Wedding dress shopping help

*krista* · #1 May 17th, 2009, 03:02 PM

I am going wedding dress shopping soon and I was wondering what the best way is to approach it. I know I am supposed to bring a camera so I can remember each dress, but what else? Are you supposed to make an appointment? Do you go in with specific dresses you wanna try on, or do you just tell them the style you are looking for? Any tips?

alicenwonderland · #2 May 17th, 2009, 03:12 PM

It depends on the store. For David's or another boutique, it's better to call ahead and make an appt. Maybe go in with a sillhouette you have in mind, but keep your mind open. What you think you want might not look right on your body time. It's all about the dress that makes you look and feel fantastic!

Don't be afraid of clearance racks. Designer sattelite shops (not bridal boutiques) sometimes have a clearance rack. I got my dress for 250 at Jessica McClintock. But I had to buy it off the rack. It was the first dress i tried on, and i didn't try on any more.

Take lots of pics and have fun!

midnight_starr · #3 May 17th, 2009, 03:12 PM

My advice is to go in there having an idea of what you want, but also be open minded and try on different styles!! You may surprise yourself and fall in love with something you weren't expecting to! Some dress shops are strict about making appointments and some aren't so its really up to you! I personally never made an appointment when I went dress shopping! Try on LOTS of dresses!!!!

Of course we'll be wanting pictures

*krista* · #4 May 17th, 2009, 03:15 PM

Oh! And do they have stuff to hold in the wobbly bits, or do I need to bring something if I intend on wearing something like that? Or do the dresses tend to hold it all together?

alicenwonderland · #5 May 17th, 2009, 03:19 PM

they usually have shapewear at the store for trying on.

ps- The dress i bought, I hated on the rack. But it looked amazing on. Definatley not what I had in mind, but it was the one.

Mod-LadyCoconut · #6 May 17th, 2009, 04:00 PM

It depends on where you go. I personally have some issues with David's Bridal, so keep in mind that I'm clearly biased. There, they don't let you pick out which gowns you'd like to try on... they pick out what they think you should like and put those on you. It is a very very different experience then going to other bridal shops, and I highly suggest, at the very least ... you go to one other place than a David's bridal just so you can have 'the whole experience.' My dress was a Maggie Sotterro, which Lauren and Aimee and other girls on this board recommended trying on and seriously those gowns just feel like no other. I absolutely suggest you find a shop that carries her line and try one on.

I would suggest wearing no make-up since you don't want to get it on the gowns, and wearing your own strapless bra so you definitely have the proper fit. Some shops rip the tags out of gowns so you can't price shop and don't let you take any photos. They'll tell you they're having some kind of sale where you don't have time to go home and 'sleep on it' etc. and I really think you should avoid doing business with places like that at all costs. Some shops in the wedding business have the mentality of 'well they're a one time customer' and really treat you that way once you have your money... which can be pretty scary.

Also, I can't recommend enough the book Bridal Bargains. It was so very helpful and also talked about major designers and how many weeks on average it normally takes for gowns to come in, how well they're made, etc. and that applies for bridesmaid dresses as well.

The shops around here have sample sales pretty often where you can get a really really nice/expensive gown for next to nothing. My sister got her $1800 gown for $250 and there were no rips/stains/anything on it... it had just been the 'try on' dress in the shop. So don't shy away from expensive stores either b/c sometimes you can get really great deals there.

Don't avoid dresses that you think you won't like or won't look good on you. I always envisioned the big poofy princess dress, which ultimately is what I wound up with pretty much... but I was really surprised when I tried on things I didn't like at all (all lace gowns ... mermaid/trumpet style, etc.) and really really liked those too! Ultimately I had to go with the vision I'd had as a little girl... but I could have been as happy in a 'non - traditional' gown that I thought would make me look fat, etc. etc. etc. It's just really hard to know without trying something on sometimes, so plan to try on a TON of gowns! And of course take a TON of pics because we're going to want to see too!

Most of the shops I went into (aside from David's) I just walked around and would pull out dresses that I liked and someone there would put it in a fitting room for me so I really did try on everything I saw and liked... and a few my mom saw and liked but I didn't and tried on to appease her. haha.

~Jess~ · #7 May 17th, 2009, 04:13 PM

Not all David's Bridals are like that, Shannon. I went with my sis to find her wedding dress, and she walked with the salesgirl thru David's bridal pulling stuff off of racks to try on. It could be that the one here is the odd one out though.

I personally bought mine from a teensy boutique owned by these 2 old women. I only had to tell them my style and they picked out exactly what I wanted!

Mod-LadyCoconut · #8 May 17th, 2009, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~Jess~

Not all David's Bridals are like that, Shannon. I went with my sis to find her wedding dress, and she walked with the salesgirl thru David's bridal pulling stuff off of racks to try on. It could be that the one here is the odd one out though.

Yeah, I know that a lot of girls on here got their gowns there and were really happy and had good experiences with them. The reviews I read before ever going were terrible, so I was biased walking in the door... but they lived up to every 'warning' I got. Since so many people go there first, they don't go elsewhere and just assume that's how everywhere is... and for me, it absolutely wasn't... and I just really want to stress looking in more than one place. Especially for a Maggie

I'm sure part of my problem was that we went on a Saturday (mistake!) and they were super swamped. Of course they 'prefer' appointments, so we had one... but that means nothing to them, they'll never turn someone away when they're busy and the woman who "helped" me really was swamped and before I was assigned to her she was complaining that she couldn't handle any more brides. But she was sure to turn the commision based sales approach on as soon as she 'had me' -- I had to set an appointment I never planned on going to just to get her to leave me alone -- Thank God I never gave them my personal info - email/phone/etc.

bittersweet · #9 May 17th, 2009, 05:40 PM

Good tips already.

A lot of it has to do with your budget. Some boutiques dont carry many/any dresses under $1000. And be up front about your budget the second you walk in. You dont want to fall in love with something out of reach.

Personally, I preferred trying on the dresses with no shapewear/bra underneath. I was able to get a more accurate picture of how it looked on my shape and what it did with my figure.

I preferred the smaller boutique to the big shops like Davids. I just felt more special and was given more attention. The lady helping me did a great job of finding things that would look great on me. I also will suggest trying on lots of things, even the ones you dont *think* are your type. You'll surprise yourself.

soImarriedAnerd · #10 May 17th, 2009, 06:45 PM

OMG I HATED david's bridal. I gave the lady a price I wanted to stay under she ignored that and grabbed the most expensive things she could! Then she went so far to try to "guilt" me into being more princesses and girly like ----"don't you want the perfect day", "wouldn't your husband love to see you as his queen"....crap like that. I walked out I was so pissed. Only to shop at a few other places and not find a dress I liked---went back to Davids (no other options) got another salesgirl who tried the same crap at first but this time I was prepared and had a friend "ok" the dresses she brought to me so nothing was over my price range---she got the hint and then I found the dress. LOL
But then you don't even want me to go into the details of the crap they pulled when I tried to pick up the dress and the condition it was in! UGH THEY SUCKED!

I would say be open minded to what you want...I went in with a little idea and only found out that didn't look good on me. Try at least one type of each dress on to see whats the best on you. Camera is good and NOTE PAD so you can write down the info on the dress and then go home and online bargain shop. I don't know about most stores by the David's I was at was VERY VERY pushy on the sale of the shoes/veil/etc/etc with the dress....I PROMISE you can find it cheaper and usually better somewhere else for the little things.

OMG I HATED david's bridal. I gave the lady a price I wanted to stay under she ignored that and grabbed the most expensive things she could! Then she went so far to try to "guilt" me into being more princesses and girly like ----"don't you want the perfect day", "wouldn't your husband love to see you as his queen"....crap like that. I walked out I was so pissed. Only to shop at a few other places and not find a dress I liked---went back to Davids (no other options) got another salesgirl who tried the same crap at first but this time I was prepared and had a friend "ok" the dresses she brought to me so nothing was over my price range---she got the hint and then I found the dress. LOL
But then you don't even want me to go into the details of the crap they pulled when I tried to pick up the dress and the condition it was in! UGH THEY SUCKED!

I would say be open minded to what you want...I went in with a little idea and only found out that didn't look good on me. Try at least one type of each dress on to see whats the best on you. Camera is good and NOTE PAD so you can write down the info on the dress and then go home and online bargain shop. I don't know about most stores by the David's I was at was VERY VERY pushy on the sale of the shoes/veil/etc/etc with the dress....I PROMISE you can find it cheaper and usually better somewhere else for the little things.

*krista* · #11 May 17th, 2009, 07:47 PM

WOW, I'm so glad I got all of your advice. I was not prepared for some of the stuff you all are describing, and I didn't know David's Bridal was like that!

I'm checking out the Sottero dresses right now and they are GORGEOUS! Although they are probably out of my price range, but I guess we will see.

**Jenn** · #12 May 18th, 2009, 07:51 AM

I agree with Shannon and Angela about David's Bridal--I had an absolutely awful experience there. My sister did as well when she was looking for a bridesmaid dress for my wedding as well as a dress for her own wedding.

I think you got a lot of great tips here! I went in with absolutely nothing in mind and just pulled what I liked from the racks. What I ended up getting was something my Mom actually pulled. It was the last dress I tried on and I only tried on a handful of dresses and really only the one store (I don't count David's since we pretty much walked out).

Keep an open mind and definitely look at the clearance rack! You can get a really great dress for much less than it would originally cost you because its a sample.

Also, if you find a dress you love but think its too expensive, shop around online and see if you can get it for cheaper. RK Bridal is great for getting something less expensive. My sister actually went to the RK Bridal store (warehouse really) in NYC and got her dress there--it is beautiful and nothing like she thought she wanted--the sales lady actually pulled it thinking it would be perfect for her. And it is!

Don't get discouraged if you try on a ton of dresses and still can't find "the one." It's out there, just be patient and look as much as you have to. It's a big purchase and a big decision, you don't want dress remorse! And after you buy you dress, STOP LOOKING! You'll only second guess your decision.

**Jenn** · #13 May 18th, 2009, 07:52 AM

stupid double post

**Jenn** · #14 May 18th, 2009, 07:53 AM

and another!

**Jenn** · #15 May 18th, 2009, 07:54 AM

Grrrrrrr! Another!!!

szczepanski · #16 May 18th, 2009, 08:23 AM

I had one bad experience with DB and one good.

The good one was when I actually ended up getting my dress......and the girl was great. She kept showing me "accessories" and was whispering in my ear "this is just to get an idea of how it looks with your dress.....$90 for a headband is ridiculous!".

They do ask you what you have in mind and then pull off any and everything off the racks. The way I got out of that, the 2nd time...I walked in, smiled and just said I'm just here to browse, I'll let you know if I need anyone" and literally walked around looking at dresses. Then I asked for someone and showed THEM the dresses that I wanted.

Of course...I totally ended up getting married in a red dress. Hehe.

freesiangel · #17 May 18th, 2009, 08:24 AM

I didn't have a horrible experience at David's Bridal - they at least let me pick out my own dresses (though she did then run out and find a few others that were similar, but I appreciated that). But the chick I got was super busy and I didn't hold it against her or anything, she was nice, but I'd sometimes stand in a gown for 10-15 minutes waiting for her to find time to help me finish it. My mom, MIL, and sister helped when they could, but half the time we didn't know what went where, so we had to wait. I left there sweaty, exhausted, and bummed... I later went to a privately owned shop with just my mom and found "the dress." We had a GREAT time, the woman assigned to us was only assigned to us, so she catered to our every need. They even brought us water, champagne, and snacks! lol. It wasn't even a swanky place, so that surprised me...

Anyway, I wouldn't rule out DB - especially if money is an issue, but definitely try others as well!

Good luck and take lots of pictures to show us!!!!!

enchantingdragon · #18 May 18th, 2009, 10:31 AM

I think you got great advice already but I just wanted to chime in and say absolutely try try try everything on. Wedding dresses are the one thing that the rules of looking at it on the hanger is enough don't apply. I definitely knew what I wanted when I went looking (poofy princess) but some of the sales ladies showed me other dresses and I was like I dont think that will look good on me but when I tried them on they looked fabulous. Other times I went in with a picture of a particular gown I wanted to try on only to see it looked awful on me. So try try try everything on. The dress you came in for might not do it for you once its on and a dress you wouldnt even consider might be amazing on so keep an open mind and have fun.

Trannyfromtheuk · #19 May 18th, 2009, 11:15 AM

I think you have been given some gret advice. I found my dress in the 3rd shop we went into x
The best bit of advice i can give you is be open minded!

I hope you find your perfect dress