What to Bring to a Wedding Dress Appointment
Getting ready for your first wedding dress appointment is an exciting time for any bride. You’ve likely been dreaming about this day for a while — the first time you see yourself in a wedding dress!
As exciting as it can be, the pressure to find the perfect dress also provokes anxiety in many brides. But a little preparation can ease some of this stress, helping ensure your appointment is an enjoyable one.
Here are a few things for you to bring along with you…
What to Bring to a Wedding Dress Appointment:
1. Someone you trust
Having someone with you at your appointment is essential. Not only to share the excitement but also to help you make what is one the biggest decisions you’ll make ahead of your wedding.
But you should think carefully about who you bring with you.
It’s a delicate balance. You need someone who will be positive and upbeat, but also not afraid to share their opinion when necessary.
While it’s also tempting to bring along your entire wedding party, for the initial appointments it’s best to stick to one or two of your most trusted friends.
2. A positive and open mind
One thing you need to remember ahead of your first appointment is this:
There’s a wedding dress out there for everyone!
You might not find it at your first appointment, and that’s okay. This is a huge decision — don’t be afraid to hold out for the right dress.
Even if you find a dress you like at your first appointment, it’s a good idea to keep an open mind and try a few more places before you commit.
Unless you’re working to a tight deadline, take your time and enjoy the process.
3. Some initial ideas
Some brides go into their first wedding dress appointment knowing exactly what they’re looking for. Others don’t have a clue.
It’s a good idea to sit somewhere between the two extremes.
Walking into a room filled with gorgeous dresses can be overwhelming. Do some research before your appointment. Think about your venue and the type of wedding you’re going for, and then get on Pinterest to create a vision board you can take with you on the day.
Having some initial ideas will help guide the appointment. You can start with dresses in your preferred style and branch out from there.
Remember to keep an open mind too. We always recommend a bride tries on a few different styles, even if they’re certain they know what they will like.
The bottom line:
Be prepared — but expect the unexpected!
4. An approximate budget
One of the most important things to do before your appointment is to decide an approximate budget.
The cost of a wedding dress varies considerably. It’s likely the boutique you’re visiting will have options to suit all budgets. This is a good thing but, if you’re not careful, means you could fall in love with a dress that’s way out of your price range.
To make sure this doesn’t happen, we recommend sharing your budget with the assistant before you start picking out dresses to try on. If you don’t try what you can’t afford, you won’t be disappointed when you realise you won’t actually be able to buy it.
5. Hair accessories
If you’ve already decided on a hairstyle, make sure you take the right hair accessories with you to the appointment. It might sound like a small detail, but the way you wear your hair can transform how you look in the dress.
If you haven’t thought about this yet, you should still take a hair bobble or some clips with you so you can see what the dress will look like with your hair up as well as down.
6. Suitable underwear
This might sound obvious, but it’s important to bring the right underwear with you to the appointment.
A strapless bra is essential — visible bra straps aren’t a good look for any bride!
We recommend choosing nude items too. That way, if you try on a backless or sheer gown, you’ll be able to get an idea of what it will look like on the day.
It’s also important to remember you’ll be in and out of dresses throughout the appointment. You’ll spend a lot of time standing around in your underwear, so choose something you feel comfortable in.
7. Your wedding shoes
If you’ve already bought your wedding shoes, bring them with you.
If not, think about the size of the heel you plan to wear on the day and bring along something similar. This is especially important if you’re planning to buy your dress that day. The sales assistant will need to take a variety of measurements to ensure they order the right size dress — with the length of the gown being a key one.
If you’re not sure, go with your upper limit. It’s easier to shorten a gown than it is to lengthen it!
Whatever happens on the day, remember to relax and have fun with it. And if you don’t find what you’re looking for this time? Remember not to lose faith — the perfect dress will be waiting for you another day.
Still looking for your dream dress?
If you’re a “bride to be” that’s still searching for your dream wedding dress, why not book a free appointment at our wedding shop in Essex?
We’ve got a huge range of wedding dresses in a variety of styles for you to come and try on and our friendly team are always on hand and happy to help.
Book your free appointment now by clicking the button below.
Dress Code Nine is an appointment only boutique in Essex. Offering Bridal, Evening wear and Prom dresses. Exceptional customer service and offering a great experience is our passion. Established by Carla in 2017, we do dress shopping differently!