What Should You Bring to Your First Bridal Appointment

Your first bridal appointment should be exciting, not stressful. And the good news is that you really don’t need to bring very much with you.

A little preparation can make the experience easier, but you don’t need to arrive knowing exactly which dress you want.

Bring some inspiration — but keep an open mind

If you’ve been saving wedding dresses you love, bring a few images with you.

They can help your bridal stylist understand what attracts you — perhaps it’s a particular neckline, fabric, silhouette or simply the overall feeling of a dress.

But don’t feel restricted by your inspiration.

A wedding dress can look completely different on your body than it does in a photograph, and sometimes the gown you never considered is the one that surprises you.

Wear the right underwear

Simple, comfortable underwear in a nude or neutral colour is usually the best choice.

Most importantly, wear something you feel comfortable being fitted in. Your stylist may need to help you into and out of several dresses during your appointment.

What about shoes?

You don’t need to have your wedding shoes yet.

If you already know you’ll be wearing a particular heel height, you can bring a similar pair, but for a first appointment this isn’t essential.

The exact hem length will be considered later during alterations.

Keep makeup and fake tan light

It’s best to avoid heavy makeup, strong lipstick or freshly applied fake tan when trying wedding dresses.

You’ll be changing in and out of delicate fabrics, often in light colours, so keeping makeup minimal helps protect the gowns.

Choose carefully who comes with you

Who you bring can have a surprisingly big effect on your appointment.

Choose one or two people whose opinions you trust and who understand your style, rather than bringing a large group with different ideas about what you should wear.

Too many opinions can sometimes make a decision that should feel personal much more complicated.

Know a few details about your wedding

You don’t need to have everything planned, but it helps to know:

·      your wedding date

·      your venue or general setting

·      the season

·      the kind of atmosphere you’re creating

These details help your stylist understand your wedding and suggest gowns that make sense for both your style and the occasion.

The Brideswings Tip

The most important thing to bring to your first bridal appointment is an open mind.

Come with inspiration, but don’t arrive with a list of rules about what you can or cannot wear.

At Brideswings in Kifissia, Athens, appointments are private, allowing each bride the time and space to explore different designers, silhouettes and ideas without another bridal appointment taking place at the same time.

Your first appointment isn’t about trying every dress in the boutique.

It’s about beginning to understand which dress feels like you.