A lot of time goes into planning a wedding, and when you juggle that alongside general life responsibilities, it quickly becomes overwhelming. It’s easy to feel like you’re being pulled in all directions as you try to balance touring venues, meeting vendors, picking out decor, sending out invitations, and, most importantly, finding the perfect dress.
Taking time to visit dress shops may feel like it spreads you too thin, but shopping online doesn’t always provide the same excitement. We’ve created this guide to help you weigh the advantages of in-person vs online bridal appointments so you can have a more enjoyable shopping experience.
Advantages of In-Person Appointments
It’s hard to top the experience of visiting a dress shop to browse through the gowns on the rack as you search for your perfect look.
Some specific advantages of shopping in-store include:
Trying On Gowns Provides Clarity
A dress that looks stunning on the rack may not have the same effect when you try it on, and equally, a gown you might overlook on the hanger could end up being the perfect fit. Taking your body shape into account when trying on dresses can help you avoid disappointment and make the experience more rewarding.
One of the greatest benefits of visiting a bridal boutique in person is working with an experienced dress fitter. Their expert guidance can help you discover silhouettes that truly flatter your figure and align with your vision.
Additionally, trying on dresses in-store allows you to experience how the fabric feels against your skin and how the gown moves with your body. Intricate details like beadwork, lace, and appliqués are often far more impressive in person than they appear in photos, making the in-store experience invaluable.
It’s An Experience
Every aspect of wedding planning is an experience, and finding your dress is one of the most exciting lead-ups to the big day. Many people bring their closest friends or relatives to their shopping and fitting appointments.
Having a few loved ones there amplifies the experience because they can give polite yet honest feedback on how each dress looks. Your wedding party will have your back while keeping it real, making sure you look nothing short of gorgeous for your nuptials. Likewise, relatives can provide valuable emotional support, making the whole process even more special.
You Have a Personal Guide
When you attend your appointment in person, a stylist will guide you through the process to help you find a wedding dress that’s elegant. They’ll listen to your vision for the perfect gown, help you try on the options you’ve been eyeing, and recommend additional dresses that align with your style and budget.
Your stylist can also help you feel more confident and offer honest advice, as they have expert knowledge of the dresses in the boutique. Similarly, they can help rein in your entourage if they get too rowdy or opinionated to keep your experience enjoyable.
Reduced Risk of Returns
When you shop in person, you remove a lot of the guesswork from the process. Rather than asking if the dress will look good on you, you can try it on several times, view yourself from various angles, and don’t have to worry about returning a gown if you don’t like it. You can just put it back on the rack.
Immediate Answers to Questions
Chances are, you’ll have questions as you search for a wedding dress. How do you take care of the material? How long will delivery take? What size fits you best? When you buy online, getting answers to these questions means playing the waiting (and sometimes guessing) game, which doesn’t help with stress or looming deadlines.
Browsing in a store allows staff to provide instant responses so you feel thoroughly informed and confident about your purchase. Faster communication simplifies decision-making and dispels lingering concerns.
Advantages of Online Appointments
While in-store appointments have many advantages, their time-sensitive nature on appointment availability, may just add further stress of another task to your already busy schedule. Additionally, when you shop online, your options are practically limitless and provide you with privacy as you browse. The reasons to make an online appointment include the following:
Convenience That Suits Your Schedule
Generally, online appointments are more flexible than in-person ones, as you won’t spend time traveling or trying on dresses. Instead, you’ll dedicate the entire appointment to discussing your style preferences and narrowing down what you want in a dress. Plus, when you shop online, you can take as much time as you need to decide which gown to buy.
Maintaining Privacy for the Big Reveal
Buying your dress online provides the highest level of discretion, which is ideal if you want to keep your dress private until the big day. Unlike in-person appointments, where loved ones may know what you’re up to and hope to tag along, no one sees what’s on your screen, so you can keep the dress a surprise for as long as you want.
A Calm, Curated Browsing Experience
While going to a store can be fun and exciting, it’s also easy to become overwhelmed by the numerous options, well-meaning advice from loved ones, and navigating around other shoppers in the store. All that sensory stimulation can make it difficult to focus on what you truly want.
If you schedule an online appointment, you can stay cozy at home with your favorite drink or snack as you enjoy a calm and curated browsing experience. You can take your time to browse through different dress styles, colors, sizes, and prices without any distractions. This will allow you to truly envision what you want for your wedding look.
Which Option Is Best?
As you weigh the advantages of in-person vs online bridal appointments, you may still wonder which option is best. After all, both have their fair share of perks.
The truth is, no one can tell you what the perfect option is, as it ultimately comes down to personal preferences, needs, and circumstances. If you have virtually no time in your schedule, then online appointments are ideal due to their flexibility. However, looking for dresses online doesn’t tell you how they’ll look on your body, and that’s what matters most.
You can also opt for a hybrid approach and start with an online appointment to narrow down your dream dress based on your inspiration and preferences. From here, you can visit salons to try on the dresses you picked out and decide if one of them is the dress or if you have to go back to the drawing board.
The Adore by Justin Alexander collection is perfect if you want to make a statement. With stunning silhouettes, trendy details, and stylish touches like pockets, these dresses celebrate the joy of individuality and the magic of love. View our options online today, then use our website to find them at your nearest dress shop so you can try them on. Your dream dress awaits!
