Wedding Dress Shopping Tips and Recommendations

velvetwit

Hi,

 I'm just getting started shopping for a wedding dress (wedding date still to be determined but probably August or October/November).  I live in the city and I've noticed that most bridal salons (other than L'Elite and Priscilla of Boston) are somewhere in the suburbs. So before I start making appointments and driving all over the place, I'm wodering if anyone has any recommendations regarding shops where they had good experiences (or places to avoid)?

Thanks!

snoangel79

Hello,

I bought my dress a few weeks ago at Madeline's Daughter in Portsmouth NH, they have a very nice selection and the store is very clean and nice! Also, the woman I worked with Kerry was very sweet! I would definately recommend them!

Best,

Laura

MandahGirly

I got my dress @ Pronuptia's in Worcester so that might be too far from you however my BMs got their dresses @ Manhattan Bridals and we all had great experiences there

Karen's MOH

There is a post lower on the page like this that got a bunch of responses, so I would take a look at that one as well.

I bought my dress at Country Weddings in Hingham. It was a little out of the way (especially with 93 traffic!) but was totally worth it for me. They had a great selection and were really friendly and helpful.

Precious Memories in Malden also had a big selection, mostly of dresses under $1000, and a lot of Maggie Sottero and Casablanca. It's an easy and quick drive from the city but you can also get there by T-- it's a 10-15 minute walk from the Malden Center T stop.

I had the same problem as you-- live in the city and I wasn't sure if it was worth driving all over Mass, but I do highly recommend Country Weddings. Just try to avoid rush hour! As far as tips, bring a strapless bra, and wear full coverage underwear that you don't mind someone seeing you in

chubbybunny

I mentioned this in the thread a little bit lower down the page, but I had a great experience at Bella Sera in Danvers. Lots of dresses and the staff is very knowledgable.

One tip for shopping, if you're interested -- Try on dresses that you normally wouldn't go for! The dress I wound up ordering is NOTHING like I thought  I would get. But once I tried it on, I loved it. Good luck, and have fun!

jkepros

I got my dress at POB, but I picked out the one I wanted beforehand and pretty much just went to try it on & make sure it looked the way I thought it would, and order it.

So I can't offer much help about where to look, since I only looked at one place, BUT I can say, when you look at pictures and styles of dresses, pay attention to what the model looks like  and how the dress looks on her.  Even though a lot of those models are crazy thin and tall and not like regular people, they do have different shapes (some have wider hips, larger chest, broader shoulders, etc), and if you look at those traits in relationship to the rest of their body and look for pictures of girls in dresses who have the same proportions as you, it honestly gives a much better idea of what something will look like ON. 

There was one dress I loved as a close second to my #1 dress, and the model in the picture had a larger chest.  I do NOT.  I tried it on and it just looked ridiculous--even though I LOVE the dress.  My dress the model has almost the same body as me and so I had a clear idea of what it would look like on ahead of time.

Oh, and ditto the pps that say to try on dresses you don't think you'd like.  I know 2 girls who thought they hated lace who ended up with GORGEOUS full lace gowns!

Good luck, have fun, and keep an open mind

LoveAdopted

I bought my dress at Marry & Tux in Nashua. As for tips about dress shopping... bring only a few close friends/family, you don't want to be too overwhelmed by too many opinions. Bring pictures of dresses you like, as well as dresses or details that you really hate so that the people who are helping you will have a better idea of what you are looking for. But, also try on dresses that you didn't think you would like- you can always take them right back off! One more thing- wear some good coverage undies!

megandjay

I got my dress at Allegria in Belmont, they have great service. I have also been to Country Weddings in Hingham, which was also great. La Reine gets terrible reviews here, but I have been there without issues, and they have a large selection of affordable dresses- just not reliable on the customer service. Someone else had a great experience at Terry's. If you are open to a secondhand dress (usually samples) of couture gowns at discount prices, I have heard good things about Vows in Newton.

Advice: wear a white strapless bra and nice undies- because some places you and the peeps you bring are in the same room with the consultant (no shy people allowed)! Bring one or two close friends or family- whose opinion you trust. Be open minded- I picked a dress very different from the ones I liked in magazines, and I know that many brides do. Bring a few pics of the styles you like, but don't be afraid to try on other dresses! Check out shops that carry designers you like.

Good luck!

ShaboAE

I am going to Chryssie's in Canton on Saturday. It has great reviews, so I expect it to be a pleasant experience. I have also heard good things about David's Bridal in Dedham, but I am leaving them as a last resort only because I have seen their dresses already and didn't care for most of them.

I have also heard great things about Manhattan Bridal, so that will be my next stop if we don't find what we are looking for at Chryssie's.

Good luck!