10 Bridal Shopping Tips

1. Bring the Right Group

Who you bring with you to an appointment truly makes or breaks the experience. Many brides feel the need to bring everyone in their bridal party, but it can be hard to coordinate that many schedules, and even if you do, too many opinions can get overwhelming. Bring a couple of most important people in your life and let the gown be a surprise for everyone else!

2. Bring in Photos

We know a lot about wedding dresses, but we don't expect our brides to. If you are seeing styles online that you like, bring photos so that your stylist can get on the same page. Sometimes, we notice similarities about what you are liking that you may never have realized. It makes is so much easier for your stylist to help you find the perfect dress.

3. Always Be Open-Minded

Even if you have a very specific style in mind, be open to the idea that once you try on some gowns, your vision may change. Seeing models in long-sleeves is one thing, wearing long sleeves at your outdoor wedding in August is another. Try on different silhouettes (your stylist will help with this) before totally committing to an idea. 

4. Bring Proper Undergarments

Different dresses will require different undergarments, so bringing things like shape wear, strapless bra, and nude underwear can help you get a better idea of what a dress would really look like on your big day. We recently had a bride show up in a backless bra because she was looking for a gown with a low back and it made for the easiest appointment! 

5. Try On One “Wild Card”

Even if you think you have a good idea of what you want, being open to trying something different could open you up to an option you didn’t know you liked! While it's good to have a specific direction for your gown, let your stylist surprise you with something they think may work for you. You would be surprised how many times the "Wild Card" becomes "The One!"

6. Don't Forget to Eat

Bridal shopping can be tough work, mentally and physically! Whether you go out to celebrate saying “YES “ to your dress or just to unwind, you and your group will be glad to have a little break from bridal gowns. 

7. Don't Be Afraid of Finding Your Gown

This may sound silly, but over-shopping is a very real (and very stressful) thing. If you find a dress that checks all of your boxes and makes you feel amazing, don’t hesitate to commit. This will save you and your group from wasting their time...plus you can spend the rest of the day drinking mimosas and celebrating, rather than dragging the experience out. 

8. Be Honest About Your Budget

We have had brides who tell us their budget is $4000 but cringe at paying $1000 for a gown. We have had brides who tell us their budget is $1000 but end up buying a $4000 gown without batting an eyelash. Their is no "right answer" when it comes to your budget, but being honest with your stylist - and yourself - streamlines the process.

9. Take Cute Photos

Shopping for your dress is a big part of planning your wedding, so don’t forget to get some cute shots with your group. Miss Ruby has great photo worthy spots to take pics, and our stylists are happy to take them for you…don’t forget to use #lovemissruby

10. Have Fun!

This is the most important tip, and the easiest one to forget. 

Keep it light and fun and your dream dress might just find you!

The Dangers of Over-Shopping

Television and movies would make you believe that you can't find your wedding dress without visiting every single store in the city! Trust us when we say that is NOT the case in real life. 

We talk to brides in all stages of their bridal gown shopping journey and one thing is very clear: Over-Shopping is a very dangerous thing. Before you try on 100's of dresses in search of "The One," take a look below at 4 very real Dangers of Over-Shopping. 

1. It Gets MORE Confusing

Many brides think that the more stores they go to, the more confident they will be in their final decision. It's often too late before they realize that the opposite is true. 

Brides usually end up having a "favorite" at every store. The problem is that if you have 7 favorites at 7 different stores, by the time you get to the 7th Favorite, it's hard to remember what you even liked about the first (or second, or third). Plus, those dresses are never going to be in the same room, making them nearly impossible to compare.

2. It Stalls the Rest of Your Planning

Brides who are shoppers in their normal life see Bridal Shopping as the pinnacle shopping experience. For this reason, they can be hesitant to say "Yes" to the dress because they don't want the shopping to end. 

There are so many aspects of your wedding that can't even get started until you know for sure what you are wearing, including (but not limited to) your hair, makeup, shoes, accessories, jewelry, bridesmaids dresses, groom's look, etc. Taking several months to shop for a gown gives you less time on these equally important decisions. 

3. It Stops Being Fun

We can spot an Over-Shopper a mile away. She comes in with a much different attitude than someone who has kept the planning process simple. To be honest, she comes in having a lot less fun. 

Bridal shopping can get overwhelming very quickly. Every store has dozens of beautiful dresses, and it can become a chore to try to find something wrong (or something right) about the 90th wedding dress of the day. Even friends and family get burnt out from giving their opinions, which makes decision making even more confusing for the bride. 

4. It Takes Away The Moment

Finding your wedding gown should be an emotional decision, not an analytical one. There are many examples of times we have seen brides fall in love with a gown...and then talk themselves out of liking it because they "haven't shopped enough." It ruins the magical moment they could have had, and leaves them chasing that feeling. 

Just think about your fiancé proposing to you. If you would have said "I'll need a few days to think about my options" it would have ruined the beautiful moment. Think of dress shopping the same way - if you find one you love, don't be afraid to say "YES!"