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Original poster

Wedding dress shopping

36 replies

Caspianberg · 23/02/2022 20:30

Did anyone go alone to choose their wedding dress? Or go and choose with husband to be?

I don’t really have anyone I would go with, so looking like I either order online, or take 1 year old or 1 year old and dh to be. Is that just weird?

OP posts:
rolypolydoly · 23/02/2022 20:33

Can DH to be take 1 year old so you peruse at your leisure?

ImInStealthMode · 23/02/2022 20:38

For my first wedding I was on my own as I bought it in America on holiday with my ex. The shop ladies made a fuss of me Smile

Freddofan · 23/02/2022 20:38

I went to a couple of places alone and had vastly different experiences.. The big bridal centre was grim, lots of big groups drinking champagne and having a blast which just left me hollow and upset. The small local shop I felt more looked after and the ladies looked after me like a daughter! Would you be able to get someone to look after 1 year old and go with Dh to look at your shortlist ? Or would a relative or friend who might not be a best friend perhaps love to go with you ?

sillysmiles · 23/02/2022 20:41

In your situation I would go on my own rather than take DH.

Pugfostermum · 23/02/2022 20:45

The thought of going with a load of people who have to pretend to be interested while I try on a load of dresses would fill me with horror!
Go alone and find a dress you like. You won’t be distracted by anyone else’s opinion then.

M0rT · 23/02/2022 20:52

Loads of them on Say Yes to the Dress bring their partners so it can't be that unusual.
If you would rather go alone ask your partner to keep your baby and make an appointment with a bridal shop.
I can't recommend one as I'm in Ireland, but here most of them are small and only one bride at a time will have an appointment, usually about 1.30-2 hours.
The salesladies are very helpful and will give opinions if asked. Also they know their stock so if you love the top on a dress but not the skirt for example they will know if they have one with a similar top and different skirt.
Try loads of different ones, I ended up with a completely different dress then I had planned and looked fab Wink
I hope your not extrapolating not having women to dress shop with as some kind of reflection on you.
I had an entourage because I'm lucky enough to have a young and healthy mother and a load of siblings. It's no reflection on me either way, just an accident of birth.

cultkid · 23/02/2022 20:53

David's bridal at Westfield is amazing

Original poster
Caspianberg · 23/02/2022 21:07

Thanks

I’m overseas so no family or close friends really here. They will travel over for the wedding.

I can go alone, dh can watch ds. It’s just I’m not sure if I would find it weird just asking myself for opinions. We don’t have anyone who can watch toddler, so if dh came they would both have to come.

They are all appointment only and mask wearing still as well. So it will be me, in a dress, with mask on…

OP posts:
Original poster
Caspianberg · 23/02/2022 21:10

I guess I’m just wondering if it’s worth it. I don’t really have any close family left anyway, so it’s a small wedding, mainly dh family and a few friends.
Could I just order a bog standard dress that isn’t really a wedding dress

OP posts:
Doidontimmm · 23/02/2022 21:15

I’m in the UK, second wedding and I just ordered a Few online from phase eight and tried them on and FaceTimed a friend for her opinion!

Echobelly · 23/02/2022 21:20

I went with my sister (then went with her a year or so later!) - I just bought a bridesmaid dress for myself in a shop that specialised in just them so it wasn't a big deal. It was funny because my sister's older than me and much more elegant so everyone assumed she was the bride getting me a dress to be her bridesmaid.

I recommend the bridesmaid dress route if you don't want anything big and fancy, and there's a lot of choice.

stickygotstuck · 23/02/2022 21:23

OP, I much preferred shopping on my own.
I did take a friend once for opinions but soon discovered I didn't really care what anybody thought Grin.

I did try a few traditional wedding dresses, if only because I felt obliged, but they are just not my thing. I ended up buying a bridesmaid dress in a small local shop I went to by myself. Much nicer and comfortable & I saved a fortune!

Bambozled33 · 23/02/2022 21:26

It took me ages to decide on a dress and on a couple of occasions there were women alone having appointments. I actually didn’t think much about it at the time.

I’d go for it if you want a wedding dress, maybe go to smaller shops where you’ll likely be the only appointment if you think you’d be self conscious as you might enjoy it more.

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 23/02/2022 21:34

My mum took my dad in the 60's which I thought was sweet. When I went I took my mum, one bridesmaid not the other (long story) dsil as her dd was flower girl.

Iamthewombat · 23/02/2022 21:39

I shopped on my own, 13 years ago. I couldn’t be bothered with the ‘bring your friends and your mum and watch them pretend to cry’ stuff. I trusted my own taste and I was busy, as I’m sure that you are too. I went to dress trying on appointments at lunchtimes from work. It’s just a frock, after all!

yikesanotherbooboo · 23/02/2022 22:40

I never considered dragging someone around shopping with me.I tried on a few dresses but on the end hired one.

thisplaceisweird · 23/02/2022 22:42

I bought a beautiful, simple white dress but not a 'bridal' dress for mine. I didn't think I needed a big wedding dress and hated the idea of a wedding dress shop and needing to go to fittings and follow up appointments!

sillysmiles · 24/02/2022 07:57

@Caspianberg

I guess I’m just wondering if it’s worth it. I don’t really have any close family left anyway, so it’s a small wedding, mainly dh family and a few friends. Could I just order a bog standard dress that isn’t really a wedding dress
You can to whatever you want, but don't think just because it's a small wedding you don't get to have a wedding dress if that's what you want. I'd go and see what you think. Try on a few styles. See what suits you. Then if you don't want that type of wedding dress you know.
M0rT · 24/02/2022 08:11

Is the time difference ok for face timing? My friend got her dress in Canada and went for morning appointments so it was my evening and she could facetime and show me the ones she liked.
I think it's probably more efficient to go yourself and then just facetime when you've narrowed it down.
I know a few people who got bridesmaid dresses as their wedding dress as they wanted lighter dresses and they looked great.
Also, if you've ever wanted to wear some dramatic red carpet style dress now is your chance!

Campervangirl · 24/02/2022 08:25

Go by yourself, the staff will help you, they'll have loads of ideas of what will suit you and will give you an honest opinion, go for it op, it's not wierd or strange to go by yourself, just explain that your family is overseas, they'll be falling over themselves to help you.
Update us when you've got a dress ❤️

gogohm · 24/02/2022 08:32

I went alone, had just moved

PriamFarrl · 24/02/2022 08:33

I went with DH. We didn’t have a traditional wedding. I got an evening dress from Monsoon. The ladies there loved to help and sort our accessories.

How about you go to town and work out which shops you want to use. Then you all go back in to town. DH walks about keeping the toddler amused while you select a couple of dresses. Then he comes in to see the dresses, I’m sure a member of shop staff will help keep the toddler happy. Minimum time for toddler boredom.

Hiphopboppertybop99 · 01/03/2022 20:46

I went by myself and loved it. I went to a small bridal shop and the owner was amazing. I picked out some dresses, and she picked some for me to try. I ended up choosing one of the ones she picked.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 01/03/2022 20:49

There are high street stores which do wedding dresses so would feel less official than going to a specific bridal store, but there is nothing at all wrong with going to bridal store alone. I'd imagine the staff would love it.

CantStartaFireWithoutaSpark · 01/03/2022 21:17

I went shopping in my own and with my bridesmaids and mum. I had the best experience on my own in a small boutique. I would recommend it to anyone.
I follow a few pages on Insta if you want some tips on how to go about it and enjoy it. Let me know if you want me to share

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