First time wedding dress shopping tips?

catherinerbirch

Hi Ladies!I'm going wedding dress shopping with my mom for the first time this weekend and I'm so excited! Any tips/questions to ask/things to know when I go? I'm getting married 10/1/10. I don't have any idea what kind of wedding dress that I'm looking for so I'm completely open. Thanks!

gkb0910

Wear underwear you don't mind people seeing you in.  Also, try to wear your hair like you think you might on your wedding day; you'll get to see what it'd look like with the dress.  Try on as many styles as you can.  Then you'll never wonder if another style would have been better.  Take people with you that you trust.  If you can, take pictures of the dresses you like. Some people say don't buy your dress from the first store or on the first time out, but I did and I don't regret it at all.   

rhorowitz

when they ask for your wedding date, since they are most likely doing the alterations on your dress as well, tell them  your wedding date is a month sooner than your actual wedding date so there is no room for errors. there have been a few recent alteration nightmares on this board over the last few months. if you had an extra month to play with after they did your dress you might be in a safer place.bring heels the same length  you envision you would wear. i also think wearing heels changes your overall posture and feel for wearing a dress and how you stand.wear your hair in a bun if you envision wearing an updo. this helps with seeing the whole "package" of how you will look in the dress on your day. if you cant bring a camera, at least have someone taking photos with a phone camera. dont buy on the first day, and do negotiate and prepare to walk if they don't flex on the price. they tend to price much higher and trim the price if you keep pushing them to lower it. DO NOT give your address on any guestbook. read more about this for reviews on House of Brides.

Browneyes19826

Rhorowitz -- What do you mean do not give your email..and the part about House of Brides?  I bought my dress from there about a month ago, and I did give them my email, but I haven't received anything yet?  Is it alot of junk/spam mail that they send you?? Just curious.. thanks much!

Sparkette19

1. Lie about your wedding date. Push it up about 2 months. 2. Take your time going from shop to shop. Enjoy the experience. 3. If you find a dress and you buy it, stop shopping for dresses! I've heard of so many brides that buy a dress and continue to try stuff on and they end up regreting their original purchase.

Sparkette19

Oh, one more. Don't buy a dress just b/c it's on sale if you're not sure about it. Wedding gown shopping can be very high pressure, don't give in if you're not ready. Oh, another one. Don't try on dresses that are out of your price range too.

Sparkette19

I bought my dress from HOB and they send you this horrible letter about other wedding shops that is totally unprofessional. I refuse to get BM's dresses there simply b/c of the smear campaign they have going on. I find it completely distasteful.

KVMW9182010

You will find that if you buy it that day, most places will offer a discount (Macys offered 15%, HOB offered 20%, Vwidon offered 10% or 20% off the sample).  Just keep that in mind if you love love love the dress, you can get a good discount if you buy it that day or week.And don't give HOB any of your information.  You will get recorded phone calls, emails, and letters all the time.

Browneyes19826

Good to know about HOB, but I just recently bought my dress from them and I haven't gotten anything yet, mail, email or phone calls.. Now I'll keep my eyes pealed for it.. Thanks for the info tho!!

tonyandstef

I had my MOH try on Bridesmaids dresses at House of Brides and I didn't like how they "make" you input your personal info. I lied about my phone number, email address, and wasn't even exact on my address.... It makes me paranoid.As for shopping, def. wear normal underwear. I'm so glad I didn't wear a thong bcuz that's all the consultant kept seeing.  I did my hair curly and pulled it back loosely to get an idea of a slight updo.Be open-minded about dresses.  I had about 8 pics printed out from one vendor, and ended up getting a dress from a completely different vendor that looked boring on the hanger, but fit fabulously on.  It was a completely different look than I had previously imagined.  I didn't think I wanted a strapless gown... and I bought exactly that-- because it looked great on.  So just try on a ton of stuff :)Also, I found my dress in the first store, after about 6... So, you can find a great dress quickly.Good luck, have fun

SoonToBeB

Ditto what most girls said:* Wear nice undies because everyone will see them.* Bring pictures of what you like but don't be afraid to try on something you don't think you'll like (I bought the dress I hated on the hanger, but it was the best fitting and most flattering!)* Don't expect tears like what seems like every bride on Say yes to the Dress.  What matters is that you feel beautiful and like a bride!* Negotiate!* Don't pre-purchase your alterations*Have fun!

Manditchka24

wear or bring a light colored (best is flesh) strapless bra FYI, the store I bought from said you get 15% off for purchasing the dress that very first visit to the store, but when I came back 1.5 weeks later specifically asking to try the very first dress back on, she still gave me the 15% off, so don't take anything as a definite. They can adjust "sales" and discounts.