How to Choose Your Shopping Posse 101
So you booked your venue and now it’s time to go shopping for the most important gown (or suit, or jumpsuit) that you will ever wear in your life! While I’m sure you want to share this special moment with your friends and family, it’s super important to bring the right group of people with you, or else your dress shopping experience may be less than ideal. Keep reading for some of my top tips (‘cause believe me, I have seen some badddd things happen in bridal appointments).
Keep it small.
Yes, I know it is extremely difficult to choose who to bring with you. You don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings and feel like all ten of your bridesmaids need to come or that you need to invite your mother-in-law and sisters-in-law. My best advice, keep your shopping squad at a four person maximum. More people often means that you’re going to have more opinions. If you really don’t care about what they think, power to you! But a lot of people have a hard time sticking to their own opinion. If you feel bad about not inviting someone, you can incorporate them into other parts of the planning process instead.
Beware of the people you bring (lol this sounds so sinister but I’m keeping it).
The above advice will mean absolutely nothing NOTHING if you bring people who don’t have your best interest at heart, are jealous of your amazing physique, are mad that they haven’t been proposed to yet, are bitter that their relationship didn’t work out, or feel the need to be the center of attention. Your guest should understand that while he or she may not like ball gowns, you do, so they should just keep their opinion to themselves. The only talking they should be doing is showing support, or if you actually don’t look good in the dress because it’s not flattering to your figure, that they be honest IF YOU ASK and only if you ask. If I look bad in a gown, I want my mom to tell me no matter how much it may sting a little, but I guess it depends on what kind of person you are. I’ve seen moms tell their daughters that if they lost weight the gown would look better. DEFINITELY NOT OKAY. There are ways to phrase things people! Also if you’re wearing something that isn’t appropriate for a the wedding (like a super duper low cut gown for the church) your group should probably say something.
Don’t bring the groom.
I know some people bring the groom. Again, it’s your wedding, you do you, but I think it ruins the whole magic of your first look/when you first walk down the aisle. This is your wedding gown! Not some nice winter coat you’re trying on at Nordstrom! An exception here is if you’re having a cultural wedding and you have no idea what you’re supposed to wear. If his mom or another woman in his family is unable to help you, then I can see asking his advice.
And just on another note! Make sure if your guests are taking photos of you that no one posts it on the ‘gram. I once heard of a situation where someone did and then she had to come back to the store and buy a new gown.
