HOW TO PREPARE FOR A BRIDAL APPOINTMENT.
Welcome back to the JJB blog, we hope you’re all well and staying safe. It’s been a pleasure welcoming all of our brides back to the studio after lockdown and during this time, we’ve received plenty of questions and queries about what you need to do ahead of your appointment. So, to help you get ready for one of the most exciting parts of your planning journey, here are our top tips for preparing for your wedding dress shopping experience…
Eat something beforehand
You’ll be surprised at just how tiring wedding dress shopping can be! Make sure you eat something to avoid potential hunger pangs and even worse – hanger! Whether it’s a bowl of cereal, a granola bar or a piece of fruit, make sure you’ve grabbed some grub ahead of your bridal appointment. If you’re feeling hungry and exhausted, you simply won’t enjoy the experience to its full potential, and it can leave you feeling unexcited about any dresses you try on. We’ve heard so many times before that brides have been too nervous to eat beforehand, but eat something if you can!
It might also be a lovely idea to book a nice post-wedding dress shopping lunch somewhere with your entourage so that you can celebrate with some delicious food and fizz! It’ll also give you time to chat over the dresses if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed.
Set a budget
Before you book your appointment at Jill Jones Bridal, it’s worth having a vague idea of the amount you want to spend on your aisle style. Consider the cost of not only the dress itself, but the alterations, accessories, veil and shoes. If you have a budget in your head, don’t try on any dresses that exceed this. You want to avoid falling madly in love with a gown that you know you can’t afford! We have plenty of dreamy dresses gracing the rails here at JJB so get in touch if you’d like to find out more about our designers and prices.
Let’s talk underwear
We’d advise that you bring along nude underwear, as well as a strapless bra. If you’re struggling to know what to wear, drop the team a note and we can offer some helpful tips! Your undergarments can have a huge impact on how a gown fits and you don’t want bright bra straps to detract from what you’re trying on. Also, if you have already purchased the underwear set that you’ll be wearing on your special day, bring them with you to your appointment so we can fit the dress around them.
Make-up & fake tan
Heavy make-up and fake tan is easily transferable and can leave marks on wedding dresses. Wear minimal make-up and avoid fake tan if you can. We also suggest wearing your hair in the style that you think you’ll have on the day of the wedding as this will dramatically alter the look of the dress. For instance, wearing your hair up will show off your shoulders and the back of the gown, or you may want a dress that complements a half-up half-down style. You’ll also be able to get a better of idea of which accessories to wear.
Consider who to bring
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, don’t bring along an entourage to your appointments. While it can be tempting to grab all of your girls, it often leads to stress and too many opinions. We recommend bringing just two or three close friends or family along to your appointment – choose those who you know will give you positive, honest and encouraging feedback when you’re trying on your gown. Opt for people who you would really miss being with you throughout the experience.
Do your research with an open mind
While we do recommend that you do your research (hola at our Collections over here) we also advise our brides-to-be to keep an open mind. We’re experts when it comes to all things bridal so we’ll know exactly what will suit you and what won’t – sometimes it’s the unexpected styles that will suit you the most! Use Pinterest and the ‘gram to get an idea of what you do and don’t like but be open to suggestions. This way, you’ll have the best time and you’ll be able to nail your bridal look.
Still feeling nervous? Here’s what you can expect from your wedding dress shopping appointment! If you’re feeling prepped and ready to go, drop us a message and let’s find you the perfect dress so that you can turn heads as you walk down the aisle.
