Finding your perfect dream dress is one of the greatest parts of planning your wedding!  Here are some "do's" and "dont's" to keep the experience enjoyable:

DO be aware of your budget.  Every wedding has a budget, and every bride should do their best to remember it, and stick to it.  Trying on an amazing dress that brings you to tears, and then finding out the dress is double your dress budget...will bring nothing but more tears.  The price-tag shock and buyers remorse are not necessary to find a dress that will look stunning.  So stay within your price range and enjoy your options within it!

DO bring pictures, magazine cut-outs, and descriptions of what you are interested in.  There are hundreds of shades of white in bridal, and endless dress combinations.  If there's something specific you're interested in, be sure to let your dress consultant know.  Maybe you envision a corset lace-back, or a princess ballgown.  These ideas will give you and your consultant a good place to start.

DO book an appointment for wedding dress shopping.  Some businesses require an appointment, some do not.  It is always better to be safe than sorry.  Booking an appointment will make sure you get the attention and help that you deserve and desire, and also make sure you have a changing room to try on dresses.

DON'T bring every member of your family.  I know there are important people in your life whose opinions you value.  There's nothing wrong with that.  It is absolutely okay to have a person or two there with you to give you an honest opinion, enjoy the dress shopping, and look at things from an outside perspective.  After one or two people, things just get complicated.  If there are too many people there to give their two-cents, you will be fighting your entourage to be heard.  After all, this is about what you want for your wedding.  This is your dress, and ultimately, it should be about what the bride thinks.  Even though they all mean well, it may be better to take pictures of the dress you choose, and show them later.

DON'T pick the first dress you see...without trying on other dresses.  It's rare for a bride to try on their very first dress, say, "This is the one!", and then be completely content with the decision for the rest of the time they're planning the wedding...and that's okay!  There are so many dresses, with so many options available.  It's okay to try on more than one dress!  Picking the first dress you see without trying on at least a couple more is just risky.  Even if you try on a couple more and absolutely hate them, they will help validate your response to the dress you're loving.

DON'T try on a hundred dresses in one fitting!  Not every bride finds their dress the first time they look for their wedding gown.  Trying on a few dresses is normal.  However, when you try on too many at once, and go through a variety of silhouettes, styles, and colors, it may just become more confusing.  Trying your options is great; exercising every single one of them in one sitting is not so great. 

DO have fun!  This whole process is meant to be a positive experience for those involved, so have fun.  Take this time to bond with those you bring with you (if you bring anyone with you), and practice soaking up the attention that comes with being the blushing bride.

Are there any brides who have gone through their wedding gown shopping experience with something to share?  Comment below!

Hope this helps. : )

~Laurie~

For some brides this is a breeze to cross of off their wedding checklist, and for others...not so much.  No worries!  There's lots of options.