Advice from the Pro: 5 Tips for Wedding Dress Shopping from Cayla Johnson, Social Media & PR Manager of Becker's Bridal

Wedding dress shopping is a thrilling experience filled with anticipation and the joy of finding the perfect gown to say "I do" in. The process allows brides to explore different styles, fabrics and embellishments, envisioning themselves as the radiant center of attention on their big day. However, amidst all the excitement, it's essential to acknowledge that wedding dress shopping can also be stressful. The pressure to find the perfect dress that fulfills both personal preferences and societal expectations can often create anxiety. However, the process doesn't have to be a scary one! We chatted with Cayla Johnson, Social Media and PR Manager of Becker's Bridal who shared her guidance and top five tips for making the journey of finding your dream wedding dress a more enjoyable and stress-free experience!

1. Do Your Research

"It's important to do a little bit of research as you begin your dress shopping journey! Not only is it important to learn about what the industry standard is for items such as pricing and production timelines, it's important to find a shop who you can trust. Reading reviews and asking your friends and family about their own personal experiences can greatly benefit you as you decide where to shop!"

2. Decide Who to Bring

"Because this is often the first 'big' moment of your engagement season, women often feel inclined to include everybody who may be at some point involved in the wedding; however, we recommend the 'less is more' mentality. Bringing the voices and opinions that matter the most to you during the appointment will help keep the appointment focused on what's important to YOU. When there are too many people's opinions, it can become confusing and less enjoyable. Plus, there will be several opportunities to include other ladies along the engagement journey!"

3. Decide What to Bring

"We recommend bringing some basics to prepare you for the appointment. Photo inspiration from either our website 'wish list' feature, our social media platforms and/or your Pinterest board are super helpful at the start of the appointment. Your stylist can help guide you in finding these styles and deciding whether or not you like them! Also, wearing neutral colored undergarments will help avoid distractions and a hair tie/clip is always helpful, too! Wearing clear deodorant and no body makeup is encouraged as you'll be trying on several sample gowns that one day might become somebody's 'yes' dress."

4. Manage Expectations

"Oftentimes, brides WILL fall in love with a gown while shopping, so managing the expectation of 'I may be leaving with a gown either in hand or on order' will be helpful in terms of financial preparation. It's industry standard to have purchases be final sale, so being prepared to place a deposit is helpful. It's also very helpful to not 'stack' dress shopping appointments because it can quickly feel like work rather than enjoyment/excitement!"

5. Trust Yourself

"Our final piece of advice is to trust in yourself! You've been doing it your entire life and it's what has led you to become engaged, in one way or another. When dress shopping, trust yourself! You'll know what gown makes you feel beautiful, bridal, excited and most importantly, YOURSELF!"

Cayla Johnson is the Social Media and PR Manager of Becker's Bridal
If you're ready to find your dream dress, request an appointment at Becker's Bridal here!

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