Wedding Dress Shopping: The Things No One Warns You About

It’s really not as simple as trying on clothes in the mall

For most brides-to-be, wedding dress shopping is likely a task on your to-do list that you look most forward to with anticipation and excitement. I mean, of course, we would be excited, we get to be the Belle of the ball! But truth be told, wedding dress shopping isn’t all fun and games. From pushy sales representatives to the differing opinions of your bridesmaid, and what seems to be endless racks of wedding dresses to choose from, the whole shopping experience can easily become overwhelming. Consequently, you may not know how to go about shopping for a wedding dress as you are flooded with thoughts and opinions. In worst-case scenarios, you succumb to pressure and sign a package that you will regret.

With that said, to save you from such a dire situation. Here are 4 things brides wished someone had warned them about before they went wedding dress shopping.

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Don’t bring a whole village of people

Movies tend to glorify the idea of having many friends surrounding you when you are shopping for a wedding dress. But the truth is far from that and a bride-to-be wouldn’t know because nobody talks about the stress you would get from all the differing opinions.

As much as you want the people you love to be there to see you and give you their opinions. You need to understand that there are bound to be conflicting opinions because everyone has their own opinion about you. This can lead to conflicting advice and the feeling the pressure to please others. Making it harder for you to make a decision that truly reflects your style and vision for your wedding dress.s because everyone has their own opinion about you. This can lead to conflicting advice and the feeling the pressure to please others. Making it harder for you to make a decision that truly reflects your style and vision for your wedding dress. 

But the solution to this is simple. Just opt for a select few whose opinions you trust and value can create a more intimate and enjoyable dress-shopping experience, allowing you to focus on finding the dress that makes you feel like the radiant bride you’ve always envisioned. 

Remember, it’s your special day, and your dress should reflect your unique style and personality. Trust yourself and your instincts!

Ask about the boutique’s hidden charges

Another thing no one talks about is the hidden costs at wedding dress boutiques. In Singapore, wedding boutiques can hold hidden costs that brides should be mindful of. These costs are usually made known upfront but it’s good to always check to avoid any unwanted surprises. These extra costs can be incurred anywhere from alterations, accessories, customization, sales tax, and dry cleaning services. 

To illustrate, the cost of dry cleaning can range from $150-$700. If you were unaware of such hidden costs, you would be paying extra when there are bridal shops out there with wedding dress packages that include dry cleaning services. Having an open discussion with the boutique and carefully reviewing the contract to understand all potential expenses is essential. Being well-informed and planning ahead will help you budget effectively, ensuring you find the perfect wedding dress without breaking the bank. 

P.S. It is also highly recommended to ask for the boutique’s payment period breakdown for your benefit.

Be aware of the boutique policies

Another thing no one talks about is the policies boutiques have. Most brides-to-be only learn about them during their first fitting session– which likely would come as a surprise. With that said let’s highlight some of these policies to provide a little heads-up and set your expectations.

• Some boutiques will not allow you to take pictures
• Some boutiques will limit the number of people you bring (which is great if you recall the article’s first point)
• Most boutiques will have a limit to the number of dresses you can try
• Some boutiques are not size-inclusive, yikes. If you go beyond a certain size, customization would be recommended and that may come with additional cost

Disclaimer: These policies vary from boutique to boutique but all boutiques will likely have these policies implemented one way or another.

Do some mental preparation beforehand

Finally, the biggest thing no one talks about is the mental preparation a bride has to do beforehand. Physical preparations like the list of things to bring and wear to the dress shop are pretty straightforward. However, preparing mentally is something no one will ever mention. Though it sounds unnecessary, I would recommend brides do it so that they don’t have to ride the emotional roller coaster in the boutique.

In summary, there are 3 situations that can lead brides to experience an emotional roller coaster. First, is being overwhelmed by the sheer amount of dresses to choose from. Second, is not looking good in your dream dress. Lastly, not fitting into the wedding dress of your choice. All of the points will be further discussed below.

Being overwhelmed by the number of dresses available

The first situation is pretty easy to tackle. Review the boutique’s social media before heading down and selecting a handful of dresses that catch your eye to try. Alternatively, you can have the sales representative offer her opinions on what suits you. Trust them, they have the experiences to tell you what’s nice and what’s not but ultimately, you should still feel comfortable and beautiful in that dress before saying yes!

Not looking good in your dream dress

If you tried on your dream dress and the whole vibe just feels off, don’t feel upset. That dress is probably not right for you. Instead, keep an open mind and you will find a dress that looks amazing on you. 

To put it into perspective, I tried on my Top 3 dream wedding dress designs, unfortunately, I looked like an absolute mess in all of them. I felt devastated on the inside and thought that I was going to be an ugly bride. Thankfully, one of the sales staff I met encouraged me to try different styles. Taking her advice, I tried at least 20 different dresses across multiple boutiques and finally, I found a dress that looked good on me and felt confident in. The final dress I said yes to definitely surpassed my expectations.

Remember, it should be you who is wearing the dress and not the other way around.

Not fitting in a wedding dress

If you don’t fit the dress, there is nothing wrong with you or your body and there is a logical explanation behind it. 

That reason is likely because the bride before you who rented that dress had it altered to her sizing– it’s just how wedding dress boutiques work. Just use a little imagination to visualize the fit during the fitting session and if you choose to go with that dress, rest assured the boutique store will alter it to your measurements.

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Words from author

Choosing the perfect wedding dress is an essential aspect of every bride’s dream day. The process can be both exciting and overwhelming, but with the right preparation, it will become a memorable and enjoyable experience. Embrace the journey, cherish the process, and savour every moment as you prepare to walk down the aisle in the dress that embodies the essence of your love and commitment. Remember, don’t ever purchase a wedding dress out of pressure because this dress will be the one you wear on your one and only big day, so make it count!