Everything You Need to Know Before Gown Shopping!

So, you’re newly engaged and ready to start looking for the dress of your dreams… Congratulations! For 17 years, the Alexia’s Bridal team has been helping brides find their perfect wedding look and providing a stress-free gown shopping experience! To help the most curious new brides begin their gown shopping process, our expert bridal consultants have compiled a list of things every bride should know before beginning her exciting search for the perfect gown!

Keep the process short and sweet

More shopping trips do not equate a better experience! Many brides find themselves in a difficult situation by overwhelming themselves with too many options. Don’t get too wrapped up in others’ expectations for you or making extra shopping trips to please your party. This process is all about you! Let your guard down, have fun, and be open to finding that perfect gown that gives you those bridal butterflies at any moment!

Know your budget

It’s important to set your budget before beginning the gown shopping process. The best way to narrow this down is by finding the ballpark figure for the style of dress you are most interested in. For example, a bride interested in a clean, classic silhouette with 100% silk mikado fabric can expect to find gowns ranging in price from $3,000 and up.

Additionally, it’s just as important to have a “cushion” budget. What if your perfect gown is $500 over your ballpark budget? Determine if you have any wiggle room within your budget and inform your bridal consultant so they are able to pull the best options the first time around!

Do your research

It’s important to know what bridal salons have advantages over others before beginning your dress search. Some may specially cater to a specific style, while others carry a vast selection of designers and styles to accommodate a more diverse group of brides! Additionally, it’s important to know to what length a bridal salon will serve you after choosing your gown. If being able to shop for accessories and complete alterations all in one place is important to you, ask if these services are available before your appointment!

Know your support group

Before beginning your wedding dress search, be sure to narrow down your shopping tribe to the most supportive friends and family you think are important to be included in your big decision! Sure, bringing 8 of your girlfriends may sound fun in the beginning, but are all of their opinions important to you? We suggest keeping the process drama-free and intimate with your closest friends and family. After all, your friends will absolutely adore whatever dress you walk down the aisle in because it will be undeniably and uniquely you!

Be open to choosing a dress you never imagined

Part of the fun of bridal shopping is having the opportunity to try on gown styles you haven’t yet had the opportunity to wear! Having a vision is important, but don’t totally dismiss any particular silhouette or element without seeing it on you first. Trusting your consultant’s ability to imagine all the unique options for you with your vision in mind will help you find your perfect gown with ease. Your consultant may surprise you by choosing a knockout gown that you never would’ve thought to try!

Be ready to commit

Regardless of where you are in your wedding planning process, walk into your appointment prepared to find a dress you love and commit! The best bridal consultants are able to ease your shopping experience by finding your perfect gown without steering you off-track or prolonging your timeline. You may be surprised to find that it could take just one salon visit to find the one!