Tips For A Flawless Wedding Dress Shopping Experience

Set a Budget

Before you get carried away Pinning all those diamond encrusted wedding dresses, take a look at your wedding budget and set a number you’re willing to spend on your gown. This will not only narrow your choices (such an endless amount of beautiful gowns out there!) but also help you hone your expectations in the dress shopping process.

Start Shopping 9-12 Months Ahead (If You Can)

Believe it or not, gowns typically take anywhere from 4-10 month to be made. Factor in shipping times (is your dress coming from Paris?) alterations and multiple fittings – in the end, your gown could take up to 12 months to be ready.

Use Social Media To Find & Save Gowns

Pinterest and Instagram are brilliant for discovering the endless gowns on the market these days. Follow your favorite blogs, designers and bridal salons to discover new collections, see your favorite gowns on real brides, find out about surprise sample sales and hear about nearby trunk shows. Save your faves on your wedding dress boards, and Instagram archives to bring with you to your appointments.

Pick A Few Wedding Dress Style Keywords

It’s great to be able to concisely articulate to your bridal stylist what wedding dress styles suit you. For me it was “sexy, silk & tailored” and every bridal stylist pulled gowns that were totally New York City “Claire”. Pick a famous bridal muse too that best represents your style (surprise, mine was Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy).

Make Bridal Salon Appointments

Try to schedule your bridal salon appointments all in one day or weekend. This way, each gown is fresh in your mind for comparison; you’re more likely to say “Yes!” if you’re not waiting on another appointment weeks later.

Choose Your Bride Tribe Wisely

Take special care when you select which guests will join you on this wedding dress hunt.

Have A List Of Questions Ready For Your Stylist

Bring along a list of questions only your bridal stylist can answer, including how long it takes to make the gown you love, whether or not they alter dresses in-house or suggest expert tailors, whether they ship the gown to you (and if there’s a shipping charge) or if you pick up in shop, the best way to travel with your gown and if steaming the dress day-of is the best strategy.