Where Do You Even Begin With Gown Shopping?

[TinkerSofi]

I'm starting to think about visiting some bridal salons in my city during the next couple of months. However, there are so many of them! There's the big stores with designer dresses and the smaller ones that don't have designer gowns but they probably have just as many beautiful ones (not to mention probably more in my budget). How do you even choose where to start? Please any tips?

[tygrrlily]

I think what they say about only trying on dresses in your budget is true. There is such a difference in quality between the designer ones and lower priced ones. Definitely don't start at a higher end store with designer dresses because the quality of the cheaper ones will not make you happy, and you will see and feel the difference!

 

I tried to stick to this, but ended up trying on a beautiful Monique Lhuillier at a sample sale and fell in love with it. Luckily, the sample was in my budget. I'm 100% okay with wearing a sample because I know I'd never be able to afford a new one. Others would prefer to have a dress brand new and ordered

 

Have fun shopping! Try to start in a store that will give you their full attention and help select a number of different silhouettes for you to narrow down what style you like

[TinkerSofi]

thanks! I also fell in love with a Monique Lhuillier gown, Miranda. I would like to try it on just to see if it's even worth to put the effort in trying to find a used one or a sample gown. Other than that I agree, I should keep to my budget. Maybe I'll start with a couple of bigger stores with more selection and go from there once I know more what I'm looking for. 

[AllieH]

Hi @@TinkerSofi!

 

Setting your budget is the first place to start. Once you have that, you can begin to narrow down designers. Since you have your eye on a ML gown, try on something with a similar silhouette that is within your budget first.

 

Once you know your budget, start looking at prices for gowns/designers. Check out Davids Bridal online, also Alfred Angelo's gowns online. I found that looking at gowns on Weddingwire.com too - they give you price ranges for the various gowns. Once you've identified which designers you like, you can then find out which stores carry that designer's samples (and if they carry samples in your size too).

 

Even though you have your eye on a particular gown, go into dress shopping with an open mind. Try on every silhouette, and multiple designers. Once you start putting dresses on you'll have a better idea of what you like, what looks best for you, etc. Most brides have found that the dress they end up with is NOTHING like they initially pictured or had in mind.

 

Most importantly - enjoy the process.

[alex15]

I think you should go according to your budget. if your dudget allows you to buy designer dresses then you should go for that...they are little bit costly but will nake you look like a princess on your BIG DAY. but if you want to get idea in variety then there is no harm to visit small shops too.

[TinkerSofi]

thanks for the tips guys! I think I have a pretty good idea on where to start now. I just have this fear that I'm going to go insane and keep thinking "what if I find something nicer somewhere else" and then I won't settle for anything but eventually all the dresses will just look the same. I like a lot of different dresses hahah. 

 

I guess I just have to get out there and start trying. I could research online all I want but until I try some on I won't be able to narrow it down. 

[kmk2016]

I'm looking at silhouettes I like online and the plan on going with my crew to a few bridal salons to get a sense on what looks good on my body and exactly what I want. Then I plan on ordering it custom from one of the Chinese seamstress companies that have been well reviewed here on BDW (I have it narrowed down to 2 companies). I will likely order 2 dresses for my wedding, tight mermaid for the ceremony and short and sassy for reception... Both based on dresses I decide look best from designer gowns I try locally.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[AllieH]

Don't make a decision until "you know"! If it takes trying on 100 dresses, and revisiting shops, then just do it (I know - sounds like a total pain in the butt). But when it's your dress, you'll know it. If there's some doubt, then don't say yes just yet.

 

Sometimes the indecision comes from having such a strong vision of what you want, and not being able to let go of that vision, even if you don't love that particular dress, silhouette, or whatever.

 

99% of brides "just know" when you find THE dress. can you picture yourself walking down the aisle in it? do you feel pretty (or sexy, or sassy, or whatever you're going for)? those are the questions to ask yourself as you try on dresses.

 

 

 

 

thanks for the tips guys! I think I have a pretty good idea on where to start now. I just have this fear that I'm going to go insane and keep thinking "what if I find something nicer somewhere else" and then I won't settle for anything but eventually all the dresses will just look the same. I like a lot of different dresses hahah. 

 

I guess I just have to get out there and start trying. I could research online all I want but until I try some on I won't be able to narrow it down. 

[tygrrlily]

@@TinkerSofi - I had that fear too. I went on a dress shopping spree and went to 7 stores or so in 2 weeks. I tried on my ML dress (the Sahara) in my second store, and I didn't pull the trigger then because I wanted to see what else was out there "just in case" even though when I saw myself in it for the first time, I was in love. But as I continued to shop, I found I was never able to get the dress out of my mind and I compared every other dress to that one, and they all came up short. I ended up going back a week later to retry it on, and I knew that it was the one for me for sure. 

Also take people you trust and know your taste, but don't take too many people either! It's like when you watch Say Yes to the Dress and they bring in entourages of 10 dif. people and it's a huge mess. You will find yourself second guessing what you love, because everyone has a different opinion. I just took my mom and best friend/moh and that was perfect because they stayed focussed on my taste (mermaids/trumpets) even though they might have liked other shapes for themselves

 

Enjoy the process! I found dress shopping really fun

Edited April 21, 2014 by tygrrlily

[pddcmc]

I'm worried that I won't find "the dress." 

 

Silly question, do you just wear whatever bra and underwear to your bridal appointment and once you have the dress you buy the appropriate bra/bridal support?