Dress shopping is one of the most exciting aspects of planning your wedding. This is the time to get your group of girls together to assist as you search for the gown. While your entourage is there to help, your bridal consultant is your ultimate guide when finding the perfect wedding dress.
A bridal consultant works at the bridal shop(s) you go to and is an expert on wedding dresses. Every bridal consultant's goal is to help the bride-to-be feel supported and find her dream wedding dress. Knowing what to ask your bridal consultant helps you make the most of your appointment. Below are some questions to remember when meeting with your bridal consultant.
Does Trying Dresses On Cost Money?
While most bridal shops require or recommend making an appointment to ensure personalized assistance, not all charge a fee for this. However, some may have a consultation fee, so it's best to check ahead of time. To avoid any surprises, inquire about any potential charges when scheduling your visit. If there is a fee, be sure to ask if it can be applied towards any future purchases.
How Many People Can Come to My Appointment?
Most of us want at least one or two of our biggest supporters to go dress shopping with us for a second opinion. Similar to appointment fees, the number of people you can bring varies by salon. Some shops have hard rules, such as 2-3 guests per customer, while others may be more lenient.
A smaller bridal salon typically has less space, so it may have more restrictive guest policies. The number of people you can bring also depends on how busy the store is and how many other appointments are scheduled at the same time as yours.
Bridal Tip: Carefully Select Guests
While you don't want to exclude anyone, you also don't want too many people, even if the salon allows it. More guests mean more options, creating challenges for the most decisive brides.
What Do I Need To Bring?
When you call the bridal shop, ask whether you need to bring anything with you to simplify dress shopping. Items you may need include items you'll wear on the wedding day, such as:
- Undergarments
- Shoes
- Jewelry
By wearing or bringing these items to the bridal salon, you can give the consultant an idea of how you feel in each dress, which helps them narrow down your options. If you wear 5-inch heels for a wedding and want a ball gown, the length must accommodate the heel height.
Also, consider bringing a few inspirational pictures or photos of your venue. The more your consultant knows about the style and wedding vision, the better recommendations they can make.
Which Silhouettes Should I Try?
One of the most important questions every bride should ask her bridal consultant is, "Which dress styles should I try on?" While you may love a gown on the hanger, it may not always suit your body shape, and this is where your consultant's expertise comes in.
With so many styles and silhouettes to choose from, each dress creates a different look. Be open with your consultant about the fit and style you typically wear and let them guide you on what will best flatter your figure. Don’t hesitate to try on a variety of options—sometimes, the styles you least expect may end up being "the one."
Do I Have to Buy the Dress Today?
Dress shopping can be an overwhelming experience. You may not find the gown at your first appointment, but you may have some top contenders. Talk to your consultant about how long your favorite styles will be on the rack and if you can come back after sleeping on it to make a final decision.
It's not uncommon for brides to visit multiple shops and try on dozens of dresses before finding the perfect one. Don't feel pressured to make a purchase immediately. You may be on the fence about a dress, try on numerous others, and still feel stuck on that first one. If this happens, you can try that gown on again and decide it’s as perfect as you remembered.
Bridal Tip
Once you buy the dress, ask how long it will take before you can take it home. The gown you try on in the salon is usually a sample size, not your exact measurements. It'll take some time to order the dress, and from there, you may need alterations.
How Do Alterations Work?
Chances are, your dream gown won't fit perfectly when you try it on in the salon, as wedding dresses typically come in standard sizes. You may find that the dress fits well in some areas but needs a few adjustments. With alterations, a skilled seamstress can customize the fit to your body by making changes to the length, bust, waist, or other areas, ensuring the gown flatters you perfectly.
Always inquire whether the bridal shop offers alterations in-house or if you'll need to find a seamstress elsewhere. If the salon offers alterations, ask how many fittings their service includes and what fees may apply for additional alterations.
Finally, ask your consultant when you should order the dress to allow adequate time for any necessary alterations before the wedding day. This is typically 6-8 months before the big day but can vary depending on the designer and style of gown.
What Accessories Pair Best with My Dress?
Accessories play a crucial role in completing your bridal look, and a knowledgeable consultant can guide you in choosing the perfect pairings. During your appointment, they may suggest shoes, veils, jewelry, or hairpieces that complement the dress silhouette, neckline, and overall theme.
Trying on accessories during your appointment helps you visualize how everything comes together. Consultants will consider personal style preferences and practicality to recommend options that elevate your look.
How Do I Transport and Store My Dress?
Once you've purchased your gown, safely storing it in the weeks leading up to your wedding ensures it looks its best on the big day. Ask your consultant for care instructions, including how to transport and store the dress before and after alterations. Some salons offer services such as steaming or preservation that can help with pre-wedding prep and post-wedding preservation of your gown.
Can You Preserve My Dress?
Many brides want to keep their dress forever but have no plans to wear such an extravagant gown again. Sometimes, your dress becomes a moment of your union and other times; it becomes an heirloom that you pass on to the next generation.
Dress preservation is an essential service the bridal boutique can offer to help your dress look new for years to come. Talk to your consultant about preservation options, such as professional cleaning and packaging, to keep your gown pristine.
Find Your Wedding Gown
Are you a hopeless romantic, dreaming of a fairytale wedding day and a storybook gown that captivates your guests and creates unforgettable memories? A Sincerity gown celebrates the journey to true love, designed for the bride with a romantic soul. Featuring enchanting trains, glittering fabrics, and delicate 3D florals, each gown combines timeless elegance with a modern twist.
