Written by La Jeune Mariee
Photo by Jenny Haas | Photo by Starling Studio
Many brides-to-be feel nervous with the unknowns of what to expect at their first bridal gown appointment, which can definitely add to the stress of wedding planning. We’re giving you the rundown on what to expect so you can alleviate any of that stress. Don’t be nervous—by the end of this, you’ll be so ready for your appointment!
01 / Come with an open mind
If we had a dollar for every time a bride came in looking for one style and fell in love with the total opposite, let’s just say we’d be giving out wedding gowns for free! Go outside your comfort zone and try all silhouettes. You’ll learn what you love and what you don’t! We promise it will make you feel better knowing you gave it a try and didn’t like it, instead of always wondering.
02 / You’ll be best friends with your bridal stylist by the end of your appointment
As your personal bridal stylist, it’s our job to clip and adjust the dress samples to make them look as realistic as possible, which sometimes means we will be in your personal bubble! We’ve seen just about everything in the fitting rooms, so nothing you do (or don’t do) is going to offend us! (But please do wear underwear…) The most important thing is that you feel comfortable!
03 / Your opinion matters the most
It’s great to have your #bridetribe and family’s opinion, but remember: you’re the only one who will be wearing the gown. You don’t want to look back and regret a decision you made. Make sure the decision is for YOU and no one else!
Photo by Starling Studio
04 / The dress search can be as easy or as hard as you make it
FOMO is real, and sometimes brides feel like they need to go to ten different boutiques just to make sure they don’t miss anything. But going to multiple places can be extremely overwhelming! Here’s the thing: if you feel great in the gown and you don’t want to take it off, chances are you’ve found THE ONE!
05 / Speak up!
If you don’t like a dress, tell your stylist right away and try your best to communicate what you don’t like about it. It won’t hurt our feelings, we promise! It is much easier if we can work together to find out what you like and dislike, which will help us pull more of the right gowns for you. And don’t worry if you don’t understand our bridal terminology. Just ask and we will break it down for you!
06 / Stay away from gowns outside of your budget
We often have brides ask to try on gowns that are drastically outside their budget. We can put you in that gown, of course, but the worst part about our job is seeing a heartbroken bride because they fell in love with a gown they couldn’t afford! Knowing the top of your budget before you go into your appointment will keep you from getting into that tough situation.
Photo by Ashley Wallace | Photo by 222 Photography
07 / Bridal sizing is different than street sizing
Once we’ve taken your measurements and explained bridal sizing to you, please don’t get caught up in the number! Your dress size will typically be different than the size you normally wear. Go with the flow and pretend that the numbers don’t exist!
08 / Venue vs. gown
Some brides think that their gown should match the style of your venue (and it can!). But we believe your gown can be whatever you want it to be. You can make the details of the wedding match you, not the other way around. It’s important to feel confident in what you’re wearing, instead of worrying if your gown reflects your venue.
09 / Not everyone cries
Time and time again we have brides who wait for that big emotional meltdown to confirm that the gown they love is THE ONE, but not every bride cries. Your bridal gown is absolutely one of the most memorable clothing purchases you will ever make, but it’s ultimately just another piece of clothing. Do you cry when you find the perfect pair of jeans? Probably not. You just know they are the winner because of how you feel in them! And if you do cry, that’s perfectly normal too! We all express our emotions differently.
Photo by Hailey Lauren Photography | Photo by Jehan LLC
10 / Have fun!
With all the planning and stress that comes with the wedding, we think your bridal gown experience should be the most fun (except for the big day of course)! It’s okay to be nervous, but don’t stress yourself out too much. You’ll find the gown—don’t worry! Trust your intuition. You’ve got this and we are here to help you any way we can!
Now you’re all ready for that appointment. We can’t wait to help you find your dream gown! Schedule an appointment and we will see you soon!
About La Jeune Mariee
La Jeune Mariee is a size-inclusive, designer bridal boutique in Columbus, Ohio. With over 500 gowns, 20 designers and a range of prices from $1,000 to $12,000, we trust we’ll find your dream gown! Our expert & dedicated stylists are here to truly listen to each bride and assist in putting together a look that will make everyone swoon on your big day.
Our sister store, Luxe Redux Bridal, is a designer sample bridal boutique, where you can shop off-the-rack and take your dress home that same day. Visit in-person at one of our boutiques in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Indianapolis or Pittsburgh (and growing!), shop online, or try on at home with Luxe in a Box.
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