Wedding Dresses

View quoted message I also got my dress at Ferre Sposa!! I had recently moved to Nova Scotia but my MOH and family are in Ontario where we’re getting married. I got it in January and I had like 5 stores booked since I was only going to be in Ontario for the weekend. The consultants were great and listened to my likes/dislikes of the dresses I tried and found me the dress I got (which I would have been way too insecure to pick out for myself)

What was really awesome with them was that when my dress came in, I was only going to be able to be in Ontario for a couple days in July for a family issue and they reached out to their seamstress and was able to fit me in for a dress fitting on one of the days I was in.
They’ve also had quite a few virtual sample sales lately too.
As far as how many dress stores to go to, there’s nothing wrong with going to as many as you need too. You might find your dress right away or it might take a couple. I recommend looking at the styles/dresses carried by the stores to get a good idea of what the store carries and if it is a style you like, good luck

Hey Stephanie,

Congratulations on your engagement!

Personally, I went to the first dress store just because I had heard so many people went there: Davids Bridal. I didn't find a single thing and then I started digging into bridal boutiques as I wanted something potentially no one else had (in my close circle). So I found this place called Ferre Sposa (A link to Ferre Sposa's site here!). What I absolutely loved most about them was how on the ball they were. Although I'd only been to Davids previously, the experience wasn't that great - in my opinion. Ahead of time Ferre Sposa sent a look book link for me to browse and select dresses I like and I could filter everything by budget, style, shape, colour, etc. So when I arrived for my appointment they had already pulled 10 gowns for me to try on from my online selection and I wasn't rushed or anything (previously I had a 5 dress max, and had 1 hour to do it all in). My Bridal Consultant, Taylor, was absolutely amazing. She even said if we get through all of these dresses will pull more without a doubt. She was on the ball and super helpful. I did find my dress at Ferre Sposa, and I absolutely love it. She kept within the budget, my parents were paying for it and I certainly didn't want to be greedy, I wanted to be within 3K but I said yes to a little more expensive dress. Without a doubt they're honest and up front with pricing, the dress I loved was a couture dress she warned me this is out of the 3K and told me it's risky to try it on because you might not want to spend more. TOTALLY LOVED it and my Dad was like sold! But not only are they honest they went out of their way for me, I said yes to the dress with my Brother-In-Law it was random and a fluke and FaceTimed my parents during the consult. I said yes, but I wanted my bridal party + a few family members to see it in person, this was in June when covid rules were a lot more strict so I was only allowed 1 member with me, I talked to the boutique and asked if I could do a try on at home for everyone. Without a doubt they said yes for sure and we arranged it. I picked up the gown tried it on that night for my family + bridal members and it was perfect. I honestly couldn't ask for a better experience. They're my recommendation!!!

It was only 2 shops, but after the first you'll figure out more. Sometimes it takes 1 shop sometimes 2, but I've heard friends going to over 10 shops and took them over 4 months (pre covid). I'd say if you get overwhelmed definitely pause if you have the time, but you do want to leave your self minimum 5 months before the wedding as most salons require that to order a dress and get it altered. The sooner the better for sure, give yourself tons of time to look, and tons of time to get the dress in and have any alterations done.

Hope this was helpful

I only went to one place. I feel like when you try on to many it becomes to much. Once you find the dress your meant to have I feel like you should stop. Nothing will ever top that feeling.

I’d just start with one appointment at one store. So some research into brands you like and find stores that carry them in your area. I’d you don’t find your dress at your first appointment you can always look at scheduling a follow up appointment or going to a new store.
I would avoid more than one appointment per day as it can be tiring trying on so many dresses at once.
Good luck!! 😊

I went to one store but ended up having appointments to 3 stores, went in the first store (where my sister also found her wedding dress) showed the women helping me what I wanted, second dress I tried it on I knew instantly! Obviously this doesn't happen for everyone so I would definitely have appointments to several stores just in case!

Your wedding dress search may take you a few stores or the first store and the suggestion of pictures does help. Making the call is also good ensuring your shopping is a great experience. Stop once you find the right dress for you.

I went to 4 bridal stores. It turned out I found my dress at the 1st store I went to, but my mom had to leave before I could say yes. I went to 3 stores afterwards and realized that dress was for me when I tried it again at the 4th store.

I would suggest you start browsing for dresses you like online, and make sure the store you book has the dress styles and designers you are interested in. I suggest you advise the store of your budget so you don't waste your time. You can also space our your appointments so you're not overwhelmed!

Best of luck

I only did one at a time, but I’m also very anxious about things and tend to get discouraged easily. It was better for me since the first place I went to was so terrible, I didn’t even want to go shopping again never mind more that day. It’s going to come down to your energy level and how you think you’ll be on the day.

I went to three stores.

The first one was kind of my see what I like trip. I knew this shop had a ton of different dresses so I just used it to "find my style". I found one dress that was possibly my dress here.

The second shop was a trendy one I had seen on instagram and our wedding planner recommended. I found 2 dresses that could have been my dress here.

I wanted to find a shop close to the second shop I went to that carried the dress from the first shop so I could go back with my bridesmaids and show them all 3 possibilities....enter the 3rd dress shop I went to.

I ended up hating the first dress I thought I loved when I tried it on the second time, but that shop ended up having "the dress", same designer but different style. After trying all 3 of my original maybe dresses on again I just knew that it was the one....I did not expect to have that moment at all!

I was pretty set on a designer prior to trying on wedding dresses and there was only 1 store in my city that exclusively carries that brand so that narrowed things down. I did have a “back-up” store that carried other designers I liked in-casey first designer options weren’t what I hoped. I ended up buying a dress from the original designer I had in mind but I did go to one other shop, it was a consignment wedding dress store, to just try “other options”.

I researched what stores sold the designers I liked and booked a few appointments knowing they might have different things in stock. I ended up finding my dress at the first store so I didn't need the spare appointments!


If you do book several take lots of photos, and don't feel like you need to go to several if you feel you've found the dress.

It depending on how you feel! If you have a pacific dress in mind at one store that the other store doesn't have, then go for it! I personally only went to one bridal store. The only reason was because the designer that I absolutely loved and the dress I already had in mind, that one bridal store carried all of her dresses.

I went dress shopping last week and it was my goal to find my dress, and I did! I wanted to find it on the first shopping trip because I am a very indecisive person so I knew if I went to another store I would just keep shopping and shopping and never find the one. I tried on about 13 dresses, all different styles and was super happy with my choice!! I will say I’m a little sad that it’s over now because I’ll never get to go again, but I’m super confident that I wouldn’t have found a dress to top the one I bought!

I guess it depends on if you feel you found the “one” at your first store. I would aim to do at least two stores, because if you don’t you might feel buyers remorse and feel as though there could be something better out there.

I did 2 in one day and found my dress in both stores. The first store I was there for 1.5 hours ( time flew so fast) the second store I was there for (40mins). My dress was in both stores but ended up going back to the first store the next day to buy it. I ended up cancelling my other appointments for the following week( was supposed to have 3 in one day). However after my experience I would say give yourself at least an 1hr to 1.5 hr in each store. if they're close by you could probably do 2 stores. Anymore then 2-3 a day might be overwhelming