There’s so much excitement leading up to your wedding dress fitting - the weeks of searching for inspo, exploring different styles and designers, inviting your squad to join you for the big moment. By the time the big day comes, you’re ready to run out the door and start shopping. But not so fast… coming prepared for your wedding dress fitting will not only make the day more seamless and stress-free, but also help you be equipped to make an informed decision when you finally find that dream gown. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you ensure you have everything you need to make the most of your appointment at Love Era. With our help, we’ll help you find the gown that makes you feel like the badass bombshell you are. Now let’s get started…

Inspiration & Budget 

Lucky for you, the first item on our list is a ton of fun. Get creative, fill up that Pinterest board, and start searching for wedding gown inspiration. Explore what wedding gown silhouettes, shapes, necklines, fabrics, and details speak to you. Maybe you love a lot of different styles and designers, and that’s OK too! What’s important is when you come to your wedding dress fitting, you have an idea of what styles you gravitate towards or even more importantly, which ones are definitely not your jam. Giving your stylist details on the aesthetic you’re going with or the venue you’ve decided on are helpful details as well. Not sure where to start? Check out my post on “Bridal Lingo For Your Wedding Gown Appointment” and you’ll be an expert in no time. 

The other very important piece to this part of the puzzle is knowing your budget. The last thing we want is for a bride to feel disappointed during their wedding dress fitting because a gown they love doesn’t fit within the budget. Setting clear expectations and knowing your limits will help you find a dress that’s not only stunning, but also realistic. If we know this information ahead of time, you can relax and enjoy your time knowing we’re selecting dresses that are not only perfect for you, but won’t cause future headaches when it’s time to complete your purchase. 

Accessories & Undergarments 

Now it’s time for your own personal Carrie Bradshaw moment- slipping into that first show-stopping gown. But as we all know, your wedding day look is not just about the dress. Something you cannot forget are your wedding shoes! Bring the pair you plan to wear on your wedding day so we know exactly what we’re working with. If you haven’t chosen them yet, be sure to bring a pair that reflects the heel height that you want to wear that day. And also, if you have any special wedding day jewelry you know you’ll be wearing, pop that on too. If you have your grandmother’s diamond necklace that you need to be wearing on the big day but your gown completely covers it, the morning of your wedding  is not the moment you want to discover that information. 

As important as the accessories are the undergarments. The last thing you want to do is walk out to show off that gown you absolutely love and all everyone sees is your neon thong making an appearance. Choose skin tone colored, seamless undergarments that won’t take away from the shape or details of the gowns. It’s also a good idea to bring some bra options for different dresses, so toss the strapless, stick-on, and push-up in your bag just to be safe. 

Your Nearest & Dearest 

What’s your wedding dress fitting without your entourage there to remind you how absolutely amazing you look?! This doesn’t have to mean bringing your entire wedding party, you and your partner’s families, your coworkers, the mailman and your mother’s cousin’s girlfriend. Try to keep your group limited to only your must-haves. For some brides, that means just bringing your one trusted ally like a parent or best friend. Maybe you can’t envision finding the dress of your dreams without all of your wedding party there.

Either way, make sure you invite the people who will make you feel confident and comfortable. You love your highly opinionated grandmother to death but if her tagging along is just going to make you feel stressed, you can always invite her to a fitting later on in the process. If you’re going to find the dress that makes you feel like a freaking supermodel, you want your entourage to pump you up, not weigh you down. 

Let's Do This!

Pack your bag, grab your people, and get ready for your wedding dress fitting to be one of the most fun parts of your bridal experience. The most important thing to bring is your relaxed, open-minded and self-confident attitude. We promise there’s the perfect gown out there for you, and we’re here to help you find it! 

Self Love Tip: We understand that looking in the mirror and dissecting your body can sometimes be an overwhelming process. Especially when trying to pick out what you’ll wear on your most special day. Remember to be kind to yourself, allow yourself space for self-love and appreciation of what your body does for you everyday. It is strong, resilient and beautiful, and everyone will see that, but most importantly YOU will see that. Love Era is here for you.

Learn more about Love Era and the designers that we carry to help get you ready for the big day! If you have any questions along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Looking for even more inspo? Be sure to follow along on Instagram to see our real brides rocking their Love Era dresses. We can’t wait to feature you in your dream gown next!