So you’ve had your proposal and your wedding date is set, now you’re ready to go dress shopping, how exciting!

Depending on your outlook you have either been waiting for or dreading this moment. If you find yourself dreading wedding dress shopping, don’t let let the reason be because you are unsure of who to invite along with you!

Many brides become stressed over who they should bring to their bridal salon appointments. Should you invite all of your maids? Both your mother and the mother of the groom, what about grandma? An aunt you have always been close with or your best cousin friend….. the decision can be overwhelming in an instant!

So who should you invite when you finally go wedding dress shopping?

The short answer is, any you feel should be there.

There is of course, a longer answer. 

If anyone is contributing to the cost of the wedding dress, you should expect to invite them along to your appointment for obvious reasons. If you are trying to keep your entourage small (and I do highly recommend going this route to avoid any conflicting opinions or arguments) you should invite only those that you couldn’t possibly imagine not being there.

If you have upwards of 4 bridesmaids, you should keep it to the maid or matron of honor only. You can schedule a secondary appointment for bridesmaids dresses at the end of your wedding dress shopping appointment. Try not to look around the salon for bridesmaids dresses in advance to avoid the ‘last time we were here’ jargon, which will only remind the maids of what they missed at your appointment.

Try to keep your group to 4 or less, mom, grandma, maid of honor and the mother of the groom or a 4th close family member or friend. Make sure to advise the bridal salon of the number of people that will be in attendance at your appointment so that they can accommodate proper seating.

If you are positive that one of the members of your entourage is overly opinionated, you can work that into the conversation when booking your appointment as well. Your bridal salon will pair you with a more seasoned stylist that can steer your appointment in the right direction should things get a little off track.

Be Inspired

On your way to the bridal salon appointment, gently remind any opinionated members of your entourage that you have an idea of what you are looking for. This may help to preemptively smooth things over.

I have to ask, who went with you to your appointment? 
Share in the comments below!