Wedding Dress Questions to Ask Before You Shop

Shopping for a wedding dress is one of the most exciting parts of the wedding planning process. The bridal shop you choose will play a large role in finding your perfect dress, so we recommend doing a bit of research before you begin. From your bridal appointment to alterations, we’ve compiled several of the most important wedding dress questions to ask before you shop.

Should I make an appointment?

Most bridal shops, including The Wedding Shoppe, are by appointment only. This allows our expert bridal stylists time to really get to know you, and pull gowns based on your personal preferences and style. It’s also crucial to arrive on time as bridal shops schedule brides throughout the day, and you’ll be losing time from your own appointment if you arrive late. 

Another important question to ask is how long are the bridal appointments. The Wedding Shoppe offers appointment times ranging from 1.5 – 2 hours in our private bridal suites. Appointments made Monday through Thursday are also complementary. 

What should I bring?

Before arriving for your wedding dress appointment, we recommend asking the bridal shop for a list of items you should bring. The Wedding Shoppe recommends bringing proper undergarments as these can often change how a gown fits or feels when trying it on. If you have any shoe options in mind, we suggest bringing these as well to see how they look under the dress and if any hemming is required. 

What size range do you carry?

When making an appointment, it’s also important to call ahead and ask the bridal shop about their available size range. While some boutiques only carry a minimal range, The Wedding Shoppe is proud to offer a variety of wedding gown sizes. We believe every bride should feel beautiful and confident on her wedding day, and currently carry up to a size 38 in our wedding dresses. 

Do you offer alterations? 

Alterations are a crucial part of the wedding dress process. Before you begin shopping, ask your bridal shop if they offer alterations in house – or if they can recommend a good tailor if not. Nearly every wedding dress will need to be tailored to fit the bride’s figure properly, and can often increase cost if you outsource.

The Wedding Shoppe works with an amazingly talented team of Alteration Specialists that work solely on wedding dresses from our own shop. We prefer to start alterations no later than 3 months from your wedding day, and let you know the full cost up front so there are no hidden fees. 

Can I take photos?

While some bridal shops may frown at photos in-store, we encourage brides to snap pictures of the gowns they try on. This allows you to see how the dresses look from all angles, and is a great way to keep track of your favorite styles as well. We also have lots of areas in the shop perfect for fun photo ops. Before taking photos at the bridal shop you choose, we recommend asking the shop what their in-store photography policy is, as some may have strict rules. 

Now that you’ve asked all the right questions, are you ready to find your dream dress? Make an appointment with us and book one of our 9 private bridal suites today!