Buyers remorse is completely preventable if you approach bridal dress shopping with the right mindset and preparation.
Nothing is worse than buying a wedding dress and regretting your decision later. And it is a common problem that brides face. But unlike a new shirt, many wedding dresses are not returnable. So to ensure that you have zero regrets after finding your dream dress, we have created this list to help you feel 100% prepared. If you do some work ahead of time setting expectations and getting in the right mindset, then you have nothing to worry about. So if you are worried about buyers remorse when shopping for your wedding dress, this is a list you DON'T want to miss.
So let's dig into the top things to keep in mind to prevent bridal regret:
01. Do Your Research
This may seem like an obvious one. But brides can get so excited after getting engaged that they may rush into shopping, without doing much research beforehand. When you are researching, consider some key things. For one, what do you like? Take some time to save some dresses that you are drawn to. We love creating a Pinterest board that you can go back to later. And really nothing matters more than having a dress that you LOVE.
Another thing to consider is what silhouettes flattering your body type or what colors flatter your skin tone. You may love a certain type of dress, but if it doesn't flatter your body type, you are not going to be happy with it. This is something you will figure out more as you try on dresses. So don't worry about this too much. But it can be helpful to have an idea of some types of silhouettes you want to try. We also find that if you have a general idea of what dresses are out there, then you will be able to make a decision with confidence. Because you won't be wondering if there is "something better" that you haven't seen yet.
02. Have a Timeline
When you are shopping for your dream dress, it is good to have a rough timeline. You want to ensure that you do not shop too early or too late. If you shop for your dress too early, your preferences may change. Or you may forget exactly what the dress looks like on you, and when you get the final version later on, you may be disappointed. But on the flip side, if you do not allow enough time to shop, you may be pressured into picking a style that you are not 100% sold on. So set a rough timeline, and try to stick to it.
If you are unsure of where to begin as far as timelines, then you definitely want to check out our post: When to Buy Your Wedding Dress: The Ultimate Shopping Timeline
03. Set a Budget
Setting a budget is so important before you begin shopping. Have a range that you want to stick within, or at least a number that you do not want to go above. Take some time with this. Be honest with yourself. If you have a solid budget, it will help you to eliminate dresses outside of your price range. It is a good practice to not even try on a wedding dress that is vastly outside your budget. You may fall in love with a dress you can't actually afford. And if you end up buying it, you may regret the choice later. So have an idea of your budget and set limits whether you are shopping online or in person.
If you are struggling to set a budget, here are a few things to consider
- See what the average cost is of the dresses you have been saving to your Pinterest boards. This will give you an idea of what you can expect to spend on the dresses you are drawn to.
- Think about what you have available to spend. There is nothing wrong with having a set amount of money to delegate to your dress. Be realistic and honest with yourself. This will allow you to make decisions with confidence.
- Communicate with your partner or family (anyone who is paying for parts of the wedding) Make sure that everyone is on the same page so there are no harsh feelings later on.
- Consider how important your bridal look is to you. For some brides, it might be the most important part of their wedding day. For others, something else like setting may matter more. This can help you delegate portions of your budget accordingly.
04. Prioritize
Decide what matters most to you when it comes to your wedding dress, and stick to your priorities. For instance, say that being eco conscious is important to you. If you make this a priority, you can narrow down your search to earth conscious brands or pre-owned shops or websites like Still White.
Shopping for a wedding dress can get very overwhelming because of the never ending options. So if you have clearly defined your priorities, this will help to narrow down your search and prevent overwhelm.
05. Choose People Wisely
When you start shopping for a wedding dress, you may want some friends or family to join you. Whether this is for in person try-on sessions, or shopping online. But it is important to choose these people wisely. Everyone is going to be so excited for you, so many may want to be a part of the process. But this is your process. Too many voices can cloud your own judgement. And what you love, matters more than anything. But having one or two people you love and trust, and who know you well, can be helpful. It can be overwhelming to choose from so many dress styles, so some supportive opinions can give you more confidence.
06. Don't Over Shop
Doing your research and taking your time to narrow things down is important. But you don't want to swing too far in that direction, that you actually over shop. Meaning that you plan appointment after appointment, or have a never-ending online search looking for the "perfect" dress that may not exist.
If you are always chasing more, or something better, you will never have the confidence to make a decision. So take your time, but it is ok to set limits as well. Maybe you limit the amount of appointments you make. Or simply limit the websites you search on. This is why priorities are important. Decide what you like and what matters, and allow those discoveries to narrow down your search so you do not over shop yourself into confusion and indecision.
07. Trust Your Gut
When you find the right dress, you will know. So don't be afraid to trust that gut feeling. When you get that feeling, allow yourself to commit with confidence. And then, stop looking. Once you have the perfect dress, then start planning other aspects of your look: hair, makeup and accessories. Keep reminding yourself how amazing you looked and how in love with your dress you are. This will keep you from being tempted to continue the search.
08. There is no Wrong Choice
This is the real secret. There is no wrong choice when it comes to your wedding dress. Because it is YOUR big day. So if you do a little work ahead of time to do some research, have a timeline, set a budget, prioritize, choose your people wisely, don't over shop and trust your gut - then you are sure to make the perfect decision. And you can make that decision with complete confidence!
Anonymous Buyer