What To Wear Wedding Dress Shopping Maid Of Honor
There are a few key things to keep in mind when shopping for a wedding dress as maid of honor. First, its important to be respectful of the brides wishes and budget. Second, keep in mind that the dress should be comfortable and appropriate for the occasion. Third, be sure to try on a few different styles to find the perfect one. fourth, have fun and enjoy the process!
The Maid of Honor Etiquette for Wedding Dress Shopping The maid of honor must accompany the bride-to-be to the store to purchase her gown. Because the bride and you are friends, you can provide the best second opinion. Respect for both time and space must be respected. How to be the photographer, maid of honor, and bridesmaid for your brides wedding is outlined in this Maid of Honor Etiquette tip. Photos help brides organize their wedding dress styles and show off their options to friends and family who are not in attendance. Attend the dress fittings to ensure the bride is well dressed and to coordinate her shoes and undergarments with her personal style. If youre a bridesmaid or maid of honor, here are some pointers to help you choose the wedding gown of your best friend. Assist the bride in selecting colors that complement her vision for the wedding and make her skin tone flatter. In general, a gown order takes three to four months to arrive, and an alteration order takes four to six weeks.
Give Yourself A Beauty & Spa Morning
Consider this an optional luxury that will seriously give you a boost on a busy day. If you can budget in the time and money, head to your hairstylist for a blowout, get your makeup professionally done and give yourself a zen spa morning. Itll be easier to imagine yourself in the dress on your wedding day if you look and feel wedding-day-ready.
What Youll Be Wearing Under Your Wedding Dress
Speaking of what you will be wearing with your wedding dress, lets talk about what goes underneath! Consider your wedding undergarments or at least bring some options along to try on with various dresses. You may not have the same this is the one! moment if your hot pink bra straps are showing, or if you cant clasp the back of the dress because you are wearing boy shorts instead of shapewear. So, if you are considering a strapless dress, make sure to bring a strapless bra. Youll probably want to bring one no matter what since many styles include illusion necklines, spaghetti straps, or other features that would not look right with your regular bra straps showing. Nude and white are good choices for undergarment colors if you are sticking with traditional wedding dress colors. A pair of smoothing shapewear is also recommended, whether or not youre considering a form-fitting gown. Think ahead, bring multiple options if needed, you wont regret it.
Recommended Reading: How To Make A Wedding Spreadsheet
What Type Of Slip To Wear Wedding Dress Shopping
When shopping for slip dresses, the first rule of thumb is to look for one that is the right length and fit shapeless, clingy, or too short? The dress, particularly the slip variety, should be tighter/thinner/softer, as this will make it appear unflattering.
This helps to prevent static cling from wrapping the skirt or dress around the wearers legs, which would otherwise cause the dress to fly out. In contrast to a slip, which keeps your skin from rubbing against coarse fabrics like wool, a loose-fitting garment keeps your skin from rubbing against coarse fabrics like wool.
Trying On Too Many Dresses
If youre a fan of Say Yes to the Dress, youve undoubtedly seen a bride whos tried on 100+ dresses without finding the right one. Most brides try on between four and seven gowns, said DeMarco, and shouldnt try on more than 10, because it can lead to confusion.
Often, a bride is trying on dress after dress because shes just not ready to end the shopping experience and make a real commitment. The most common mistake that a bride makes is not purchasing her gown when she finds it, said Lash. The danger that befalls her is she becomes overwhelmed and forgets what she originally set out to find. She begins to doubt herself and starts to lose faith in the experience.
Not every bride has that moment when the tears start rolling and you know youve absolutely found The One. Real bride blogger Crista kept searching until the tears started rolling. While trying on a Priscilla of Boston gown , Crista noted, “As I gazed upon my reflection, I noticed my family standing around me, teary-eyed. Although I was touched by their reaction, I wondered, Why arent I crying? said Crista. I decided not to purchase that dress and left the salon contemplating my shopping experience.
Recommended Reading: What Details To Put On Wedding Invite
The Bride Is In Control
The bride-to-be, with the help of her consultant or stylist, is the one to decide which dress she will try. Similarly, she is in control of how many dresses she wants to try, what accessories she will wear, and how many boutiques she wants to visit.
At no point is it appropriate for any of the guests to force a specific dress onto the bride. Similarly, if a bride does not want a particular accessory, you cannot make her wear it simply because you want her to. If you want her to consider something that you think would suit her, raise it as a suggestion instead of a command instead of saying Try this one on! you can go with Consider trying this one on, it might suit you!
If the bride-to-be does not find anything she likes and is slowly becoming frustrated, it may be best to gently encourage her to continue shopping on another day. It might be good for her to spend the rest of that day relaxing, such as going to the movies, having a self-pampering day, and so on.
Provide Emotional Support All Day
Before you even go to a bridal boutique, check in with the bride and see how she is doing. Wedding dress shopping can be intimidating and stressful it is hard not to think about your budget and your physique, especially before going to a store and trying dresses on.
Reassure her that everything will work out in the end: you will find the best dress within your budget, and there are specialists whose job is to alter your dress to splendidly fit your body. Tell her that she is perfect the way she is and that she will look gorgeous in anything she wears.
You May Like: Wedding Venues Salt Lake City
Wedding Dress Shopping At Bhldn
We love a gorgeous gown as much as the next wedding planner, and, as far as were concerned, theres no better place to wedding-dress shop than BHLDN. Plus, with occasion dresses perfect for your rehearsal dinner or engagement party, gorgeous bridesmaids gowns, and dreamy-as-ever accessories, you can often find everything you need for you and your bride tribes complete wedding-day look at one of BHLDNs 16 locations. Today, then, we wanted to break down the ins-and-outs of the BHLDN wedding-dress shopping experience for brides looking to turn some serious heads during their walk down the aisle.
My Own Dress Shopping Experience
It has been a humbling process to be on the other side of the wedding experience. To fully understand what my clients are going through gives my role as a wedding photographer an entirely new perspective, and in a lot of ways, new meaning.
So when it came time for me to start looking for my own wedding dress, I felt completely lost. I didnt know where to start. So I turned to my for support.
After asking the simple question, what should I know when shopping for a wedding dress?! My inbox received dozens upon dozens of answers! I had many of my past, present, and future brides sharing their experiences. I had old acquaintances dishing out their best advice. And I had complete strangers reaching out to share what they had learned. The response was truly staggering. And so incredible!
Also Check: How To Make Your Own Wedding Bouquet
Be Prepared To Feel Confident
When you go wedding dress shopping, be prepared to spend the money and buy your wedding dress at your appointment. You never know when you’ll find the dress of your dreams and it usually happens when you least expect it. If you walk away from a dress and then later say “yes” to the dress, it can be complicated to finalize your order via email or over the phone. There are many logistics to ordering your wedding dress. To avoid confusion, you should really say “yes” to the wedding dress while you are wearing the dress, and while you are at the bridal salon.
For more on how to prep for wedding dress shopping, be sure to check out our advice and video on wedding dress purchasing logistics and all about dress shop appointments.
We always encourage our brides to take photos of themselves while trying on wedding dresses. This is a great way to get another perspective of the wedding dress, but you also need to consider how the wedding dress makes you feel. If you leave the bridal salon and are only relying on the photos, youll be looking at something that is not the final wedding day look. You will forget how you felt in the dress and that is the most important component of wedding dress shopping. You must feel beautiful and confident in the wedding gown.
What Are You Supposed To Wear Wedding Dress Shopping
Image by: https://stylecaster.com
There is no set answer for this question since every bride is different. Some brides prefer to wear a white dress when wedding dress shopping, while others prefer to wear a dress that is similar to what they envision themselves wearing on their wedding day. Ultimately, it is up to the bride to decide what she is most comfortable in when shopping for her wedding dress.
When it comes to finding a wedding gown, theres a lot at stake. As the bride searches for a wedding gown, guests are free to dress as they please. If youre going to an event, you should think about three things: how youll look, what youll wear, and what youll feel. Finding and shopping for the perfect wedding gown can be a lengthy process. When you accompany the bride to wedding dress shopping, you are doing so for the brides benefit and to respect her. Please assure her that all will work out in the end. Feel free to speak up if the bride instructs you to be brutally honest with her.
Recommended Reading: Best Online Wedding Dress Sites
Make A List And Check It Twice
Once you’ve decided on the wedding gown you want to wear, it’s a good idea to compare pricing before making a final purchase. Your dream dress can be much discounted at one store compared to another. Find your dress online? Possible .
Savings might be substantial if you don’t mind donning a previously worn bridal gown. You’ll have to take into account that it was tailored to fit the previous bride, so enquire about the specific alterations made.
Are You The Right Fit For Custom
Customizations and the costs associated with them come at the discretion of each individual brand and designer. If you want a change made to a dress, it never hurts to ask, but be prepared for the changes you want to make to render the gown a custom piece, which automatically kicks the price up a notch, or 10.
The process of designing a custom wedding gown is long and requires vision, patience, and a true understanding of what you wantalong with ample imagination. You likely will not see your completed wedding gown until your first fitting, so trust in your chosen designer is essential. A bride with a clear vision, and one who has enlisted the help of a stylist, is typically best suited for this process. The bride who tends to be indecisive or impulsive with fashion is not right for the custom design processand that’s okay.
You May Like: How To Pee In A Wedding Dress
Consider Working With A Stylist
Yes, there is such a thing as a bridal stylist she or he is your advocate and guide in shopping for all your looks, knows the ins and outs of the industry, has great relationships, and can solve any issues that arise creatively. When it comes to scoring options and appointments in a pandemic world, a stylist can be invaluable. This expert will serve as your right hand in choosing your looks, as well as in alterations, accessory coordination, and, hopefully, day-of dressing as well.
What Should I Do To Prepare For My Appointment
One hour in a store as dreamy as BHLDN will fly by, so be sure youve done your research ahead of time. If you have one gown youve been stalking online, make sure you let your stylist know in advance so she can pull that gown for you and/or ensure its available at the store location youll be visiting. Make sure you bring your own nude undergarments or shapewear. Bringing a few different bra options with you is also a great idea if you want to try on gowns with different bodice shapes. You may also want to bring along a pair of shoes of your desired height and a hair-clip or tie to get a feel for what an updo will look like with your dream gown.
Read Also: How To Have A Beautiful Wedding On A Budget
What Shoes To Wear Wedding Dress Shopping
A wedding shoe should always be present because it will almost certainly fit if you find one and you should also be aware of how high you want to go. When it comes to heels, Teich recommends wearing even a small heel in a dress because they make your posture look better.
What are the shoes you wear to shop for wedding dresses? When I was attempting dresses on, I wore flip-flops but went barefoot. Id dress up in heels if I were you. It is also good to have fun. I wore flip flops and sandals as part of my wedding dress shopping experience. Walking barefoot, in my opinion, is not a bad idea. I knew I wanted to wear a short dress.
As a result, I wasnt as concerned. Regardless of which shoe youre going to wear with you, youre always welcome to bring a pair of it. People prefer to wear heels that are similar to their height, but this is not necessary. I also have short heels, or at least theyre not much longer than that, so everything else is way too long. After youve chosen your dress, Id just be concerned with your shoes.
What Should I Wear When Trying On Dresses
Before heading over to the bridal shop, make sure that youre wearing an outfit and wedding dress undergarments that are easy to slip on and off.
This part may seem like a no-brainer and maybe even unnecessary if youre only considering a few options for your gown, but itll be one less stressor as youre making this important decision among your close friends and family members.
Don’t Miss: Neil Lane Mens Wedding Band
Dont Try On Dresses Out Of Budget & Factor Extra Costs
As a wedding professional, my bridal salons were happy to let me try on any dress in the shop just for fun, but I heeded the warnings of everyone in the industry: never try on a gown you cant afford.
Two very unfortunate things could happen: 1) you may end up spending thousands more putting serious strains on your wedding budget and giving you incredible guilt, or 2) you may fall in love with the gown and no cheaper dress will be able to match the luxury you now have the taste for, leaving you unable to find the perfect dress.
And remember, if your budget is $2000, plan to buy a dress less than that to factor in extra costs like alterations and possible shipping.
Things No One Tells You About Gown Shopping
I finally found Her: The perfect dress for my wedding on September 1! I’d like to give a special shout-out to my consultant Andrea from Bridal Reflections in Carle Place, Long Island, for her unwavering patience, arms of steel, and contagious smile. 25+ dresses later, here’s what I learned.
1. Undergarments can drastically change the look of a dress. You already know that wearing a strapless bra or a regular one with clear straps is non-negotiable. Even so, Id recommend getting your measurements taken before you start this process, especially if you’ve lost weight recently, like I did. When I tried on the winning dress for the very first time, my bust looked…off. The culprit: Undergarments one cup size too small and three inches too big around the waist. Armed with my correct size, I slipped on the dress againit’s amazing what a difference a few inches can make.
2. Wear just enough makeup to feel prettydon’t go overboard.Being surrounded by a billowing sea of white fabric makes you hyper-aware of your appearance. Under-eye circles that were barely noticeable before look stark. Pale pink lipstick is drowned out by fluorescent lighting. You don’t have to get dolled up for your consultant apply just enough so that you feel presentable. But whatever you do, DON’T apply self-tanner in the days leading up to your appointment, in order to avoid damaging any of the dresses. Also wear your hair the way you’ve planned it for the wedding.
Stefania Sainato
You May Like: All In One Wedding Invitation
