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Blog Summary
- Reasons brides may shop alone for their wedding dress include anxiety, scheduling issues, confidence in decision-making, and logistical simplicity
- Shopping for wedding dresses alone for your first appointment will give you the confidence you need to bring additional people
- Guests should not be insulted if bride shops alone, it is her decision
- Let the Bridal store know that you wish to come alone and any privacy requests
If shopping for your wedding dress alone sounds perfect for you, read on.
Shopping for a bridal gown is often an event that takes on a life of its own: hundreds of pinned photos, an overwhelming number of options, so many bridal salon appointments, and the different opinions from large groups of family members and friends. Some brides relish it all, but to others it’s just too much. These brides want to go alone.
There are a number of reasons why a bride may want to shop by herself. Let’s explore.
Shopping Alone Due To Anxiety
An anxious bride thinking about her wedding day – and all of the planning that goes along with it – can easily spiral. She is tasked with choosing her venue, wedding party, guest list, all the other vendors… and then there is her bridal gown.
She may have attended other bridal appointments, see brides all over social media, and/or watched TV shows of brides saying yes… and cringes thinking of being in that situation.
The anxious bride cannot imagine standing on a pedestal in front of a large group of people being judged and looked at so closely. Hearing comments about her shape, being pressured to try on different style dresses “just for fun” and simply being looked at for so long is a recipe for disaster.
For a bride with anxiety due to family dynamics, self-esteem issues, body dysmorphia, depression, etc. it is a very good idea and highly encouraged for these brides to go bridal dress shopping alone, at least the first time.
At The Appointment
At your wedding dress appointment, your bridal stylist will listen to your concerns. She will ask you questions about your big day, your wedding venue and vision, your personal style, and your fiancé. Her goal is to learn about you and what you want/don’t want, and ultimately to find your perfect dress. Your stylist knows the inventory and will pull dresses that will not only fit your vision, but flatter your body type, and look beautiful on you.
She will also educate you on different wedding dress styles, fabrics, dress construction, and alterations in a quiet, private, and non-judgemental environment.
At this point you can either say yes by yourself and surprise everyone with your gorgeous choice, or book a second appointment with a larger group. If you have family and friends you would like to share in your moment, being educated and empowered by a seasoned bridal consultant will allow you to be in control and greatly lessen your anxiety. A happy memory either way!
Shopping Alone: Schedules Or Fast Wedding Date
Another reason you may want to go shopping for your wedding dress alone is due to scheduling.
Many brides have packed schedules and limited time to shop. Coupling that with arranging a time that works with any number of people to go dress shopping can be challenging if not impossible. Shopping solo is a great idea and allows brides to expedite the process.
If you have a quick wedding date, going alone will allow you to stay on track with your timing by going to several bridal dress stores when it is convenient for you. You simply may not have enough time to coordinate so many schedules.
Confidence in Decision Making/ Fewer Opinions
There are brides who are very confident in making their own decisions, yet have close family and friends who are eagerly awaiting your trip to the bridal store. These brides know they may have some opinionated guests that could make it challenging to have a productive appointment.
There are other brides who have a hard time making a decision and know that other people’s opinions will only make it worse.
This is an incredibly important decision. Guests can, unfortunately and perhaps unintentionally, ruin a bride’s wedding dress shopping experience by interjecting their own opinions without being asked regarding dresses they like, what they think she should wear, etc.
Shopping for your wedding dress alone is a good option for these brides. It will quiet the noise. When you go alone and find your dress, include three or four additional and then bring back your group. Knowing you have already selected your dress, you can show them additional gowns on you to include them in the process. Then you can reveal your perfect wedding dress, the one you chose!
Shopping Alone For Logistical Simplicity
Sometimes it’s just not possible to get everyone together due to locations. Perhaps you live in a different state and traveling is not an option. Time zones can also be difficult to coordinate with your bridal appointment time. In this case going alone makes the most sense.
Guests: Do Not Be Insulted
If you find the bride does not invite you wedding dress shopping with her, do not be insulted. Perhaps one of the above scenarios makes sense when you consider her personality and situation. If you are the bride’s mother or maid of honor or best friend, you probably know her better than anyone and understand that she may need support in her decision to shop alone.
She may come to you for a second opinion to choose the right dress. She may not. The most important thing to remember is that this is her wedding, her decision, and she needs to have this special bridal shopping experience in the way that makes the most sense for her. Read this blog for additional tips on guest etiquette.
Shopping For Your Wedding Dress Alone
Shopping for your wedding dress alone maybe the best way for you to find your dream dress. At Darianna® Bridal & Tuxedo, we have encouraged this numerous times! We are able to try many different styles quickly within her wedding dress budget. Sometimes a bride will not even leave the dressing room if she does not like a dress on her. This is so helpful for anxious brides who do not want to be looked at – especially dresses they don’t like.
Some will say yes by themselves and others will return with your close friends to show the top contenders.
Shopping alone is absolutely fine! Tell the bridal boutique you prefer to come by yourself. Let them take care of you and provide a special experience as you search for your gown. Keep an open mind and remember your stylist knows dresses to show you and practical advice to get you started in the right direction. Shopping for your wedding dress is one of the most special parts of your wedding planning process, so do this on your own terms!
Essential tip: make sure to take a water bottle! Shopping for your gown is a workout so eat first and have a water bottle with you in the fitting room.