If you’re anything like us, you’ve dreamt of your wedding dress for years before actually getting engaged. Now, the time is finally here—but wait, you’re so overwhelmed! How do you book a wedding dress appointment? What should you bring? Who should you bring?!
First thing’s first—take a deep breath. We’ve got you covered.
Before Your Wedding Dress Appointment
Once you get engaged, you might be itching to get your wedding dress appointment booked ASAP! We totally hear you, but take some time to enjoy your engagement and gather some inspiration. Browse styles online, pick a few silhouettes you really love, and if you have absolutely no idea, try our wedding dress quiz to narrow it all down! Then, think about what kind of appointment you’d like to have.
At David’s Bridal, you have a choice of an in-store or virtual appointment. Virtual wedding dress consultations are a great way to get started, especially if you have zero clue of what you are looking for, but we always recommend visiting your local store to try on the dresses and experience the craftsmanship firsthand.
Finally, you’ll need to figure your budget. This will assist your stylist in knowing what dresses she can pull for you without totally tanking your wedding expenses.
When Should Your Book Your Wedding Dress Appointment?
You should schedule your wedding dress appointment as early as you can, and we’ll tell you why. Number one: it’s FUN! Number two: you’ll need to give yourself time for additional shopping trips, alterations, and any last-minute mind changes (it happens all the time, trust us!). Number three: Your gown can guide all your other decisions—even which venue you choose!
So, when you’re ready to book your appointment keep a few things in mind:
Weekdays Are MUCH Quieter
We know, we know. You’re already practically exhausting your PTO between the bachelorette party, wedding weekend, and honeymoon. But if you’re able to get the time off work, scheduling your appointment during the day Monday through Thursday ensures our stylists are able to give you the personalized attention you need! If that’s not an option, stores are open until 9pm—head to happy hour after work then make a night of it!
Walk-Ins are Welcome, Appointments are Preferred!
If you absolutely can’t come in during a weekday, don’t stress! Weekends are much busier, but we are always able to accommodate our brides. Make sure you make an appointment for your weekend visit, though. It’s easier for us to assist you in your search when we know you’re coming!
Size Matters
No, of course we’re not talking about your dress size, silly. Make sure you tell your stylist how many people you plan on bringing with you to your wedding dress appointment so we can make sure there’s enough space for everyone in your fitting area!
Who to Bring Along
Every bride is different. Some want as many opinions as possible and may choose to bring her entire bridal party and extended family (we’ve even seen grooms tag along before!). Others prefer a smaller group, without too much input that can confuse and frustrate them.
We recommend bringing your two most trusted friends (your maid of honor and a close bridesmaid) or relatives (think your mom, sister, or grandmother!) to help you make the decision. Don’t forget—this is YOUR moment! Avoid inviting those with strong opinions that could cloud your judgement. Instead, bring the friends and family who always hype you up, give you your flowers, and take the best IG photos.
Also, take into consideration who is paying for your wedding gown. You still get the final say in what gown you choose, of course, but if it’s grandma or mom or even your future mother-in-law spending the money, they should be invited.
What to Bring to Your Wedding Dress Appointment
There are three major things you should have with you when you go to try on wedding dresses:
- Appropriate Undergarments: We always suggest a strapless bra at the very least (bra straps can be surprisingly distracting when trying on gowns!), if not shapewear. It doesn’t have to be exactly what you plan on wearing to the wedding, (that’ll come after you choose your dress!), but having an idea of the final look will help make your decision.
- Accessories and Heels: If you know you want to wear a special family heirloom necklace or pair of earrings, make sure you bring them along! Heels are also a great thing to have. Again, these don’t have to be wedding-specific just yet! But you’ll get a better idea of your full ensemble.
- An Open Mind: This one is by FAR the most important. You may think you only want to try on ball gown silhouettes and could be totally dismissing a mermaid style wedding dress that’s the perfect match for you! If time allows, let your friends or fam each find a style they think would look fabulous on you and give it a twirl (or two!)—even if you’re just humoring them.
What to Expect at Your Wedding Dress Appointment
Each of our in-store bridal appointments are scheduled for 60 minutes. That’s one full hour of attention from your personal bridal stylist, who will talk you through your budget, inspiration, and timeline. From there, your stylist will bring an array of styles to try on (this is where your vision board really comes into play)!
Then, obviously, the fun part—trying on the dresses! Your stylist will help you into each gown, then you’ll step out to a chorus of oohs and aahs.
Sometimes, stronger opinions can leave you feeling down. It’s perfectly natural to have some butting heads. If it happens, just take a second to yourself in the fitting room, remind yourself you’re there to (finally, actually!) pick out your wedding dress, and that your opinion is really the only one that matters.
It’s also totally possible you don’t find the one at your first dress appointment. Many brides feel overwhelmed by the number of choices or may be disappointed if a dress they loved online isn’t available to try on in-store. Try not to let it get to you too much! You can always keep an eye out for new arrivals and schedule another appointment at a later date. We promise, your wedding dress is out there.
Book Your Appointment Today!
Choosing your wedding dress is one of—if not THE most—exciting moments of your entire wedding journey, and our goal is to make it as unforgettable and stress-free as possible. Whether you’re ready to play dress up or just getting started on your search, scheduling a wedding dress appointment is the perfect way to take the first step toward finding your dream gown.
Don’t forget to sign up for Pearl by David’s for more wedding planning advice, trend reports, and more!
