Dress Shopping!

View quoted message That is beautiful! I tried a dress on that was this colour with sparkle gold details and it was beautiful! But I found my dress and I couldn't be happier!!

View quoted message Well I found my dress, the third place that I went toz David's Bridal (amazing experience!) I thought I found the one the day before but I tried mine on and fell in love, so happy!

UPDATE! I found my dress!!!!! I didn't cry but I definitely hot emotional thinking about walking the aisle and getting married in my dress! It was a great experience!

I haven't gone yet, but I am thinking of taking my friend who is getting married in June, my FH's mom, my mom (tho she is soooooo critical, lol) and maybe two friends. I am indecisive as well, or get flustered with pressure and end up getting something I didn't want. I am taking people who know me and can help keep me in check, lol.

Good luck with your day with your dad and the dress!

Both my fiancé and I bought our attires together. He was the only person I took with me dress shopping (my parents live in Europe and his live in Alberta while we live in Ontario), and I was the only person with him when we bought his suit although both his parents came for the fitting. Our idea was that we want to wow each other so ...

that being said, it would be nice to keep us posted on how it is going and good luck! I did not cry when I put on my wedding dress, however I could just not take it off of me and this is how I knew this was the one. I still gave it two weeks trying more, but I could not shake its picture away, so I just bought it!

If nothing feels right, there are always some good alternative options as well. I always assumed I would elope (never thinking that a wedding would be so important to my future fiancé) so I never imagined myself wearing a white gown. I didn’t enjoy dress shopping very much since none of them felt like “me”. In the end, I ordered a quartz rose skirt from BHLDN and am having a local designer make me a strapless ivory top to wear with it. I’m now very excited about it. If nothing feels right, consider going a little outside the box.

If you dont close yourself off to suggestions being made you will find it alot easier on yourself. i actually was walking by a dress shop saw one in the window i liked. went in and tried it on. i never went with that dress but the lady was fabulous and showed me a few styles that would look good on me. and i choose my dress that day. by my self.

Go in with an open mind and trust the salespeople. I had a general idea what I wanted but nothing concrete (just no ball gowns haha) and ended up getting the 4th dress I tried on which my salesperson pulled for me. I explained to them how I wanted to feel, when my wedding was, and that I liked lace and they were amazing.

I went shopping with my mom, two sisters, and FSIL (plus 4 mo old nephew). I knew it was the one because I looked in the mirror and suddenly couldn't stop smiling. Then I put the veil on and everything pulled together. It combined the classic look that my FH loves with a little bit of fun (some see-through lace on the back).

Photos from the designer's website:

My wedding is going to be another 1.5 years away. I have been browsing gown online since November to try to find the style I like. I printed and collected pictures. Originally, I was thinking to buy a simple white gown and then I would add laces myself to make it into a wedding gown (I know how to sew). Then in mid of January, out of curiosity, I made an appointment with a bridal store with the purpose just to check which shades and shapes suit me the best.

All my ideas for gowns which I thought I would like, flew out of the window as soon as I tried on the first gown. I tried few more in that stores but I couldn't get my mind off that first one. I kept telling myself it was too fast. Wedding was still 1.5 years away. I couldn't stop thinking bout that gown for days, so I booked an appointment with another bridal store to try on few more gowns in order to take my mind from that first gown. It didn't happen.

So after 5 weeks, I finally gave in. I went back to the store and ordered the gown. I will get it by end of May.

I think 5 people will give you 5 opinions. I went to try the gown by myself. I believe in my own judgement.

I would say, you will know when you tried on the gown. If you had any doubt, don't make any commitment. Step back, give yourself few days or weeks and eventually, the right decision will come.

Good luck with your search. I hope you will find your gown soon.

Here's the picture of my gown. I can't wait to wear it on my wedding day.

I agree with most of the advice already given: be willing to try something on the rack you wouldn't pick up yourself, be honest with your consultants, ask yourself: do I feel like a bride in this dress, etc.

I was a flower girl nearly 20 years ago (1999) and my mom and I got my flower girl dress in Kentucky lol.

I did my first dress shop with both my dad and my mom since she had a concussion but didn't want to miss out. My dad was the one suggesting dresses and helping me do up dresses. I didn't get a dress, but I have a top 2. I just knew immediately when I looked in the mirror that I could see myself as a bride walking down the aisle!

I knew mine was the one as it felt great and looked great and made me feel so happy and beautiful! It stood out in my mind and I kept thinking about it all the time.

I went with a pretty small group. My mum, my MIL and my godmother.

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If you have a local (or nearby) facebook group ask for a seamstress suggestion on there or keep an eye out when people are giving feedback after their wedding.

I chose a woman whose name consistently popped up when brides made recommendations from the Ottawa facebook group.

View quoted message Awesome! Looking forward to hearing how it goes

I’m also super indecisive and I managed to find a dress haha. I knew it was the one when it stuck out for me in my mind. I felt great in it and I loved the way it looks on me so I knew I wanted that to be my dress.

I also went with a big group which people always don’t recommend but I wanted to share the moment with everyone. It was all good though because I knew I had to make myself happy with the choice so I knew I wouldn’t feel guilted into a dress I didn’t love.

Remember to to have an open mind! I went in wanting straps of some type but walked out with a strapless because that’s what looked best on me! Happy shopping !!

View quoted message Thank you! And I'm sure I'll also question my self a few times but will be able to remind myself I've made the right choice. I am also worried about finding a good seamstress that can do a perfect and flawless job, I know I'll find one but I'm sure with the way I am it'll be a hsrd search lol

Wow how exciting Holly and how wonderfully special to share it with your dad and stepmum! I just had my mum with me and it was really nice to not have a lot of opinions in the mix... I'm really indecisive as well so I didn't see that going well.

I would definitely agree that it's great you're open to trying on different styles. I brought a bunch of pictures and ended up with a dress that although it has some of the elements of ones I liked (lace, champagne & ivory, form fitting), it doesn't look like any one dress I had pre-picked. I also agree to keep you top pick(s) and keep going back to them and comparing or ranking. I got it down to my top three and put each of them on repeatedly. I can't say I had that epic "this is it" moment and due to the indecisiveness I've questioned if I made the right choice a couple times but every time I look at pictures I know I did.

I bought my dress off the rack and it's going to have to be brought down 2-3 sizes which I'm nervous about but I've found a great seamstress and I'm confident I made the right choice.

Have fun and safe flight!

View quoted message That is beautiful! And luckily for me I've always been very good at voicing my opinion on what I do and do not like. I'm also glad I only have my dad and step mom going with me to there isn't as much pressure if they like it and I don't.

My best advice is be honest with your consultant, and be clear about what you're hoping to find. I went to a couple salons before finding my dress, and what I really found helped me was being vocal about my feelings in each dress. I tired on a really beautiful lace dress, big train that everyone in my party loved. (I went with my mom, sister and FMIL and my niece) I thought it was beautiful but didn't feel it was the one. It was hard to speak up because everyone loved it so much and I didn't want to disappoint anyone, but I just tried my best to put in words why I didn't like it. I think all I said was that it just felt too vintage, I wanted a bit more modern. And using that one word "modern", helped my consultant so much. She ran to grab a dress, put it on me and that was the one. I loved it instantly and so did my party!

Also trust your gut. Sometimes the dress is beautiful but it just won't feel right and that's ok! you don't always need a reason. Also be open to trying on different styles. I really thought I'd end up with lace on my dress and there isn't any on mine at all! you may surprise yourself with what you love on you.

Here's my dress, the straps are being added, and it won't be quite so low cut once it's in my size

View quoted message That's one thing I've made my self make a promise to, try on whatever I can. Whether I like it on the rack or not, give anything a try!

View quoted message I have a rough idea of what I want, but am definitely willing to try on other things that I don't picture myself in. My mom was upset about not doing it will me but unfortunately she kind of lost that opportunity earlier in the our engagement so I'm not sorry. I'll be with my dad and step mom, because my dad's opinion means the world to me as well as my step mom being the one that is very into fashion and will help me with what actually looks good on me. My bridesmaids are all over the place so I wouldn't have been able to actually get them all together to shop with me anyway.
I actually have your dress in my dress photo album on my phone! It's beautiful and elegant, not sure how it'll look on me but if they have something similar I'll try it!

View quoted message There are so many dresses out there im sure ypu will be able to find one! Just be open to trying on anything even if ypu dont think it looks good on the rack puttig it on can really change how it looks

It's so nice that you are sharing this with your dad. I was really firm that I wanted ONLY my mum with me cause it was something really intimate and special for me. I'm glad my bridesmaids understood.

I would say, try things even if you don't love them on the hanger. It is SO hard to tell until they are on your body. Also don't have a super specific dress in mind. For me I went with some key descriptive words but with an open mind:

'Soft, light, Romantic'

It led me to my dress which I'm happy about!

I agree, ask yourself 'do you feel like a bride', 'do you see yourself walking down the aisle'. When I put my dress on, first I loved how it felt on, and when I looked at myself in the mirror all I could think was walking down that aisle to my FH and I cried. Which shocked me. I didn't think I'd cry.

That's my dress.. but not on me.

View quoted message My biggest concern is finding a dress I love that is me and that compliments my body and my personality! I get frustrated because a can never find things that flatter me so I'm going in hopefully and confident and fingers crossed !

View quoted message Oh i hate shopping. Usually trips to the mall end with me in tears because i get so fristrated that i cant ever find clothing that fits and my FH trying to make me feel better lol.

It really is freeing to get rid of the thought of a "traditional" wedding dress and just find something that compliments YOU and your personality regardless of what style it is. I definitely did not anticipate buying a dress like i did.. I only tried it on to see if i liked the lengthso i could look at other dresses and get them shortened. Also im really short so i didnt know how a tea length dress would look on me and if it would make me seem even shorter. But after i put it on and saw how well it fit me i knew i wasnt going to find a dress better suited for me even if i found a prettier one. It isnt the most beautiful or elegant dress i could have picked but it made me feel happy and thats why i went with it. On my wedding day i just want to be happy

View quoted message Those are great tips! Thanks so much! And that is so beautiful!! Love the veil!

View quoted message Lol I'm the brick wall at shopping, so useless! Since I was a kid I've hated shopping, I get migraines.. But my step mom will be there too so we still have hope! And I'm definitely considering a shorter dress, I am also very clumsy and will definitely trip at some point 😂

View quoted message Thanks! I wanted something short because im a clutz and dont do well with long dresses haha. But yes very excited about how cheap it was.

Im glad you have an awesome relationship with your dad like that! Youll have so much fun! I have a great relationship with my dad but i cant imagine taking him dress shopping lol. It would be like shopping with a brick wall. Not much help.

My friend is really indecisive and when she went the consultant kept asking her if she liked the dress better than the top choice. So, the first dress became the "top choice" automatically; the second dress she liked better so that became the top choice and so on. She did end up liking two and had to go back twice before finally deciding between those two. The other question her friend kept asking was "do you feel like a bride in this dress". I would suggest those two questions: Do you like this dress better and Do you feel like a bride.

When I looked, I went with this friend (a bridesmaid), my MOH, my mom and my fiance's mom. I went back last month to try on the sample again with my mom's veil to see if it would fit. That time, my mom, MOH, and two nephews (ages 2 and 3) came along.

This was actually the first dress I tried on. But, I still wanted "the experience" so tried on more after this one!

My Dress

Me wearing the dress with my mom's veil

View quoted message That is a beautiful dress! And an awesome price!!! I'm definitely hoping for a good find like that! My dad was always the one I could count on, even during my "I hate the world, teenage" stage lol so I wouldn't want anyone else there with me!

I knew my dress was the one when i put it on and felt happy. I honestly couldnt stop smiling. It was only the second dress i tried on but I didnt wanna take it off to try any other ones on so i decided i wasnt leaving the store without it. Turns out it was on clearance off the rack for $250 so that was exciting!

I actually wasnt dress shopping for me when i found my dress... We were looking for dresses for my bridesmaids so i had my mom and all 5 bridesmaids with me

good luck! I think thats so cool that you are going with your dad! I hope you have a lovely visit with him and find the perfect dress!