What to Wear Bridal Dress Shopping (with Etiquette Tips)
A beautiful bridal shop with a huge selection of dresses can be overwhelming! Better bring the squad! Photo Credit: Sarah's Bridal Boutique in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.
Wedding dress shopping is one of the highlights of the journey to the altar! Whether you’re the bride looking to say yes to the dress or one of her inner circle members who will be along for the ride, it is such an exciting outing!
Let's take a look at what to wear bridal dress shopping and some helpful etiquette tips!
The Importance of Dressing Appropriately
First and foremost, you must dress the part. The right outfit for the bride will make the appointment run more smoothly and set her up to find the dress of her dreams.
Dressing appropriately will make it easy to get in and out of each dress so the process goes quickly.
Wearing the right garments ensures an accurate fitting and makes it easier for the staff to measure the bride for spot-on sizing. She will be able to try on dresses without distractions. That way, everyone can get a good idea of how the dress will look.
But it’s not just the bride that needs to dress right. Guests accompanying the bride on her adventure must also dress the part.
This means looking their best and avoiding garments that are loud, distracting, or draw attention away from the bride-to-be!
What the Bride Should Wear
Wear comfortable, easy-to-remove clothing and shoes when shopping for your dress! Photo Credit: Darianna Bridal
Undergarments
Since you will be trying on multiple white dresses, you need the right undergarments to ensure the dress looks as it should.
Stick to nude or light-colored lingerie that closely matches your skin color. This will help you get a seamless look that won’t show through lighter gowns.
Another consideration is the type of bra you wear. Strapless bras or adhesive cups will accommodate various dress styles and allow you to get a true feel for the dress. Wear the wrong bra, and the dress will look awkward.
Clothing
You already know you’ll be trying on dress after dress, so choose an easy to remove outfit that doesn’t wrinkle easily.
This will simplify changing between dresses and ensure you look just as crisp and fresh when you step out of the fitting room as you did at the start of the appointment.
Choose minimal layers and accessories as well. The simpler the better. This will save you time during fittings and allow you to maximize your appointment time.
Also, avoid clothing that may bleed or leave fuzz behind. Wash your new garments before you wear them to prevent any embarrassing staining that will upset the dress shop.
Footwear
What you wear on your feet is just as important as the dress itself! Bring or wear shoes that are similar to what you plan on wearing to your wedding.
This will help you accurately gauge dress length and fit. They should also match your style. For example, if you never wear heels, putting on a pair for your wedding may make for some uncomfy feet.
Always pack comfortable flats for walking to the shop and around the floor. You won’t want to walk around barefoot, so flats will make it easy for you to take shoes on and off as you shop for your dress.
Accessories
Finally, while accessories make the outfit, they are very distracting and dangerous when it comes to dress fittings. Wear minimal jewelry to prevent snagging on delicate fabrics.
If your engagement ring has lots of prongs or sharp edges, it may be best to leave it at home.
What Guests Should Wear
Dress to impress when accompanying the bride to her dress appointment! Photo Credit: Maggie Demo
Respectful Attire
If you’ve been invited to attend the bride’s dress-shopping experience, congratulations! You rank as one of the most important people in her life. So you need to dress the part.
Choose business casual or smart casual outfits. Avoid wearing sweats, leggings, or overly casual attire. Dress shops are often fancy places, so you’ll want to look your best.
Comfortable Shoes
Whether the bride has multiple appointments or one marathon, plan on walking a lot on the day of the shopping trip. Wear comfortable shoes that still look good with your outfit. Better safe than sorry!
Avoiding Distracting Clothing
At the end of the day, this day is about the bride. Steer clear of loud prints, bright colors, or oversized accessories. Don’t wear anything that will draw too much attention to you or your clothing.
The spotlight should be on the bride and which dress makes her shine.
Etiquette Tips for the Bride
As the bride, you set the tone for the appointment, so be sure to communicate your wants and needs! Photo Credit: A&BE Bridal Shop
Scheduling Appointments
Don’t plan your shopping trip at the last minute. Consult with your squad and book in advance to secure the best times for everyone.
Avoid showing up unannounced- shops plan appointments by how long it typically takes to find a dress, that way they can accommodate you and your party.
Limiting the Entourage
It’s true about too many cooks in the kitchen. While you may want to invite everyone, stick to the people who you know will be honest with you and have your best interests at heart.
Smaller groups tend to reduce stress and limit conflicting opinions.
Communicating Preferences
Before your appointment, gather as many inspo pictures as possible. Consider your personal style, budget, and body type. Be open with your consultants about your preferred styles and how much you can spend.
If you are operating on a tight budget, make it clear you don’t want to see dresses above your price point. This could cause heartache when you find the dress of your dreams but it’s just out of reach.
If you’re looking for alternative dresses, like a gothic wedding dress, be sure to check beforehand that the bridal shop you’re visiting carries less traditional styles to save time.
Being Punctual
Whatever time you choose for your appointment, be sure you arrive on time and stick to the time frame given by the boutique. Going over your time will put the salespeople behind schedule and impede on the other bride’s appointments.
Etiquette Tips for Guests
Offering Supportive Feedback
Trying on dresses can be overwhelming and highlight insecurities. As your bride-to-be’s guest, focus on offering positive and constructive comments.
Avoid commenting on her body if a dress is unflattering. Instead, if asked, make suggestions about different shapes and silhouettes than would look stunning while still fitting her vision.
Respecting the Bride's Choices
At the end of the day, the bride will be the one wearing the dress and looking at her wedding photos for years to come. The final decision rests with her!
So even if she says yes to a dress you felt wasn’t a top contender, be supported and celebrate alongside her!
Minimizing Distractions
All attention should be on the task at hand: finding the bride’s dream dress. Avoid playing on your phone, answering calls, or texting during the fitting, unless the bride asks you to look something up.
Don’t step out frequently either. While a restroom break is acceptable, exiting and entering the fitting space will be a distraction to all.
Following Boutique Rules
Every bridal shower has different rules. It’s important that the entire group follow them. Adhere to policies on photography, food, and beverages.
Sit only in the designated spaces and avoid being loud. It will disrupt other appointments and distract from the start of yours as well!
Do's and Don'ts of Bridal Dress Shopping
A bride and a bridesmaid posing while wedding dress shopping. Image by Shenska.
Do's
1. Do Come Prepared
Bring inspo photos, notes, and ideas for what your ideal dress is. Do research beforehand to know what shapes will compliment your body type and what hairstyle you’ll want to wear.
Ideally, style your hair in a similar way to how you expect to wear it on your wedding day. For example, put your hair up if you want an up-do, but leave it flowing if you plan on wearing it down.
If you plan on accessorizing or adding sleeves to your wedding dress, bring some photos/accessories to complete your look!
2. Do Keep an Open Mind
Even though you may know exactly what you want, sometimes the universe has other plans! Insist on trying on the styles you are dreaming of but be open to one or two alternatives, just to see. You may be surprised!
3. Do Ask Questions
Ask, ask, ask! Inquire about pricing, alteration processes, and timelines. Don’t be afraid to voice your opinion or seek clarification.
This is YOUR wedding and you need to understand each detail to make it a success!
Don'ts
1. Don't Feel Pressured to Buy Immediately
It may feel like you must select a dress at the appointment, but don’t feel pressured to compromise your dreams. You can always come back or try another location.
2. Don't Overbook Appointments
If you are stopping by multiple shops, allow time between sessions to decompress and reflect on the choices. Book a morning appointment, break for lunch to chat about the experience, and then make your way to a second location.
3. Don't Forget to Enjoy the Moment
Wedding dress shopping is a unique, fulfilling experience. It’s the first time you’ll “see” yourself or your loved one as a bride! Embrace the appointment and avoid any undue stress.
Additional Tips for a Successful Shopping Experience
A bride posing in a wedding dress in a bridal shop. Image by The Bridal Finery.
Budget Considerations
It’s the salespeople’s job to upsell. But that doesn’t mean you should compromise your own budget. Be upfront about how much you are willing to spend and firmly decline any dresses that won’t fit your price range.
This will help avoid disappointments. There’s nothing more disheartening than feeling like a million bucks in a dress only to find out it is way over your budget.
Health and Well-being
It’s easy to forget to eat and drink when you’re so excited! Be sure to eat a light meal beforehand and keep water close by to sip. Being dehydrated and hungry could make you cranky and cause stress or conflicts that are unnecessary.
Documenting the Experience
As you go, ask a guest to take notes or photos, if allowed. This will allow you to accurately reflect on how each dress made you feel and which dresses are the top contenders.
If photos are permissible, make it clear they should not be shared with anyone but the bride!
Concluding the Shopping Event
The bride dress shopping experience is one-of-a-kind. Proper attire and etiquette will enhance the experience and make it as positive as possible.
By preparing thoughtfully, you’ll add another magical experience to the list of memorable moments leading up to your special day. So take the time to get in the dress shopping mindset, have fun, and find the dress that speaks to you!