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Before I show you the plentiful results of my shopping trips, who wants to hear my lessons learned?
1) Research and mull it over. Tastes change. Your vision of your wedding will change. Be open to different styles but dog ear the ones you like.
2) Put together a slide show. OK, so maybe you don’t have to do that. *I* did because I’m a nerd. At least print out pictures of the dresses you like. When you shop you and your sales consultant will have them as a reference of your likes and dislikes even if you can’t verbalize them.
3) Stick to your budget. Don’t fall in love with the $10,000 dress if your budget is $1,000. It’ll never live up. (Think… falling in love with George Clooney when you don’t live in Lake Como and are not a gorgeous Italian newscaster.)
4) Bring a camera. Most places won’t let you take pictures. But some let you if you say it’s for your mom (or grandma, if your mom is there).
5) Write down the designer and style name. This way if you can’t take photos, at least you can look up the dress again when you get home. Better yet, jot down the price, too.
6) Bring a granola bar (but not Cheetos). No one wants a cranky hungry sister or bridesmaid as a dress shopping mate.
7) Wear un-embarrassing underwears. Do I really need to explain this? Just do it.
Just try it. Even if you don’t think you’ll like it. You never know…
9) Ask for a discount. Is there a trunk show in the future you can visit and get a discount then? What about throwing in free alterations?
10) We don’t all FEEL it’s the one. It’s just a pretty dress, not the guy you’re going to marry. If you do feel butterflies for the dress, consider it a happy bonus.
This is how I groove.
Was your dress shopping experience what you expected? What tips do you have for first time shoppers?
i like how your # 8 turned into a smiley face with sunglasses. thanks for the tips.. i’m going dress shopping for my first time EVER this tomorrow
oh that bulldog is being soo patient. what a good baby. anyway, i love these tips! more pics of you trying dresses on, please, you clearly had so much fun!
Number 10 is sooooooo true. I actually hesitated when I found my dress because I didn’t have “that feeling,” but it is absolutely the dress. It’s lovely and wonderful and all that, but when it comes down to it, for me, it’s just a dress. (To be honest, I think it would have been pretty darn hard to have that feeling wearing a sample gown 10 sizes larger than the one I needed. I did have a few moments of giddiness when I tried on my actual dress all by myself in my room for the first time.)
I didn’t have the feeling either. And I love your wedding dress hoe-down pic.
Along with that granola bar, WATER! I felt like I was going to die of thirst my first trip out….
@tofuchic: I hope you have fun! It’s a once in a lifetime experience!
@Mrs. Pug: I think he’s patient b/c he’s about to eat 3 cheetos
@froggy518: That’s true - it’s hard to feel the one when the sample is not the right size!
@jgoulart: good one! I do recall being really thirsty
@phishgirl: That was one of my faves from Amsale that day! Congrats on your dress!
So, I randomly stopped into a dress shop one day while my friend and I were shopping. She wanted to have me try on a few for her and luckily the store wasn’t busy so they obliged. Well, I TOTALLY forgot that I was wearing pink hello kitty underwear and the saleslady laughed. Luckily, she said she’d seen worse.
great tips! i’d also add to make sure you wear a strapless. it’s totally not fun using the store’s stock community bra or tucking in the straps of our bra.
Haha, how funny - we both posted dress shopping tips on the same day!
I agree with jgoulart, definitely bring a water. I was dieing of thirst after the first few.
I’d also recommend going to the stores during the week instead of weekends. They tend to be quieter and you don’t feel as rushed. And if you aren’t sure, leave the dress behind. It will still be there tomorrow if you decide that you truly loved it!
I’m still trying to find the right dress. But I do agree, water is a must - trying on those dresses is hot and exhausting!
Fantastic tips, but 5 years too late. =p My first time shopping, I really didn’t look at too many dresses before hand, and I was overwhelmed by how many there were. I already hate shopping, so that didn’t help. And my bridesmaids were so patient. Luckily there was a water fountain there, but I’m my girls wanted something to munch on.
LOL at #7
#10 is definitely true
@Miss Jellyfish: Now I’ll have to head over to your post. =)
@tea: That’s a great tip….which I forgot to pass on to the other bridesmaids when we went to try on bridesmaids dresses
My tip is to bring a strapless bra, but to NOT bring shoes. My mom made me and I was stuck lugging heels around from store to store when every single place had them.
@Miss Lace: HK undies sound so cute! At least it wasn’t Tuesday undies on a Thursday. Lol.
@tea: Oh that’s another good one. I did that too but forgot to put it on the list. Thanks!
@Miss Jellyfish: lol. I saw that! Dress shopping is so overwhelming I think the more tips the better.
@ktbrady: Good luck! Hope you find the one soon 
@cloverdaIe: I ended up going to Priscilla of Boston, Amsale, Mark Ingram, and Kleinfeld. It was “only” 4 stores but more than enough for me! I would have liked to add another department store like Saks or Bergdorf’s if i had time.
@MeghanV: Lugging around shoes definitely doesn’t sound like fun. Thanks for passing on another great tip!
I’m totally with you on tip #10! I didn’t feel it at first try on nor the next 5 times I tried it on either… weird!
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Mrs. Lobster, Brooklyn Age and Occupation: 29, Finance Girl Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Finance Boy Engagement Date: July 25, 2009 Wedding Date: August 2010 Venue: Stage 6 Steiner Studios About Me: I'm a New York-born, Virginia-bred girl who's found her way back to the big city. Mr. Lobster and I met in grad school and have been together ever since. I'm clueless about DIY but am an avid online shopper and love all things polka dots, stripes, and ruffles! When I'm not making wedding lists, you can find me looking for snacks, watching Gilmore Girls, or hanging out with Mr. Lobster and our new puppy Buddy! We are planning a fancy-pantsy Brooklyn wedding for a hot New York summer night which is sure to be a misadventure in the making.
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