Dress shopping?

Ooh! Have fun! Don't bring too many people: bring people who will tell you honestly if they don't think a dress is flattering on you. And stick to a budget. you will find beautiful things in every price range.

Also, go having an opinion of things you like/want in a wedding gown (because it can be very overwhelming with all those styles!). But, that being said, don't be closed-off to trying on a gown that a stylist hands you that is completely different than your taste: they have an eye for these things, and they might find something perfect for you.

Also, it sounds silly, but be aware that you stand around in your underwear...so you might want to find a set you'd be comfortable standing around in.

Wear your hair in a style that is somewhat similar to how you'll be wearing it on the day-it'll give you a better idea of what your look will be like. :)

And most of all: have FUN. Try on a BUNCH. You'll never have your first wedding dress trip again. Revel in the loveliness.

I totally agree with Orange. Don't be afraid to try on every dress until you find the one you really like. Check the seams for allowance. Be sure the dress is comfortable (not too heavy, bulky, etc.). Check any beading. If it's coming off in waves now, your wedding day will be no different. Remember, this will be a gown you will wear for several hours.

Make sure this is the dress YOU want, the one that makes you feel amazing. Go by what you feel is right, not the one the salesperson or anyone else thinks you should have. Don't be swayed by all the accessories and flattery. If you don't feel it's absolutely the one you want, then move on.

Some other things to think about are costs of alterations and what is or is not included with the dress.

Most importantly, have fun and enjoy! I hope you have a great time.

Best advice - only go with your mom, it's a special time for you two. If you don't have a mom, choose one special friend or auntie, for example. Don't go with tons of friends!

Trust the salespeople - they know their products. If one suggests a dress and you think 'well, yuck' - maybe just give it a try. They have helped dress hundreds of brides and usually have a good idea of what fits/suits which body type.

Don't judge a dress by a picture or what it looks like on a hangar. You must try on a variety of styles, and sometimes you will be pleasantly surprised! You might go in thinking, oh, I have to have a strapless pickup dress - but try on a traditional style gown which is sleeveless or a halter a-line skirt - and you'll see that difference in how your silhouette looks.

And, above all, you will know when you find THE dress. There is just no explaining this phenomenon!

Happy shopping!

try and wear as close to what you would have on under your dress on your wedding day. you can buy new and better, but you want a feel of how the dress is going to look. (strapless bra, undies) if you have the shoes you plan to wear already then bring them too. if not and you have a pair close in hight to the kind you would want then bring them (unless you plan on flats) so you can get an idea on how much it needs to be shortened. go alone or with one other person whos opinion you really trust. having too many people with you makes it too hard as you get too many opinions and you cant try on all the dresses and spend the time you want to spend. I went alone and I was in and out in under 30 mins with a dress everyone loved. shop around a bit too...different stores carry different dresses. be open minded. just because it doesnt look so hot on the hanger doesnt mean it wont look good on. you might be plesently surprised. remember a dress can be taken in, but its hard to let it out so if your bordering between 2 sizes...go the bigger size. if your not sure about something then dont get the dress. (you love the style but your not sure about the beading...or something like that) if your not sure about it now chances are you'll hate it later. and be prepared for pushy and rude sales people. some can be just horrible. if you get a horrible one then just leave the store. chances are yo ucan find that dress at another store and not have to put up with someone being rude to you. and if they tell you a certain dress cant be altered a certain way ignore them and talk to a seamstress. they can do things you cant even imagine with dresses. good luck and have fun!

I agree with what others are saying about not purchasing the first day, or in the first store. Go to a number of different boutiques so you can get a feel for what sales people are like, the different selections and prices. You can always go back if you need to look at more. Take pictures of the only the ones you REALLY like, or certain elements of dresses that you like (the sweet heart neckline of one, the lace print of another). If you just start taking pictures of everything you will be so confused when you are reviewing them.

Look through bridal magazines to get some ideas before you go, and look up the stores that sell certain designer names if you like multiple designs by one label. If you have some ideas (you know you want pink accents, etc) tell the sales people and they will help you pull dresses. Some sales people at chain stores might be clueless, but the smaller stores usually have great (knowledgeable) sales people. I went in and describes some elements (mermaid style, empire waist with pink details) I wanted in the 4th store I visited, and the first dress the woman pulled was THE dress.

Don't try on too many dresses in one day. I did this my first day out and I was so confused by the end of the day, and they all start to look the same - like white dresses if you do. It will take multiple trips and you may try on the same dress multiple times.

Lastly, try things on that people suggest. You don't have to try on every dress your mom might suggest, but if you humour her once or twice it will make the whole experience a lot more enjoyable. Also, someone might suggest something that in your head you don't want, but try it on anyway. it could be PERFECT on your body. You never know until you try things on, especially with wedding gowns because they do look a lot different on the hanger than on your body, and on a 6 ft model than on you.

I thought I wanted an a-line because everyone told me it would look best on my short stature. A sales women convinced me to try on a mermaid and I fell in LOVE with the silhouette. You never know until you try things on!

Good luck! If you are patient and don't try to rush things, these can be the most fun shopping trips of your life!

Don't buy one on your first day out. I have seen too many girls purchase the first day and then see another dress in a magazine or online that they think they like better, they second guess themselves and then go try on the other dress and then end up buying two dresses and then crying when they can't even get half the cost of the first one selling it. I shopped for 4 weekends straight before I decided on a gown. I must have tried on 100 dresses, but when I finally found the one, I didn't have one second thought.

Try on as many dresses as it takes. When looking at the seaming, pick a dress that can be taken in or out easily enough in case you gain or lose weight before the wedding. Consider the weather conditions, the practicality of the dress for walking, dancing, and sitting. If it's an outdoor wedding, then it probably shouldn't drag on the ground. Just stuff like that. Congratulations!

I love to go dress shopping at Macy's, but also places like Charlotte Russe, Jessica Mcclintock, Delias, Forever 21, or I've even found some really cute stuff at the Dress Barn.

Remember to keep an open mind about trying on different styles of dresses. While you think you may not like one style, why not try it on? You never know. Also, bring your wedding shoes with you while trying on the gowns (that is, if you have chosen them). Don't be shy about having someone come in and helping you get dressed. The dresses are big and it is nice to have someone help zip, button and arrange the dress for you. Don't wear too much makeup as it may stain the dresses. and Smile!

Take a digital camera with you. This will allow you to remember which dress you liked and how they look. Take an impartial friend with you (or one that you know will be brutally honest!)

Have fun, check out many things, often times the dress you don't think you like could be the "one"!

My dress was one that I never thought I would like, but it was amazing on and only through listening to a sales person that cared did I ever even try it.

Good luck.