligated to bring my future mother in law (cause I am kinda mad at her right now).

In short, HELP!

SMHubbard

I started looking for my dress rather early and purchased it about a year in advance. You most likely wouldn't want to wait any longer than 8-9 months, which gives you 6 months for it to come in and 2 months for alterations. I like to give myself plenty of time to get things done, but it can certainly be done in less time than that.

As for bringing people with you, you could go to a large chain with a variety of silhouettes and sizes first, such as David's Bridal or Alfred Angelo, to get an idea of what looks good on you and what types of dresses you like. But then when you are ready to seriously start looking, only take those people who you want there and whose opinion will truly help.

kikikatie9

Hi there,
I'm also getting married in November 2010 and I already bought my dress but only cause I was dying to go shopping and found the perfect dress on my first trip.  I agree with previous post that you can start just getting ideas now but you don't really have to purchase until 9 months out. 

In regards to who to bring I brought 2 of my sisters who are bridesmaids, my MOH who is my best friend, my mom and my FMIL.  I brought FMIL because we are really close and she has 2 boys so she is never really going to experience this so I thought she would enjoy it.  When I was thinking about who to bring I wanted to bring people that I know would tell me the gods honest truth so that's how I narrowed it down.  GL and happy dress hunting!

[Deleted User]

It's very simple you just say: "You don't want to spoil peoples' surprise and that the dress is a really personal thing for you and while you appreciate the help you really can't bring too many people with you.

People will understand. 

I went dress shopping alone, mostly because it was one of those things I wanted to pick for myself.  My mom understood this since she didn't get to pick out hers.

phiaska

I did it a different way...I went with just my mom first.  I told everyone "just trying on styles to see what i like" at the David's Bridal.  Then I actually found two dresses I liked a lot, and invited the peanut gallery to join me when i went the second time.  By then I already had my mind made up, and I only showed them the two dresses I liked the most.  Didn't really give them the option to have too many opinions and it worked out great!

okami.mami

I'd say to do whatever makes you most comfortable. In the end all that matters is that YOU love the dress

And shopping early is fine. I got my dress about a year in advance and still love it like the first time I saw it. Just make sure to stay away from dress shops and photos to keep yourself from second-guessing. There will always be beautiful dresses out there, so be careful. Good luck!

jagore08

I think that you should start looking now.  As for the people you want to bring, I honestly would only bring parents (both mom's and possibly your dad if he cares about going and who knows, maybe your FMIL won't want to come) and siblings and your MOH.  The reason I say keep it down to just your MOH is you can say she needs to know how to bustle your dress and it won't hurt other BM feelings.

Melistar85

Its a good Idea to start looking now, and kinda get an idea of what you like, what you dont like, what flatters you ect... I see your getting married in November of next year, I am getting married this Nov 28th, and I went dress shopping in January. Although I got pretty lucky, I found my dress at the first Bridal shop, and the first and Only dress I tried on.

My mom was the only person that went with me, and the only person that I cared about her opinion, and who I trusted in giving me the thumbs up.

gmjpeach

Thanks guys for all your help!