Dress shopping looks so easy on your friend in the movie, but in real life you end up in the fitting room clipped into a gown twice your size while your loved ones are waiting to hear what you think of it. I’ve been along with my cousins and friends to numerous dress shopping trips across multiple cities and it’s all the same routine. So here’s the advice I would tell the girls if we were sitting in a greasy diner splitting fries. No fluff, no sales pitch, just the stuff that would matter to me.
What I Wish Somebody Had Told Me Before
The common consensus is six months is enough time. Usually it’s not. Gowns can take from four to eight months to order after you’ve found the one, and then another round to fittings on top of that. If you’re having your wedding in the spring you should have started last summer. I know, I know, but time is money and paying the stylist extra because you didn’t have the time to prepare is a harsh way to spend money better spent on flowers or the open bar. Picking a number and sticking to it, no questions asked, and finding something within the realm of that number. A good wedding gown in Las Vegas brides trust won’t make you feel bad for passing over a certain garment because it’s not within your range. The problem comes when you try on the one dress that is way above your budget and can’t unsee it. Don’t do this to yourself, trust me. Everything else will look like a disappointment in comparison and you’ll find yourself disappointed when you’re wearing a gown you picked at a sample sale.
Know What a Boutique Is
If you’re expecting the experience of a Nordstrom rack where you wander the racks and find what fits, a real bridal boutique has nothing to do with that. You will go in, meet a stylist, and try on sample sizes pinned to your body, with the actual dress ordered in your size later. It will take longer, but nothing fits as well as something that has been altered to your liking. However you will also likely not walk out with a dress in a garment bag that day.
Keep Your Squad Small
Too many opinions will kill your afternoon. Your aunt doesn’t like strapless, your bestfriend wants sparkle, your mom cries at everything, and you’re still unsure what it is that you want. Take two or three girlfriends that will be straight with you and know your style, everyone else can see the finished product at the end of the day. That reveal is always a highlight for me. I’ve had some brides walk out in a dress and be overwhelmed by emotion or the style, but it’s more often the company she picked that was the worst choice.
Make Appointments
If you walk in off the streets it can work, I’ll be the first to admit it, but I wouldn’t recommend it, especially on a Saturday. Most of the best bridal shops Las Vegas has to offer are on the appointment only system, and it’s for your own good. If you can schedule in the afternoon or evening you’re more likely to find time. I’d say two appointments in a day, maybe three max. After that everything blurs together and you won’t remember what each dress looked like. Take pictures and make little notes to yourself after each fitting.
Try the Dress You Say You’d Never Wear
Everyone says this and everyone does the opposite. Brides walk in saying they will never wear a ball gown and walk out in one, and others swear off lace and end up wrapped in it. Let your stylist throw a couple curveballs your way, worst case you laugh and toss it back at them. Best case you find something that would have never caught your eye online but looks fantastic on your body. Trust me, pictures lie and a piece of fabric is a totally different creature once it’s on a real person.
Consider the Climate
It’s surprising how much impact it has on the type of gown you pick. A heavy layered dress might look gorgeous but will feel awful at an outdoor summer wedding in the desert. This is why wedding dresses Las Vegas brides tend to pick are lighter with crepe, chiffon, and open backs to combat the heat. Colorado has a different climate, cold nights and dry arid days with the occasional surprise frost. Sleeves or a wrap detail might be more appropriate there. Ask your stylist, most have a strong opinion, and they’re often right.
Ask About Fittings Immediately
If you haven’t thought about it already. Asking about alteration time and how long it takes the gown to arrive once it’s been ordered. Some shops have a seamstress in house, and others send you somewhere else with a range of prices. Two or three fittings is normal, and leaves a month gap between the final fitting and your wedding date. It’s more common than one would hope for and a lot less stressful if you’ve prepared for it.
Read the Fine Print Before Paying Deposits
Deposits are normal, and half of the payment is usually standard. What isn’t standard is what happens if it doesn’t fit, you lose your size or move your date. Custom orders are almost always final sale, which is understandable, but you want to know that before signing anything. Take a picture of your receipt, save all the emails, and have the order confirmation in writing. Boring but necessary to ensure if anything goes sideways you’re not liable to pay the full amount.
Follow your Gut Instinct
The internet may be saying sleek is in fashion, but if you want big puffy sleeves and a cathedral train you do it. You’re likely to look at these photos every day for the next fifty years of your life and want to recognize yourself in them. The “moment” is sometimes not at the mirror and more often a feeling that this is the one. Trust your gut instinct if you’re still thinking about a specific dress after you’ve seen it. Do not second guess yourself.
Wrapping It Up
Finding your dress shouldn’t be a job. Starting early, limiting your squad, setting a budget, and being open minded are all things that can help put your mind at ease. Whether it’s a bridal boutique Las Vegas locals swear by, wedding dress shops Denver brides love, or Denver bridal shops to shop in Colorado. A gown purchase doesn’t need to be a chore, and with a wedding dress team in your corner that will listen to your requests, it can be seamless from start to finish. If you’re looking at Perla Bridal I’m happy to announce Perla Bridal, South Durango Drive Suite 107, Las Vegas, NV for anyone that likes to type in addresses on Google maps, and the Perla Bridal Las Vegas staff will walk you through every step of the way from your first appointment to your final fitting.
Heading to Colorado instead? Perla Bridal, Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO is also a location available. Quick disclaimer, Perla Bridal has nothing to do with La Perla the lingerie label, so don’t confuse the two on Google. Whether it’s wedding dresses for a desert elopement or a massive celebration Perla Bridal will show you what you need without the pressure. Make an appointment and go enjoy this part of your journey.
Name: Perla Bridal
Address: 6639 Las Vegas Blvd S #129, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Phone: 702-340-8821
FAQs
How early should I book my first appointment?
Aim for nine to twelve months ahead if you can swing it. That gives you enough time to find what you want, make your order, and schedule fittings without the stress of such a short window. You can always do it in a shorter time frame with sample sales or off the rack, but your options dwindle the closer you get. It’s always best to start early, trust me.
How many people should I bring with me?
Two or three is a good number. It gives you honest opinions and a good variety of styles. Too many voices and it’ll just confuse you about what it is you want. Pick people that know your style and won’t push their own preferences on you. The rest can see the finished product after the fact which is always a highlight for everyone.
Can I try on dresses over my budget?
You can, but try not to fall in love with something that is way beyond your number. Every other dress will feel like a let down in comparison. Tell the stylist your range and have them find things within it. A couple of “just for fun” gowns is a good idea to see what you like in the way of silhouette or neckline at a price you can live with.
Do I really need an appointment, or can I walk in?
You should book ahead of time, but there is that one off chance you could walk in and catch a stylist with nothing on their schedule. However weekends tend to fill up fast and you want the time to yourself. An appointment can also help the shop with prepping what they have in stock, or the alterations your dress may need. It always makes for a more relaxed experience to try on something that will only live on in your closet for a day or two.
