6 Bridesmaids Dress Shopping Etiquette Every Woman Should Know

Today, on Redhead Mom, I’m sharing a partnered guest post about bridesmaids dress shopping etiquette every woman should know.

Shopping for bridesmaid dresses can be a fun experience, but it is crucial to remember that it’s not just about finding the perfect dress for your bridesmaids. As a bride, it’s your responsibility to ensure that everything regarding the bridesmaid’s dress is sorted out. 

To ensure a positive and stress-free experience, follow these bridesmaid dress shopping etiquette guidelines. If you’re currently in the midst of wedding planning, consider searching for a wedding planner near me to get personalized assistance. For more on wedding planning, here you can learn about incorporating a tipi into your wedding, which can transform the occasion into a remarkable and distinctive event, captivating your guests and leaving a lasting impression. Don’t hesitate to consult the experts for Tipi Hire, as they are the leading tipi hire specialists in the UK.

Start with researching

The first step to shopping for the best bridesmaid dress is to do your research.

What type of look are you searching for? Figure this out before you start making appointments at salons. Doing so will make the process easier.

You can flip through wedding  magazines or check out websites for inspiration. There are many styles of bridesmaid dresses, depending on your taste, design, and budget. 

Whether you are looking for formal, classic, or informal bridesmaid dresses, there is something for everyone. If you are going for informal bridesmaid dresses, there are a variety of sizes, price range, and colors to select from.

Discuss the budget from the onset

Planning for a wedding can be an overwhelming process that needs to be treated meticulously, as even one minor issue, like your bridal party member’s budget, can disrupt the planning process. 

Don’t ignore that conversation.

Discuss your budget from the onset, as it will help determine where to do your shopping. Fortunately, bridesmaids today have many amazing options at any given price, whether they decide to buy off the rack or they want to go for custom designer frocks at classy salons.

Don’t forget to include alteration costs.

Did you know that about 75% of bridesmaids need to modify their dresses? 

That cost can range between $25 to over $100. Aside from hemming and size adjustments, a tall bridesmaid might need additional length added to her dress.

If your bridesmaid is quite tall, probably 5’8″, she might need additional length if you put on a long dress, particularly if she’s on heels. 

Bring accessories to the initial fitting and determine that there is usually an extra cost linked with additional length.

Start shopping early

Shopping for your bridesmaid’s dress isn’t something you should put off till a few weeks before the big day; the results might be catastrophic. 

To avoid any issues or delays, try shopping for your bridal party seven to eight months before the big day. When you do this, you raise your chances of being able to hit a sale (if you are buying off the rack) or find a quarterly trunk show ( where you can acquire a 15% discount) to order the dress and still have adequate time to get it delivered without any delay, rush, or hindrance.

Aside from getting favorable deals, shopping early gives you enough time to think about the dress and make an order. Unless you decide to buy off the rack, you need to budget for at least three months from when you place the order to when you receive it. Many designers cut their dresses overseas, so it’s tough for the boutique to fast-track the process beyond a certain degree.

It’s also best to place the orders for the whole bridal party simultaneously to ensure quality control. 

Have measurements done professionally before ordering

Yes, many bridesmaid dresses are being made to order. However, the customer isn’t receiving a custom dress. Instead, bridesmaids are measured and then fit into a preexisting size (around two to 24). Because every designer sizes differently, it’s essential that each bridesmaid provide accurate measurements to prevent issues later on.

While many boutiques might carry out the measurements with their sales staff, they aren’t seamstresses. In the end, the customer is responsible for offering her accurate measurements, so it’s very crucial that she also measures herself by visiting a professional seamstress.

Begin shopping with one or two bridesmaids

Rather than kick-start the shopping process with your entire bridesmaid, we recommend starting with a core group of decision-makers. For example, you can invite two or three bridesmaids whose opinions you respect and value the most.

You can pick your maid of honor, your matron of honor, your best friend, or acquaintances familiar with weddings, fashion, and style. 

Seek advice from your maid of honor and style-savvy friends to help select a look for the big occasion. Start looking at graceful gowns by pakistani clothing brands. Once you and your trusted bridesmaids have selected a few options, present them to the others to get their take. 

Conclusion

Before shopping for a bridesmaid dress, ensure you consider your preferences, budget, and timeline. Plus, try to communicate openly and honestly with your bridesmaids to improve the chances of the process being a success. With these guidelines in mind, you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect dresses for your big day.