My first BIW post and dress shopping advice...

[FacetFire]

Hi everyone! I''m so excited to finally be joining the BIWs! We''re shooting for an August or September 2007 wedding, though we are having a bit of a hard time finding a venue that we like and is available and can accomodate a smaller (50 max.) wedding while maintaining the formal big-wedding feel. However, I am going on my first dress shopping trip on Saturday to a couple local salons. I''m bringing my mom (and I haven''t decided whether or not to ask FI''s mom to come...what do you guys think?). Anyway, does anyone have any tips or dress shopping advice they''d care to share? I''m a little overwhelmed by the whole idea because I am very perfectionisitic about clothing and still a little freaked out at the idea of actually seeing myself in a bridal gown. One of the salons already told me I couldn''t take pics...I''m bummed. Hopefully I can sneek some to share with you guys though! So, any good tips from the experienced BIWs?

 

[flutterby]

CONGRATS, enjoy shopping! The first time, I say just go with your mom. Its kind of a special day. I never went with my mom, always with bridesmaids, and of course my best gay boyfriend!

As for dresses, try on alot. I thought I knew what I wanted, and once i started trying on, it wasnt it at all! I wanted a big ball gown and I got a fitted mermaid.

I had a very formal feeling wedding with 50 guests. There is a post on it in here somewhere..... One of the places I cut costs was with my dress. I figure if I am having passed hors duerves, open bar, and a 5 course meal at the four seasons, i had to save $$$$ somewhere.

If you look at my dress it is very bridal, but it actually was a white bridesmaid dress. It was only $250!!!! Then the alterations were $200, but it was the perfect place for me to cut a few corners.

Have fun and keep us posted!

 

[Mannequin]

Good luck with your venue and your first shopping trip!

As far as taking your FMIL, I''d say the more the merrier, ask if she wants to come. She may decline and want you to spend that first special day with your mom, or she could come with you and spend some time talking with your mom which would help later if they are not very familiar with each other yet. I took my mother and my two grandmothers on my first trip out, especially since my daddy''s mother never had a wedding dress of her own and raised four boys. She had never been to a bridal shop before! We had a GREAT time, and I let all of them pick out dresses to have me try on as well as my own selections. A few weeks ago, I went to look at dresses and I took my mom and FI''s ladies (mom, grandma, sister). Remember that you might be able to get some pics inside the dressing room before you come out to look in the big mirrors!

 

[E B]

What they said!

I especially second what MrsFlutter said about trying on anything and everything (unless it seriously makes you gag). I thought I knew what I wanted, and *the* dress I''m ordering in December is one I never would have asked to try on. I had a fabulous consultant who, after an hour of seeing what looked good on me and what didn''t, pulled it down and asked me to try it on before we left. It''s perfect.

 

[firebirdgold]

Not that I''ve been to very many stores yet, but my advice consists of two words: "Camera Phone"! Somebody has got to have one in your family and future family!
You may want to go to a bridal gown store the very first time with just your mom. I did and she got very teary-eyed! Consider that first trip more of a reconnaissance excursion than a serious shopping trip. Then you can go a second time with a better idea of what you''re looking for and bring your mom and your fmil!

 

[FacetFire]

Thanks everyone. I think I will just go with my mom, though I feel bad because FI's parents are from out-of-town and they happen to be in town this weekend. I want FI's mom to feel like part of things, but at the same time I feel like it's going to be emotional enough with my mom getting all misty.

I wish I had a camera phone! The only one who has one is FI and I dont' want to put dress pics on his phone! Is it too hard to smuggle in a camera? I'm worried that I may never even have a minute alone to snap a pic though if they help you get them on and off...

 

[robbie3982]

You could act like you''re really shy about people seeing you in your underwear and ask to have your mom help you...then you''d be alone in the dressing room to take some pics

. I haven''t actually tried this, since I''ve only gone shopping w/ my mom twice.

 

[SoonIHope]

Not sure if you''ll be able to sneak photos or not, but it''s worth trying! We tried to sneak some but my consultant was never gone long enough and then my whole "I want to buy this now but I can''t without showing it to my mom (IF I COULD TAKE A PICTURE) first!!!" story didn''t work. Eh, my mom came in town a few weeks later so it all worked out (and once you put the money down you can take a million pictures). I was annoyed, but it was fine!

My real advice though (which has already been said) is TRY EVERYTHING ON!!!!!! My dress has a weird (uuuuglyy) neck thingy on it, so I would never in a million years have chosen it try on. My consultant brought it in and I kind of grimaced and she asked why and I pointed at the neck thing, and she just laughed and said they could alter it away in about 5 minutes, so I should just try it on and tuck the thingy out of the way. I did, and....WOW. It was soooooooo perfect and exactly what I had been dreaming of!!!! But when I saw it hanging there I was actively repulsed by it and didn''t want to try it on because of one easy-to-alter-away feature! So even if it''s not the right cut, not the right style, not the right neckline, has weird ugly neck things

or whatever - just TRY IT ON!!!!! I shudder to think that if she hadn''t forced me to try it on, I never would have been united with my dress!!!