Key Takeaways
Before your visit:
- Research designer collections and bridal silhouettes to identify your style preferences
- Book your appointment 9-12 months before your wedding date
- Keep your entourage small (2-4 trusted people)
- Wear appropriate undergarments and easy-to-change clothing
- Come prepared with inspiration photos and budget information
During your visit:
- Expect a consultation where you discuss your vision, budget, and preferences
- Try on 4-6 dresses initially, with the option for more based on what you learn
- Listen to opinions but trust your own instincts about how each dress makes you feel
- Ask detailed questions about pricing, timelines, and customization options
- Understand the salon’s policies before placing your order
After your visit:
- Stay connected with the salon regarding your dress’s progress
- Attend 2-3 fittings in the months leading up to your wedding
- Bring your actual wedding shoes and undergarments to all fittings
- Learn how to bustle and manage your dress for the wedding day
- Properly store and care for your dress before and after the wedding
The moment you put on “the wedding dress” and see yourself as a bride is an experience you will always remember. However, if this is your first time visiting a bridal salon, you may be filled with excitement and questions about what to expect.
Will you be able to try on several dresses? Will you need to bring your whole bridal party? What happens after you say yes to the dress? These are all great questions that deserve answers.
This is where we come in! In this guide, we will take you through everything you need to know before, during, and after your visit to the bridal salon. Let us begin!
Before Your Bridal Salon Visit
The secret to a successful dress shopping experience begins long before you ever set foot inside the salon doors. Here’s how to go about the preparation process:
Do Your Research
Look through wedding magazines, Pinterest pages, and Instagram accounts to see what different styles look like. Notice which types of silhouettes you are most attracted to.
Most salons feature a designer collection of wedding dresses on their websites, so check out which bridal designers they represent. This will give you an idea of which salons represent your style. Take note of the details that appeal to you. This research will be invaluable when speaking with your bridal consultant.
Research the salon’s reputation as well. Check out reviews from other brides and see how active they are on social media. Some salons specialize in modern, fashion-forward pieces, while others specialize in traditional, classic gowns. Knowing what a salon specializes in will help you decide which salon is perfect for your vision.
Book Your Appointment Wisely
Most reputable bridal salons are appointment-only. When you call any salon, be ready to give them your wedding date, budget, and style preferences.
If possible, try to schedule your appointment on a weekday afternoon when salons are less busy. This means you’ll likely get more personal attention from your consultant. If weekdays aren’t feasible, early morning weekend appointments are a good second choice.
Begin your search for a wedding dress nine to twelve months before your wedding date. This gives you time for the four to six months it takes to have a wedding dress ordered and made, plus alterations.
If you have a shorter engagement, there’s no reason to panic. Most salons can accommodate rush orders, but this may incur additional costs.
Assemble Your Entourage Well
Keep your group small and selective. Two to four people whose opinions you value are ideal. This might include the mother of the bride, your maid of honor, or trusted friends who have good taste.
Too many opinions can be overwhelming and make decision-making harder. Select people who know your style and will give you honest but supportive opinions. And most importantly, pick those who’ll accept that this is ultimately your decision.
Prepare Yourself Physically
Wear undergarments that are nude or as close to your skin tone as possible. You will probably be trying on white or ivory-colored gowns, so this tip is integral. A strapless bra is the best option, as most wedding dresses are strapless or have a low back. Do not wear heavy makeup or a complicated hairstyle.
Wear clothing that is easy to slip into and out of. You will be trying on several dresses, and complicated buttons, tight jeans, or boots with laces will only slow you down. A simple dress or sweat pants with a top that slips on and off easily are the best options. If you will be wearing heels on your wedding day, bring a pair of the same height so you can see what the hem will look like.
Make sure you are well-rested and have eaten before your appointment. Dress shopping can be more physically exhausting than you might think. A light meal before will keep your energy up and help you stay focused during fitting.
During Your Bridal Salon Visit
Now that you’ve arrived at the salon, it’s time to try on wedding dresses. Here’s what typically happens during your appointment:
The Welcome and Consultation
Your appointment will begin with a warm welcome from your bridal consultant, who will be your guide throughout the process. They will ask you about your wedding date, location, theme, and budget. They will also ask you about any styles you have been interested in.
Be open and honest during this discussion. If you have a budget in mind, let them know. They will then show you the best options for your budget. If you have any reservations about certain aspects of the dresses, let them know.
Your consultant will probably ask to see any pictures you have saved of inspiration. This will give them a good idea of what you are looking for and help them show you dresses from their collection of wedding dresses that fit what you are looking for. You don’t have to know what you are looking for yet because your consultant will be able to read your style even if you can’t quite put your finger on it.
The Try-On Experience
Once your consultant knows what you like, they will pick out a few dresses for you to try on. Most salons will begin by showing you four to six dresses. These will include some that you liked, as well as a few that may surprise you.
Your consultant will assist you with each dress. Most wedding dresses are very complicated to get on and off. And that’s just fine. Your consultant has assisted hundreds of brides and knows exactly what to do with even the most complicated designer collections.
Take your time as you try on each dress. Get up on the pedestal and check yourself out. Walk around if you can. Sit down. Move your arms. You want to get a feel for not only how the dress looks, but also how it feels. You’ll be wearing this for hours on your wedding day.
Your consultant will probably clip the dress in the back so you can see how it will look when it’s properly fitted. They may also put a veil or other accessories on you to give you an idea of what the complete bridal look will be.
Managing Opinions and Emotions
As you try on each dress, your guests will offer their input. Listen to their opinions, but also pay attention to your own intuition. Sometimes the dress that receives the most excited feedback from others isn’t the one that gives you butterflies.
Listen to your gut reaction when you first see yourself in each dress. Your gut is usually right. The “yes to the dress” moment is a real experience for many brides because you’ll know when you’ve found the right one.
If you’re not excited about the first round of dresses, voice your opinion. Your consultant can bring out more dresses. Perhaps you thought you’d like a fitted bridal gown, but you feel more at ease in an A-line. The try-on experience is as much about ruling out what you don’t want as it is about figuring out what you do want.
It’s also completely normal if you don’t find your dress at the first salon you go to. Don’t feel like you have to say yes to a dress during your first appointment if you’re not feeling it.
Understanding the Details
Once you have shortlisted your favorite dress or dresses, your consultant will give you all the details about your shortlisted dresses. This includes the designer, design number, color, and size availability, price, and time required for delivery.
You can ask questions about anything you are not clear about. Can the neckline be changed? Is the train removable? Are there any possibilities of adding sleeves? The professionals will be more than happy to answer all your questions.
You can also ask about the salon’s policies on alterations, returns, and cancellations. Every salon has a different privacy policy. Some salons may provide free alterations with the price of the dress, while some may charge separately.
Making Your Decision
If you have found “the one,” you may be ready to make a decision on the spot. But there is no requirement that says you must decide right away. Most salons will give you the option to put a hold on a dress for a few days while you consider your decision.
When you are ready to make a commitment, you will need to pay a deposit (usually 50% of the cost of the dress) to put your order in. Be sure to get a receipt that lists the following details:
- name of the designer of
- style number
- Size
- color
- Any changes you would like made
- total cost of the dress
- amount paid
- amount still owed
- estimated delivery date
Before you leave, you can ask when you can expect the dress to arrive, how you will be notified when it arrives, and what the process is for scheduling alterations.
After Your Bridal Salon Visit
The excitement doesn’t end when you leave the salon. Here’s what to expect after you’ve said yes to the dress.
Following Up and Staying Connected
Once you’ve placed your order, keep in contact with the salon about the status of your dress. Most salons will contact you once your dress has arrived, but it never hurts to follow up. If you haven’t heard anything and your delivery date is approaching, give them a call and ask for a status update.
Salons will often send out notifications about trunk shows, sample sales, or accessory exhibits. If you’re still searching for your veil or shoes, these are excellent opportunities.
The Dress Arrival and First Fitting
When your dress has been delivered, which takes about four to six months from the time you ordered it, you will be asked to schedule your first fitting. This is a very exciting time because you get to see your actual dress for the first time. You should bring the shoes that you will be wearing for your wedding to this fitting because the hem needs to be altered depending on the height of your heels.
At the first fitting, the alterations expert will determine what needs to be done to your dress. Most dresses need some kind of alteration because they are made in standard sizes. Alterations may include taking in the top, altering the hem, bustling the train, and adding cups or boning.
You should not expect the dress to fit perfectly at the first fitting. The alterations expert will mark the dress with pins to show you what it will look like when the alterations are complete. Most brides require two to three fittings before their dress is just right.
Subsequent Fittings and Final Adjustments
Your second and third fittings will take place in the weeks leading up to your wedding. Each time, the fit should be coming closer and closer to perfection. You should wear the same undergarments and shoes that you plan to wear on your wedding day to each fitting. Even slight variations in heel height or bra style can impact the fit of the dress.
During your final fitting, which should take place about one to two weeks prior to your wedding, the dress should fit perfectly. This is also when you will learn how to bustle the train and complete any other tasks related to the dress.
You should bring someone with you. It is best to bring the people who will be assisting you in dressing on your wedding day so that they can learn how to button, zip, or lace up your dress and how to make the bustle.
You should take pictures at your final fitting so that you can show them to your photographer and your hair and makeup stylist.
Wrapping Up
At the end of the day, finding your wedding dress hinges on how you feel when you finally see yourself as a bride. Even though it may seem a little overwhelming at the beginning, remember that the stylists and your loved ones are there to help you along the way. Trust your instincts and remember to have fun with the experience.
