SC Signature Celebrations

One of the most exciting parts of wedding planning is choosing your dream wedding dress! Read on for tips on how to prepare for wedding dress shopping, what to expect during appointments, and what to do after you’ve found “the one.”

Preparing for Your Wedding Dress Appointment

You’ve scheduled your wedding dress appointments - now what?

Start with inspiration photos and bring them to your appointment. Highlight what you love and what you don’t so you can clearly communicate your vision to the bridal stylist.
Invite only your closest family and friends - ideally no more than three guests plus yourself. Too many opinions can make the process overwhelming.
On the day of your appointment, style your hair to see how it will look with different dresses, but avoid makeup that could rub on samples. Wear skin-toned undergarments or go braless so nothing distracts from the fit and silhouette of the gowns.

Starting Your Wedding Dress Appointment

When you arrive at the bridal salon, your stylist should greet you and ask some preliminary questions. This is the time to:

Share your budget honestly, remembering to include alterations costs.
Show your inspiration photos, pointing out must-have details, absolute no’s, and the overall vibe you’re aiming for.

If your stylist allows, let them select dresses while guests wait in a separate area. Having too many opinions in the room can lead to confusion - picture a scene like Say Yes to the Dress where mom wants a ballgown, but the bride wants a mermaid silhouette - yikes!

Keep an open mind. Brides often fall in love with a gown they hadn’t imagined when walking into the salon.

Trying on Wedding Dresses

Now that you and your stylist have picked out a few options, it’s time to put them on and see what you think! Does it make you feel beautiful? Can you picture yourself walking down the aisle in this dress?

Besides the look, you’ll also want to think about the fit - is it comfortable? Can you sit and walk in it? Is it too scratchy, too poofy? Don’t worry about the sizing of the dress - bridal sizing is all over the place, and the stylist can use clips and other tricks to help you imagine what the dress will look like when the measurements are correct.

When you find the right dress, you will know. You may not cry, but you’ll know deep down that this is the dress you’re meant to say “I Do” in.

Buying Your Wedding Dress

Congratulations - you’ve found your dream wedding dress! Take a photo of yourself in the gown for reference when purchasing accessories and undergarments. Consider saving it in a private folder if you want it to be a surprise for your partner.

After purchase, gather everything you’ll wear on the big day - undergarments, shapewear, shoes, veil, jewelry, and bring them to your fittings to ensure everything comes together perfectly. Once alterations are complete, store your dress in a thick garment bag in a cool, dry place to keep it pristine.

Between buying your dress and wearing it on your wedding day, my best advice is: trust your choice. You selected the gown that makes you feel beautiful, and it will be perfect on the big day.

Wedding dress shopping can be fun, exciting, and stress-free when you come prepared, keep an open mind, and focus on finding the gown that makes you feel amazing. Fall in love all over again with the perfect dress for your wedding day!

Vendor Credits

Photo – Baylee Marie Photography

Venue –Charlotte Museum of History

Florist - Early Bird Blooms

Hair - Just Wing it Artistry

Makeup - The Glam Witch

Photos 1-5

Dresses - Classic Bride

Photo 6

Dress - Mountain Laurel Gowns