OMG! You just got engaged!! You’ve celebrated and booked your venue, and now it’s time to find your dream dress (it’s the best part). But what do you need to do to prepare for wedding dress shopping? Don’t be afraid that you aren’t an expert at this whole bride thing (it’s probably your first time). We will make sure your appointment is everything you imagine and more, but here are a few pointers to get you started and make this process fun and easy.
1. Focus on how you want to FEEL in your gown (pick 3 words)!
The inspo and resources available to brides today is nearly infinite. From Pinterest to Instagram to Tik Tok, you can basically plan your entire wedding in the palm of your hand. Of course, it’s never a bad idea to save some inspo pictures so your stylist can get a glimpse of the vibe you’re going for. However, the endless amount of information can be SO overwhelming! It’s important to keep in mind that not every dress you see online is attainable for the average bride (or even real for that matter). It’s so easy to get caught up in the details, especially in the oversaturated space of bridal gowns. This mindset won’t set you up for success!
What matters most is how you FEEL in your gown. At the end of the day, making your decision is as easy as choosing the dress that makes you feel most amazing! Here’s how to shift your focus to what really matters.
Before your appointment, think of three words that describe how you want to feel in your gown. Throughout your appointment you can use those words to help you make decisions! If you don’t feel those things, it’s not the one! But if you get to a gown that makes you feel all those things and more, and you love it so much that you don’t want to take it off – that’s the one girl!!
Bridal shopping is so different from any other shopping you will ever do! Many brides come in ready to analyze every detail because that’s a mindset that’s familiar to them when making important decisions. Finding your bridal gown is a whole different ball game! Be ready to listen to your emotions and gut feelings! They won’t lead you wrong– but overanalyzing can overwhelm you to the point of freezing up! If you're feeling incredible in something, you will feel that way about it forever! You deserve the most fun, celebratory experience, so get ready to let yourself have those amazing moments and memories that last a lifetime!
2. Bring your biggest cheerleaders
The group you bring to your bridal appointment is an important consideration.
First rule of thumb – if you want someone there for your yes moment, make sure they are at your appointment. You can find your dress at any time and some brides aren’t prepared for that! You deserve to be celebrated when you say yes to your gown! We can always recreate a yes moment for a loved one with a reveal appointment, but what’s better than having all your important people with you during that magical moment when you find the one? Set yourself up to be able to live in the moment with all your special people around you!
Second rule of thumb – Bring the people in your life who support you and your happiness! You aren’t obligated to bring any specific person to your appointment. Bring who YOU want and those who make you feel your best! If you have a huge family and a group of supportive friends and you can’t imagine saying yes without them, then you go girl! If you need space to think for yourself and only want one or two guests, you go girl!
Make sure to call ahead and confirm that the store can comfortably accommodate your group. If not, ask about our private Miss Ruby experience or our signature bridal experience. As long as you feel fully supported and you have whoever you need with you to have the best experience, you are on the right track!
3. Bring the undergarments that make you most comfortable.
This is one of the most asked questions we get from brides before their appointments. You are going to be very close with your stylist very fast. Trying on wedding dresses is a two person job, and you are going to have a trained professional guiding you every step of the way! Wear whatever undergarments will make you the most comfortable getting in and out of dresses with the help of your stylist. Many brides wear a strapless bra or nipple covers, but many also don’t wear a bra at all. Many dresses have built in bras! Either way is fine with us. However, you must wear some type of underwear. Whether it’s shapewear or a nude thong is up to you! Another pro tip is to wear similar undergarments that you plan to wear on your day. If you think you will want to wear shapewear, it can’t hurt to go ahead and wear a pair to your bridal appointment as it could benefit you clearly seeing your entire vision!
4. Schedule your appointment at the right time
There are many factors that go into this one!
First, a great time to start shopping is a year out from your wedding. Ship times can take between 6-8 months, and we recommend leaving 3-4 months prior to your wedding for alterations. Although finding your gown on a short timeline is totally doable, we recommend leaving ample time so as to not place any limitations on what’s available to you.
Second, don’t overwhelm yourself with too many appointments in one day. 1-2 appointments for your shopping experience is a perfect number. You will have seen a little bit of everything! When you push past your limit with too many appointments, things become not fun very quickly. Doing too many appointments can quickly turn your experience into one that feels overwhelming & exhausting instead of the fun experience you deserve!
Third, all appointment times are not created equal. You’ll always receive an outstanding experience from us, but the vibe of the store around you can be different on different days and times. At Miss Ruby, our weekends are BUSY. This means lots of energy, lots of stylists, and lots of brides. It can be so fun when different groups are interacting and cheering together when a bride says yes! Weekdays on the other hand are usually a little quieter and more relaxed. You will likely have more space and more privacy. The boutique will just be quieter in general. There is no “better” option here, it just depends on which environment you think you’ll thrive in best!
Feeling super overwhelmed by wedding gown shopping? You’re not alone! If you feel that way, a complimentary bridal consultation at Miss Ruby is a fantastic option for you! You can take this time to chat through your questions and fears with a stylist, look through our dresses, and maybe even try on a few to get your feet wet! This will totally set you up for success when you’re ready for your full appointment!
5. Get ready for surprises!
Most brides surprise themselves in one way or another throughout their experience, and they are not always ready for it! Like we talked about before, bridal shopping is likely unlike anything you’ve ever done before. Many brides come in with a very clear idea of how their process will go, and often it can go in a totally different direction! Whether it’s when you find your dress or the dress you end up loving, there are surprises around every corner. It’s a great thing to have a clear vision of what you want, just know it could completely change once you start trying on gowns! Half our brides leave with exactly what they envision, and the other half go in a totally different direction! When you start trying on gowns, you will gain clarity really quickly! This process happens much faster than most brides think. That clarity may confirm your vision or take you to a whole new gorgeous style you never knew you would love. When it comes to timing, your special moment could come when you least expect it. Brides say yes at their first appointment all the time, and when that happens it’s a truly magical moment! Sometimes, it’s even the first dress a bride tries on!! It’s important to keep an open mind, as it allows you to celebrate when that special moment comes rather than overthinking. You never know what amazing gowns and moments could be in store for you!
If you have any questions prior to wedding dress shopping, we are always here to support you. We are here for you every step of the way, and our goal is to give you the most exceptional and comfortable experience. Just let us know when you are ready to say yes to the dress, because we can't wait to celebrate you!
