Wedding Dress finding/buying advice/hints - Wedding Forum

Thela · #1 (**permalink**) 01-02-2006, 11:09 AM

Hi All,

I need help, how does this whole buying a wedding dress thing work then? I'm getting the impression that its not quite along the lines of the normal walk into shop, have a look around see something you like, try it on, buy it and leave. Websites for wedding dress shops mention appointments!!

I'm not really a girly girl and I don't have many girly girl friends either, maybe I missed the school class where they explained all this stuff to you

My CBM has agreed that I should go wedding dress shopping without her and then just take her to see my final favorites. She lives quite far away and money is a bit tight at the moment so her travelling to mine on a regular basis isn't really an option.

This kind of leads me to question number 2. Do people go wedding dress shopping alone or with family/friends? All mine and my H2B's family all live quite far away so again not much chance of going shopping with them. And although I have friends where I live, they are mostly male (thats what happens when you work for a computer company I suppose).

What should I do? How does it work?

Any hints, tips and advice very much appericated

#2 (**permalink**) 01-02-2006, 11:13 AM

I had a look on the internet and in magazines etc but had an open mind as I know that a lot of the time, the styles that you think you will love, look very different on you and you choose something very different.

As for making an appointment, most shops appreciate this as if you dont, you could wait for a couple of hours to be seen if they are incredibly busy with fittings etc on the days you go in. It also means they are expecting you and can devote real, undivided time to you.

I took my mum with me as she is the person I trust most in the world to be honest with me and would definately say take someone with you who you trust to tell you the truth, and whos opinion you value.

It was nice and easy for me as I saw a dress I adored on the internet, tracked a shop down that could get it in, made an appointment, went in and tried it on and it was THE one, spent some time trying some others on to compare, decided on the first one, ordered it, paid for it and and the rest as they say is history!

Good luck with it all and hope you find the dress of your dreams!!

x

Heather · #3 (**permalink**) 01-02-2006, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thela

I'm getting the impression that its not quite along the lines of the normal walk into shop, have a look around see something you like, try it on, buy it and leave. Websites for wedding dress shops mention appointments!!

This is how I got mine........ walked into the shop, looked around, had a dress pointed out to me, looked at the choices of colours, went back a week or so later having booked a time to try the dress on (most shops like to book appointments so that they can spend time with you if you want to try on a few dresses rather than leaving you to feel "unloved" and "uncared" for if they're busy, which is usually the case on a Saturday)

Tried the dress on and bought it!

I had looked at magazines and got an idea of the style of dress I wanted.

I'm sure you'll get plenty of advice/ideas from the ladies here who spent a bit longer than me finding their dresses.

I went originally with my mum and the person who was going to be my bm, but when I went to try on the dress I went on my own due to work and the shop opening times.

H

Teresa · #4 (**permalink**) 01-02-2006, 11:52 AM

I looked on the internet and in some magazines and got some ideas but in the end I got something completely different to what I was looking at.

I looked in a couple of shops without making appointments but I think it is much better if you can make an appointment to be seen. I made an appointment at a shop and was there for ages trying on lots of different dresses. By arranging a time to go in, they were really devoted to me and I was there for nearly 3 hours altogether.

I don't think there is any harm in going in and just having a look but if you want to be able to try some on, I think it might be best to try and make an appointment.

I took my mum with me too as I knew she would be honest with me.

If you need someone to come with me, give me a shout as I'm only down the road from you!!!

bron · #5 (**permalink**) 01-02-2006, 11:57 AM

I went on my own to the shop where I bought my dress if it makes you feel any better. I did take a good friend to one shop but people kept giving him evil looks which wasnt fair on him

Thela · #6 (**permalink**) 01-02-2006, 12:29 PM

Thanks guys, keep all the advice coming

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teresa

If you need someone to come with me, give me a shout as I'm only down the road from you!!!

Thanks for the offer Teresa, thats so sweet! I do have one friend that I'm thinking about asking, but I've only just met her really so not sure how honest she will be

Quote:

Originally Posted by bron

I went on my own to the shop where I bought my dress if it makes you feel any better. I did take a good friend to one shop but people kept giving him evil looks which wasnt fair on him

I had considered taking one of my male friends but for some reason I feel funny about that. I have this thought that I'd like my H2B to be the first guy to see me in it (my Dad and photographer don't count

).

Jill · #7 (**permalink**) 01-02-2006, 01:25 PM

Thela,

From one none girly girl to another! My dress shopping experience went like this.

Walk into a dress shop or two and look at the dress and prices.

Found shop that made me most comfortable and made an appointment.

Donned best undies (as they may be seen in by the dress shop ladies) and went along on my own.

Tried on a few dresses, and got very honest feedback, and found one I loved.
Was then told that I had left it too late for late particular dress, so found it on ebay.

A very clever fried (thanks Nicola and Nicola Mum!) did the alterations for me, and did a marvellous job. If you get this done by the shop, it too can take a bit of time.
At no point inthis process did I feel bad bad for doing this on my own...another lady in the shop was theer with her daughter and she fave me some great advice.....and remember, what looks nice on teh peg, might not look so good on you, and vice versa!

Good luck and enjoy!

Mrs Mac · #8 (**permalink**) 01-02-2006, 01:48 PM

Im not girly either. I went to some shops alone but most of the time I went with my mum. I tried every dress on that I liked and also some I didnt, to see which shape was the best for me.

I found a dress that I liked, then made the mistake of trying other dresses on and got all confused about whether I did like the original dress or not! I went back to the shop with my mum and MIL and tried it on again and loved it.

Its best to make an appointment as you get better service. Be careful of the shop owners pushing dresses on to you and the "theres only one left and someone else wants to buy it" routine to get you to impulse purchase! Always, wear your best underwear!