How to Prepare for Your Wedding Dress Appointment: A Bride-to-Be's Guide

If you made it to this blog… huge congratulations to you on your engagement, lovely! Your wedding dress appointment is more than just shopping; it’s an incredible experience, with memories you will treasure forever! But don’t let that overwhelm you. Your bridal shopping journey should be smooth, seamless and enjoyable, and as part of that, we’re here to ensure you get the most out of your appointment and come in fully prepped. Here’s how to prepare for your wedding dress appointment with us at Hannah Elizabeth Bridal.

For context, we are a luxurious Southampton bridal boutique located in the idyllic village of Botley. As of April 2024, we’ve been in the bridal industry for 10 years – so we have seen every possible scenario when it comes to bridal appointments! We hope you find this guide useful – feel free to reach out to us via our Instagram with any questions!

What to expect at your bridal appointment

At your bridal appointment at our Southampton bridal boutique, you can expect an intimate and personalised experience tailored to finding your dream wedding gown.

Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by either Kelly or Hannah who will become your guide and confidante throughout the session. We’ll start your appointment by discussing your wedding details, style preferences, and budget to understand your vision – guided by the interview questions you submit ahead of your appointment.

Next, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the dresses themselves! Walking around our luxury boutique you will find a range of different styles and designers hanging on our rails – from chic crepe wedding dresses to luxurious lace or standout embellished wedding dresses.

Once you’ve chosen a couple of dresses to try, you will head to your private suite within our boutique ready to try on. Your guests will take a comfortable seat and chat amongst themselves whilst Kelly or Hannah will help you into your gown, using extenders or clips to ensure the dress fits you perfectly.

As you try on various gowns, we’ll offer insights on fit, fabric, and customisation options to suit your taste. Many of our wedding dresses come with various option such as detachable sleeves and overskirts, optional thigh splits or different sleeves options. We’ll discuss this all with you and show you what is possible throughout your appointment.

Throughout the appointment, your emotions and feedback will be at the forefront, ensuring the process is collaborative and enjoyable. You’ll have the opportunity to step outside of the changing space to get a better look within our mirrors and to show your guests for input, if you would like it. This stage can be quite delicate, especially if there is disagreement on the dress, so we’d recommend being prepared for the opinions of guests. Read more about this here.

Your bridal shopping journey is a magical one, filled with excitement, a few surprises, and perhaps even the magical moment when you find “The One.” So, embrace the experience, trust your instincts, and enjoy the first step in bringing your bridal look to life!

Luz by Love Story London

What happens after your bridal appointment?

Think you found The One?

If you found ‘The One’ at our Southampton bridal boutique, a huge congratulations to you lovely! We highly recommend that you ‘go with your gut’ and say yes to the dress. Many brides are under the illusion that shopping around is a necessity, and we avoid against this for multiple reasons.

Firstly, it can leave you feeling confused and struggling to get to a decision. Even when you finally buy, having multiple potential dresses in your mind can leave you with ‘FOMO’ and questioning yourself in the lead up to the wedding. Secondly, it can dilute the experience of finding ‘The One’, whereby you lose the excitement of the moment due to trying on so many gorgeous potential gowns. Finally, shopping around after finding ‘The One’ can encourage you to push beyond your budget.

“Oh, but that one is only £500 more” – this is a common path. Before you know it, you’ve spent £1000 more than your original budget.

If you think you found The One, go with your gut!

Not sure if it’s The One?

Sometimes you need a minute to think. The emotions of the day and the experience can leave you a little overwhelmed on the spot, and a breather is definitely needed. If there is one dress in your mind the next day and you cannot stop thinking about it, you’ll need to come back for a retry!

A retry at Hannah Elizabeth Bridal is your opportunity to try your original dress again and re-confirm if she is The One for you. If you’re unsure, check out our blog on ‘how you’ll know you’ve found The One’.

10 things to do ahead of your bridal appointment

1. Do your research

Ahead of your bridal appointment with us, spend some time researching. Browse through our website, Pinterest, and Instagram to get a sense of the styles, designers, and trends you are drawn to. Having a clear idea or even a mood board can help us understand your vision and gives you a starting point in the boutique, even if that starting point turns out to be entirely wrong for you! 

2. Set a budget

It’s easy to get carried away in the moment, so it’s crucial to establish a budget before your appointment. Be sure to communicate your budget with us upfront to avoid falling in love with a dress that’s beyond your means. This ensures that the purchase decision remains seamless and stress free – you’ll avoid questioning yourself about whether it is the right dress for you. 

3. Choose your guests wisely

The people you bring to your dress appointment can greatly influence your experience. Choose a small, supportive group whose opinions you value and trust and who are aligned with your vision. Too many voices can be overwhelming and take the focus away from what you truly want, again encouraging you to question yourself and your gut. 

4. Consider your wedding details

Your wedding dress should complement the overall theme and venue of your wedding. Whether it’s a destination wedding, a converted barn or a more formal British manor house, keep your venue and wedding style in mind when choosing your dress.

5. Mind your undergarments 

The right undergarments can drastically change how a dress looks. Wear or bring along a strapless bra or any special undergarments you plan to wear on your wedding day. Nude colors are preferred to ensure they don’t show through the dress.

6. Wear appropriate makeup and hair styling

While you don’t need to have your wedding day hair and makeup done, styling your hair similarly to how you might want it on your wedding day and wearing light makeup can help you better visualise the complete look. Please avoid wearing any fake tan as to not mark the dresses.

7. Prepare to keep an open mind

While you might have a clear idea of what you want, be open to trying on different styles. Many brides end up falling in love with a dress they never imagined would be ‘The One’. Trust your bridal consultant’s suggestions; they have a wealth of experience and knowledge.

9. Be ready to say ‘yes’

If you find the perfect wedding dress, don’t be afraid to say ‘yes’ on the spot. Sometimes, when you know, you just know. As we’ve already said, trust your instincts and don’t feel pressured to visit countless stores if you’ve already found your dream dress.

Freesia by Alena Leena

Book your ‘first bridal appointment’ today at our Southampton bridal boutique in Botley. We can’t wait to see you there! 

@hannahelizabethbridal

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