8 TIPS FOR WEDDING DRESS SHOPPING
At Olive & Ivory, we want every bride that visits us to have an amazing experience with those who matter most to her. After helping hundreds of bride’s find the wedding dress of their dreams, we've compiled our top eight tips for stress free wedding gown shopping. Relax
Most brides that join us for their first shopping experience are equal parts nervous and excited - and that’s totally normal! Bridal shopping is the ultimate game of dress up and wedding dresses are literally made to make you look your best. Trust your stylist to be your guide throughout the experience. You’re here to have fun!
Limit your guest count
The more people that you have shopping with you, the more opinions you will get, and sometimes that can cause more drama than it's worth. To make the most of your appointment time, we recommend bringing a maximum of four guests whose opinions you trust. This will help you cut through the noise, and remember that YOUR opinion and vision are what ultimately matter the most.
Keep your schedule light
Trying on wedding dresses can be absolutely exhausting, both physically and emotionally, so don’t schedule more than a couple of appointments per day. You can use any extra time with your entourage to have a long lunch and discuss your favorite dresses, or even celebrate finding “The One”!
Besides, over-shopping is absolutely a thing. We’ve seen far too many brides that try on so many dresses that they get overwhelmed with options, and lose the joy of finding a wedding gown they truly love.
Know your budget
By setting a budget ahead of time, you’ll be able to focus on trying on amazing gowns that you know you can comfortably say “Yes” to. Trying on dresses that are over your budget “just for fun” can be a very slippery slope
Be ready to say “YES”
When it’s THE DRESS, it’s ok to say “Yes” whether it’s your first appointment or the fourth. You’ll know it is the one when you feel beautiful, confident and you don’t want to take it off. The truth is, there’s always another dress out there. Or a dozen! Be prepared by having payment details worked out prior to your appointment and don't damper the excitement of your “Yes to the Dress” moment. With our hybrid inventory, a sample dress could be sold off the rack at any moment, so when you find something that you love, be ready to pull the trigger.
Prep for your appointment
It is enormously helpful to your stylist if you have a starting point of the type of wedding gown that you are looking for. Starting a Pinterest Board, or saving pictures from Instagram is a great way to start. Even if you don’t have a specific neckline, silhouette, or color in mind, our stylists are trained to recognize patterns in your photos that may not be obvious and translate them into finding your dream dress!
Have an open mind
It’s easy to get stuck in tunnel vision mode in regards to your bridal gown. You’ve had that ONE gown saved on Pinterest that you can’t stop staring at. Or you just KNOW that you hate sparkle. But let us tell you a secret; much more than half of the brides that walk through our doors leave with something different than they originally came in looking for. Our stylists know our inventory, and know what looks great on a wide range of body types. Dresses that lack visual appeal on a hanger can completely transform on a body. Trust in your stylist’s knowledge and intent, and be open to trying on something that you may never have thought of for yourself. The absolute worst thing that can happen is that you solidify your vision and move forward with a clearer intent.
Remember the total package
As with day to day outfits, bridal gowns can completely transform with different styling techniques. The right accessories ( a 3D floral cathedral length veil, a chic and minimalist modern headband, a romantic off-the-shoulder sleeve addition ) can turn a dress from just okay, to exactly what you’re looking for. Don’t be afraid to ask your stylist for accessories that would work well with your gown.