Hello Friend!

Engagement season is behind us, you have a beautiful ring your finger and a Pinterest feed bursting with wedding dress ideas! Your binge-watching Say "yes" to the Dress and excitedly anticipating your turn on the pedestal! If that's the case, you've probably seen the magic that some of those brides experience and the . . . not so magical experiences. Shopping for your wedding gown can be the most enjoyable aspect of planning your big day, but it can also be one of the most emotional! I'm here to share with you my top five tips to help you have the most positive experience possible.

1. Bring the Right Entourage

Be smart about who you choose to bring to this experience with you. Shopping can make a great "girls-day", but you shouldn't feel inclined to invite everyone who wishes to go. You should keep your entourage minimal so you don't get overwhelmed with opinions. No more than 4 people is a good rule of thumb. The people you choose to bring with you should be encouraging and positive, but you should also trust them to tell you the truth! Sometimes, you have no choice but to bring negative nancy - especially when she has the wallet. Just be very open with your entire entourage of what you need/expect from them that day - whether its gentle truth, a confidence boost or to keep you accountable to your budget.

2. Be Armed with Inspiration

Whether they're cut-outs from a magazine or images saved on your phone, photos provide a great starting point for you and your stylist. Try to note what you like about each photo - the silhouette, fabric, embellishments or details. Share these photos with your entourage ahead of time so they're clear on what style you're looking for so they can help you choose similar looks. . . . because they WILL want to pick things for you.

3. Don't Forget the Undergarments

Something brides forget to bring to their appointment is the appropriate undergarments. Coming to your appointment with a strapless bra is a must. Most bridal shops will have a strapless bra for you to use if you forget, but they can be ill-fitting (plus someone else probably used it before you). If you're looking for a dress with an open back, you might want to bring a backless bra. Another thing that's nice to have on hand is shapewear, especially if it's something that you normally put on under tight-hugging dresses. These kinds of things help you get a better idea of how you'll really look and feel in the dresses.

4. Accessorize!

If you have any special jewelry or hairpieces that you have your heart set on wearing on the wedding day, bring those along too. Accessories can really help your stylist in selecting the right gowns for you. If you know you want to wear heels, bring a pair!

I'm going to lump this in here with accessories, but it is a great idea to do your hair and put on a little makeup. You don't have to go all-out, but if you feel polished it 'll really help you to get into that bridal mindset and give you that bit of confidence that you might need. Have you ever put on a super cute outfit, but didn't feel right because your hair was a mess? That definitely applies here.

5. Have an Open Mind

Last, but most definitely not least, come with an open mind! You might have your heart set on a specific silhouette or style and come armed with photos of almost identical dresses, but you might find that you don't like them on you! Your mom might pick something that is completely different than what you would pick, but try it on anyway! You just might surprise yourself and fall in love with a dress that you wouldn't have dreamed up in the first place.

I'm so excited for you to have this experience! It's a day you'll remember for the rest of your life and I think everyone deserves to have a positive experience, no matter how big (or small) their budget - or their waist-line is!

As always, Happy Planning!

Your Wedding Planning BFF,

Yesenia