Getting bridal consultant tips when it comes to wedding dress shopping is like getting the winning lottery numbers ahead of time.
My bridal consultant took the time to understand my style and the details I wanted to have in my wedding dress. She anticipated what I was going to say about each dress that I tried on. The final dress she pulled combined everything I had told her and I didn’t even realize it until I put it on & it was perfect!
Bride Amanda
What’s one of the first things that newly-engaged brides think of after the proposal?
Their wedding dress!
Most likely you’ve dreamed about it for years, envisioning every detail of it, picturing yourself walking down the aisle.
It is undeniable that it is a central point of your entire wedding.
And while some brides fall in love with the first gown they try on, others have a tougher time.
As with most things, preparation is key. That’s why we have compiled this list of 10 bridal consultant tips with the help of Best for Brides to make sure your wedding dress shopping experience is as stress-free as possible.
1. Know your budget
The risk of falling in love with an overly-expensive wedding gown is high when you shop without a price in mind.
So, never go shopping without knowing your budget first.
This will help you look only at dresses that you can afford and stay away from those that are over your budget.
When figuring out your budget, don’t forget to factor in extras like alteration charges and cost of accessories, like your veil if you choose to wear one.
| Side Note: Check out the Wedding Budget Calculator tool in this blog post to help you with your wedding dress budget. |
2. Shop early
Wedding dresses take six to nine months to be ready, once you place an order.
After you receive your dress, you will need more time to have it altered to your exact measurements.
Keep this in mind when you plan your shopping trip.
Once you finalize the wedding theme, venue, and other relevant details, don’t delay dress shopping.
Start early and you will have enough time for fittings and to shop for the rest of the essentials to complete your bridal look!
3. Research your options
It isn’t wise to go shopping without doing your research first.
You may end up confused and even overwhelmed with the available options if you do.
So, spend some time exploring your options before you hit the stores.
Identify silhouettes that best flatter your figure.
Then browse through bridal magazines and Pinterest to find pictures of dresses that you like.
Create a list of dress features that you love, and take this with you when you go shopping.
This will give your bridal consultant a starting point for choosing dresses for you to try on.
4. Invite no more than three people to go with you
Save yourself a lot of stress by limiting your entourage when you go shopping.
Take along only two or three people who can actually contribute to your shopping experience. Too many opinions can cause confusion, and you may even end up making the wrong decision.
Make sure you only invite those whose opinions are important to you when choosing your dress. They should understand your preferences and be supportive of your decision.
5. Pick the right time to shop
This is one shopping trip where you should take your time to make a decision.
Avoid shopping at a time when the salon is rushed, like on a weekend.
Plan your trip for a day when you can fully focus your attention on the task at hand.
Weekdays are a good option, as the salon will be less crowded and your bridal consultant will have more time to dedicate to your shopping needs.
6. Be open to other choices
Although you do your research and have a general idea of what you want, be open to trying other options as well.
Your bridal consultant may suggest dresses that you wouldn’t pick yourself. Give it a try.
Often dresses that lack hanger appeal look stunning on the right body frame.
So, if you are lucky, you may be pleasantly surprised when you fall in love with a dress you wouldn’t normally choose.
7. Trust your bridal consultant
Bridal consultants are experts in bridal fashion, and can easily recognize a dress that would look best on a bride.
Share your ideas with your consultant and let her do the rest.
When you communicate your needs clearly, you can expect her to help you find the right dress sooner.
Offer honest feedback on the dresses she brings you to try on, so she can clearly understand your preferences and narrow down the choices accordingly.
8. Choose the right size
Wedding dress sizing is different from regular dress sizing.
So, don’t be worried if your wedding dress size is greater than the dress size you normally wear.
Go with the measurement chart by the designer to select your size.
Never pick a dress that is smaller than your current size, even if you plan to lose weight in time for the wedding. It is easy to alter a bigger dress to a smaller size, while the reverse is often difficult.
9. Look for the right white
Wedding dresses come in different shades of white, like diamond white, ivory and champagne.
Try on different dress shades to pick the white that best flatters your complexion.
The same designer may offer the wedding dress you choose in different shades of white.
So, choose the one that will work best for your skin tone.
10. Stop looking once you find the dress
Curb the tendency to try on more dresses, once you find one that ticks all the boxes.
Unlike what you may see on television, you may not feel emotional or moved to tears when you come across the right dress.
However, you will know it when you see it.
Not only will you look beautiful, you will also feel confident and everything will be just right for your special day!
Once you find such a dress, stop looking. Trust your instincts and just make the purchase.
If you follow these 10 bridal consultant tips for wedding dress shopping, your experience will be a breeze and one that you will remember forever!
Share with us
What’s your wedding dress budget and who do you plan to take with you to your bridal appointment?
Thanks for the comment :-D
Will you please help us reach more people with our content by sharing this post with your friends?