Wedding dress shopping should be fun! We know that planning your wedding is stressful enough, especially right now. Finding your bridal gown shouldn’t be a source of anxiety. So we’re going to let you in on a few secrets. These 5 wedding dress shopping tips are essential to know before you even make your appointment at a bridal salon! We want you to feel comfortable and confident going into your appointment, so here are our tips for making wedding dress shopping easy as pie.
Set a realistic budget
While we know the importance of finding that perfect wedding dress, it’s not the only component of your wedding day look. Don’t forget to consider shoes, accessories, or alterations in your budget. And while your wedding dress should have a decent budget, your dream couture gown shouldn’t force you to give up the decorations or catering you’re dreaming of. Choose a bridal salon that can meet your needs. We’ll make your budget work to your advantage so you can have your cake and eat it too–all while wearing your dream gown.
Know who you are
Before you arrive at your wedding dress shopping appointment, take some time to get a sense of your personal style. Browse popular wedding dress designers and take note of which styles and dresses catch your eye–and which aren’t a top priority to try. Keep in mind your daily style too. Do you like to glam it up each day? Or are you more of a simple classics gal? While we always encourage trying on dresses of all styles (you never know which might be the one!), knowing your style will help you prioritize your gown options.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions
Don’t see a dress you’re looking for? Ask about it! This is a major wedding dress shopping tip. Some bridal boutiques, like LBR, offer options beyond what’s already in stock! We’re an authorized dealer of many designers including Pronovias, Calla Blanche, Elysee, Watters, and Yaniv Persy. We have great relationships with designers like Caroline Castigliano, Eva Lendel, and Wona Concept, too. We want to help you track down that perfect gown at a great price.
Keep your crowd in check
You might want to share this momentous occasion with all your friends and family, but that doesn’t mean they all need to be invited to your bridal salon appointment! Keep your wedding dress shopping crew to two or three of your favorite people, people you know will be your cheerleaders! The last thing you need when you try on wedding dresses is negative energy in the room. Keep it simple and keep it positive!
Start shopping early!
The number one of our wedding dress shopping tips? Start early! Weekend bridal salon appointments fill up fast, and you don’t want to be stuck taking time off work to try on dresses. Make sure to book a few appointments too–some salons limit how many dresses you can try on at a time. If you know you like having time to think over big decisions, have at least two dates booked from the start. This way, you can find your favorites at the first appointment and use the second to decide which is the right dress for you.
Looking for bonus dress shopping tips?
Follow bridal designers and bridal salons on Facebook and Instagram before your appointment so you can stay in the loop with all the latest trends! And now, getting a bridal salon appointment has never been easier! Simply book online for both LBR Chicago and LBR Birmingham.
