Shopping for a wedding gown should be an enjoyable experience.  However, sometimes the  enthusiasm about sharing the experience with friends and family can lead to a lot of unnecessary frustration!  Here are a couple of tips to help you make sure your shopping experience is pleasant and productive.

Tip #1:   Don’t over do it!  Trying on wedding dresses, especially modest wedding dresses with sleeves, can take a little extra time to get in and out of which can be exhausting, and trying on too many gowns can bring an already-stressed-out bride and her mother to tears!  Do some careful research beforehand, find out what appeals to you and pick 2 or 3 bridal shops that carry wedding gowns in the styles that you love. By carefully researching the options in advance, you will leave yourself more time to focus on the details of each modest wedding dress that you try on.  Taking this approach will help you avoid rushing through the experience as quickly as you can, in order to try on as many wedding dresses as possible, before you need to rush to your next bridal appointment.  You want shopping for your wedding gown to be special, don’t burn yourself out. 

Tip #2: Do not bring a lot of people to your bridal appointment. Keep it small, too many opinions can create confusion and frustration.  Taking 6 sisters shopping may be fun in some circumstances, but it rarely leads to a positive experience when shopping for a wedding gown. Instead of bringing every woman that you love to your appointments, involve several of them in other aspects of the wedding planning.  If  your grandmother or your future mother-in-law are avid gardeners or decorators, take them with you when you go to the florist to select bridal flowers, and take a friend or two when you are searching for bridesmaid dresses. Ask your sisters to research wedding caters or wedding photography options for you. Take advantage of the many ways that your friends and loved ones can be involved in the planning experience.  If your 6 sisters absolutely must be involved in the wedding gown shopping experience, include them via Facetime or Zoom, which will make it easier to set some boundaries. 

When choosing who to invite to your bridal appointments, pick someone supportive who understands and appreciates your style. Someone you trust to help you make a good decision. If you intend to purchase a modest wedding gown, bring someone who appreciates modesty.    Wedding gowns come in many varieties, so if you love ballgowns, but the roommate you bring to your bridal appointment is strong willed and loves sheath gowns, you could end up feeling pressured to purchase a wedding dress that does not make you happy.  When all is said and done, it is you that will remember your wedding day for the rest of your life, no one (including your husband!) will remember the details of your wedding gown as well as you will. Choose what you love, and don’t worry if your cousin thinks it is too simple or grandpa thinks it is too garish!