queries on wedding dress shopping

mollybird

ladies,
one or two questions bout shopping for that ideal dress.

i'm living in dublin while my maid of honour and my bridesmaid live in waterford and cork. don't have many friends left in the city as they have all moved away. so was wondering is it ok to go looking at dresses on your own??

also do you have to follow protocal and book appointments before going into bridal shops?? i'm only window shopping at the min pretty much not doing any serious shopping for the dress quite yet.

thanks

The Big Red Button

Well the way I'd see it is, if I'm looking for a dress for a special occasion, I'd normally never bring my mother, sisters or friends with me, simply because I much prefer shopping on my own. I feel like if I've other people with me, they tend to try to influence me too much with their own tastes, and try to talk me into buying something I'm not entirely happy with, just because they like it! In fact the only person I like to have shopping with me is my best male friend, who is currently living in Australia, so not much use to me.

But I don't see why wedding dress shopping should be any different to normal shopping. If you're used to shopping on your own, then go with that and see how you get on. If you're used to shopping with your friends, then try to arrange a day out for it.

I certainly don't see any reason it wouldn't be "ok" to go looking at dresses on your own. It's possible shop assistants might consider you to be more vulnerable or something because you're on your own, and be a bit too pushy, so that's just something to be aware of.

As for booking appointments - if you call in to bridal shops at off-peak times (e.g. weekday mornings), there's a good chance you'll be able to try on some dresses, and you may feel less pressurised than if you'd booked an appointment. No harm trying anyways!

winterlight

Totally agree with the previous poster with regard to going shopping on your own. That's what I did.

I booked appointments and went around shops trying on dresses alone. I know what does and doesn't look well on me- I definitely don't need anyone to tell me. I told my mother I'd been looking after I'd been to a few shops. She was a bit disappointed that I went on my own.

I haven't purchased my dress yet, but I do have a 'top 3.' I'll bring my mother and my BM on final decision day to make a bit of an occasion out of it. But tbh, I'm doing that more for them than me!

tinkerbell

Oh you can totally go shopping for it by yourself! My mom will be coming with me when I go shopping for my dress but I do go shopping with her a bit and her opinion is always very honest and frank, she's a joy to shop with! I don't go shopping with my girl friends though, unless it's my mom - I don't go clothes shopping with anyone (well, except with my other half of course!)

Bubblegums

My bridesmaid (sister) lives in England so imagine that logistical bit, so yeah go shopping on your own if you want, sometimes it is best to get the first few runs out of the way so you can get a better idea what you like, without all the input from others, as well meaning as they will be, you could end up not knowing what you want after 2-3 people tell you what they like... :rolleyes:

And do make appointments, the bridal shop I went to was appointments only and allow an hour minimum as it takes a bit of time to climb in and out of all those dresses and do keep an open mind, if you are going to a decent well run shop, the lady there will suggest dresses to suit your shape etc and will know her stuff. You may love the idea of a certain dress, but when you put it on, it might look awful on you. I had an idea what I was after but when I put it on, I looked like a rolled sausage and when I actually tried on a dress type I'd never have gone near (suggested by the shop lady), I couldn't be gotten out of it almost! :P You must feel comfortable with the staff in the shop as well as feel comfortable in the dress as you will be dealing with the shop on more than one visit and you'll be in the dress all day!!

BC

Definately go on your own if thats what you would prefer. I saw lots of girls doing that when i was shopping.

You do have to make appointments though. Most shops won't let you simply browse through the dresses - some shops won't let you touch them much at all in case they get damaged. Usually they make an appointment for about an hour and you'd expect to try on 5 or 6 dresses in that time.

nicowa

If the shop is in anyway popular you'll need an appointment, and I wouldn't feel like you have to go with friends. And don't worry about feeling pressurised about buying a dress. Yes, they do make sure you know exactly when a dress suits you but they all know that you're shopping around. Each place will take note of your preferences, if you have a particular one you want to come back to at a later date, and that'll be it.

Went dress shopping a few weeks ago - I was a bit rushed for time as I'm pregnant... - I hadn't realised what it would be like. It really does take an hour in most places. Even if you only try on 5/6 dresses. But I found all the assistants really nice and friendly and helpful.

And in case it wasn't mentioned to you yet, it takes 6 months to order a dress and they don't count December (when nothing gets done).

Martina05

I was dead set on shopping on my own, but ended up going with a few friends. I had my heart set on a particular style & wasn't interested in looking at any figure hugging styles as I felt I'd look massive in them. The advantage of having my friends along was that they persuaded me to try the opposite of what I'd been thinking of, & it turned out I looked a hell of a lot better in the slim fitting styles as opposed to the floaty, cover-up number I'd been set on.

Selfheal

Went on my own. Thought the whole wedding dress thing was going to be a total nightmare as had difficulty actually visualising myself in one of those big dresses. So took a deep breath and made an appointment in the Barnardos near me in Dun Laoghaire which does designer cast-offs and thought, well I might as well get started and see what I look like. But the mood was kind of lamb-to-slaughterish I have to say.

Anyway, to my amazement there was a wonderful woman called Catherine there who was totally down to earth and incredibly helpful. I tried on two dresses - liked the first one and liked the second one even more. So that was that - bought the second one for €400 and that was one huge task over. Big relief!

I would totally recommend Barnardos and Catherine is still working there and is great. She also kitted me out with something to put in my hair, shoes and a wrap for my shoulders. So all sorted in one outing!

Have fun!

Selfheal

Went on my own. Thought the whole wedding dress thing was going to be a total nightmare as had difficulty actually visualising myself in one of those big dresses. So took a deep breath and made an appointment in the Barnardos near me in Dun Laoghaire which does designer cast-offs and thought, well I might as well get started and see what I look like. But the mood was kind of lamb-to-slaughterish I have to say.

Anyway, to my amazement there was a wonderful woman called Catherine there who was totally down to earth and incredibly helpful. I tried on two dresses - liked the first one and liked the second one even more. So that was that - bought the second one for €400 and that was one huge task over. Big relief!

I would totally recommend Barnardos and Catherine is still working there and is great. She also kitted me out with something to put in my hair, shoes and a wrap for my shoulders. So all sorted in one outing!

Have fun!

Moonbeam

Only looked in one shop so far on my own with my very useful 2 year old telling me that I looked like a beautiful princess:)

Redonblonde

The shop I'm going to requires appointments, and several shops in Cork are now insisting that even just to TRY ON the dresses, a "deposit" must be paid, usually approx €15 - 20. They argue this is due to large numbers of women who arrive, try on the dress and then leave, presumably then to order off Chinese websites.

The €20 deposit if you buy, is converted to a €50 discount apparently in one shop.

Those shops won't be getting any business from me anyway, how mean.

So it might be a good idea to check the shop you are visiting operates this policy, just in case.

Redonblonde

Hi everyone, I was in Memories Bridal in Cork this evening. I didn't find anything I liked because my budget is tiny but the guy who runs it is wonderful...he has a very good idea of what looks great on, takes so much time over you, very attentive. Huge range of dresses, so many styles and fabrics, I really had to recommend him. He suggested a dress I would have had NO intention of ever wearing and it was amazing on. Relaxed and no pressure I thought. Spent 1hr30 there and I tried on about 7 dresses.

Bear in mind that their stuff is sample dresses, some new, some second hand, some vintage.

looksee

My d-i-l to be had seen a dress in a shop window, and that was the one she wanted. She asked her bms and me to go and look at it with her, and it was unusual, gorgeous and just 'her'. The assistant was very nice but totally baffled at all of us accepting the first dress she had tried on, and insisted she try on several more, but none of them was as nice as the first, so that was it, job done!

Dvincible

Totally OK to go shopping on your own. I arranged several lunchtime midweek appointments in 5 or 6 bridal shops as I work in town. I tried on loads of dresses on my own and short-listed 3 or 4 of them. I then scheduled a Saturday with my bridesmaid and my mother in law and we all returned to the 2 shops where I selected my favourite dresses. I picked my dress based on my initial choice and their honest opinion and this was all over quickly, I was chuffed! It was a stress-free experience as I do prefer shopping on my own in general.

MICHMASH76

Hi, i'm on a tight budget. Did you try out any online shops? Im looking at 21stcenturybrides they seem really nice and cheap too, the reviews are good would just like to hear from someone who has bought from them????????

gowayouttadat

Redonblonde wrote: »

Hi everyone, I was in Memories Bridal in Cork this evening. I didn't find anything I liked because my budget is tiny but the guy who runs it is wonderful...he has a very good idea of what looks great on, takes so much time over you, very attentive. Huge range of dresses, so many styles and fabrics, I really had to recommend him. He suggested a dress I would have had NO intention of ever wearing and it was amazing on. Relaxed and no pressure I thought. Spent 1hr30 there and I tried on about 7 dresses.

Bear in mind that their stuff is sample dresses, some new, some second hand, some vintage.

Thats where I got my dress. Found him brilliant! I was going to go on my own but my sister and friend really wanted to come. They were very honest and great! Only went to memories, he was so helpful and got the dress in an hour

I'm sure my mom will be a little but disappointed when she finds out it's picked but I'll bring her to the fittings.