Do Bring Your Shoes, Jewelry and Accessories

It’s okay if you haven’t made a final decision on any of these just yet – but if you are sure you’ll be wearing a necklace, make sure to bring one along so you can compare it with different styles of necklines. And while you won’t need to make any alterations for a few months, bring a pair of shoes along that are the approximate height of what you’ll be wearing on the big day. Besides giving the true effect of how the dress will look, it will also help you better gauge how easy it is to move around in each dress that you try on.

Don’t Limit Yourself to One Style

A-Line, Trumpet, Mermaid, Ball Gown – you may think you know exactly what style of dress you want. But chances are, once you actually start trying them on, that may change. Keep an open mind, and trust the bridal consultants (there’s a reason they do this for a living!) – you’ll be surprised at what you might fall in love with.

Do Understand Your Budget

There’s no sense in trying dresses that are out of your price range – that’s just a recipe for a disaster. Before you make an any appointments, make sure the bridal shop even has a selection of dresses you’ll be able to afford. Some smaller boutique stores or those in high-end areas of major cities may not even carry dresses under a couple thousand dollars – and there’s nothing more discouraging than having 90% of a store be “off limits.”

Don’t Overdo It on the Champagne

Dress shopping isn’t always as glamorous as in the movies. You probably won’t be chauffeured around Manhattan or Downtown LA in a limo with your bride tribe – however there may be an opportunity for a couple glasses of bubbly at brunch before you go shopping. Take it easy though, as too many pre-shopping mimosas not only will cloud your judgment, but they will tire you out. Getting in and out of each heavy, intricate dress can be surprisingly hard work, and you’ll want to make sure you have the stamina to spend a few hours focused on the end goal.

Do Your Hair and Makeup

Any time that you try on dresses, remember that you’ll be standing in front of a 10-foot mirror with lights as bright as Hollywood shining on you. If you haven’t done your makeup and your hair is in a messy bun, you probably won’t have any magical “it’s the one” moments. We’re not saying you need to do full-on wedding day glam, but a little concealer and some mascara will boost your confidence in those lacy white gowns.

Don’t Forget to Wear Comfy Clothes

Forget the skinny jeans, strappy shoes or that adorable romper. You’ll be trying dresses on and off all day, so wear the easiest clothes to get in and out of to the store. May we suggest a festive tank top for the occasion? An athleisure outfit and sandals will save you so much time as you go bridal shop-hopping. And make sure to bring a variety of bras and undies to go with each style of dress, too!

Do Be Patient

While everyone has heard the ‘it was the first dress I tried on!’ stories, the dress of your dreams may take time to find. Realize that even if you get frustrated, your fairytale wedding gown is out there and (as cliché as it sounds) you will absolutely know it when you put it on.

Don’t Bring the Entire Peanut Gallery

Mom, Grandma, Aunts, Cousins, Bridesmaids – the list of potential shopping companions is long. By no means do you need to bring everyone along to shop. More opinions don’t necessarily translate into a good thing, and always translate into more pressure. Plus, why not have even more guests be surprised by your dress as you walk down the aisle on the big day?!