Do I need Say Yes To The Dress Experience?

BensGirl01 · October 2010

I have always kept my eye on the J. Crew bridal dresses, and always found them to be the casual, romantic styles I've envisioned for myself. I haven't actually tried any on yet, but I'm ready to order a few different styles from J. Crew to try on and pick one out. My MIL really wants me to go into the stores to try on some more dresses just in case. How important is experiencing "the search"?

opalsky007 · October 2010

I think if you're dead set on what you want, the search isn't important. But if you find yourself underwhelmed by what you get from J. Crew, head out and start trying on some other things. A lot of us wind up wearing dresses we'd never pictured ourselves liking.

aerinpegadrak · October 2010

Eh, it's overrated. The dresses are heavy, you get hot and tired very quickly, and it can be kind of awkward having so many people around (not just you and your group, but everyone else in the salon as well). I would tell FMIL that you appreciate your concern, but you're happy doing it your way.

LizHZ · October 2010

I'd say yes, at least once!

Not just for the experience (which I'm sure some find priceless and wonderful and a one-time thing) but to see yourself in the different styles. Seeing them on you (even if you wear dresses all the time) quite often changes what you like- I went in wanting a simply constructed lace something and wound up liking ballgowns because they look so much better on me. & trying on dresses at your house vs. in a store with an attendant is not the same thing.

Totally worth it to make one or two 1.5 hour appointments at salons with stock within your budget.

marissa_claire · October 2010

The thought of the Search needing to be some big life experience just made me wonder if I should start a big Search for my burial outfit. I'll be spending more time in it, and some would probably argue it's just as big of an event.

[Deleted User] · October 2010

I wasn't looking forward to dress shopping like most do. My mom is coming in early November and I knew I needed to take a look beforehand since I had no idea what I wanted. I was convinced to try two places, and thought I'd spend max an hour at each.

I ended up loving the experience. I only took one of my BM's with me (I didn't want a big to-do) and we pulled tons of dresses- 18 in all. I didn't think I'd like any and ended up liking many I never thought I would. It was an interesting and fun experience. I have a good idea of what I want now going into November w/ my mom and my MOH. That's about all I'm doing though- that one trip and the one to decide and purchase.

It's not absolutely necessary if you really don't want to go - but maybe give it a chance. It may surprise you. For me it made the whole engagement/planning a wedding thing real for me.

sytom · October 2010

I had so much fun. I'd say it's important to try everything to help you during the long waiting period after you purchase your dress. You don't want to wonder... What if I tried this or what if I tried that... I absolutely love my dress and I still wonder about a certain gown I couldn't try.

reese511 · October 2010

i would go to at least 1 or 2 stores - for the fun of it!

i actually got my dress at the J.Crew store in NYC. i totally get what you're saying....the dresses are amazing and just like you said, totally simple and modern. it was the first store i went to and my dress was the 3rd one i tried on. i then went on to 3 other stores in NYC, including Kleinfeld. i knew what dress i wanted all day - but it was still fun to go to the other stores and giggle with my mom and MOH at the riDONKulous dresses these ladies brought in the room for me. it was so much fun. but in the end, i got my beautiful J.Crew dress - and i'm TOTALLY sure its THE dress b/c i tried on everything under the sun....you know?

PS...the J.Crew bridal store is AbFab. it was def my favorite stop of the day!

BensGirl01 · October 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_attire-accessories_need-say-yes-dress-experience?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:15Discussion:9f0693cd-e277-4f9f-9c88-c36fbc00d2d7Post:28c1a36e-934b-4a53-befc-03d8b558651d">Re: Do I need Say Yes To The Dress Experience?</a>:
[QUOTE]The thought of the Search needing to be some big life experience just made me wonder if I should start a big Search for my burial outfit. I'll be spending more time in it, and some would probably argue it's just as big of an event.
Posted by marissa_claire[/QUOTE]

LoL, that's hilarious! And while kinda creepy, it's very true.

Amisslis · October 2010

I ordered my vintage gown from an Etsy seller. Do I regret not having the bridal shop experience? Not in the least. I have my perfect dress and did not have to suffer through a forced experience/artificially imposed set of emotions just for the sake of tradition. Having said that, you know yourself better than anyone. If you think that you will look back with regret for skipping it, then by all means go try on dresses in a salon. If you know, like me, that you just want a dress and not the rigamarole surrounding it, then don't force yourself to do it just to make others happy or because it is tradition. We can give you all of the advice in the world, but ultimately you are the only one who knows what feels right to you.

deb84 · October 2010

That depends a lot on YOU. What kind of a shopper are you normally?
I had it in my head that I needed to have the "Say Yes to the Dress" experience and was VERY disappointed. I went to 7 different bridal shops with different people each time (my mom, my sister, both my sister-in-laws, bridesmaids). They did not have the same "vision" of my wedding day as me and I just got frustrated because they were not reacting the way I was wanting them too and liking what I liked. They kept telling me what I "NEEDED" and that what I liked was nice but just too plain. I thought they were the people who knew me BEST and they just didn't seem to understand the look I was after. I finally went and ordered a dress. No one cried, no one jumped up and down. I love the dress, the dress looks good on my body, the dress fits my vision of myself on my wedding day, the dress fits my outdoor venue and the dress is in my budget. Are their other dresses out there that would fit that criteria? YES But I have MY dress and am done looking. I'm happy. I don't care that other people tell me it is too plain. I don't care that they tell me it's the wrong fabric or color or anything else because I love it and it is MY dress. My mom was the only person with me when I ordered my dress. She told me it was not at all what she had pictured me walking down the aisle in but as long as I was happy she was happy. THANKS MOM!

tldh · October 2010

I found my dress immediately - first one I picked out and the only one I tried on.

Also, please keep in mind that sales consultants have a job to do and their paychecks depend on sales. They do not appreciate women coming into their salons to play dress up. It is one of the rudest things you can do.

TheCranberry · October 2010

I don't think you need the experience just to have the experience. Do you not have a J. Crew bridal salon in your area? I'm not sure if the one in NYC is the only one so far. It sounds like you're just going to order without trying them on.

The only reason I would say make one or two appointments is so you can try on the styles you like and make sure you really like them. A few of the styles I loved in pictures looked horrible on me! To avoid ordering and having to return dresses you may not like, try a few styles on and then you can still get the J. Crew dress if you decide you still like it.

I went to six different salons and tried on a ton of dresses, and it was fun yet tiring. I'm glad I had the experience, but if it's not something that's important to you, don't force the "experience" part of it.

sister2groom · October 2010

I would at least call up JCrew's wedding personal shoppers and ask about what styles look good on which body types and ask for additional sizing info (the sizing charts give pretty basic info). It would just be kind of a pain to order several wedding dresses, none of which look good on you.

dkgilly · October 2010

I love, love, love the look of Jcrew bridal gowns and I was sad when I ordered 2 of them to my local store and they didn't fit like I had hoped. I would say follow your heart. If YOU don't feel like you're missing out on the 'shopping experience' then go ahead order from JCrew!

andamu · October 2010

I don't think it hurts to go to a salon and try some on so that you have an idea of what looks good on you and what you like. But - per PPs - don't go in if you have your heart so set on some other dress that you're not even going to consider anything else. Only go if you're willing to consider buying what you're trying on.

tlbattaglia · October 2010

I'm not typically a 'shopper'. But when I went to try on dresses...I had a GREAT time. I would say give it a chance, IF you want to. It's totally your decision. If you don't feel like you need to, then stick to what you have planned.

Do I need Say Yes To The Dress Experience?

Re: Do I need Say Yes To The Dress Experience?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards