The Ultimate Wedding Dress Shopping Checklist
Wedding dress shopping is one of the most exciting parts of your bridal journey, but it can also feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created this ultimate checklist to help you feel prepared, confident, and stress-free, all the way from your first appointment to your final fitting. Whether you’re browsing for inspiration, wondering what makes a wedding gown affordable, ready to buy your dream gown, or buy wedding gown styles similar to ones you’ve seen online, this guide will help you every step of the way.
Preparing for Wedding Dress Shopping
The first step in wedding dress shopping is preparation. A little groundwork will save you time and make the entire experience more enjoyable:
1. Set a budget for your gown and related accessories like bridal headbands, white bridal shoes, and veils. Be clear on how much you’re comfortable spending from the start. What makes a wedding gown affordable, is your budget!
2. Research different styles, silhouettes, and fabrics. From modern minimalism to vintage elegance, understanding your preferences will help narrow down your choices.
3. Browse the Karen Willis Holmes collections to discover timeless designs, whether you love traditional, simple and minimalistic, vintage, summer or winter styles.
4. Consider your venue and wedding theme. A beach wedding calls for a different dress than a grand ballroom affair, but a pair of white bridal shoes can go with more than one theme!
5. Book your appointment early, especially for weekends, which fill up fast. We cover when to start trying on wedding dresses in our Journal.
What to Bring When Wedding Dress Shopping
To make the most of your wedding dress shopping appointment:
1. Wear comfortable underwear or bridal robes to make changing easy and relaxed.
2. Wearing bridal robes not only keeps you comfortable but also puts you in the bridal mindset from the moment you arrive.
3. Bring along wedding shoes for brides or heels with a similar height to what you are wanting to wear on the day, though at Karen Willis Holmes, we often recommend trying dresses barefoot to better feel the gown’s fit.
4. If you already own any bridal headbands or hair accessories, feel free to bring them, but it’s totally fine if you haven’t made those decisions yet.
5. Avoid wearing heavy makeup and fake tan to keep the sample gowns in pristine condition.
6. Invite a trusted friend or family member who knows your style and can offer honest, supportive feedback.
7. Have a few inspiration photos on hand, especially if you’re looking to buy wedding gown styles similar to what you’ve seen online.
We have found that brides that come with the intention to find their dream dress on their first day of shopping, often do! Clear your mind, know what you love and you will find the one.
Key Considerations When Wedding Dress Shopping
Keep these things in mind to get the most out of your wedding dress shopping experience:
1. Consider affordable wedding gown options that fit your budget, but stay open-minded. Sometimes, a slightly higher investment is worth the “this is the one” moment.
2. Try on different silhouettes like A-line, mermaid, or ballgown, even if you think you know what you want.
3. Focus on comfort. A gown should feel as good as it looks. Pay attention to how it moves and sits when you walk or sit, and pay attention to how your bridal wedding shoes feel too!
4. Be open to surprises. The dress you fall in love with might be nothing like what you expected!
Finding Your Perfect Wedding Dress
The most important part of wedding dress shopping? How you feel in the dress:
1. Choose a gown that makes you feel beautiful, confident, and like the best version of yourself.
2. Your bridal stylist is your secret weapon. Let them guide you, they understand how to bring your vision to life.
3. Once you’ve found a few favourites, try them on again and take a moment to truly see how each one makes you feel.
When it’s the right dress, you’ll just know.
Final Steps After Wedding Dress Shopping
You’ve said yes to the dress…now what?
1. Schedule your fittings well in advance. Most brides need two or three fittings to get the perfect fit.
2. Plan for common alterations, like adjusting the hem, neckline, or straps.
3. Start thinking about your accessories; white bridal shoes, wedding shoes for brides, jewellery, bridal headbands, and wedding veils all complete the look.
4. Pack a fresh bridal robes set to wear on fitting days, comfy, practical, and picture-perfect for those sneak peeks.
5. Celebrate the milestone! You’re one step closer to your wedding day.
Discover Your Dream Gown at Karen Willis Holmes
Whether you’re just beginning your wedding dress shopping journey or ready to buy wedding gown styles that suit your vision, Karen Willis Holmes offers handcrafted elegance for every bride.
Browse our collections or book your appointment today to experience the magic in person.
