What to Expect at Your First Bridal Appointment
Finding the perfect wedding dress is a major moment for a bride. The first dress shopping appointment can be one of the most exciting parts of planning the wedding, but it can take some preparation to help make it go smoothly.
Start wedding dress shopping as soon as your wedding date and venue have been chosen.
These are key details that you’ll share with your bridal stylist at the boutique, which will help them assist you in finding your dream dress. Your wedding destination, season, and celebration’s vibe will guide you toward the right dress.
Your first bridal appointment should be 8 to 12 months before your big day to give yourself enough time for ordering the dress, fittings, and alterations. Here are some expert tips and advice to help you navigate your first bridal appointment:
One-on-One Time with a Stylist
During your bridal appointment, you’ll try on your dress choices and communicate to your stylist what you love—or don’t. Since you’ll have a dedicated stylist at the salon assist you, you’ll need to schedule your appointment. Bridal appointments can fill up quickly, especially on weekends and weekday evenings, so book at least a month before you’d like to visit the boutique. Some salons allow you to book as early as three months in advance.
Appointments are typically 60 to 90 minutes long and many boutiques offer VIP appointments where you get extended time and more privacy. If your appointment is at a Galia Lahav flagship boutique, you’ll be welcomed at their signature GL Bar and be treated to a refreshment or cocktail of your choice. Private VIP appointments at the flagship boutiques also include your chosen hors d'oeuvres or petits fours, a personal playlist, swag bag, and any other personal requests you may have to make the experience extra special for you and your guests.
Some salons offer online bookings, but most require that they be made over the phone or email. You may need to pay a booking fee to secure your appointment, especially for a weekend slot. Fees can range from $50 to $200, depending on the salon, and usually get applied to the purchase of your gown.
Don’t forget to check with your salon on how many guests can accompany you to your appointment, as some have a limit to how many people they can accommodate. “Keep in mind that bringing a smaller group will help you stay focused and have a more efficient appointment,” says Hall.
A Pre-Appointment Call with Your Stylist
When you book your appointment, let them know about any particular dresses or styles you want to try on or if you have any size specifications, such as if you are petite or have a bigger bust. Give them as much information as you can in advance, so that they can pair you with a stylist best suited for you and facilitate your requests. Also ask about the price ranges for the dresses you’re interested in and be honest about your budget. This will help your stylist narrow down the dresses you want to try on and what they would recommend.
“Ideally, you should have a pre-appointment call with the stylist you will be working with so that they can get to know you before the appointment and have preselected gowns waiting for you in the bridal suite,” says Hall. If you haven’t had a pre-appointment call, the first several minutes of your bridal appointment will be your initial consultation. “Share how you want to feel in your dress and your desired silhouettes with your stylist,” says Hall. “If you don't know exactly what you want, also let your stylist know what you don't like because that is equally important.”
“If you’re working with a personal bridal stylist you’ve hired to help you put together your wedding wardrobe, you’ll also have a consultation with them before your visit to the boutique and they will accompany you to the appointment,” says Julie Sabatino, a bridal stylist and the founder of TSB Styling and The Jul Box bridal styling studio in New York City.
Choosing Your Styles and First Try-ons
After the consultation, the fun begins. “Expect to try up to 10 gowns at most,” says Hall. “Trying on more than that can be overwhelming and give you too many options to choose from.”
Go in with images of wedding gowns you love. “Don’t be discouraged if you end up not liking the dresses in person, it can help you and your stylist get an idea of what you're looking for,” says Sabatino.
Be sure to wear underwear in your skintone, so that you get a seamless foundation under the gowns. A strapless bra and shapewear are helpful if you want the coverage and support. And take a pair of shoes that have the same heel height you anticipate wearing on your wedding day—or your bridal shoes if you already have them.
As you try on each dress, look at yourself from every angle in the mirror, move around and sit down, and pay attention to how they feel on. If you’re not completely happy or comfortable, let your stylist know. “Functionality of the dress and comfort are key,” says Sabatino. Consider how the dress will work in your venue and the season. Will you be outside or indoors? Will you be walking on stones, grass, or sand? Will it be hot?
Keep an Open Mind
As you’re looking through social media, websites, and magazines before your shopping trip, you’re starting to figure out your bridal style. And while you may have an idea of what you like or don’t by the time of your appointment, you might be surprised by what dresses and silhouettes attract you in person. For example, you may think that you don’t like strapless necklines or lace dresses, but love it when you try it on, so it’s important to keep an open mind. “Oftentimes, the dresses that brides may not initially consider are the ones they fall in love with,” says Sabatino. “If you don’t love an entire gown, take note of any details you do like, such as the sleeves, bodice, or skirt, and you can build on that to help you find your dream dress.”
And because you’ll most likely be trying on the gowns in sample sizes, you’ll have to imagine how they will look in your actual size. You may also have to envision how the dresses will look, for example, in the shade of white you prefer, the length you need, or bustled if you want a long train. If you think you’ll want to make any customizations, such as altering the neckline or sleeves, you’ll also have to imagine what it will look like in person.
Trust Your Stylist
The consultation with your stylist allows them to understand your personality and vision for your dress and wedding day. Trust your stylist, especially if it’s someone who you feel gets you and your style. “Ask what they would suggest for you, as they would be very familiar with the dresses at the boutique,” says Sabatino. “But also feel free to speak up and address any of your concerns or fit preferences. Your feedback will help them understand what you like or don’t like.”
Narrowing Down Your Choices and Finding the One
“After trying on your selection of dresses, you should narrow it down to your top two or three—and ultimately find ‘the one’,” says Hall. “If you don't find your dream dress during your first appointment, your stylist will share the details of your favorites, so that you can go home and think about that one gown that keeps coming to mind.”
Ask about pricing and timelines for any customizations and alterations, as well as timing for fittings and delivery of the finished dress. It’s a good idea to book, and limit yourself to, three appointments at three different boutiques on your dress shopping day, which is enough to explore your options, but not so many that everything starts to blur together. “The first appointment will be a welcome to the world of wedding dresses,” says Sabatino. “It’ll be a learning curve. You’ll try on different shapes and fabrications.” At the second appointment, you’ll be more familiar with fit and what you like. By the third, you’ll be able to compare all of your choices and have a good idea of what you’re looking for. “Having all three appointments on the same day will keep the dresses fresh in your mind and make it easier to refer back to any dresses you liked at the first appointment,” says Sabatino.
When you think you’ve found your dress, it’s okay to give yourself time to think about it. And if you know you’ve fallen in love with a gown, say yes to the dress. “That feeling is everything,” says Hall. “If a gown checks all the boxes at the first appointment and you connect with it, listen to that feeling.”
Written by Ivette Manners
Photography by @ah_lovestories @ohtaaaay