Wedding dress shopping is one of the most fun parts of wedding planning! From spending time with your loved ones, to finding the gown that makes you feel the most beautiful, this day should be made as stress-free as possible, and that's where we come in! Before you head to the nearest bridal salon with your inspo pics and your besties by your side, we have a few important tips for you before you begin your wedding dress shopping experience. Like, should you bring a bra to your appointment? And are there any hidden costs or other helpful wedding dress shopping tips to know about up front? The answer is yes, and we're here to make your experience the best! Read on for our guide to preparing for your bridal appointment, including who + what to bring and what to expect! 

 

In this blog: 

• Who to bring to your bridal appointment
• What to bring with you
• Determining your price point
• Additional costs
• What to expect
• Frequently asked questions

 

Who to Bring

The guests that you bring to your bridal appointment matter! If you know that you wouldn't feel right saying YES without a certain bestie or loved one there, be sure to take their schedule into consideration before booking your appointment.

It's also important that you bring people whose opinions and advice you trust. This could be your mom, best friend, sister, or bridesmaids - but ultimately it should be who makes YOU feel comfortable and confident!

Our tip: Bringing a big group to the boutique is a shopping don't. Having your entire roster of bridesmaids with you might sound like an ideal experience, but it can quickly get out of hand with conflicting tastes or unnecessary distractions. As much as their feedback is valuable, remember that this experience is all about YOU, so make sure that whoever you bring with you can help keep the focus on finding THE perfect dress.

And if going wedding dress shopping alone is more your style, there is nothing wrong with that either! You can also shop our collection of designer bridal samples online, for a fraction of the retail price. Your dream dress will be at your doorstep within days, and it's yours to keep [no special ordering or additional wait time]! If it's not THE one, simply send it back with our convenient return process + keep shopping with us.

What to Bring

All you really need is your beautiful self, but here are a few things that will make the process a bit easier:

Comfortable, skin-tone undergarments: Choose pieces that won't show under most dresses. This will help give a better sense of how each style fits + how it will look when you're walking down the aisle!

Shoes: This isn't always necessary, but having shoes similar in height to what you plan on wearing on your wedding day can help when considering hem alterations, if needed! 

Heirloom Accessories: Each of our boutiques has an expansive selection of high-end bridal accessories, but if there's a family piece that you're planning on wearing on the big day, plan to bring it along! Our stylists are experts at finding the perfect complementary piece, and it’ll be easier to envision yourself walking down the aisle if the look is complete.

Photos + Inspiration: If you can't contain your excitement after getting engaged, the good news is that you don't have to wait until you're trying on wedding dresses in person to get an idea of what you want. In fact, it's better to do your research before your first bridal shop appointment so that you've established a baseline of likes and dislikes—for example, your preferred wedding dress neckline, dress silhouettes, sleeve type, and fabric. Check out wedding dress trends, save ideas to your Pinterest board and share photos with your stylist during the appointment so they know visually what you're looking for. Don't know where to start? Start browsing our collection of designer bridal samples online and add your favorites to your wishlist!

Determine Your Price Point

It's important to establish a price point you're comfortable with before you go wedding dress shopping for the first time because it will save some effort, and potentially help you avoid disappointment in the long run. Providing your bridal stylist with a price range will allow them to choose wedding dresses that you'll love and can afford. 

Here at Luxe Redux, the majority of our gowns range from $1000 - $3500, and we have a collection of gowns $500 and under available online only. Keep in mind, our gowns are discounted 20 - 90% off the original retail price! Since our inventory is ever-evolving, a good way to see our current price range is to sort our online selection from low to high.

Additional Costs

By now, you should have an idea of how much money you're comfortable spending on your dream wedding dress, but remember that your budget doesn't just include the gown itself. Add-ons and accessories, such as a veil, earrings, and preservation kit will also add to your bottom line. You'll also need to plan for wedding dress alterations, which range in price depending on the service. Be sure to factor in these costs before you give your stylist a price range.

Luxe Redux was created for you, the bride who wants a designer gown without breaking the bank. Our stylists are highly trained and can help you answer any questions you might have about your price range! 

What to Expect

When you book your bridal appointment with us, you're paired with one of our expert stylists, who will pull a curated edit of bridal gowns for you based on the inspiration + other information that you share with them leading up to your appointment. 

Once you arrive, you'll be greeted by your stylist + taken to your bridal suite, where they'll cover some basic information with you before diving into the try-on portion. If you've never tried on wedding dresses before, they'll have you try on a dress in each silhouette, and narrow down which styles + details you're loving the most. 

If you've already had a few bridal appointments and have more of an idea of what you like, your stylist will start with that favorite silhouette, but don't be surprised if they throw a few wild cards in there! After all, you might be surprised by a certain style! 

From there, your stylist will work with you to sort out favorites + land on THE dress of your dreams! Once you've said yes to the dress, your stylist will help you build the look from veil to earrings to belt - and everything in between! You'll leave with your wedding day look on lock + one step closer to forever with your person. 

Most importantly, remember that this is an exciting time, meant to make you feel loved + celebrated, so don't forget to enjoy the moment!

FAQs

What should I wear to my bridal appointment?

Whether you already have the exact vision for your bridal look or have no idea where to start, what to wear wedding dress shopping is often overlooked. If you’re wondering what to wear at your bridal appointment, don’t you worry, we’ve put together a list that will help you plan for this exciting event! Check out our "What to Wear Wedding Dress Shopping" blog for all of our tips + advice.

When should I start wedding dress shopping?

At special order boutiques, brides try on sample gowns until they find their favorite. Once they say yes to the dress, the boutique puts the sample gown back on the rack and orders a new, customized one in the bride’s size and shade. 6-9 months later, it’s ready for pick-up and alterations.

Buying a sample gown is different! When you find the dress of your dreams, we don’t put it back; we lovingly zip it into a garment bag and send it home with you that very day. Check out our "Why Should I Buy a Sample Wedding Dress" blog to learn more about why you'd want to choose a sample sale wedding dress + what makes Luxe Redux the best experience for finding yours!

How many bridal appointments should I book?

Getting to try on wedding dresses is exciting! You get to envision the day you’ve always dreamt of, and figure out what your bridal style is. Be cautious, however, of overbooking yourself. Too many appointments can cause overwhelm, and can cause you to question what you’re liking. We recommend booking one or two appointments at boutiques whose values + offerings align with your own for the best shopping experience! 

What if I don't want to try on wedding dresses in a boutique setting?

As a bride-to-be, there's a lot to check off your list leading up to the big day, including finding the perfect gown. We know, the process can be a bit daunting, but luckily at Luxe Redux Bridal, you can do your bridal shopping online with the help of our virtual stylist. One less thing to worry about — consider us your virtual fairy godmother!

 

Our stylists can't wait to help you find your dream dress, so let's get you booked!