This is your wedding. There are really enough rules in life. Selecting what style you choose to wear on your wedding day should not come with a set in stone list of guidelines. Keep it fun. Keep it simple. Choosing your wedding gown should be a wonderful experience!
Misconception #1: You know it’s the right one when you cry.
It is true that we see a lot of tears. It is also true that a certain moment or dress triggers this emotion. It is not true that it happens for everyone. We all have different ways of handling different situations. Some people cry at graduations, Hallmark cards, baseball games, funerals, etc. Some people don’t. We are all unique. Some people arrive at decisions and some people know right away. We all know people who dive right into a cold pool and we all know people who put their toes in first to feel the water. There are even some people that don’t go in the water at all. Some people feel emotion when trying on wedding gowns. Others do not. Embrace your personality and how you are wired and be yourself.
Misconception #2: Everyone present should agree.
It is easiest to choose a bridal gown when everyone present has the same taste and agrees on the same style. This, obviously, cannot always happen. What happens when mom and daughter come in to the showroom and it is obvious that they have two different tastes? What would be ideal is that the mom recognizes how happy a particular style makes her daughter feel and her own opinion pales in comparison to what her baby girl is feeling. Sometimes, onlookers get wrapped up in thinking that it is their job to make the choice for the bride. The truth is that the job of the “support” team, meaning those the bride has chosen to be a part of the process, is to honor the bride and her decision. If she likes a style, support her opinion and be a true friend.
Misconception #3: I have to try on every dress in the store.
It is not important to try on every dress, but it is important to nail down your style. We all have different bodies. There are certain cuts that work better for certain bodies. This is especially true in bridal wear. We are all unique. There are thousands of beautiful dresses. What is the silhouette that suits you? Being unsure is okay. Usually it becomes apparent by trying three different styles, as guided through the knowledge of a good bridal stylist. From there, you can eliminate and cater to what direction works best for you. Stick with the good feeling styles and enjoy the ride.
Misconception #4: I need to get the approval of…
This trend seems to be growing. I believe that too many “approvals” can create confusion and set backs and they tamper with the “wow factor” that should be reserved for the wedding day. Wedding gown shopping is an intimate experience. It is an honor that should be awarded to a select few. Think about whom has had the most influence on your life and share the experience with that person/people.
Misconception #5: “I just started looking.” “I have only been to one store.”
I truly believe that our consulting staff has amazing taste. I also agree that, like the brides, we have individual tastes. When it comes to buying our bridal lines, we involve our entire staff. They are the ones with the experience. They watch the models, listen to the designers, follow the trends and listen to brides every single day. They pin girls in, hook girls up and, in the end, work with the seamstresses on achieving the proper fit. They live the life of bridal styles and trends day after day. It is with this knowledge that our staff goes out and chooses the upcoming line. I make this point because I truly believe that all styles and tastes and trends are represented in the hundreds of dresses that we sample. On the rare occasion that we feel that something is brought to our attention that we may have missed, we honor the request and try to get the sample for the customer. With a huge selection, combined with the knowledge of the staff and as long as you feel complete, one store is all that is necessary.
Written by Gina at Bridal Suite of Bay Shore 2015