Wedding dress shopping: The 25 things nobody ever told you

From getting naked in front of a stranger to the eye-watering prices, here’s everything they didn’t warn you about wedding dress shopping…

Wedding dress shopping: The 25 things nobody ever told you

by Kayleigh Dray |
Updated on

Think watching Runaway Bride has taught you everything you could possibly need to know about shopping for a wedding dress? Think again!

Here’s all the bits and bobs the movies always seem to gloss over when it comes to buying that bridal gown…

You’re probably going to wind up practically naked

No, seriously; a lot of those dresses are either too big to handle, or too delicate to be trusted with alone. Expect to share your changing room with one of the shop assistants - and choose your underwear accordingly.

Unless you’re Ryan Gosling. Obviously.

The sizes are all lies

So you’re at the bridal salon, focused only on reaching that Cinderella moment every bride dreams of, and it happens. Your size 12 body has, faster than you can say strapless-satin-mermaid–dress, become a size 16. Or your size 14 has become an 18.

You get the picture.

Basically, the labels on the dresses are all lies. LIES. And everyone knows it. So just chill out and focus on the dress, not the number on the label.

You need to pick your entourage wisely

Wedding shopping can bring out the best - and the worst - in your friends and family. Trust us.

Try to keep the numbers down as much as possible, so you’re not getting conflicting opinions from all your besties. And leave the frenemies at home.

Your mum has a LOT of ideas about this

Trust us - a lot. A lot, a lot, a lot. So it’s probably a good idea to try on that dress she really wants you to try.

You’ll either prove to her that it’s the ugliest offing dress of all time, or be pleasantly surprised by how hot you look. Win win!

You’ll wish wish WISH you wore decent make-up and did your hair nicely

The mirrors in these places are effing brutal.

You can’t just walk in off the street

We’ve seen it in the movies; the gal pals are walking along, chatting happily, and then just strut on into the first wedding dress store they see.

Nope.

Yeah, you need an appointment, ladies - and you’re probably going to have to make it pretty damn far in advance, too.

And on THAT note…

If you’ve booked a weekend appointment, expect to get around two hours at most.

And it’ll probably start late, because (who knew?) there are other women out there who want to try on wedding dresses as well.

Crying is 100% optional

In movies, everyone who is anyone cries when they find The One. And everyone else cries around them. It’s basically one big sobfest.

But that isn’t always the case in the real world.

Try not to let it bother you, you beautiful bride-to-be. The tears are probably flowing on the inside - and, as long as you love it, that’s all that matters.

You probably won’t get free champagne

We’re totally serious. Most shops go easy on the booze these days – it's only the really fancy places you get bubbles.

You will feel like an absolute plonker in a veil

For reals.

It’ll just take some getting used to, that’s all.

Spanx is your friend

Wear spanx, people.

You’ll thank us later.

The prices are PAINFUL

Like, seriously. They’re excruciating. You can try and haggle it over with the shop (as we’ve learned from watching Don’t Tell The Bride)…

… and, if you’re any good at it, you can probably lop a little bit off the price. But, if you really can't afford to go over your budget, DON’T try on any more expensive dresses. It’ll only end in tears.

And on THAT note…

You will be made to feel and about your budget. People are very judgey sometimes.

But DON’T let it affect you – it's not a bad thing if you can't spend hundreds of thousands of pounds on a wedding gown, and there will be a dress out there for you.

Most dresses look really bad on the hanger

Ever heard the phrase ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’?

Same with dresses, essentially. You won’t know anything for sure until you’ve tried it.

Sample sales and wedding fairs will require you to gird your loins

It can get VERY stressful being a room with other brides searching for a dress.

Get there early, and stay calm.

And on THAT note…

Some ‘other’ bride might be wearing YOUR dress. That’s right; even if it’s NOT a sample sale, you may wind up having to share your wedding dress appointment with another bride-to-be. And its entirely possible someone else will be trying on "your" dream dress.

And you may want to try it on RIGHT. THIS. MINUTE.

Please, for the love of god, play nice - share the mirrors, pedestals and even the gowns. Be the bigger woman.

Make sure you can move in it

Yeah, it looks great when you’re standing still in front of a mirror - but it doesn’t mean anything until you’ve tried sitting down in it. Or, for really savvy brides-to-be, dancing in it.

Seriously, though - do a little dance in it. It’s the only way you’ll ever know for sure…

You will be put under loads of pressure to buy the dress LIKE RIGHT NOW

Bridal shop sales people are hard–nosed and will try and convince you the dress will DISAPPEAR unless you buy it now.

Yeah, it won't. Go away and think about it - after all, it IS probably the most money you’ll ever spend on an outfit.

But SERIOUSLY - please do go away and think about it…

You probably won't find 'the one' first time, but don't panic buy. There’s nothing worse than waking up in the middle of the night knowing that you’ve picked the wrong dress…

Not cool. Repeat after us: You are not a failure if you have to try on more than 10 gowns before finding The Gown.

Prepare to sign your life away

If you do decide to buy a dress, you'll have to commit to a certain size ahead of time - which means you’ll need to sign off everything, including the length of the heels you’re wearing on the day of the wedding, and any alterations you want made.

And be prepared to put down a sizeable deposit, too. Ouch.

Discount divas always win

Always ask if any discounts are available — you’re not going to get half off, but there may be a special rate for purchasing your bridesmaids dresses at the same salon. Sometimes you’ll get lucky and they’ll throw in a veil. It never hurts to ask!

Prepare to get to know those bridal shop people VERY well

Fittings, people. There will be a LOT of them. So best get comfortable, yeah?

Either you’ve put on half your body weight, or lost it, and it just doesn’t fit you at all. It’s okay. They’re professionals… and they will make it work.

A bride’s work is never done

Found the dress? It ain’t over until the big day, because you WILL get asked the same questions by 99% of women about the dress from the minute you've bought it until the big day.

"Whats it like? Who's it by? Blah blah blaaaaaah!"

Play it cool and mysterious - it’ll drive them mad!

**

You WILL look beautiful**

Pick the dress you feel happiest in, and you’ll be the most radiant bride of all time ever.

Good luck!

Any tips to add? Pop them in the comments box below - we'd love to hear from you!

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