5 wedding dress shopping fails every bride should avoid

Don’t waste time and money when you go wedding dress shopping. Avoid these five fails and get it right first time with these top tips from Emma at  The Bridal Room Broadway…

Not being ready to commit

If you are just at the ‘getting ideas’ stage then we would say the big shows, wedding fayres, wedding magazines and the internet are the best places to go for inspiration. If you’re not ready to commit to a dress and be ready to order it, there is no use booking boutique appointments just yet. The stock changes frequently and so will not be a true reflection of what you could have when you actually come to make a decision.

Inviting too many friends

Take only two people with you who you trust and really want to have a say in your dress. Most boutiques these days will limit the amount of friends and family you can bring with you, anyway. This might sound harsh but it really is done for a good reason – and this is to help you be the focus of the appointment.

Not considering different styles

You may have a specific idea in mind, but we urge you to try at least one dress you think you might not want. This then puts rest to the ‘what ifs’ if you decide on a gown later. Most brides come into the boutique with a list of wants and not-wants and almost everyone changes their mind!

Being scared of samples

Try to see beyond the sample sizes – it is impossible for boutiques to carry every single dress in every single size. Not all of the dresses will fit you but try to relax, most shops can help, and if in doubt give them a call beforehand and have a chat about it all.

Trying on too many dresses

As tempting as it may be, don’t try on too many gowns at lots of different shops. Plan your time carefully – and try to set yourself a ‘decide by’ date. Remember, too, that a lot of manufacturers have a three or four month waiting time for a dress. Take a couple of weekends and book appointments at a maximum of three or four different boutiques – this will give you plenty of choice as far as gowns are concerned and will also give you a good feel of what kind of boutique you want your journey to be with.