Helpful tips on Wedding Dress Shopping
March 20th 2025
The time has come - it’s your turn to “say yes to the dress”!
You may be feeling all sorts of emotions- maybe you’re excited, or anxious, or a little bit of both.
In this blog post you will find 10 helpful tips to hopefully put you at ease and have a positive shopping experience!
Let’s jump in!
Set up a bridal appointment.
First and foremost, you will need an appointment for most bridal shops. You will want to schedule as soon as you can. It’s ideal to shop a year in advance for your wedding gown. But don’t worry - if you don’t have that much time there are always options! Some bridal shops offer “off the rack” gowns. This means that if you fall in love with the dress you take that exact dress off the rack! There also is sometimes an option where shipping takes less time if the dress has been made already and is “in stock”. Not every dress and every size is available for this option - your bridal consultant will be able to assist you with these options!
Pick who you want your “yes team” to be.
Having the right people with you at your appointment makes a huge difference! You want people that are close to you, fun and encouraging - people that are going to hype you up no matter what! No one wants to be told ugly things, so keep those people at home! Honesty is great, but remember we want to keep it fun and positive! It’s ok for you to make the decision you need when it comes to inviting people into this special moment.
Undergarments!
It’s best to wear what you think you might wear the day of your wedding. Of course it differs dress to dress but something close is nice. I suggest a nude colored thong or shapewear. You won’t need a bra because pretty much every gown will have bust cups in them and a bra just gets in the way! In some cases specialty undergarments are required to accommodate for things like an extremely low back or sheer panels on the dress.
Eat something and stay hydrated.
It is so important that you have at least a light meal or snack before your appointment and drink plenty of water. You don’t want to not feel well after you started trying on dresses. It can be hard work with the back and forth and up and down of trying gowns on! -It can be somewhat of a workout!
Inspiration and Pinterest boards
Everyone loves a good Pinterest board, but just remember that most of those gowns you see on there can be on the higher end of thousands of dollars. Make a board for inspiration but try not to get stuck on one idea! It’s great to be open-minded and willing to try on different silhouettes, necklines and types of detail. A lot of the time brides are shocked at what they end up loving when they are willing to try a variety of gowns!
Set a budget.
It is very helpful to have a budget going into your appointment so the stylist know how to assist you best. When it comes to wedding gown costs there of course is a range of pricing - especially depending on what state you are shopping in. But just for reference, here in Grand Rapids, Michigan it is safe to say the average cost of a wedding gown is around $1,500. Although it does vary depending on the designer, fabric and amount of detail on the gown. It can range from $1,200 - $6,000.
Please remember that alterations are a separate cost than your wedding dress!
Be yourself.
Whether you are outgoing or shy, be yourself and set the tone of how you want the appointment to go. If you are excited, fully embrace it and have fun with it, if you’re a more relaxed bride settle in to that or if it’s just a really emotional day be willing to be vulnerable with your bridal consultant and let her take care of you. It’s ok to cry but it’s also ok NOT to cry! There is no right or wrong way to feel or express yourself!
Saying yes to the dress!
Like previously stated, there is no right or wrong way to feel or express yourself; so saying yes can look different to everyone. Some may get emotional or cry tears of joy, or some may just get happy and clap, or some may just say “yep, this is it”, or do a happy dance or whatever it may be! Do whatever feels right in the moment!
Also, remember that this is for you and it is your decision to say yes - please do not feel pressured by your consultant, family or friends! Be true to yourself <3
Alterations
Like previously mentioned, alterations are a separate cost from the dress. Of course every seamstress has different pricing and it truly depends what you have to get done to the dress but you can account for somewhere around $500-$1,000 on alterations from an experienced seamstress. Usually you can receive a quote from them based off what you will be needing. Usually alterations take two to three appointments and should not be started before three months in advance. You want to be as close in physique as possible to the wedding date. But please remember that every seamstress has a different process so once you get your dress it is best to call around to see what their books look like! Also, make sure that you have your wedding shoes before going to your alteration appointments!
Storage of gown.
So you did it; you now have your wedding dress! Yay! Be sure to store your dress in a clean, dry area away from direct sunlight and any pets! If you have a safe space to put your gown you can hang it up along with your veil the night before to get any wrinkles out. Mist likely your gown will need a little steam before walking down the aisle. Portable steamers are always a great idea to have or check with your venue to see if they have one on hand. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to steam your dress. Be sure to use clean distilled water and move the steamer in circular motions, not staying in one area for too long.
There you have it, 10 helpful tips to keep your wedding dress shopping a fun and positive experience!
Stay tuned to this blog for future helpful advice, tips, tricks and inspiration! Thanks for reading, and I hope you have an amazing wedding journey!
<3 Kenzie
The time has come - it’s your turn to “say yes to the dress”!
You may be feeling all sorts of emotions- maybe you’re excited, or anxious, or a little bit of both.
In this blog post you will find 10 helpful tips to hopefully put you at ease and have a positive shopping experience!
Let’s jump in!
Set up a bridal appointment.
First and foremost, you will need an appointment for most bridal shops. You will want to schedule as soon as you can. It’s ideal to shop a year in advance for your wedding gown. But don’t worry - if you don’t have that much time there are always options! Some bridal shops offer “off the rack” gowns. This means that if you fall in love with the dress you take that exact dress off the rack! There also is sometimes an option where shipping takes less time if the dress has been made already and is “in stock”. Not every dress and every size is available for this option - your bridal consultant will be able to assist you with these options!
Pick who you want your “yes team” to be.
Having the right people with you at your appointment makes a huge difference! You want people that are close to you, fun and encouraging - people that are going to hype you up no matter what! No one wants to be told ugly things, so keep those people at home! Honesty is great, but remember we want to keep it fun and positive! It’s ok for you to make the decision you need when it comes to inviting people into this special moment.
Undergarments!
It’s best to wear what you think you might wear the day of your wedding. Of course it differs dress to dress but something close is nice. I suggest a nude colored thong or shapewear. You won’t need a bra because pretty much every gown will have bust cups in them and a bra just gets in the way! In some cases specialty undergarments are required to accommodate for things like an extremely low back or sheer panels on the dress.
Eat something and stay hydrated.
It is so important that you have at least a light meal or snack before your appointment and drink plenty of water. You don’t want to not feel well after you started trying on dresses. It can be hard work with the back and forth and up and down of trying gowns on! -It can be somewhat of a workout!
Inspiration and Pinterest boards
Everyone loves a good Pinterest board, but just remember that most of those gowns you see on there can be on the higher end of thousands of dollars. Make a board for inspiration but try not to get stuck on one idea! It’s great to be open-minded and willing to try on different silhouettes, necklines and types of detail. A lot of the time brides are shocked at what they end up loving when they are willing to try a variety of gowns!
Set a budget.
It is very helpful to have a budget going into your appointment so the stylist know how to assist you best. When it comes to wedding gown costs there of course is a range of pricing - especially depending on what state you are shopping in. But just for reference, here in Grand Rapids, Michigan it is safe to say the average cost of a wedding gown is around $1,500. Although it does vary depending on the designer, fabric and amount of detail on the gown. It can range from $1,200 - $6,000.
Please remember that alterations are a separate cost than your wedding dress!
Be yourself.
Whether you are outgoing or shy, be yourself and set the tone of how you want the appointment to go. If you are excited, fully embrace it and have fun with it, if you’re a more relaxed bride settle in to that or if it’s just a really emotional day be willing to be vulnerable with your bridal consultant and let her take care of you. It’s ok to cry but it’s also ok NOT to cry! There is no right or wrong way to feel or express yourself!
Saying yes to the dress!
Like previously stated, there is no right or wrong way to feel or express yourself; so saying yes can look different to everyone. Some may get emotional or cry tears of joy, or some may just get happy and clap, or some may just say “yep, this is it”, or do a happy dance or whatever it may be! Do whatever feels right in the moment!
Also, remember that this is for you and it is your decision to say yes - please do not feel pressured by your consultant, family or friends! Be true to yourself <3
Alterations
Like previously mentioned, alterations are a separate cost from the dress. Of course every seamstress has different pricing and it truly depends what you have to get done to the dress but you can account for somewhere around $500-$1,000 on alterations from an experienced seamstress. Usually you can receive a quote from them based off what you will be needing. Usually alterations take two to three appointments and should not be started before three months in advance. You want to be as close in physique as possible to the wedding date. But please remember that every seamstress has a different process so once you get your dress it is best to call around to see what their books look like! Also, make sure that you have your wedding shoes before going to your alteration appointments!
Storage of gown.
So you did it; you now have your wedding dress! Yay! Be sure to store your dress in a clean, dry area away from direct sunlight and any pets! If you have a safe space to put your gown you can hang it up along with your veil the night before to get any wrinkles out. Mist likely your gown will need a little steam before walking down the aisle. Portable steamers are always a great idea to have or check with your venue to see if they have one on hand. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to steam your dress. Be sure to use clean distilled water and move the steamer in circular motions, not staying in one area for too long.
There you have it, 10 helpful tips to keep your wedding dress shopping a fun and positive experience!
Stay tuned to this blog for future helpful advice, tips, tricks and inspiration! Thanks for reading, and I hope you have an amazing wedding journey!
<3 Kenzie
*Cover photo by Mikayla Jean & Co.