Are you a bride-to-be preparing to shop for your dream wedding dress? Wedding dress shopping is an exciting experience but can also be overwhelming and stressful, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the proper etiquette. To make your shopping experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible, here are some tips from Viva Wedding Photography for wedding dress shopping etiquette to keep in mind.
Wedding Dress Shopping Etiquette You Should Before The Big Day
1. Make A Prior Appointment
Getting an appointment at a bridal salon on the weekend is difficult, even if many don’t accept walk-ins. It’s better to plan and get an appointment before heading out to the store than to risk waiting. It’s not only kind to the staff if you come prepared for your session, but it also improves the quality of your experience. You and your bridal consultant can discuss the silhouettes and embellishments that catch your eye, and she can bring appropriate samples for you to try on.
2. Do The Research Beforehand
Preparation is the key to making the most of your dress-shopping time. Shops’ prices, the availability of gowns for ordering, and the designers’ aesthetics should all be considered in wedding dress shopping etiquette. You can save time and energy by shortlisting the salons you really want to visit with the help of this preparation. If you’re searching for a dazzling beaded dress by a particular designer, you probably shouldn’t shop at stores that feature designs that run counter to your own.
3. Don’t Bring Too Many People
It’s not only embarrassing to try on a bunch of outfits in front of everyone, but it’s also rude to the stylists and other customers. Your closest relatives, including your maid of honor, mother, and future mother-in-law, should be invited to your dress shopping rather than all your bridesmaids.
The more people you have in the room, the fewer random thoughts will pop into people’s heads. Ultimately, following wedding gown shopping etiquette, you may regret choosing the clothing because you were trying to please too many people. Don’t leave anyone out of future fits if you can help it.
4. Do Be Open-Minded
Try on salon gowns with an open mind, even if you’ve had your ideal dress in mind for years. Don’t be too ready to dismiss the stylists’ suggestions; instead, rely on their knowledge.
Trying on several gowns can either confirm that the style you’ve been thinking about is the one for you, or it may reveal that you need to look elsewhere. Perhaps you had your heart set on an A-line dress for your big day, but you’ve since fallen in adore with a trumpets style. You can’t find out until you’re willing to try everything.
5. Disclose Your Financial Plan Openly
One crucial step in finding the perfect dress is speaking openly and honestly about your financial limitations. Spend as little as possible while still getting the dress of your dreams.
Your stylist can help you select dresses that fit your ideas and budget if you give them a range to work with. If you see an outfit that’s a bit out of your price range, you can save money by waiting for a sale or trunk show to see if the business is doing a trunk show.
6. Be Gentle With Each Dress
Whether trying on five or fifty, treating each garment with attention would be best. Since other brides-to-be will try on these outfits, the store must ensure they are in excellent condition.
Dresses are very pricey, and the samples in a store are almost always the only ones the salon has. Following the planner’s instructions means carefully handling fasteners and arranging each dress afterward. Also, following wedding dress shopping etiquette, be careful not to damage any shelves as you browse.
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7. Express Your True Opinion
It’s helpful and encouraged if you politely let a stylist know that a particular dress selection isn’t working for you. Employees can’t read minds, so speak up if anything isn’t to your liking. They won’t be offended since they genuinely want to know what you have in mind and accommodate you in your search for a dress.
If you are honest with your stylist, they can create better outfits for you. Don’t be shy about telling us if you’re not entirely in love with a particular piece of clothing. The shop is stocked with many more that we would happily show you.
Do not feel rushed into deciding solely to appease the consultant, especially if the session draws close and you are still on the fence about a certain dress. Keep looking for the perfect dress and let them know you want more time to decide.
8. Get Off Your Phone
A ringing phone is one of the most annoying things that may happen. If you shop for a dress with your face buried in your phone, you won’t have a good time or find the perfect one. Keep your phone on vibrate or quiet and focus on your stylist & the dresses in front of you rather than sending texts or responding to notifications.
Have a friend or family member snap your pictures since this is such a big deal for many brides-to-be, but make sure you find out the wedding shop’s stance on photography before you go in there.
9. Please Arrive On Time And Do Not Plan To Linger Longer Than Your Scheduled Appointment
Be mindful of the time allotted to you just as you want to be serviced promptly. Following bridal dress shopping etiquette, make sure your appointment starts and ends on time by calling ahead, then show up at least 10 minutes early. The average time spent trying on wedding dresses is two hours. Due to the high volume of brides-to-be out on weekends, appointments may be shortened.
If you’d like to have more free time on the weekend to shop and unwind, schedule your job for the week. You will have a more pleasant experience if you are flexible with your appointment time and go during a time when the store has fewer customers scheduled. Try not to dilly-dally or waste too much time in the bridal salon. If you come to your appointment well-prepared, everything will go quickly and easily.
10. Avoid Piling On Cosmetics
Avoiding heavy or smudged makeup that could spill into the garment is best when shopping. It is dangerous to change into a dress even though your makeup shouldn’t rub off. For example, lipstick is known for staining clothing and is notoriously difficult to remove.
If you spill any on the dress, your consultant may need extra time and effort to remove it. Although the gowns on display are only meant for trying on, it is still important to remember the little details that can make a big difference for everyone.
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Some Questions You Should Be Clear About When Choosing Wedding Dress
1. Does the groom accompany the bridal dress shopping experience?
This is ultimately your option, although most men agree they want to be shocked with their future wife’s bridal gown on the wedding day. You may invite your partner if they are willing to see your dress before the wedding and you appreciate their input in fashion.
2. How many wedding dresses should you try on?
We think you should try on at most ten to fifteen dresses before deciding the three you like best. These are merely our recommendations, of course. It doesn’t matter how many you try on as long as you locate the dresses you like most that complement your style best.
3. Whose responsibility is it to buy the wedding dress?
In modern times, your grandmother might be willing to purchase your dress, or you may be expected to cover the cost yourself. The bride’s family pays for the big-ticket things, such as a wedding planner, the hen party, as well as the ceremony reception (food, drinks, decorations, favors, etc.).
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- Comprehensive Wedding Planning Checklist For A Big Day in 2023
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Wedding dress shopping can be a fun and memorable experience, but it’s essential to remember proper wedding dress shopping etiquette to ensure a successful and stress-free experience. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to finding the dress of your dreams.
