Let's get Ready to Say YES!
First things first, congratulations on shopping for a bridal gown! We are ready to celebrate you and the love that brought you to us!
Your bridal appointment is a pivotal moment in the wedding planning process. While it's an exciting time, many brides find this fraught with emotion and nervousness. When you step into the gown of your dreams and see yourself as the bride you always imagined, it can be overwhelming in the best possible way. The mix of joy, excitement, and maybe even a little bit of nervousness is completely normal. It's a moment of transformation, where all the planning and dreams come together, and it’s perfectly okay to feel all the emotions as you imagine walking down the aisle in that dress.
To make the most of your experience, there are a few key things you should know before getting started. From what to wear, to who to bring, here’s your guide to making your bridal appointment as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
What to Wear: Comfort Meets Function
When preparing for your bridal appointment, think of comfort but also functionality. You’d be trying on multiple gowns, so wearing the right clothes is key to making the experience seamless. At Dearly Beloved and most bridal boutiques, you will be paired with a bridal stylist who’s dedicated to helping you on this journey. That bridal stylist will help you in and out of sample gowns and will likely be in the fitting room with you the whole time, keep in mind an experienced bridal stylist is not paying attention to what you have on under the gown.
Underwear: This goes without saying but please make sure you are wearing underwear. Nude is best but don’t feel like you need to go out and make a purchase just for your appointment! Bright or dark colors and bold matters could show through delicate, low-cut, or sheer bridal gowns. Nude will be the least visible under most fabrics and will give you the most realistic idea of your head-to-toe wedding look. Avoid wearing lace or textured underwear as they can interfere with the dress’s fit or distract from the overall look. If you come in without underwear you will be asked to keep your pants on or to return when you have them!
Bra: Unlike underwear, bras are completely optional. Most bridal gowns have built-in bra cups and the support you need so a bra isn’t always necessary. However, if you’d prefer to wear something while you’re tying on there are a few options! Most brides opt for a nude strapless bra or nippies just so they don’t feel naked! If you’d prefer to go without that’s also great with us! If you feel like you’re going to want to wear a bra the day of, it's a good idea to bring one that is similar in shape and padding to what you plan for the wedding day.
Shapewear: When preparing for your bridal appointment, one thing to consider is whether or not to wear shapewear. While it’s not required, many brides choose to wear it for a smoother silhouette and to get a better idea of how their gown will fit on the big day. Shapewear can help you feel more confident as you try on dresses, especially if you're looking for a streamlined look or extra support. However, it's completely optional. Some brides prefer to try on gowns without shapewear to get a true sense of how the dress will look and feel without any added layers. Ultimately, whether you decide to wear shapewear or not, the goal is to feel comfortable and confident as you step into the dress of your dreams.
Shoes: If you know what heel height of have your wedding shoes already feel free to bring them with you to your appointment! If not, that’s okay too! We may ask you for an estimated heel height if you say yes! Heel height is most important if you are on the shorter side and might need a petite length dress or taller and are concerned with the gown not being long enough! Dresses most often need to be hemmed, if you don’t know what shoe height you’re after at the time of your appointment, you’re in the same boat as a lot of brides, just make sure you get your shoes before you head to alterations.
Who to Bring: Choose your Beloved Crew Carefully
The company you bring to your bridal appointment can make or break the experience for you. You want to make sure that you bring everyone that you need to say YES with you, you never know when you’re going to find your dress and you only get the experience of putting it on for the first time once. While it’s tempting to invite a larger number of guests, it's best to only bring the people whose opinions matter most and will support your decision even if they disagree. They got to pick their dress, this is your time to pick yours. Stick to a tight-knit group that will make you feel comfortable and confident in your decision!
If you have guests that you want to show your dress to before the wedding but don’t necessarily want to invite to your bridal appointment; we invite you to utilize your pick-up appointment! When your dress arrives you will schedule a 30-minute appointment to try it on before taking it home, this is the perfect time to show those you didn’t invite to your initial appointment. You’ve already made your decision and they still feel included as it's the first time you’re putting your dress on in the size and color you ordered it in. The sentimentality is still there!
If you need to FaceTime or send any photos we are more than happy to grab you a tripod or snap a few pics to share, just let us know!
When to Shop: Timing is Everything
It’s never too early to start dreaming about your ideal wedding dress, but the ideal time to start shopping and get your order placed is 9-12 months before the wedding or bridal portrait date. This gives you enough time to shop, place your order, wait for your gown to arrive, and make necessary alterations before the big day!
Why the 9-12 month window? Special bridal gowns ordered require time to be made, most stores carry a variety of sample gowns, if you find one, you’re measurements are taken and a brand new dress is ordered from the designer. A cut-to-order designer dress could take 6-8 months to arrive once the order is placed. Then you need additional time for alterations, which can take several weeks to complete depending on what you need done to perfect the fit or if you’re making customizations. Starting early gives you a buffer if finding the one takes longer than expected or if you need more extensive alterations than anticipated.
If you have less than 9 months don’t panic! There are lots of ways to cut this time frame down, there might be fewer options or additional fees but many brides are on shorter time frames! We will always do everything we can to get you, your dream dress on your timeline!
Stay Open-Minded: Trust the Process
The best thing you can do for yourself is to come in with an open mind! It’s easy to start your appointment with your ‘ideal dress’ in mind but what you thought would be perfect may shift as you begin trying styles on. You may be surprised by what flatters your figure or what feels right once you put it on. It’s not uncommon for brides to end up with a dress they didn’t think they would love. Be open to trying on styles you didn’t initially consider. Trust the expertise of the bridal consultant - they’ve seen it all and know what each dress will look like on a body! Remember, how a dress looks on could be completely different than how it looks on the hanger.
Make Memories: Enjoy this Chapter
This is a momentous occasion. Remember to stop and take it all in, you’ve found the love of your life, and now it's time to say your second easiest yes. Most brides come in nervous and that’s okay! Most of the time the nerves subside once you get into a gown or two! Dearly Beloved is a safe space, get ready to fall in love all over again.
Final Thoughts: Your bridal appointment is a special moment in the wedding planning process and one of the only decisions you have to make without your fiancé’s input, be prepared to enjoy every step. Make sure to wear the right undergarments, bring your closest confidants, and give yourself enough time to find the dress that makes you feel like the best version of yourself! By planning ahead and staying flexible, you’ll be able to say YES in no time!
We can’t wait to help you find the one! Happy Wedding Planning!!
Ready to fall in love with the perfect strapless dress? Book your appointment today at Dearly Beloved Boutique and let us help you unveil your bridal elegance!