Your Ultimate guide to wedding dress shopping
Step 1: Prepare for your appointment
Walking into a bridal boutique without preparation can be overwhelming. Before booking your appointment, take time to define your vision so you can make the most of your shopping experience.
♥ Gather inspiration ♥
Create a Pinterest board or a physical mood board with dresses, fabrics and details you love. Learn more about how to create a comprehensive mood board here.
Think about the overall vibe of your wedding, is it romantic, modern, vintage, glamorous or boho?
Consider the season and venue, this will help determine fabric and detail choices.
Look at real brides instead of only models to get a better idea of how dresses look on different body types. You can find our real bride’s pictures here.
Step 2: choose your shopping squad wisely
Bringing the right people to your appointment make a huge difference in your shopping experience. Too many opinions can be overwhelming, so be strategic about your entourage.
Who shoulder you bring?
Limit your group to 2-4 trusted people whose opinions truly matter.
Chose people who will be honest but supportive-negativity can ruin the experience
Avoid bringing anyone who might push their preferences onto you or cause unnecessary stress.
Save the big reveal for later!
You’ll have multiple fittings
Step 3: Build a relationship with your consutltant
Your bridal consultant is your best ally in finding the perfect dress. Think of them as your honorary bridesmaid, they’re there to support and guide you.
How to make the most of your time with your consultant:
Be upfront about your budget so they can select gowns within your range
Cleaerly communicate your preferences shar eyour vision board and saved photos.
Describe how you want to feel in you dress, not just how you want it to look(romantic, regal, sexy, elegamt, timeless)
Listen to their suggestions, theyve helped hundreds of brides and nmayin troduce you to a style that you iddnt consider before.
Be honest, if you odnt like dress speak up so they can refine their selections.
A strong relationship with your consultant leads to a better , more personalized shopping experience
Step 4: Set a realistic budget
Before falling in love with a gown, determine how much your comfortable spending. Wedding dresses at Toujours Bridal for example range from 3000 to 12000, so setting a budget ensures you stya within your comfort zone
What to factor into your budget:
The dress itself, prices vary based on designer, fabric and embellishments.
Accessories, factor in shoes, veil, jewellery, headpieces etc
Taxes and rush fees, if your wedding is in 8 months or less there may or may not be a rush fee up to 10 to 20% of the cost of the dress.
Keep in mind that more expensive doesnt always mean better, focus on quality fit, and how the dress makes you feel.
Step 5: Keep an Open Mind
Many brides end up choosing a dress that looks nothing like what they origianlly envisione, and thats the magic of trying on gowns!
Why you should be open minded:
Wedding dress look very different o the rack than they do on the body.
Your consultant may suggest styles that flattter your figure better than what you had in mind.
Some dresses feel different than they look, comfort is just as important as appearance.
Small dettails, like straps, sleeves, necklines can be customized to make a dress uniquely yours.
Pro tip: If you love a dress but feel something is missing, ask about customizations or alterations, sometimes a simple adjustmanet cna transform it into your dream gown.
Step 6: Plan your appointments & call ahead
Once you’ve narrowed down your preferred styles and designers, call ahead to ensure boutiques carry what you’re looking for.
Why this matters;
Saves time by ensuring each appointment is productive.
Ensures you visit stores that have dresses in your price range and size (only applicable if you are a sample sale bride)
Helps avoid disappointment if a boutique doesn’t stock the dress or style you love.
Pro Tip: Weekday appointments tend to be quieter, giving you a more personal experience.
Step 7:HAVE FUN! YOUR BRIDAL ERA IS TOO SHORT!
Many brides end up choosing a dress that looks nothing like what they origianlly envisione, and thats the magic of trying on gowns!
Why you should be open minded:
Wedding dress look very different o the rack than they do on the body.
Your consultant may suggest styles that flattter your figure better than what you had in mind.
Some dresses feel different than they look, comfort is just as important as appearance.
Small dettails, like straps, sleeves, necklines can be customized to make a dress uniquely yours.
Pro tip: If you love a dress but feel something is missing, ask about customizations or alterations, sometimes a simple adjustmanet cna transform it into your dream gown.
Step 8 :Once you fall in love stop looking.
It’s easy to get caught in the trap of trying on too many dresses, but once you find the one, stop shopping!
why you shouldnt over shop:
The more dresses you try on, he harder it becomes to make a decision.
You might strt second guessing yourself even when you’ve already found the perefct dress.
Trust your gut, if you feel ready, feel confident and fall in love with the dress, its the on!
Remember: Saying yes to the dress is a magical moment, don’t let dress FOMO take away from your joy!
Finally thoughts
Finding your dream wedding dress should be a joyful, exciting and stress free experience. By preparing in advance, keeping n open mind, and trusting the process, you'll discover a gown that maks you feel like the best version of yourself.
Are you ready to find your dream dress? Book an appointment HERE!