Let's be real — wedding dress shopping is always stressful. Even if you know exactly what you want, there is so much pressure surrounding finding THE dress that the stress can often take away from the excitement of the day itself. Every bride deserves an incredible dress shopping experience, and if you're the Maid of Honor, bridesmaid or emotional support friend there are so many ways to make your bride-to-be feel special on this day. With a little extra planning, you can make her day full of magic and share a great memory for years to come. Give your bride her Say Yes to the Dress moment with these six ideas.
1. Invite a special guest.
Is the bride close to a sister who lives a few hours away? Does she rarely get the chance to have quality time with her mom? Do you share a mutual friend who youknow the bride would love to share the day with, but who doesn’t get a lot of time away from the office? Reach out as soon as you have the bridal appointments booked to see if you might be able to work your magic and bring a special loved one to the occasion as a surprise.
2. Surprise her with a new outfit.
Sneak a peek at your bestie’s closet and take note of her up-to-date sizes, then buy her the perfect outfit for dress shopping — preferably something she would never splurge on herself! A new jumpsuit, cool top, or an awesome pair of heels will give her an extra boost of confidence when she walks into the bridal salon in search of the dream gown.
3. Treat her to a morning of glam.
Hook your bride up with a blowout appointment or session with a makeup artist before the shopping expedition begins. She’ll feel extra-special, and a glam sesh will give her a great preview of what the wedding day will be like.
4. Plan the perfect meal.
Don’t wait until the day-of to stumble on the ideal lunch spot for the group or rely on luck to get a table at your favorite place. Now is not the time to play it by ear. Make a reservation somewhere along your shopping route so you won’t have to wait in line or ask the bride to make a decision on the spot about where the group should eat.
5. Put your phone away.
Chances are that your bride is a little nervous about the possibility of a photo of her in a dress she’s not loving — or, worse yet, the dress she’ll eventually settle on for the big day — circulating via text or on social media. Eliminate this anxiety by keeping your phone in your pocket. You can always grab it again if she asks you to snap a pic. Stashing your screen will also help ensure that your attention remains 100 percent on the bride herself.
6. Let the good times roll.
Who says the fun has to stop just because your pal has said yes to the dress? Last time we checked, the answer is no one. Keep the fun going with a special dinner, a Champagne toast or a cozy night of watching wedding-themed movies (we love Bride Wars) together at home!
What does your dream day of dress shopping look like? Tweet us @BritandCo.
This post has been updated.
Photo courtesy of Lovely Bride.
Alli Hoff Kosik
Alli Hoff Kosik is a freelance writer who is passionate about reading, running, rainbow sprinkles, her lipstick collection, watching embarrassing reality TV, and drinking pink wine. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and (in her dreams, at least) three golden retriever puppies. Listen to her talk books on The SSR Podcast.
FAQs
Get plenty of snaps of her trying on every dress—even the styles she dislikes, so she knows for any future shopping trips. She'll appreciate these photos after the fact to commemorate the day she found her dream wedding dress, and you'll love looking back at the once-in-a-lifetime experience you shared together.
How to make wedding dress shopping special for a friend? ›
Get plenty of snaps of her trying on every dress—even the styles she dislikes, so she knows for any future shopping trips. She'll appreciate these photos after the fact to commemorate the day she found her dream wedding dress, and you'll love looking back at the once-in-a-lifetime experience you shared together.
How to help someone with wedding dress shopping? ›
Be receptive to see if the bride is looking for guidance or just some extra feedback to support what she feels. Let her make the decisions and evaluate what she needs from there. Remember to frame all suggestions and feedback in a way where the bride keeps the control of her appointment. This is her time.
How to make wedding dress shopping special as maid of honor? ›
Maid of Honor Etiquette Tip #1: Shop for the Wedding Dress
You've known the bride for a long time and can offer the best second-opinion when it comes to her unique style and layout for her wedding. As the maid of honor, be available to shop for wedding dresses with the bride.
Who usually comes wedding dress shopping? ›
Traditionally, the mother of the bride, sisters, and the closest friend (or friends) are involved in the dress hunt. Your future mother-in-law can be invited, too, if you're tight with her and you want her to take part.
Who traditionally buys the wedding dress? ›
While this responsibility can vary from culture to culture, historically the bride's family will pay for her wedding dress and accessories. This includes everything from the dress itself to the veil and shoes.
What should the mother of the bride wear when wedding dress shopping? ›
You might be prepared for me to advise you with a few traditional social cues, like 1) don't upstage the bride, 2) never wear white, 3) the mother of the bride chooses her dress first and 4) then the mother of the groom gets to find her dress.
What makes a wedding dress look expensive? ›
Adding an extravagant veil or luxurious long train will dramatically impact the look of your wedding dress and make it look like a designer's wedding gown. You can work with a sewist who matches or uses complimentary fabric to add a train to your wedding dress.
How do you jazz up a boring wedding dress? ›
Wedding gown accessories can range from delicate jewelry to dramatic veils. A belt or sash can add a pop of color or texture to a simple dress, while dazzling statement pieces such as earrings and tiaras could bring a glamorous touch. Brides can also consider wearing a hat or a floral crown for a boho vibe.
What makes a wedding dress stand out? ›
Bows can also have the effect of adding that “something special” to a dress. So, where it may have seemed plain before, the bow can really make a statement. Every bride wants to feel her absolute best on her wedding day, so having a dress that fits perfectly is imperative.
Any outfit you would wear to brunch or a casual occasion should suffice for wedding dress shopping as a guest. For a bit more guidance, here are some style tips and outfit ideas.
How many people should go wedding dress shopping with you? ›
We recommend limiting your gown shopping entourage to about three people at most. This will help make your experience the best it can be with the very most important people by your side.
How can I make wedding dress shopping more fun? ›
To make for a more fun and efficient shopping experience, discuss a budget with your daughter ahead of time so you're both on the same page. Also, make sure to eat a little something before the appointment, so everyone is focused on finding the perfect dress for your daughter and not feeling hangry!
Can you go wedding dress shopping just for fun? ›
Don't go just to try dresses on.
Now, on a slow day this doesn't matter so much, which may lead you to believe that you could always schedule to come in on a weekday without it being a problem. But even if it's not inconvenient for the boutique, it's not a good idea for you. Wedding dress shopping is a special time.
Do you have to bring someone wedding dress shopping? ›
Its okay to shop alone – It's also totally okay to go shopping alone if that's what makes you the most comfortable! Keep in mind, shopping for your wedding dress is much different than running to the mall for a new outfit, we recommend doing what is easiest for you.
