Wedding Ideas

What To Know Before You Go Wedding Dress Shopping in NJ

Posted on November 26, 2021 by Allison Dupree

The love of  your life asked you to marry them and after many tears and smiles you said, “yes!”

Kimberly-Patrick-Ryland-Inn
Kimberly’s Gown

You’ve set a date, picked a venue and now it’s time for a dress. Chances are, the last time you went formal dress shopping was either for prom or another wedding, but nothing is like shopping for your own bridal gown. Whether you’ve been dreaming about this dress since you were 10 or haven’t even considered what you want your wedding dress to look like, this can be an emotional appointment.

To make sure you have the best first time wedding dress shopping experience, we’ve put together some tips and tricks for that first day. But remember, you’re in the best hands with your bridal salon employees. Oh, and don’t forget to have fun! Want more tips? Here, New Jersey gown designer Justin Alexander Warshaw offers some wedding dress shopping tips.

Jillian-Kyle-Hamilton-Farm
Jillian’s Gown

How to Prepare

  • Make sure to eat. It can be tiring trying on numerous heavy dresses. And choosing a dress is a big decision. You’ll need all your brain power.
  • Research price point and styles or designers you think you’re interested in.
  • Consider your venue/wedding theme. If you’re having a beach ceremony, a huge ballgown might not be the right dress for you.

What to Bring

  • An honest group of people that will express their opinions but also be conscious of your feelings/opinions. We recommend bringing four to five people and don’t forget to ask your salon if there’s a limit for how many people to bring.
  • Water. Most salons will probably provide some if you ask, but it never hurts to have your own.
  • Shoes similar to what you think you might wear on the big day.
  • A strapless bra. Although, many brides say you will likely end up braless or you can ask the salon to sew in cups for you.
  • A hair tie or clip. You may want to see what your hair looks like up and down.
  • An open mind. The consultant knows dresses like the back of their hand. Let them recommend styles you might not have ever considered.

What to do at The Salon

  • Dance around in the dress and make sure you can move freely.
  • Sit down to ensure you can eat and bend over.
  • Hug your entourage to see what embracing people in your dress will feel like on the big day.
  • Take photos (if the salon allows) and not the designer so you can reference it later.

After your Appointment

  • Write down pros, cons, feelings, etc. about each dress you tried on
  • Talk to your entourage about their opinions and feelings on the dresses
  • While some brides are ready to commit to a dress on the spot, you may want to sleep on it.

There are SO many amazing gowns out there that are just waiting for you. Don’t get flustered if you can’t find a gown instantly. We can’t wait to see how beautiful you look on your wedding day!

Ready to make an appointment? Check out some of our favorite salons!

Top photo from Melissa and Greg’s wedding at the Palace

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