Congratulations! You said yes to a lifetime with your person, and now it’s time to find your dress! Aside from your engagement and your actual wedding day, shopping for your wedding gown is arguably one of the most exciting parts of planning your big day. Let’s be real—you’ve probably already started finding dress inspiration on Pinterest… maybe even before you were engaged! Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone. 😉
In all the excitement of searching for your dress, it can be easy to make these common dress shopping mistakes—but don’t worry, we’re here to help!
Here’s some wedding dress shopping advice you’ll want to consider before booking your bridal appointment. We don’t want you to be nervous! This advice will help make sure you’re happy with your dress after your wedding day—and for years to come!
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Shopping Without a Wedding Date
At the start of your bridal appointment, one of the first questions your stylist will ask you is what day you’re getting married—this will give your consultant an idea of what kinds of gowns are available for your timeline. A bride getting married within a short time (4 months and under) will have limited options because each dress needs to be altered to fit her body. With a set wedding date, your consultant will be better able to help you hone in on your dream wedding gown!
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The Changing Your Body Trap
Every single bride-to-be wants to look and feel immaculate on their wedding day, but we encourage you not to put pressure on yourself to reach a certain size. You are beautiful, and you deserve to find a gown that fits your body at your current size!
However, if you’re planning to lose a significant amount of weight before your wedding, it’s important to consider this when shopping for and planning alterations to your wedding gown. Make sure you are open with your stylist about any big changes you’re planning, so they can help you know what to expect.
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Bringing the Wrong People to Your Dress Appointment
Your wedding dress is the most important one you’ll ever wear, so of course, you want your whole tribe involved in finding your perfect gown, but having the wrong people with you at your bridal appointment can make this day less enjoyable and magical for you. So, instead of bringing a large group with you to your bridal appointment, consider limiting your entourage to under 4 people, and make sure they are people you value you and make you feel uplifted! When it's all said and done, and you've said, "I do," it’s what you want that matters—and having too many opinions can keep you from purchasing the dress you love.
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Having No Clear Expectations
We all have strong opinions on fashion, but hey, keep an open mind when preparing for your bridal appointment! This will allow you to consider dresses that you maybe otherwise would never try on. However, on the other extreme, coming to your bridal appointment without an idea of what you like makes it harder for you and your stylist to zero in on your perfect dress.
If you have trouble deciding what silhouettes would look best on you, try looking at your closet—take note of what shapes and materials make you feel the most confident and comfortable. Remember, a confident and comfortable bride is a beautiful bride. If you still have no idea, your stylist is here to help!
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Having an Unrealistic Wedding Gown Budget
Not having a clear and set budget when you make an appointment to try on a wedding dress is one of the most common mistakes brides make! When you go into your appointment without a budget, it’s easier to fall in love with a gown that you can’t afford and be swayed by the well-meaning opinions of your guests and family members. To help you stay within your budget while trying on dresses, research boutiques and retailers that fit within your budget, and when visiting the store, kindly ask your stylist to only show you dresses within your price range.
Final Thoughts
We know shopping for your perfect dresses can be emotional, and we’re here to help you! Here at The Poinsett Bride, we consider our guests part of our family. From when you first begin searching for your dream dress, through your alterations, to your wedding day, we aspire to create a dress shopping experience that makes you feel as important, unique, and beautiful as you are.
Are you ready to find your dress? Give us a call at (864) 241-0730 or Book Now. We’re so excited to meet you!