Wedding dress shopping - alone

StevieNicksFan

Have any brides out there gone dress shopping alone? I know tradition says to have the input of bridesmaids, mother etc but I hate shopping with other people in general. Did you feel pressured to hurry up and choose when accompanied by others or did you appreciate their input? Would you go alone if you could do it all over again? I dont want to offend my mother and bridesmaids by not bringing them but I may feel more at ease by myself. Any thoughts?

fits

Went first time on my own. Tried on anything annd everything. It was fine. Brought either my sister or mum subsequent days. Dress shopping alone is fine!

bee06

I took my mom and sister the first day so they could have the experience but went by myself then until I narrowed down to two dresses and they saw both then. Really it was just so they could feel involved because they said every dress I tried on was lovely. I made the decision myself.

sanna

First time I went, I went with my Mum and a BM, but I was home visiting and it was a conscious thing to do as I knew my mum wouldnt get the chance before the wedding to see me try anything on.

2nd time I went I went with 2nd BM and future sister in law, 2nd BM was only 14 at the time.

3rd time I took mammie in law and same sister in law, was grand but mammie in law had very firm ideas on what a wedding dress should be, ie totally different to mine, she didnt like all my choices I hated hers!

4th time I went on my own and fell in love with dress i bought!! Needless to say Mammie in law wasnt keen but my Mum loved!

Didnt feel under pressure any of the times, but I had very firm ideas as to what i didnt want and wasnt going to be bullied into anything I didnt want!

annoyedgal

I brought my mum and maid of honour to first two shops then did the rest solo. Also like shopping alone and I'd highly recommend it. I was more relaxed, could think more clearly and found most of the shop assistants incredibly helpful. I brought my mum up for a second opinion once I found the dress. Don't worry about tradition, do what suits you best!

pooch90

When I first tried on my dress, I had a gut feeling. When I walked out, two of my bridesmaids made awful faces. I chose it anyway and it was lovely! They just couldn't imagine it with the alterations I could.

BMs are handy to take sneaky pics of you in the dresses though (most shops won't let you) as after a while, they all meld into one. It can be a very fun day out with BMs in tow but maybe go back with less people when you have narrowed it down.

You know who would be part of the group and if you think it will make it more stressful then go alone. I always prefer shopping alone too but with pushy bridal shop attendants, it can be good to have honest opinions too.

nikkibikki

Did it alone too. Showed the BM's and my Mam the first dress I chose but I changed my mind (hadn't ordered the first one, don't worry!) and showed them, my MIL and my aunt, who I am very close to, the one I bought.

I felt I would make my own decision easier on my own. I can be quite easily led in the moment! It was just the way I wanted to do things.

Tarzana2

fits wrote: »

Went first time on my own. Tried on anything annd everything. It was fine. Brought either my sister or mum subsequent days. Dress shopping alone is fine!

How did you get on finding a dress? I remember a while back you were having trouble finding something you liked.

fits

Well i did find something i liked quite early on in the process, I just didnt want to pay 2k for it. But i bought it in the end and it was lovely on the day.

jaja321

I went on my own the first time and I'd definitely recommend it. I like shopping by myself anyway, and it allows you to browse freely without others expectations on you. I picked some favourites to revisit then later with my mum and bridesmaids, and went back for a final look by myself to make the final decision. The process worked well I think. It's good to get some input from those you trust, but I would keep numbers to a minimum. Lots of different opinions could be overpowering.

pampootie

I'm the same, I hate shopping with other people! Went twice on my own to get an idea of what shape I wanted, brought one bridesmaid the third time and we narrowed it down to two possibilities, went back to that shop alone then and picked one of the two myself.

lazeedaisy

I went alone, picked the dress, put down a deposit, and brought himself back to approve! 20 years ago

lainey316

Went first time with my mother, it started really badly - she liked first dress, I HATED it, wanted to take it off and she wanted another look - she came around a bit but it was not the start I wanted. Did a bunch by myself then at lunchtimes, felt much less pressured. Brought one friend to a shop that I knew would have things I liked, picked a dress, brought another friend to see same dress in a different shop, still liked this dress best.

However in end I have taken that dress and getting something very similar made instead as it was v dear and would require alterations!

Definitely recommend doing the first try on your own unless you have someone who wants to come for the experience (and would be hurt not to) but overall preferred going alone - other people like other things. A friend tried on a dress we all loved on her (4 of us there) but she hated it and she nearly cried when we asked her to look at it again, so it wasn't a great experience.

shadowcat

Went for a look originally on my own, and eventually bought my dress in a sample sale (never wanted/could afford to spend thousands on a dress regardless of what it looked like) with Mammy in law, BM and good friend who are ALL very opinionated women, so experience was a bit overwhelming. If I had it all over again, I'd go first on my own to get a clear idea of what you like and what suits you, then bring them at a second appointment when you know what you want as differences of opinion can make you have buyers remorse if you do end up buying on the day based on their reaction. Ultimately though, everyone just wants to be helpful but everyone will have different opinions about what you should/shouldn't be wearing. Don't put yourself under any pressure, and even if you think you know, go away and have a coffee and a think first before committing to anything as it's easy to get carried away! Best of luck x

Malari

I didn't get a traditional dress, I have a skirt and top. I tried on a few things with my mom, as we were out dress shopping for her. I bought online and tried them on at home for my boyfriend to see if he liked them. I much prefer shopping alone, then get a second opinion if I am not sure once I have distilled it down to one or two options.

Milly33

Yep go for it if you like..Dont feel pressured another famous wedding word..

Maybe go by yourself a few times and then if you find one ask them to come in to see it with you.... I had Mum with me for most of mine and it was fun I cant say it wasn't but it is nice when you do find something to maybe say ok now I can arrange a day with mum the BM to all go in to see it..

I showed himself my dress too when tis half way made just to get his opinion

Tarzana2

fits wrote: »

Well i did find something i liked quite early on in the process, I just didnt want to pay 2k for it. But i bought it in the end and it was lovely on the day.

Good stuff.

MIN2511

Hey StevieNicksFan,

2016 bride here and I've go wedding dress shopping on my own. I was apprehensive at first but I prefer it, and while I know friends/family have good intentions there's just too much drama organizing fittings to suit everyone.

I have narrowed it down though and a very good friend of mine is coming with me for my third (hopefully last) fitting.

There's nothing wrong with it, enjoy the experience