Ditto @ourwildkingdom, this is an international board so the responses will be more generic.
That said, I would advise you to go to a place with a lot of styles and designers to try on some dresses. You don't have to buy right away, but a place like Davids Bridal can be very helpful in gauging what type of wedding dress you want. A lot of brides on this board will tell you that they ended up in dresses complete opposite of what they thought they would like. In general:
DO's
- Give your consultant your budget (or even a little under your dress budget). Be sure to include more accessories, undergarments, and alterations in your budget.
- If you are feeling overwhelmed, or like the consultant isn't listening to you, leave.
- Its okay to get ideas from pinterest, but be open to trying on dresses outside of this. Many people are surprised by what they end up with.
- Try to wear a strapless bra/undergarments that would match what you are wearing on your wedding day. Especially important for your fitting!
- Try to remember the elements that you do like to help narrow your future searches. (do you like lace or silk, sweetheart necklines or straight, white or off-white, Train lengths, etc...)
DONT'S
- Don't go with an entire group of people, take one or two people who's taste you trust as advisors that will value your feelings and opinions as well. Leave the entourage at home.
- Don't freak out about sizing, it is not really accurate and a good fit looks better than on your wedding day than a smaller number on the tag.
- Don't feel pressured to pick out a dress at the first shop.
- Finally, you may not have that O.M.G. this is my dress moment, and that is okay. But once you find the dress you are happy to be married in STOP looking at dresses!
But most of all have fun and enjoy!
(Pro tip: If you do go to Davids (or any bridal shows) don't give them your primary email/phone as it seems like they like to sell it to spammers!).
My daughter had a good experience at David's Bridal in Manchester. This board is a little slow, so I would recommend posting on the NY, MA, RI boards, also.
Do remember that you are simply looking for a dress. There are thousands of dresses out there, and you can't try them all! You don't need to find THE perfect dress. You need to find a dress that makes you feel beautiful, is appropriate for your style of wedding, and fits your budget.
Looking at photos online can be very frustrating. You really can't tell how a dress will look on you until you try it on in person. Many brides get a fixed idea in their head that this photo is the perfect dress, but when they actually try it on - meh. Many dresses that appear on sites like Pinterest may be several seasons old and no longer available.
Take your time shopping, and be sure to read the contract before you buy a dress. Most wedding dresses are final sales.
Start looking at photos and figure out your budget.
I had great luck at White Dress By The Shore in Clinton. It's a higher end location but I lucked out with a sample dress there at a fraction of the cost.
Thank you guys! Sorry to reach back so late. I have not been on this site in a while. Thank you for the check list of dos and donts I really needed this break down @cowgirl8238. Tell me more about the one in Newtown. That is right down the street from me. Can I see your wedding dress? @Blackbird230
Re: Trying to find the dress
Ditto @ourwildkingdom, this is an international board so the responses will be more generic.
That said, I would advise you to go to a place with a lot of styles and designers to try on some dresses. You don't have to buy right away, but a place like Davids Bridal can be very helpful in gauging what type of wedding dress you want. A lot of brides on this board will tell you that they ended up in dresses complete opposite of what they thought they would like. In general:
DO's
- Give your consultant your budget (or even a little under your dress budget). Be sure to include more accessories, undergarments, and alterations in your budget.
- If you are feeling overwhelmed, or like the consultant isn't listening to you, leave.
- Its okay to get ideas from pinterest, but be open to trying on dresses outside of this. Many people are surprised by what they end up with.
- Try to wear a strapless bra/undergarments that would match what you are wearing on your wedding day. Especially important for your fitting!
- Try to remember the elements that you do like to help narrow your future searches. (do you like lace or silk, sweetheart necklines or straight, white or off-white, Train lengths, etc...)
DONT'S
- Don't go with an entire group of people, take one or two people who's taste you trust as advisors that will value your feelings and opinions as well. Leave the entourage at home.
- Don't freak out about sizing, it is not really accurate and a good fit looks better than on your wedding day than a smaller number on the tag.
- Don't feel pressured to pick out a dress at the first shop.
- Finally, you may not have that O.M.G. this is my dress moment, and that is okay. But once you find the dress you are happy to be married in STOP looking at dresses!
But most of all have fun and enjoy!
(Pro tip: If you do go to Davids (or any bridal shows) don't give them your primary email/phone as it seems like they like to sell it to spammers!).
This board is a little slow, so I would recommend posting on the NY, MA, RI boards, also.
Looking at photos online can be very frustrating. You really can't tell how a dress will look on you until you try it on in person. Many brides get a fixed idea in their head that this photo is the perfect dress, but when they actually try it on - meh. Many dresses that appear on sites like Pinterest may be several seasons old and no longer available.
Take your time shopping, and be sure to read the contract before you buy a dress. Most wedding dresses are final sales.
Have fun shopping!
I had great luck at White Dress By The Shore in Clinton. It's a higher end location but I lucked out with a sample dress there at a fraction of the cost.