5 Wedding Dress Shopping Fails Every Bride Should Avoid!

The pressure to find ‘the one’ can often lead brides down an unhelpful path

From setting a realistic budget to managing the size of your shopping entourage, we share expert insights that'll help you navigate the wedding dress shopping experience with confidence. By being aware of these potential missteps, you can ensure a smoother journey to finding the dress that makes you feel truly special on your big day.

Avoid these 5 Wedding Dress Shopping Fails

Bookmark this post & revise it before your bridal appointment!

Not being ready to commit

If you're at the ‘just getting ideas’ stage then we'd suggest that wedding shows, wedding fairs, and social media are the best places to go for inspiration right now.

If you’re not ready to commit to a dress and be ready to order, there is no use booking wedding dress appointments just yet. Bridal stock changes quite frequently, so a dress you fall in love with today, might not actually be available 3-6 months down the line.

Inviting too many friends

Bring a maximum of 2 guests with you to your bridal appointment. Loved ones that you trust and that really want to have a say in what you wear for the big day. Most bridal boutiques will limit the number of friends and family you can bring with you anyway these days.

This might sound like a harsh rule for shops to enforce. But it's to help you maintain focus during your wedding shopping appointment, and avoid any necessary distraction.

Not considering different styles

You may have a specific style of wedding dress in mind before attending a bridal appointment. But we urge you to try other suggested styles during your session.

So many of our brides visit us with a list of wants and not-wants, and almost every one changes their mind or ends up wearing a style they’d never have thought to try on! Trying on lots of different styles and silhouettes will also help to put your mind at rest once your big day dress is chosen. As you'll know how you looked in various types of wedding dresses and will therefore be less worried about the ‘what ifs’.

Being scared of sample sizing

Try to see beyond the size stated on the dress label. It is impossible for boutiques to carry every single dress in every single size. Which means not all dresses will fit you perfectly.

During a bridal appointment, your stylist will select and dress you in various styles. Using their experience they'll fit you into most dresses in a way that'll give you an idea of how it'll look. Even if the dress you're trying on is 2 sizes too big, you will be able to get a feel for the style. If you are concerned that bridal boutiques won't have any styles on the rails that'll suit your size, it's worth contacting them beforehand. Our sister bridal shop, Confetti & Curves, stocks a huge variety of plus size wedding dresses in lots of different styles. Making it much easier for curvy brides to feel confident, and at ease while shopping for their dream dress.

When talking about wedding dress sizing, it's also important to remember that bridal sizing doesn't match the high street. Just because you're a size 8 normally, that doesn't mean you will also need to order a size 8 wedding dress. Plus, your boutique will likely order a larger size than you need so that your alterations team can effectively tailor the dress to suit your unique body shape.

Trying on too many wedding dresses

As tempting as it may be to slip on every dress hanging on the rails, it’s a good idea to keep a cap on the number of styles you try. Alongside the number of boutiques you visit. 

Trying too many dresses in too many different boutiques will lead to what we call in the trade, 'ivory blindness'. A state some brides find themselves in whereby they cannot clearly remember what they liked, where they liked it, and why!

Plan your time carefully and set yourself a ‘decide by’ date. A friendly deadline that'll help you focus, and avoid the search becoming an endless one. Remember, too, that most bridal manufacturers will need 3-4 months to make your dress, plus time will need to be set aside for alterations. All the more reason not to let your bridal journey drag on.

Brides & Bustles we are ready and waiting to help you find 'The One'!

Book your appointment online today, or use the details below.

Tel: 01582 883773

Email: info@bridesandbustles.co.uk