What’s Next After Getting Engaged: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Wedding Dress Shopping
So, you said “YES!” Congratulations! Now comes one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning: finding your dream wedding dress. Your bridal gown is one of the most intimate and memorable parts of your wedding journey, and we’re here to guide you through the first steps toward saying “I do” in style.
Whether you’re new to wedding dress shopping or just need a refresher on the process, this guide will help you navigate your next steps with ease and excitement.
1. Set your Wedding Date
Before diving into bridal gown shopping, it’s essential to have a wedding date in place. Choosing your venue and securing your date not only helps with gown selection, but also makes coordinating with other wedding vendors much easier.
Most wedding dresses are special ordered and can take 6–8 months to arrive from designers. Knowing your wedding date allows your bridal stylist to recommend styles that will arrive on time and fit your season, venue, and wedding theme perfectly.
💡 Tip: The time of year and wedding setting can influence your gown choice. A beach wedding might call for a lightweight silhouette, while a winter wedding may inspire a gown with sleeves or luxurious fabrics.
2. Book your bridal appointment
When you have a wedding date set and a venue secured, then it’s time to book your bridal appointment!
Once your wedding date and venue are secured, it’s time to schedule your bridal appointment.
We recommend starting your wedding dress shopping 10–12 months before your big day to account for order timelines and necessary alterations. If your wedding is sooner than that, check out our blog post on when to start shopping for your wedding dress.
3. gather wedding dress inspiration
Now the fun begins! Whether you’re curating your Pinterest wedding board or browsing bridal magazines, gathering inspiration is a key step in choosing your wedding gown.
From gown silhouettes to embellishments, notice what draws your eye and share your ideas with your stylist. They can help pull the perfect selection of dresses that match your vision.
💡 Charlotte’s Tip: Don’t treat inspiration as a checklist. Instead, use it to discover your favorite gown elements. Sometimes, the dress you fall in love with may surprise you!
Start exploring with our guides to common wedding dress silhouettes or browse our featured bridal designers at Charlotte’s Weddings. You can even download our free wedding dress guide.
4. Set your wedding dress Budget
Before your appointment, it’s important to define your bridal gown budget. Include the full look in your calculations—veil, accessories, and alterations are all part of your total investment.
Be open with your bridal stylist about your budget. Your stylist’s goal is to find the perfect gown for YOU within your price range. Knowing your budget ensures you’ll see styles that are both beautiful and realistic.
💡 Pro Tip: Review our pricing guidelines before your appointment to make sure you’re comfortable with the options in-store.
4. Say yes to the dress!
After following these steps, it’s finally time to say yes to the dress! Wedding dress shopping is magical, and many brides find their dream gown in unexpected ways. Trust your stylist, focus on how each gown makes you feel, and soon you’ll be standing in the dress you’ll say “I do” in.
Questions about wedding dress shopping? Ready to find your dream gown? Email bridal@charlottesweddings.com or call 503.297.9622
