Wedding dress shopping by yourself?

qnashley90 · May 2013

Thanks to Say Yes to the Dress, I had it in my head that I should take people with me when I go dress shopping. I think it would make my stepmom happy and my best friend would be expected to be there. BUT not because I trust their fashion opinions. It is quite the opposite. I have completely opposite styles from them and both are crazy opinionated. Also, I remember shopping for a prom dress with my stepmom and she talked me into a dress I hated. Recently, I was describing to my best friend what I had evisioned for my winter wedding dress with a bolero and she replied "Oh I hope you don't wear one of those they are ugly."

So I pose the question, do you have to take anybody with you?

I am pretty stylish and I know what fits me well and what I like. I really don't know that I want anyone to go with me anymore. I want to get in and get a dress THAT I LIKE and get out.

Thoughts????

QueerFemme · May 2013

In Response to Wedding dress shopping by yourself?:
[QUOTE]Thanks to Say Yes to the Dress, I had it in my head that I should take people with me when I go dress shopping. I think it would make my stepmom happy and my best friend would be expected to be there. BUT not because I trust their fashion opinions. It is quite the opposite. I have completely opposite styles from them and both are crazy opinionated. Also, I remember shopping for a prom dress with my stepmom and she talked me into a dress I hated. Recently, I was describing to my best friend what I had evisioned for my winter wedding dress with a bolero and she replied "Oh I hope you don't wear one of those they are ugly." So I pose the question, do you have to take anybody with you? I am pretty stylish and I know what fits me well and what I like. I really don't know that I want anyone to go with me anymore. I want to get in and get a dress THAT I LIKE and get out. Thoughts????

You don't HAVE to do anything. Honestly, my best shopping experience was when I only had one person with me. I wish I had gone alone.

however, if you want to include your family members, you could do a solo shopping trip the week before, and go back and only try on your top 3 or 5 dresses.
Posted by qnashley90[/QUOTE]

Maggie0829 · May 2013

There are no rules when it comes to this. If you don't want to take anyone with you then you don't have to.

I personally liked having my sister and Mom there with me because I know they would have told me the truth if I put on a dress and it made me look like a beached whale. But I also knew that they wouldn't pressure me into anything and would support whatever decision I made. If you don't feel that your friend or step-Mom would be able to do those things without getting their vision in the way then enjoy the shopping experience solo.

Also know that your consultants (most times) at the shop will be very helpful.

Have fun and enjoy!

msuprincess04 · May 2013

I hve gone shopping twice. Once, with my mom, sister, niece, family friend, ect. A whole entorage. It was fun, till it wasn't, and then it was just really frustrating. I totally felt like my opinion was being overshadowed by their opinions.

I went again, a few weeks later by myself. I found my dress all on my own. It was a relaxed, impromtu shopping trip, and it couldn't have worked out any better. She let me try on dresses I wanted to, made some suggestions that I didn't feel pressured to accept, and didn't pressure me to buy any dress that day. It was great. My mom is coming to visit in a few weeks so she can see the dress I chose and buy it for me. She's buying it, so I want her to see it, but otherwise, I know, deep down, it's my dress.

qnashley90 · May 2013

Thank you so much to all of you! I feel a lot better about going at it alone! Good luck and congrats

Benigrl28 · May 2013

I went alone and enjoyed it. I was the type of bride that had a specific dress in mind. I looked online and found a dress I loved, then called around to a few shops to see if they had it in stock. I found a few places that did and tried the dress on, i also tried on a few other dresses just to be sure. In the end I bought the dress I initially went in for, I was happy with my purchase and came out of it headache free. I did get alittle grief from my Bridesmaids but it went really well.

winelover123 · May 2013

If I were actually buying a dress, I would have gone secret shopping by myself at least once. I generally prefer clothes shopping by myself - it's faster, easier, and I can make decisions instantly by myself. I can look and say, "I don't like this" without having to listen to someone say, "Oh but I do!"

I went dress shopping with my mom and sister. It was a fun experience, but if I were buying from a store I would have gone at least once by myself.

gmcr78 · May 2013

SYTTD actually turned me completely off to the idea of bringing people to shop with me.

My experience was similar to a couple of the PP's. The dress I knew I wanted wasn't in any local stores, so I made a solo appointment at a shop close by to try on some different styles and make sure I liked the style I was looking for. Plus I was terrified about dress shopping and wanted to get one trip under my belt without any other opinions or distractions.
After that I made the appointment to try on the dress I wanted at the closest store about 45 minutes away, and brought only my mom to that one. I tried on a few other gowns there just to let her see something else, but ultimately ended up with the one I knew I wanted.

Ambybambi1125 · May 2013

In Response to Re: Wedding dress shopping by yourself?:
[QUOTE]I wish I had gone alone. The people with me pushed into a bunch of dresses with ruffles that I hated when all I kept asking for was lace. It was a waste of two hours. I don't care if I carry ruffles well; I want lace, dang it!
Posted by prettybirdy27[/QUOTE]

This, I wish I had gone alone because you get so caught up in the moment.

Giaspo · May 2013

I went alone to a few appointments first and brought my mom to the serious ones later, once I had an idea of what I liked. It was great to go alone. You have the consultant's full attention and you really get a feel for what you like. Definitely do it. Good luck and have fun!

ccogan · May 2013

Go alone! I have not yet found my dress, and I love my family. They have been very supportive of what I like. However, I have gone alone to a few shops, and it has been so much easier to distinguish what I like from what my family likes.

MoxieMickie · May 2013

2TierVeil · May 2013

Take 1 or 2 people only ... no more .... take the one paying for the gown too if possible. Make sure to go to Atlanta Bride Couture in Alpharetta, their service is great and the selection amazing

csweaney · May 2013

This is completely up to you. If you are paying for the gown you have the right to go by yourself. I completely understand wanting to go solo if you've had bad experiences with opinions on style in the past. Make sure if you go solo have the rep. take pictures of you in the gowns front and back so you can review them later on.

lodonnell616 · May 2013

I went once alone to get a general idea of what suited me and to confirm that what I had in mind was the right style for me. Then I went with my mother and FMIL and found "the dress" together with them, which I found was a nice bonding experience.

MKmuss13 · May 2013

Like others have said, I went alone to scope out the stores ahead of time. Then mom/grandma/FMIL came along just for tradition and to make them happy. But I would not have been disappointed to just go alone and be done with it! Much easier that way.

PhoneCardLady · May 2013

I have been debating about going alone. I may not have a MOH/Bridesmaids. My mom has COPD and I hate the thought of her huffing and puffing the whole time. I also know that she had problems that has her running to the bathroom at a moments notice.

I was thinking of taking my two BFF, but last year they said something about my engagement that rubbed me the wrong way....and although things are ok now, that still gnaws at me in the back of my head.

laradoll · May 2013

I went alone (I'm not one to make a thing of it)

It was fine the ladies in the shop were very helpful

[Deleted User] · May 2013

I went alone many times, and every time, I couldn't choose and was depressed because I did it alone. My mother is opinion-less, and I wasn't going to have bridesmaids at the time because we were going to do a private destination wedding. I felt like I was missing out on the whole experience. I finally decided on one, but I hated my shopping experiences. If you can handle it, go for it.

heathertims · May 2013

It took me 4 places and 3 days to find my dress. I had been pinning dresses I'd liked for almost a year, so i really knew what i wanted. In fact, all the pictures i brought were very similar styles, and most were from Allure.

I will flat out say, my first experience was terrible. And I'm blaming it all 80% on my mom (bless her) and my MoH.
My MoH moved to Czech Republic this year to teach, but she was going to be back in town for xmas. I knew she really wanted to be there, so we arranged to go dress shopping between xmas and new years. Obviously, a lot of places were closed or over booked, but I figured, hey, we're just looking! Anyway, I showed MoH all the styles I liked, where are literally all cap sleeved, key hole backs, trumpet skirts and mostly lace. She said she just "Didn't get what i wanted". She made really snide comments all day long about how she would never buy a wedding dress, it was too much fuss etc. Laughing at the other brides trying on ... questionable.... dresses. Just generally a completely shitty attitude. I was so dissapointed. She had always expressed how much she wanted to be there for dress shopping, and then was such a total debbie downer on the day.
My mom was trying to be supportive, in a slightly overbearing way. Grabbing at me, or the sample dresses, trying to sqweeze on me into them. I suppose I was just stressed and i didnt need that at the moment.
In any case, i went twice more, with my mom, but gave her some ground rules. She was very respectful. She just got too excited. I waited to schedule the others for after MoH flew home because she just had a crappy attitude, and was no good for that kinda thing.

I ended up finding it with my mom, grandma and my fiance. Glad I had my fiance there, as hes super supportive, and he has great taste

This is my dress btw http://www.allurebridals.com/products/2619

Good luck, bring those you think will support you the best, not cause you feel you have a "duty" to them or whatever.

reneeken · May 2013

I went alone to shop for my dress, so that I could figure out what I liked and what I thought looked good on me. Once I narrowed it down to a few dresses, I took my mom and sisters back to help me select from the finalists. Worked out great for everyone -- they didn't have to endure the initial appointment and going through a lot of choices, and I found that everyone was pretty gracious about what I'd picked out, knowing that I liked each of the gowns and that they had better like at least one of them, because those were the only ones I'd be choosing from! Worked out great -- so glad I did it this way!

Hope this helps, and happy shopping!

decembergrl2014 · May 2013

I'm thinking of going alone first, narrowing it down to my top two or three, and then bringing my mom to help me make the final decision,

beautifulmama28 · May 2013

The first few times I went yes.

And I bought a dress that I later regretted ...and sold.

The day I found the dress I am wearing, I went alone and I loved it. That being said, if my mom lived closer (she's about 7 states away) I would have gladly taken her alone, ...but my mom is pretty supportive of what i want. Not that the people I took weren't, but it was hard to really focus on what i wanted while getting others opinions I felt.

I don't let anyone else pick my wardrobe I wear everyday so to me I didn't feel like I need help deciding what to wear for the most important day of my life

mndabwn · May 2013

I actually went today by myself. I have already gone twice now with family and friends and when my future mother in law had to cancel today, I decided what the heck...I can go alone. I'm actually glad I did because I didn't find my dress and so I didn't feel guilty and none talked me into anything I didn't really like. I say go for it...it's nice to just trust your own instinct.

KaySea6213 · May 2013

I shopped twice because knew that when I shopped from prom it had taken SEVERAL visits to find a dress I loved. The first time I took my FI (I know, I know. lol) It was a Tuesday night and I was the only bride in the store. My consultant let me try on a good 15 dresses. I thought I knew which dress was "the dress," so I invited my mom, SM, MIL, Gma and MOH up to shop with me and I ended up getting a completely different dress, but only because it was truly magnificent. A lot of people hate the idea that my FI went with me the first time I tried on dresses, but I wouldn't take it back. I got a few opinions out of him and I got to see what I really liked and didn't like before I had people in my ear telling me what was right or wrong.

mackinnon14 · May 2013

Did it solo! Had a great time. The salesgirl and I figured it out and I trusted her opinions completely. This is my second wedding, though. The first time was with Mom and it was special. But now it's me...on my terms. Good luck! Have fun!! trust your opinion!

ramonaluvs2shop · May 2013

i felt the same way as you.
im super into fashion, and i thought why not go alone?
but it felt really really weird
my advice is to bring friends or family but dont let them choose for you!
only bring those who love and support you in your life!
sounds to Dr. phil I know but its true

JillAdamsIII · May 2013

I went alone, but I sent pictures to my Mom while I was trying it on. I cried because it was the dress that I wanted. From my experience, it was best to go it alone just because I didn't want any unsolicited opinions about my choice of dress.

Good Luck to You!

lookame3639 · May 2013

I have gone with my mom then my mom, dad and sister, then my fiance ect. When I bought my dress it was a solo trip after work one day. I went alone picked one dress to try on and bought it. When I told everyone I bought my dress alone they thought I was crazy but when I went with everyone I ended up trying on a bunch of dresses and feeling completly overwhelmed and confused. My sister is very opinionarmted and everyone seemed like they were having fun anyway.

Theres something refreshing about going by yourself and choosing a dress that YOU love that you WANT to wear and not having opion after opinon spoken to you. Its nice to know what they like on you but what it cones down to is about you not them.

gymbugmj2k · May 2013

i brought my mom to the first few stores -- just to see what each store had and find a shape that looked good on me. I took my girlfriends to one store as well - again just to let us all have that 'moment' but not to actually FIND the dress.

Mom and I narrowed it down to 4-5 choices. I went out on my own to try them again, and scope out 1-2 more. Once I had it down to 2 dresses, i brought my mom and MIL (she has no daughters and i wanted to make sure she got to have this moment too!). We narrowed it down from 2 to 1!

I liked having my mom with me in the beginning to help get me in the right direction, but i also really liked being on my own and finding out what i truly loved and wanted without any distractions.

Wedding dress shopping by yourself?

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