Things Brides Wish They Knew Before Beginning Bridal Shopping

Choosing your wedding dress is one of the biggest decisions you'll ever make. When there are so many options, it's hard to decide where to start! Almost everyone has some tips for buying your wedding dress, and our team at Marcella’s Bridal definitely has a bit of experience with this subject! Here's what most brides wish they knew before shopping for a dress: 

You can walk in, but appointments are truly best

Listen, this isn’t just any old shopping trip! Not only is it important that you get the help you need during this fun and exciting process, but it helps us cater to your needs most effectively when you schedule an appointment. Here at Marcella’s, we DO take walk-ins, but appointments have to be the first priority and don’t always have something available. (weekends are especially busy!)

Take advantage of your time during appointments

Your appointment is going to be an hour and a half here at Marcella’s. Though it may seem like a lot of time, it goes fast - especially if you want to try on dresses more than once! You will be guided through the process by an expert bridal stylist during this time to help you stay on track, so just enjoy the process of trying on bridal gowns! Here at Marcella’s providing you with the best experience is our top priority. 

Make sure you wear comfortable shoes

While shopping for your wedding dress, wear comfortable shoes, and pack your wedding day heels in a tote bag. And if you don’t have your wedding shoes yet (which is very common), that’s fine! We encourage you to bring along a pair of shoes that you estimate will be about the same heel height that you’re hoping to wear on the wedding day. That way we can get a clear idea of what length your gown will need to be. 

Keep an open mind while trying on gowns!

Finding your dream dress isn't always easy. Sometimes a style doesn't work for you, the timing isn't right, or the budget isn't right. You should keep an open mind when choosing a dress so you don’t go into it with unrealistic expectations. The bridal consultant can help you choose something that suits you, your time frame & your budget!  

Choose the dress that you truly love

We know you’re going to receive a ton of opinions from those closest to you, especially those who accompany you on this shopping trip. But ultimately, it’s really about what YOU want! We don’t want you to get bogged down with all the thoughts and opinions of everyone around you. You’re the bride, and you’re the one who will be wearing the gown all day, so choose the gown YOU love! 

Don't forget to talk to yourself positively

Let's be honest - when you're trying on so many gowns, you're going to spend a lot of time looking in the mirror & may want to self criticize. Try to keep your negative self-criticism at bay when you try on dresses that may cut you bad, or end up not looking exactly how you imagined. This isn't helpful, and you deserve better! Most of our gowns here at Marcella’s have really amazing structure so you don't have to worry about wearing a bra or undergarments, we can also add more structure if need be! Bridal gowns are also weirdly sized. Don't be hard on yourself if your gown is several sizes bigger than you usually wear! It's all about finding the gown that makes you feel like a queen, not what size it is! 

These tips should make shopping for a wedding dress easier. Are you still looking for the perfect dress? Browse our gowns online and book your appointment to let our team at Marcella’s Bridal help you find “the one!”