Wedding Dresses?

Question

Got an appointment to try on some wedding dresses this Saturday...

What should I expect?

I will be bringing 2 different strapless bra's... do I need to bring some heels, or not?

Do I get my mum to take pictures of me in the dress, or is that not the 'done' thing?

How many dresses and bridal shops did you get through before you found THE ONE?

How long between seeing the dress, all the fittings, and you actually getting it home?

Are you expected to pay for the dress in full, deposit, or instalments?

Any other info/advice would be grateful...

Answer 1

Hi, when you try on the dress of your dreams take a note of the make and model number of the dress then go to www.houseofbrides.com and see if your dress is on the site I saved £400 by doing this even when paying shipping and tax charges, they aren't copies they are the real thing they are cheaper because they are in america, i got my own dress and bridesmaid dress of the site and was thrilled when it arrived about 10wks later, good luck

You should also try www.bestbridalprices.com they are cheap aswell

Answer 2

You'll probably get a brochure of some sort when you walk through the door, depending on where you go (david's bridal as opposed to a couture salon) ... then a rep will assist you in finding dresses you want to try on.

They might suggest you try on the dresses with their strapless bras, and they will probably give you a crinoline underskirt, so the dress is poofy enough. They will probably have heels there for you to use, so son't worry about taking more than you need.

Taking pictures in each dress is a fabulous idea ... especially if you're on the fence between a few dresses ... those pics will give you something to look at at home so you can sleep on your decision.

Honestly, you could go through a lot of dresses ... the best idea is to find something about the dress that you can't live without i.e. a long train, a train with a design, detachable straps, etc. Then you can only look at those dress that have whatever quality you're looking for ...

If the dress you want is in stock then they'll do a bead check (if there are beads) and will bring you in for a fitting and figure out if alterations need to be done.

Alterations usually take 30-45 days, worst case in high season ... then you'll go in for another fitting to make sure all is well ... you can take it home after it gets steam cleaned, etc.

You will be expected to pay for it in full (usually) and pay for the alterations once they are done. Good luck!!!

A funny tid-bit is this ... about 80% of brides will purchase the first dress they try on ... no matter if they try on 5 or 50. Have fun!!!!!

Answer 3

Whoa! stay calm, you will be fine.

The people who will be selling you the dress will take good care of you. But remember, wedding dresses are expensive and you must respect their stock, so don't rush in and pick up the dresses, they can be very heavy and you don't want to drag them on the floor. Let the sales assistant carry them for you.

You will probably be asked to pick out a selection that you like and the sales assistant may even suggest a couple for you to try on. (Try on as many different styles as you can, you never know what might suit your body shape)

Just wear one comfy strapless bra and don't worry about the shoes as the shop will probably sell Bridal Shoes and allow you to borrow a pair.

I'm afraid that Most designers do not allow people to photograph their dresses until they have been bought, this is for copyright reasons. So no pictures from mom.

No-one can tell you how long it may take for you to find the perfect dress. It may take weeks or you may fall in love with the first one you see. Trust me, you will know when you have found it.

When you first chooses your dress, usually, a new one is made just for you. This can take up to 6 months to be sent back to the Bridal store. The sales assistant will then liaise with you about fittings and finally, most people will collect their dress a couple of days before the wedding (So your fiance can't see it and so that it can be properly steamed by the bridal shop)

Most Bridal Shops will ask for a deposit for the gown and then either ask you to pay the balance when the dress arrives in the shop, or pay in stages. Again, ask the sales assistant about this.

The best advice I can give you is to take your time and buy the dress that is right for you. Don't let others sway you, this is your day.

Congratulations and Good Luck.

Answer 4

Have been with my daughter since beginning of year each Sat for her wedding dresss. Without exception (Glasgow) all the assistants were really nice, not in the least pushy. They also understood you had other appointments you had to attend. If you are taken 2 strapless bras that's great but honestly there were loads of girls trying on with black bras,did think that a bit odd if they knew they were trying on wedding dresses. My daughter had left it late as she is getting married in July and almost all said to order 5 months in advance but everyone of them said it could still be done in a shorter time. We were out about 4 Saturdays and it did get to the stage they all sort of looked the same. I don't think I saw any girl try on a dress that the assistant didn't either have to pin and put something down the back to get 'the look' or if too small there was a big gap at the back. Therefore don't worry, depending on your shape if the dress is way wrong size. My daughter is thin so the dresses were all pulled in at the back but if there was detail at the back after being satisfied she could see the front okay they re pinned the dress to show me how the back would look and tried to let her see with 2 mirrors. Also length is standard and as you have been told the shops either have a platform or something for you to stand on. To be honest I found this a bit misleading as usually the dress looked so much better the taller you looked so also stand down and try and imagine the dress hemmed up but at your proper height. There were no exceptions pictures were not allowed but no problem once you were ordering the dress. I imagine deposit would depend on the particular shop. Where we ordered it was half the dress cost. It is 6 years since we were shopping for my last daughters' wedding dress and I really could not believe the cost of alteration packages......What am I talking about are you asking? Most told us immediately we commenced our appointment but be clear on this from the beginning if they don't. Despite what seems a lot of measurements getting taken your dress (unless you go to an individual designer) comes in, the nearest size so obviously alterations are required. We found only one shop lower than £150 and a lot more expensive. Our alteration package is £235 and where we bought, depending on the designer the package ranges from £225 - £330. Initial reaction was to think "No way" that's downright robbery after purchasing a very expensive garmet but then you have to think if you get someone on your own to do this and something happens to your dress you would be left with it and at least you don't pay the remainder or take it out the shop until you're completely happy. In our case this alteration package had to be paid within a few weeks of ordering, otherwise they would not do it. Suppose they have got you there too. Some dresses may only required hemmed so you are paying all this money whereas others require lots of work. Capri Skies in Glasgow were the only shop we visited that seemed to work differently, not cheap but seemed to go by work required. I take it this is the same everywhere, would be interested to learn what happens in other cities in UK. Before going this Sat look on line there are loads of wedding shops and numerous designers and you'll see most of these designers in the stores you visit. Also if you have something in mind great but let the assistant bring you gowns too that perhaps looking at you wouldn't really think to try on. Sometimes it is amazing how they look on compared to hanging up. The dress was ordered 2 weeks ago and they said (rushing it for us) the dress should be in 4 weeks before the wedding and there would likely be 3 fittings. When the fittings are finished you then decide when you want to take it home. Hope this has answered your questions. Very best of luck, hope you get on great and I am sure you will find the dress of your dreams.

Answer 5

Congratulations!

They tend to stand you on a box to make you look taller anyway so I wouldn't worry too much about the heels. Good idea with the bras although the sooner you choose your bra for the big day the better however the style of dress can affect the type of bra! Pictures may not be allowed as the shop may think you will get someone to copy the dress for less money. I went through loads of shops and dresses before I had a dress made for me (I'm an awkward shape!).

Having your Mum there is good to fend off overly pushy shop assisstans too, they can be very pushy sometimes! Just remember it is YOUR wedding so have what YOU want.

The shops seemed to be big fans of the laced corset style backs, personally I hated these as I felt I couldn't breathe in them! It's important to love the dress and feel comfortable in it as you are wearing it all day and it is a tiring day (believe me any married woman will tell you this!). Also think of the wedding as a whole so if you are having a traditional style wedding a modern dress won't really fit in.

Look in magazines for ideas, try on lots of different shapes of dress to get the best shape for your body.

Most importantly enjoy it! This is going to be the most amazing start to your married life so enjoy the ride!

Answer 6

You should expect the assisstant to be judgemental about what you try on and sometimes it can hurt but they are only trying to be honest about what suits you. Just wear your normal underwear because you will look into this at a later date once you have decided on the dress for you. Don't worry about bringing shoes, most wedding shops have shoes that you can try on to see what you would look like with height.

I've been to four wedding shops and haven't found my dress yet, but don't start looking too early, thats what I did.I started looking last year and I'm not gettiing married until next year. The right time is about 9months to one year before the wedding I think.

Make sure that you ask the wedding shop if you can take photos because some of them aren't allowed because it is copyright. Again wedding shops will vary on how to pay, some of them will let you have a instalment plan whereas other will let you pay a deposit and the final payment once the dress is yours. And a dress can vary greatly on timescale. If you get one that needs to be made from scratch it will take about 3 to 6 months depending on the designer.

Make sure you have fun though because its worht it in the end and remember, the assistants are working for you, dont let them try to persuade you on a dress you really don't like but be open to their suggestions too.

You know it the right dress when you start crying!! Good luck and enjoy
xx

Answer 7

What should you expect? Total honesty.. exhaustion.. fun.. attention...
Usually they have heels but, if you have the heels already that you are wanting to wear take them where they can get your exact height. Pictures.. are a GREAT idea.. they give you an idea of what the dress will look like on you.. I took onw with me a couple of weeks ago and I am so happy I did!! I went through the store and picked out everyone that I like which was about 30 something.. i tooko them on back to the dressing room and the lady that helped me kept up with the ones I liked... I ended up with 8 at the end.. then I tried them on again and I found the one with out a doubt!! My apointment was at 11 and I was back at home at about 2... I also paid for only 50% of my dress that day and I can pay in payments or all of it in May.. Other info.. follow what you want.. tell the lady that you want her exert opionion and that you don't care about your feelings you just want the truth.. When you put the dress on you will know I promise!!

Answer 8

You don't need to take shoes as they have them in the shops.
I would get your mum to take a piccie of any dresses you love.
You only have to pay a deposit in a majority of shops and the full balance is paid when you collect your dress a few days before the wedding.
I bought the second dress I tried on as I just knew it was the right one.My mum made me go to 4 other bridal shops just to make sure but I ended up going back to the first shop and getting that dress.My sister is getting married this year and she hunted around for a year for the perfect dress,in the end it has cost her less and she is having her dream dress made so that is always an option.
Anyway congratulations on the wedding!

Answer 9

its up to you if you want to take shoes with you but most bridal shops have shoes for you to try on with the dresses,

its a good idea for your mum to take photos if assistant lets you that way you can compare dresses later on if you are going to more than one bridal shop.

i went round 6-7 bridal shops in Glasgow but ended up going back for the 1st dress that i tried on!
it only cost £100 and fitted like a glove no alterations needed so got to take it away with me!

some shops ask for a full instalment but most get you to pay some everytime you have a fitting!

hope this info is of help to you and good luck on Saturday, hope you find the dress of your dreams!

Lisa

Answer 10

I normally take a strapless bra, although this will not give you the proper fit. The shops I have been to have provided heels for me to try so it is up to you I suppose. Not found the one yet and do not expect to! Although, with everyone I try on, it always seems to be the one!! Good luck, I know exactly how you are feeling! Good luck for the big day x