The New Way to Shop for a Wedding Dress
Bride to be wearing ines di santo. styled by the bridal finery team. hair and makeup by makeover station. photo by kristen weaver photography
Every weekend for fifteen years I’ve helped brides shop for their dress. Majority of the brides I help seem to follow the traditional ways of shopping for a wedding dress. Nothing is wrong with tradition; however, it’s good to refresh them every once in a while. Here is how the tradition goes: carpool to 2-4 dress shops and skip breakfast because you don’t want to feel bloated in a wedding dress. By dress shop three you are running 30 minutes behind schedule. You are a little overwhelmed. You are worried about how long it’s going to take to get to the next shop and if they have parking. Now is the moment, your squad has traveled all over town with you and they are ready to see you say yes to the dress. You are confused. You love the dress, but you have another appointment. Do you go, or do you say yes. All the dresses are running together.
I’m a believer in custom experiences. Also, I strongly believe in taking one bridal appointment at time. Be open to finding it at the first place. If you do your research you might just pick the right place from the start! Every boutique is different and provides different experiences. Interview or research the boutiques further so you can find the right one from the start. This will make it way less stressful for you. Most importantly, you can be present and enjoy the appointment. You can focus on the important decisions instead of worrying about the schedule of the day.
Questions to Ask the Bridal Boutique Before You Book a Bridal Appointment:
What is the experience like?
What should I bring to the appointment? What do you provide?
Do you have in-house alterations?
What style is your wedding dress collection?
What sizes, colors, and prices do you stock?
Is it a private appointment or will there be other brides trying on next to me?
How many guests can I bring?
The Shopper:
10:00 a.m. Breakfast at Create Your Nature. Stop next door at Foxtail Coffee for your caffeine fix.
12:00 p.m. Your Bridal Appointment!
2:00 p.m. Head to Dexter’s in Winter Park for lunch.
3:00 p.m. Book an appointment at Bella Bridesmaid.
4:30 p.m. Stop by Rifle Paper to see their stationary and pick up some gifts.
The Short & Sweet:
10:00 a.m. Your Bridal Appointment!
12:00 p.m. Lunch at Hillstone.
2:00 p.m. Dessert Champagne toast at The Glass Knife
The Weekender
12:00 p.m. Lunch at Reel Fish
1:00 p.m. Pedicures at Beautique
2:00 p.m. Your Bridal Appointment
4:00 p.m. Check in at The Alfond Inn and enjoy the pool
The I‘m Not a Morning Person
12:30 p.m. Hair blow out by Makeover Station
2:00 p.m. Late lunch at Bulla
4:00 p.m. Your Bridal Appointment!
6:00 p.m. Happy Hour at Agave Azul to celebrate!
Didn’t find what you are looking for at the first shop? Book your next bridal shop on a new day. Here are new takes on shopping for your wedding dress. Go ahead, break the tradition, and do things your way. The way you would enjoy this once in a lifetime moment.
Lace wedding dress by Ines Di Santo. Styled by the Bridal Finery. Hair and Makeup by Makeover Station. PHotography by Kristen Weaver