Dec 12, 2022

How to Prepare for Wedding Dress Shopping: What to Know Before Starting

From budgeting and sizing to exploring styles and trusting your instincts, there’s so much that goes into finding your dream dress, so being prepared is key. While there’s no rule that says you can’t go in blind and just figure things out along the way, knowing how to prepare for wedding dress shopping, especially your first wedding dress appointment, can go a long way to helping you avoid stress and decision fatigue! With that in mind, Avery Austin’s got all the tips you’ll need for effective and fun wedding dress shopping. Including everything from how to prepare to what to bring and wear, this guide will have you well on your way to discovering your dream wedding dress with ease. Let’s start by diving into the preparations you can make in advance and work our way to the day of your first wedding dress appointment!

How to Prepare in Advance for Wedding Dress Shopping

Before you even step foot in a bridal salon or build a Try at Home box, there are a few things you can do to prepare yourself so you can make the most of your first wedding dress appointment or try at home session. Read on to see what Avery Austin suggests.

Research Common Wedding Dress Styles and Features: Build up your knowledge and get inspired all at the same time! There are an array of different necklines, silhouettes, fabrics, and features available when choosing your wedding gown. Doing some preliminary research on the lingo will help you determine what you like and dislike and help you communicate effectively with a bridal specialist. Below are a few of Avery Austin’s style guides that can help you get started.

Draw on Your Experience: Chances are you’ve worn other dresses before (but if not, feel free to skip this step!), so let’s review what you already know about your preferred dress styles. What silhouettes and features are absolute must-haves for you? Which are you strongly opposed to because they are uncomfortable, unflattering, or just not you? This is a great starting point for knowing the kinds of bridal gowns that you do (and don’t) want to try on when you go wedding dress shopping.
Imagine Your Dream Wedding: When you picture yourself on your big day, do you see a simple and chic modern celebration? Or maybe you imagine a glitzy and sexy party that overflows with lavish and sultry designs. Your preference might swing closer to a romantic theme complete with a classic princess-inspired ball gown wedding dress or an ethereal bohemian theme with lots of lace and a natural outdoor setting. However you imagine your wedding day theme and decor, you can use that inspiration to focus on trying wedding dresses that will fit right in with such a celebration.
Set Your Budget Before You Shop: Probably one of the best tips for wedding dress shopping is to know your spending limit right from the start. This might involve building a budget for your whole wedding to get the best idea of what you can comfortably spend on your wedding gown. And let’s not forget things like the veil, jewelry, wedding shoes, and other accessories, as well as alterations. Balance everything out so you can have peace of mind as you start wedding dress shopping online or in stores and avoid any unnecessary financial stress that may come from falling in love with a style that’s well outside of your spending limits. After all, if you’re shopping within your limit, you’ll never be tempted, and wedding dress shopping online especially makes it easy to filter your choices by your price limit! At Avery Austin, for example, you can shop by wedding dresses under $500, under $700 and under $1000 with ease. Of course, it is perfectly possible to find affordable bridal gowns if you’re worried about finding a style you love within a tight budget. Fortunately for you, we have a complete guide on how to find affordable wedding dresses without compromising on the quality of your gown.

Tips for When You’re Ready to Shop Wedding Dresses

You’ve made your budget and checked it twice. You’ve done all the brainstorming to figure out some of the top wedding dress styles that you’d like to try on. Now you’re officially prepared to plan your wedding dress shopping adventure! Here’s how to start the process.

When Shopping Online…

Build a Try at Home Box: If you think you’d rather be trying on wedding dresses from the comfort of your own home, then building a Try at Home wedding dress box is the way to go! If this is your first time shopping wedding dresses online to try them at home, then let us walk you through the process! Here are Avery Austin’s insider tips for making the most of the Try at Home Program. Once you’ve ordered your box, it’s time to plan for a special try at home party with your friends and family!
Explore Sales and Seasonal Discounts: Most online wedding dress sites feature sale sections or special discount codes for different seasons and holidays, so you can be super budget savvy by exploring these options first. For example, Avery Austin always has gorgeous wedding dresses on sale! Just imagine how great it would feel to fall in love with a wedding dress and pay less than you normally would! Remember to read all the fine print so you know if returns or exchanges are an option should the style not fit when you receive it, and do your best to take the most accurate measurements to compare to the dress size chart so you can figure out the best fit.

When Shopping in Person…

Make an Appointment: If you plan on trying on wedding dresses at a bridal salon, it’s time to decide where you’d like to book your appointment. There might be more than one location that you wish to visit, but try to keep your shopping limited to one to three bridal salons for a start. Too many visits is exhausting and can start to make you doubt yourself or paralyze your decision making process! And who knows? You might only need the first appointment if you find your dream wedding gown that day! Another pro tip: Don’t overbook yourself all in one day. You’ll just feel rushed and be dragging your feet by the end. Here are a few more tips to consider.

Book Weekday Appointments: Generally bridal salons are less busy during the week, which can help in a few ways. With less of a crowd, you can more easily take your time, and you’re more likely to be able to try on the exact styles you want (without worrying about another bride in the store trying it on right when you need it).
Look into Trunk Shows or Sample Sales: This is especially helpful when it comes to saving money on designer wedding dresses! If the salon you are visiting often holds these kinds of events, you’ll want to at least ask them about the shows and sales before the end of your appointment. That way, if you’ve found a bridal gown you love, you can see if it’s possible to buy it when it’s discounted!

Build Your Bridal Entourage Carefully: Whether you’ll be trying on wedding dresses at a bridal salon or in your home, you want to make sure that whoever you invite along will be positive and supportive of this memorable experience. Do NOT feel pressured to bring people simply because they are family or a part of the wedding. If you know that someone will be less than courteous or otherwise detract from your special day, there’s no need to extend such a coveted invitation. Keep your bridal entourage small and personal to create the most rewarding and supportive experience for yourself.

The Day of Your First Wedding Dress Appointment or Try at Home Fitting

It’s finally happening! You’re about to go to your first wedding dress appointment or have your bridal entourage over to your home as you try on your wedding dress samples! Here are a few tips on how to be prepared for it all.

Eat Light, but Comfortably: Nerves can make you want to skip a meal entirely, but try your best to give your body enough fuel and hydration to carry you comfortably through this exciting new process. Being “hangry” will not help you make decisions or enjoy this staple bridal experience.
Plan Out What to Wear When You Try on Wedding Dresses

Neutral, proper-fitting undergarments are the best since they are less noticeable under white or off-white fabric. Also, on the off-chance your friends, family, or bridal specialist gets an unplanned view of you between styles, make sure you’ve chosen undergarments that you don’t mind being seen.
A comfortable bra is perfectly fine. There’s no need to try to match a bra to your dress yet since you’ll be trying on a lot of styles. If you know you’re going for a strapless dress, you could plan ahead by wearing a strapless bra, but keep in mind that the wedding dresses you try on can be clipped into place for appropriate support and coverage. If you happen to be trying on wedding dresses at home, an extra perk here is that you’ll have access to ALL of your bras for an easy swap between styles!
Shoes that will be similar in style and height to what you want to wear on your wedding day are your best bet. Again, you’ll easily have multiple options to swap between the dresses you try on if you’re doing a Try at Home box! Simply lay out your options before you begin so they’re readily at hand.
A cute and comfortable outfit for the day will help you in two major ways. First, it will be easy to take on and off while you try on wedding dresses. Second, it will help you feel confident and look great in any photos you take throughout the experience (especially if you’re posing next to your “YES” dress at the end).

Plan Out What to Have with You When Trying on Wedding Dresses

A refreshing beverage and small snacks that are easy to eat, packed with energy, and not messy will keep your “hangry” side at bay. If you’re trying on wedding dresses at home, then having an array of light snacks and drinks will be appreciated by all (including yourself).
Have some inspirational photos (from magazines or saved images on your phone) that you can show your friends and family so they can keep your vision in mind as they check out your try at home samples or so you can show your bridal specialist the types of wedding dresses you hope to try on during your appointment.
Extra hair ties or clips can help you sweep up your hair or style it in different ways to help you envision your wedding day look when you find a gown you really like.
Have your phone or a camera on hand for pictures. Not only do you want to save precious memories from this experience, but you also want to be able to refer back to how the styles suited you if you plan to order another Try at Home box or do additional wedding dress shopping later.
Keep a notepad and pen handy to note down the designer and dress number for styles you like so you can look them up online again later. Alternatively, you can use your phone’s camera again to snap pictures of the tags if that information is included there.
If you plan to wear any sentimental accessories on our wedding day, have them with you. This will help you search for wedding dress styles that complement the overall look of the heirloom veil, piece of jewelry, or shoes, etc.

Be Prepared Early: If you’re trying on wedding dresses at home, have everything set up and ready to go before your guests arrive to make the most of your time together. If you’re going to a bridal salon, keep in mind that many bridal salons are very strict about the one-hour time slots they schedule, so arriving a bit late means having less time to try on wedding dresses (and really late means your time slot may be canceled entirely). Plan ahead for any morning preparations you need to make and any traffic that might pop up.
Talk Freely with Your Bridal Specialist: Whether you’re chatting with a bridal specialist online about your Try at Home box or a bridal specialist during your bridal salon appointment, communication is key. Even if you feel a bit embarrassed or shy, it’s important to make it very clear to your specialist what you’re looking for, what you’re hoping to avoid, and the hard limit for your budget. Anything you share can help the specialist guide you through the available styles and make suggestions that are more in tune with your style and wedding dream.
Be Sure to Move Around: When you try on each wedding dress, remember to move around. On your wedding day, you’ll be walking down the aisle, mingling among guests, dancing, and even sitting at times. Mirror this activity by busting a few dance moves, plopping down in a seat, and walking around your house or the salon. See if each bridal gown can move with you in the same way you’ll be moving at your ceremony and reception.

Setting the Right Mindset for Trying on Wedding Dresses

It’s easy to get swept up in the experience of trying on wedding dresses and lose sight of your goals or just feel downright overwhelmed. Getting yourself in the right mindset before you begin wedding dress shopping can make a huge difference in your enjoyment and wellness. Here’s what you’ll want to remind yourself of throughout the process of trying on wedding dresses.

Bridal Sizing is Different: Whatever size you normally wear, just toss that knowledge right out the window. Wedding dress sizing has its own little world, so don’t get stressed out if you discover you actually fit a much different size for bridal gowns. In fact, it’s not uncommon to need two to three sizes up from what you would normally wear. If you’re shopping for wedding dresses online, there are usually size charts with bust, waist, and hip measurements for each style to help you figure out the best size, and you can always chat online with a specialist to walk you through the process. If you’re shopping at a bridal salon, a specialist can help you navigate the sizing differences, even between designers.
Trust Your Instincts, But Keep an Open Mind Too: Bridal specialists are experts who work with wedding gowns and brides all the time, so they can be invaluable resources for you! No, you don’t have to blindly agree with them about everything. After all, no one else knows your body or your style like you do! But, it can’t hurt to give some of the styles that they recommend a try. You might be surprised by how much you love a wedding dress that you would never have tried on otherwise!
Feel the Feels (or Don’t): Sometimes brides are just overcome with tears of joy when they’ve found The Dress! Other brides express their excitement with confidence or smiles. Whether you’re a crier or not, you handle your feelings however suits you best. Either way, finding your dress is a beautiful, memorable moment.
Don’t Stress if You’re Not Ready to Say “Yes” to a Dress: While some brides find their dream dresses on the first go, many other brides need to try on more styles to find the right one. Try not to worry or overthink the process because you are not alone! In fact, there are enough brides who feel this kind of pressure that we’ve written a whole article about it! Check out some of Avery Austin’s tips for simplifying your wedding dress shopping experience.

We hope this helps you feel more confident and prepared for your first time trying on wedding dresses. Now that you know how to prepare for wedding dress shopping, you can get to work and cross this task off your to-do list quickly. After all, you’ve got plenty of other things to plan out before the wedding day, and you want to make time to enjoy being engaged, too! Following the tips above will save you a lot of time and energy, as well as any frustration and disappointment too. Going into the shopping process prepared will help ensure a smooth journey that you actually enjoy. And that’s what it’s all about, right?