Dress Shopping

Re: Dress Shopping

• kipnus member

  

  July 2013

  Just don't mention to anyone else that you're going dress shopping. I think it would go over much better to tell your friends after the fact that you and your mom were browsing and happened upon "the dress," rather than to tell them beforehand that they are not invited.

  
  

  That milkshake sounds insanely good!

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• manateehugger member

  

  July 2013 edited July 2013

  Haha I just didn't tell my friends when I was going and just emailed them pictures after I was done. I didn't want to exclude anyone, but if I brought all my close friends, we would have been spilling out onto the street. 

  
  

  As for the in-laws, I went in rounds. First round was just me, mom, and my two sisters. Then when I had found a dress, I went back with FMIL and FSIL to try on my two favorites and "the one." It worked out well because I got to have the moment with my mom and sisters, but still included the in-laws. That might work for you.
  

  
  

  I've had a nutella milkshake, but never with cognac! Sounds yummy. I had recently had a mango-strawberry frozen margarita - to die for. 
  

  
  

  ETA: My sisters are well-meaning, but mouthy. So I made it a rule that I got to give an opinion on each dress before they were allowed to say anything about it. 

  

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• colex member

  

  July 2013

  I like bringing everyone in "rounds" that may work out best for me. I also like the idea of showing people during alterations as well. I have time, I just worry.
  

  
  

  I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that a lot of people I know are starting there dress shopping and are having large groups and are coming back with horror stories. I always pictured a small group going with me (my mom and my cousins, even when I was a little girl).

  
  

  How long before your weddings did you guys go dress shopping? Am I a fool for thinking I'm running out of time?

  
  

  -- I think the fact that I'm off for the first summer ever is starting to get to me.

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• daveANDkristen member

  

  July 2013

  Let us know about that milkshake, it sounds divine! I went dress shopping a year out, just to browse though, I certainly didn't have a sense of urgency. I ended up finding The One the first time out, but then again I wasn't extremely picky (just wanted to feel beautiful) and had a modest budget. As long as you don't demand that anybody join you, I think it's fine to look as far out as you'd like.

  
  

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• manateehugger member

  

  July 2013

  Don't put too much pressure on yourself to find "the one." Have fun - try on silly dresses you'd never wear in a million years; try on ones you don't think you could pull off. Just don't make it a pressure situation. 

  
  

  
  

  

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• Peaseblossom55 mod

  

  July 2013

  the milkshake sounds so good. I just ordered my dress last weekend.  It won't come in until mid March.  I went once with my sister, once with my mom and real close friend and the last time I went with my mom sister and FMIL. I got measured on Saturday for my dress and just my mom came.

  
  

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• harper0813 member

  

  July 2013

  Just don't even tell your friends when you're going. Tell them you don't know, you're still looking or change the subject. Agreed that a big group at the salon can equal trouble sometimes!

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• OpenHeart0117 member

  

  July 2013 edited July 2013

  I did the "rounds" approach as well.  Small groups are easier to manage at Salons. Plus I got to try on a lot more dresses at several shops this way.   By doing it this way I got the opinions of a few people whose opinion I value, but ultimately I wanted to pick the dress that I loved without the influence of others.
  
  So then I decided which ones I liked the most after a couple of weeks of mulling it over &  I went back & bought the actual dress by myself. No one knows what I actually chose & they won't until my wedding day.
  

  

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• michellemayawheeler member

  

  July 2013

  you can have them to send pictures of gowns they like so they feel that they have had some particpation in the process.

  Then you keep the group small.

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• SomethingBeautiful08 member

  

  July 2013

  I also concur with the "keep it small" idea.  I just took my MIL, but that was because my mom and sister couldn't make it.  I don't know what your area is like but at least 3 out of 5 of the bridal shops had fairly small areas that I couldn't have imagined more then 3 or 4 people fitting comfortably.  Most places let you take photos and there are always fittings later.  My shop even let me bring in my computer and we set up a video conference call so both my Oregon and Arizona family could see me in my dress, it was special.
  
  As far as when, depending on the manufacturer, it can take 4 - 8 months for a new dress to be ordered and shipped, then plan on at least a month for alterations.  When I started looking at the 6 month mark, that was tight timing for ordering a new dress.  As far as an outer limit, as long as your date and venue firm then feel free to go whenever you get the urge. 
  

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• ashleyep member

  

  July 2013

  I would just not tell anyone. I'm going with just my mom and sister in a few weeks. My FSIL mentioned she'd like to go, but I haven't told her when my appt is and I don't think I will, at least for the first one.

  
  

  I'm sure my FMIL would love to come too, but as a friend of mine pointed out, I don't want her to see my in my underwear, HA!

  

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• colex member

  

  July 2013

  I made my appointment for next week. I told my mom. I think for this one it'll just be me and her. 

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• [Deleted User] member

  

  July 2013

  It's posts like this that make me glad I have a small family and very few close friends.  Good luck with shopping! I went about 11 months ahead of time.  My dress will take 6 months to come in.  I'm about 4 months into the waiting game, I sort of forget what it looks like, so it'll be fun all over again. haha.  I had pictures on my phone, but then I dropped it in a toilet (I don't recommend it).

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• cmiles89 member

  

  July 2013

  Yup, small group. Don't tell anyone- there's this idea that some people get that you absolutely, irrevocably CANNOT pick out a dress without their help. It's well-meaning, but a bit attention grabby and you just want it to be your mom and sister or whoever, so only invite them. If people get all huffy about it just say it was a spur of the moment thing, blah blah blah. I know if I was in this situation and people would not take the hint, my mom would have no problem if I blamed her, saying "Sorry, mom is a nut and wants to take me by herself the first time, she's be ticked if everyone and their aunt came. Next time though!". Honestly, they have no reason to be mad.
  

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