Bridal Gown Shopping Manners and Tips
When you first set foot into a bridal salon, it is important to make a good impression. That helpful woman greeting you, also known as your bridal gown consultant, can be a wonderful ally, if you get off on the right foot. Help her to help you, and finding the wedding gown of your dreams will be a breeze.
The first piece of bridal salon etiquette is to call ahead and make an appointment. Many brides do not realize that if they show up without an appointment, they may not get the chance to try on, or in some instances, even look at the wedding gowns – what a disappointment! When you make the appointment, let the bridal salon know the date of your wedding, and any special circumstances (ie, you need a gown with long sleeves for religious reasons). That will allow your consultant to get a head start on picking out good candidates for you to try on the day of your appointment. And please remember that if you need to break your appointment, it is only polite to call the store and cancel. That will free up the time slot for another bride.
Most brides get very excited before going to try on bridal gowns for the first time. In the thrill of anticipation, don’t overlook a few fine points of bridal salon etiquette. Do not wear heavy makeup, red lipstick, or strong perfume, all of which can ruin a fine gown. But please do wear underwear! Even if good manners did not require that brides wear panties to try on wedding dresses, the law does. Regrettably, the problem crops up far more frequently than one might imagine!
In a fine bridal salon, they are likely to have specific rules which are designed to protect their investment: namely the wedding gown samples. Do not be surprised if you are required to leave your shoes at the door, which is very common. If you prefer not to go barefoot, wear socks. Most salons require that one of their consultants be the one to assist the bride in trying on the dresses. This is partly so that she can guide the bride in her quest for “the one”, but it is also to keep the fragile dresses in good condition. Lastly, some salons may even request that guests don white gloves before handling the silk wedding dresses. Please do not be insulted; silk easily stains from the natural oils which are in everyone’s skin. Guests who politely accept the rules of their host salons will definitely have the most pleasant experiences.
One thing that all brides should know is that it is very rude to talk openly about gowns that you have seen in other stores in front of your bridal consultant. There is nothing more frustrating to a consultant than hearing a bride and her entourage continually say, “I liked the one at that other store better”. This really makes it hard for her to do her job and try to find you a beautiful gown. Either buy the other dress, or keep an open mind as you explore new possibilities.
A cardinal sin of wedding gown shopping is to waste the time of a busy consultant. Keep in mind that every appointment dedicated to a shopper with no intention of buying is a time slot which is being stolen from a serious bride. So please, do not go wedding gown shopping when no engagement is on the horizon, you have already bought a gown somewhere else and are still looking “just for fun”, or if you are looking for ideas to sew your own dress. Have some consideration for the time and effort that bridal salons devote to working one on one with each individual bride. That will pay big dividends when it comes time to find your own dream dress.
123 Etiquette Featured Author: Bridget was formerly a manager of an elegant Bridal shop. Since 2008 she has spent much of her time writing about weddings, jewelry, fashion and etiquette for Silverland Jewelry specializes in bridesmaid jewelry and wedding jewelry for the entire wedding party.
