Planning a wedding is filled with a myriad of exciting milestones, with the quest for the perfect wedding dress being one of the most anticipated. Every bride dreams of that magical moment when they set eyes on “the one” – the dress that stirs emotions and feels just right. The experience of dress hunting is often shared with loved ones, lending support and sharing the joy. Deciding who to invite to this special occasion can be challenging and overwhelming.
Who Should You Really Bring Wedding Dress Shopping?
The wedding dress shopping experience is truly special. Those you bring with you can make or break your experience. For that reason, here is some information about the people you might want to bring with you.
Loyal Family and Friends
Consider people who are known to be supportive, and who can offer constructive feedback on your prospective gowns. These are the individuals you should invite to accompany you. Traditionally, mothers are the first to be included in the dress shopping trip. However, it’s becoming common to have sisters and grandmothers join in too.
In recent years, some brides have chosen to include their future mothers-in-law in this special occasion. If you share a great relationship with your mother-in-law, inviting her could turn out to be a heart-warming gesture.
If the dress is a gift from a family member, it’s considerate to include them in the shopping experience. This allows them to share in the joy, and also prevents any unexpected financial surprises.
Bridal Party Members
Members of the bridal party are often invited to accompany the bride on her dress search. As these individuals play a pivotal role in the wedding ceremony, it’s only natural to include them in the wedding dress shopping, especially if they live nearby.
Even if the bride decides not to invite all the members of her wedding party, inviting the maid or matron of honor can provide additional support. Remember, some bridal parties can be quite large, and it’s not always feasible to include everyone.
Deciding on the Ideal Guest Count for Your Wedding Dress Shopping
Choosing the perfect wedding dress is a unique experience, and the people accompanying the bride can significantly impact this journey. While it’s tempting to include everyone, maintaining a smaller, more manageable group generally ensures a smoother and more enjoyable shopping experience.
Balancing Opinions with Serenity
While it’s beneficial to have a few trusted opinions, an excessive number of voices can lead to decision paralysis or confusion. Every person in the entourage will have their opinion, and it’s essential to strike a balance between gaining valuable insights and avoiding unnecessary stress.
Therefore, it’s crucial for brides to thoughtfully assess and determine the right number of shopping companions. This number varies from bride to bride, with some preferring an intimate party of one or two, while others opting for a more substantial group.
Prioritize inviting those who are most instrumental in your life and whose opinion you value the most. If you encounter people eager to contribute to your bridal journey, consider involving them in other aspects such as selecting accessories, shoes, or other wedding paraphernalia.
Space Restrictions at Bridal Boutiques
Another essential consideration is the spatial limitations of bridal salons. Smaller boutiques may not accommodate large groups, so always inquire ahead about their capacity. A quick research or phone call to each bridal shop you plan on visiting can help you gauge the appropriate number of guests.
At Regal Brides, we suggest a comfortable party size of three to five guests for each appointment. This ensures a manageable group that offers support without becoming overwhelming. Be aware that due to ongoing pandemic protocols, there may be additional restrictions on the number of guests allowed inside our boutique.
Shopping Solo for Your Wedding Dress: Tips and Tricks
Not every bride wishes to host an entourage when selecting her wedding gown, and that’s perfectly okay. There are many reasons why a bride might opt to go solo – she might value independent decision making, crave a more serene shopping environment, or simply may not have the right people available to join the journey. If you’re contemplating the idea of solo wedding dress shopping, here are several key advice points to ensure a productive and enjoyable experience.
Preparation is Key
Before embarking on your solitary shopping trip, immerse yourself in bridal fashion inspiration. Diving into bridal magazines, Pinterest boards, or Instagram feeds can offer insights into the styles or designs you are drawn towards. Once you’ve got an idea of the look you’re aiming for, set a budget that accommodates your dream dress.
Arm yourself with a list of designs or styles you’re interested in, yet remain open to suggestions from your bridal consultant. They’re well-versed in matching dresses to body types and skin tones and their expertise can help pinpoint the perfect gown that you might have overlooked.
Stay Open to Possibilities
The freedom of shopping solo also means you’re the sole judge. Use this to your advantage by exploring a diverse range of gowns, especially ones you might otherwise not consider. Shopping alone allows the flexibility to try out different styles, fabrics, and cuts without dealing with varying opinions.
While you might lean towards, say, a lace ballgown or a tulle fit-and-flare dress, don’t hesitate to step out of your comfort zone and try something different. You never know, your dream dress might end up being a style you’d least expected to love!
Timing Matters
One critical aspect not to ignore is timing. Shopping for a wedding dress is not a last-minute task. Most bridal boutiques require orders to be placed months in advance, and that’s not accounting for potential alterations. Avoid unnecessary stress by starting your search well ahead of time, leaving ample room for any adjustments needed.
Bridal Shopping at Adorned Bridal Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
At Adorned Bridal, our mission is to assure a delightful and serene experience for all our brides and their guests while prioritizing everyone’s safety amidst the ongoing global pandemic.
Our fitting rooms have been specially designed to maintain a distance of six feet, ensuring social distancing measures are adhered to. For enhanced safety, each bride is offered a private room, isolating them from other groups at the boutique.
As safety protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic ramp up, we have restricted the number of groups at the boutique to a maximum of five at any given time. This precaution allows us to maintain the recommended six feet distance between different groups. Consequently, punctuality for appointments is highly appreciated to synchronize all safety measures adequately.
Furthermore, due to the current circumstances, we request brides to keep their guest list as small as possible. During weekdays, we accommodate a maximum of six guests per bride, while during weekends, this is reduced to a mere four guests to prevent crowding.
Our bridal stylists will adhere to all safety protocols by donning face masks, in alignment with local Kansas City business mandates. Similarly, brides and guests are advised to wear masks upon arrival. Brides, however, can momentarily remove the mask while trying on dresses to envision their look better and allow for quick photography.
To ensure an entirely sanitized environment, thorough sanitization is carried out after each appointment for the safety and peace of mind of our beloved brides and their guests.
At Adorned Bridal, we firmly believe in transforming your bridal gown shopping experience into a memorable occasion. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we remain committed to offering a safe, comfortable, and enchanting shopping environment to all our brides. After all, your journey to finding the perfect wedding dress should be as beautiful as the dress itself!
The Perfect Train on a Dress
The trail of your bridal gown, often referred to as the “train,” is a quintessential facet of your attire that warrants contemplation. The train’s length and style can significantly influence your overall bridal look. Decisions range from a short sweep train for a more streamlined appearance to a grand cathedral train that exudes opulence and regality.
Consider the practicality of the venue when selecting your train style. A lengthy train may be exquisite for a formal ballroom affair but cumbersome for an outdoor garden wedding. Additionally, the train can be adorned with intricate lace, embellishments, or remain elegantly simple.
Conclusion
In conclusion, shopping for a wedding dress is an emotional journey that every bride yearns to perfect, and the presence of loved ones can reinforce the joy of this experience. Understanding the dynamics of who to invite and managing the guest list effectively ensures a smoother, more valuable, and memorable dress shopping journey. Incorporating these tips, strategies, and recommendations will not only enhance the dress hunting process but also help in discovering “the one” that reflects the bride’s personality and spirit, making her big day all the more magical.