Being engaged means you now get to visit fabulous bridal boutiques and find the dress of your wedding dreams.
But what do you need to know when visiting a bridal shop for the first time?
Here are top tips that will make it a wonderful adventure and help to live up to the expectations.
This is like clothes store shopping but on another level!
The service is by far the difference you will notice. The boutique owners, stylists and their teams are devoted to making you feel as special as you can only hope for.
Knowledgeable, understanding, patient and ready with the tissues to celebrate with you through the whole process.
They will listen, really listen and know what you do and don’t like, what you feel comfortable with and what body parts you want to show off or hide,
You may walk into the first boutique and find ‘The One’ or you may visit several until you are ready to “Say Yes to the Dress”
1.Know your budget.
2.Check the Covid rules – they can vary from store to store. Yes *yawn* it’s ongoing.
3.Don’t take too many people with you – everyone has an opinion but they might not be right for you. Do speak up – if you love it and others don’t – say you love it! Its you that will be wearing it. Check out our blog about your Entourage.
4.Take your time – you want it to be right. So book out the time in your schedule to really enjoy this visit.
5.Start looking asap – don’t leave it to the last minute (unless of course you had to postpone due to Covid) there are plenty of amazing Off the Peg stores that you try buy and take away. Six to nine months is generally the rule but with the reopening of weddings appointments are booked well in advance – so get yours booked in asap.
6.Make up and fake tan can come off when you are trying on dresses so think about this before you go.
7.There may be tears of joy although not everyone will be as excited and moved as you so don’t be offended if they don’t.
8.Ask about payment schemes and time scale for any alterations, can they recommend someone or work with a seamstress. Seamstresses get booked very quickly so make sure you get your alterations booked in.
9.Are you comfortable in the dress? Can you breath, move, eat and dance and go to the loo?
10, Depending on your skin tone, white could wash you out. Be prepared to try champagne, oyster, even blush instead or go for a bold colour that suits your personality. Take into account the venue location you have chosen, the season’s weather and any religious traditions.
11,The time at a bridal boutique visit is your time – leave any distractions at home – that includes work phones or children. They can cope without you for a few hours.
12.Appointments are on average 90 minutes to a few hours depending on the boutique.
13.Independent boutiques will have one appointment at a time whereas larger franchises may have several appointments taking place at the same time
14.Eat before you go to your appointment – food is generally not available near those delicate beautiful dresses. Maybe arrange an afternoon tea with cocktails after your appointment with your bridal entourage. Ask us about the arrangements we have made with local restaurants and bars for your celebrations.
15.Choose appropriate underwear – remember you will be in and out of your clothes with the bridal ladies helping you. Take a read of our blog about this too.
16.Do check out the boutiques stock and designers before you go, check the price range and whether they offer off the peg or brands you have to order in. Check delivery times especially at the moment as if they are coming from outside of the UK there are currently longer than usual delivery times.
17.How will you wear your hair? Up or down? consider a version of this when trying on your dress. Most boutiques have a selection of veils, hairbands, tiaras and detailed belts even jewellery and shoes try these on too. We will be holding Accessory evenings, with hair and makeup professionals, to give you advice and trials so do keep up to date by signing up to our newsletter or contact us for details.
18.How do you need to store your gown? in a dress box in acid-free paper? Will the boutique give you a dress bag? Ask your bridal consultant.
19.Once you choose your dream dress – consider if you will need support getting into and out of it! Will you have someone there to help you on the day? Allocate your trusted and fearless ‘wing women’.
20.Unless the store is off the peg most dresses will be sample sizes that need to be ordered in so they may not fit perfectly, the bridal consultant will pin the dress for you to show you how it will fit and then it’s time to book your seamstress appointment.
21.Go with an open mind! It’s highly unlikely that you are used to wearing wedding dresses – so be prepared to try different styles and silhouettes – you’d be surprised how many people buy a dress that is the complete opposite of what they imagined. Determine what features you want on your gown. These features include the type of neckline, waistline, train, beadwork or lace on the bodice and skirt, and other decorations or embellishments. Once you have determined which silhouette, colour and fabric you like best, decide if the gown should have sleeves, straps or if you prefer one that is strapless – talk it through with your bridal consultant.
Ball gowns best fit the traditional category. It has a full bodice and waistline that leads to a full skirt.
Empire silhouettes have a high waistline which falls to a slimmer skirt.
A-line or princess gown features vertical seams flowing from the shoulders down to an A-shaped flared skirt.
Sheath silhouettes following your body line closely
Separates from corset and strappy tops, tailored jackets or capes with tailored trousers, a short or ruffled voile skirt
22.Many boutiques like to share your special moment with a photo or boomerang of you saying ‘yes to the dress’ to share on their social channels – they won’t include your chosen dress however if you would like to take a photo of your dress, or you in it, do check before you start snapping – some boutiques do not allow any photographs to be taken.
23.Really important – once you find “The One” – stop looking – unless you’re buying one for the ceremony and one for the reception? Then fill your boots!
24.Enjoy every moment of it. This will be the most important dress you will purchase, and possibly the most expensive, so, of course, you want to feel like the Princess you are.