THE ELIZABETH'S BRIDAL EXPERIENCE

A bridal appointment at Elizabeth's Bridal consists of 3 major parts: consultation with your stylist, trying on beautiful gowns, and finalizing the details. 

1. Consultation with your stylist: Every bride at Elizabeth's Bridal is paired with a stylist. As stylists we are your guide and BFF when it comes to all things bridal. We begin every appointment with a consultation to get to know you, your vision, and your style. Then, based on what we discuss we pull gowns that meet your criteria. We ask that guests gently browse gowns and not pull them off the rack themselves. We know this is different than day to day shopping, where you get to pull anything off the rack for yourself, so we appreciate you choosing us and putting trust in us to style you for your big day!

2. Trying on beautiful gowns: The part of the appointment we've all been waiting for! As you try on gowns, you'll discover what you truly love in a gown. Brides typically try on 5-8 gowns. It's important that you communicate with your stylist and have fun! Then, before you know it you'll be saying yes to the perfect dress.

3. Finalizing the details: This is when your stylist will help you pick the perfect accessories, size you, and finalize the finishing touches like the color of your gown or any customizations you'll be doing. The last, but most important step in making sure your bridal look is perfect and complete!

This advice applies to brides and their guests alike. We are here for a reason - to help you find your dress! We know that when you walk into our store, it can be tempting to start pulling dresses off the rack, but we ask that you respect your stylist and the bride and resist. It is our job as stylists to make sure that you can sit back, relax, and enjoy this important experience while we do all the hard work. We know every dress in the store, so rest assured you are in good hands. 

With so many important people involved in your special day, we know it may seem impossible to pick the 5 people who can come to your appointment. So here are some tips to help with the process...

1. Prioritize guests who prioritize you. Pick family and friends who have your best interest at heart and support your choices. These are people who will prioritize your feelings, be considerate of your opinions, and will not display discouraging behavior (such as body shaming). 

2. Don't think of not inviting guests as leaving them out. Your bridal appointment is only the beginning of your wedding dress journey. If some of your loved ones can't make it there are so many opportunities to show them your gown. A perfect example of this would be doing a first look with all of your bridesmaids! 

3. Find a sitter. We know the little ones are important too, but we have a strict no children policy, so we please ask that you and your guests get a sitter for the day of your appointment. Children can be a distraction for the bride, stylist, guests, and other clients. So for a peaceful shopping experience, it's best to get a sitter. 

Before you book, consider what price range you'd like to stay in. Our gowns range from $500-$5000. Prices can range based on style, so the best ways to determine a budget would be to do your research (like looking up the average prices for your favorite designers/styles). 

If you're a bride on a tight budget that's okay! Please be honest about your budget. Let your stylist know so they can work on finding you the best deal on your dream dress. Some pro tips for a good deal...

1. Shop off the rack styles

2. Shop earlier and make payments

3. Opt for a simple gown and accessorize it!

Your bridal appointment is definitely a special occasion so it's important to come feeling confident and ready to shop! Here are some tips to help you prepare...

1. Hair: To feel your most confident and comfortable during your appointment try doing your favorite hairstyle or a hairstyle similar to what you'll be wearing on your wedding day. Hair can sometimes make or break your confidence, so taking the extra time to do your favorite hairstyle goes a long way (e.g. washing, styling, curling, straightening, etc.)

2. Makeup: Whether you prefer no makeup or a full face, we also recommend doing your favorite skincare/makeup routine before your appointment. This will have you feeling fresh and beautiful! 

3. Fuel Your Body! Food is fuel. We do NOT recommend skipping meals before your appointment. You are beautiful jsut the way you are so be kind to yourself and fuel your body before your fitting. This will help you focus on your dress and not your empty stomach. 

And no, we don't mean your outfit. Let's talk undergarments! First and foremost, undergarments are not optional when trying on gowns, and wearing the right undergarments is really important. For your bottoms we recommend light grey or nude seamless panties. These won't peak through your white or light colored gown. For the top we recommend a strapless bra, backless bra, or pasties. This will prevent straps from being in the way or showing more than desired.