Wedding shopping is an experience that every bride should enjoy. We, at the bridal shop, try our level best to pamper our brides like princesses, from the minute they walk in. Although we do our part to make it a positive experience that you will cherish, you should remember that your bridal entourage has an equally important role in determining how your visit goes. A supportive bridal party can make your wedding shopping exciting, while a group that disapproves or criticizes most of your choices can ruin the day.
It is always refreshing to see an excited and buoyant bride walk in our door, and equally apalling to find her disheartened and confused when her entourage criticizes her choices or tries to take over the appointment. This is why the bride should carefully choose her entourage, and make sure it has the people who will help her make the right decision. Here is how to make sure you take the right people.
Take as few people as you possibly can
When the number of people accompanying you increases, so does the number of opinions. Don’t feel obliged to call all the people you think would like to go. Only ask those who can really help you. Two or three are good enough, as long as they can do the job well.
A good shopping buddy will be encouraging
How many times have we seen people make faces at the bride or say something horrible, when she comes out in a dress that she thinks is right? This is enough to cloud her mind, and make it certain that this isn’t the right one. It is best to avoid those who are too judgemental and make you miserable with their opinions. The last thing you want is to lose your self-esteem and confidence, based on their opinions.
They should be mindful of your budget
Your wedding dress budget should be sorted out before you go shopping, and your buddies should be those who can agree with dresses that fall within it. Don’t take along people who cannot respect your financial limit and force you to try a dress that is over-budget. If you end up liking it, it will only disappoint you that you cannot afford it.
Your shopping companions have previous wedding experience
Renee Strauss, in her article on the Huffington Post mentions that brides can benefit from choosing someone who has been to enough weddings, to help you decide how practical any dress you wear, would be for the type of ceremony you will have. Having been to many weddings, it is likely that she will have a fair idea of how a feature may be helpful, or how it may cause difficulties if you were to wear it. Also, if there are cultural constraints on your wardrobe, this friend would be indispensable in helping you rule out features that won’t work, and those that will be right.
This has hopefully cleared the air on what you should remember when choosing your entourage. For more tips and information on wedding shopping, download our free e-book on What to expect at your Bridal Appointment. Visit us at Best for Bride for all your wedding shopping needs, and we assure you the experience of a lifetime.
I needed this. I want to go with my friends, but my mom keeps sticking her nose into the situation. Not that I don’t think she’ll help, I just think it will be more fun with my friends!
HUGE help if they are aware of your budget.
I always thought it would be fun to head out on the town shopping with my friends, but once I did, I realized that it was just a party and I wished my mom was along.