What to Wear to Try On Wedding Dresses
What to wear, bring and ask when you try on wedding dresses: undergarments, shoes, hair, who to bring and how to make the appointment useful.
A wedding dress appointment goes better when you arrive dressed for it. You will be changing in and out of gowns, standing on a platform in front of a mirror and looking at yourself from every angle, so a few simple choices before you go make the hour easier and the dresses look more like they will on the day. This guide covers what to wear, what to bring and what to ask, in the order you will think about them. Policies differ from one salon to another, so treat it as a checklist and ask the salon about anything that matters to you.
Choose undergarments that disappear
Underneath is the first thing to plan. Many gowns are fitted, some are sheer in places, and a few have low backs or deep necklines. Wear underwear that is smooth and close to your skin tone, so it does not show through light fabric. If you own a strapless or a backless bra, or a seamless one in a nude shade, bring it. Some salons have something you can borrow or clip in, but not all do, so call ahead and ask what they provide.
If you plan to wear shapewear on the day, try it on at the appointment too. A gown can fit differently with and without it, and it is better to find that out before you order.
Wear something easy to take off
You will change several times, with help, and you will probably not want to fuss with buttons and tight sleeves each time. Wear a top and bottoms that come off quickly. Leggings or a simple skirt and a loose top work well, and a front-opening top is easier than one you pull over your head, which can disturb your hair and makeup. Avoid anything with a lot of layers, and anything very tight, because it can leave marks that show in the first photo you take.
Think about shoes
If you already know what shoes you will wear, bring them, or bring a pair with a similar heel height. The length of a gown depends on the shoes, and a dress that looks right in flat shoes can drag in heels, or the other way around. If you have not chosen shoes yet, ask the salon what they have for trying gowns on, and say which height you expect to wear.
Keep hair and makeup simple
Take your hair down or in a style that will not be flattened by dresses going over your head. A loose bun or a simple half-up style is easy to work with. If you know you want your hair up for the day, bring a clip or two so you can hold it up and see the neckline. Go light on makeup. Foundation and lipstick can transfer onto white fabric, so some salons ask you to cover your face as the gown goes over your head. Ask about their policy when you book.
Leave the jewelry at home, or keep it small
Large earrings and heavy necklaces can catch on lace and beading. Small studs and a ring are plenty. If you have a piece you hope to wear on the day, such as a family necklace, bring it in a pouch and try it with the gowns you like most.
Who to bring
Bring a few people whose opinions you trust, and tell them what you want from them before you go. Too many voices make the decision harder, and many salons limit how many people can come in, so ask when you book. It can help to give one person the job of taking notes about what you said you liked in each dress, because in a long appointment, details blur.
If someone else's opinion tends to overrule yours, consider going with fewer people. The goal is to find a dress you feel good in, not to win an argument.
What to bring besides yourself
- Pictures of dresses you like. A handful of photos helps the consultant understand your taste. A few words about what you do not like helps too. If you have not started a collection, our wedding dress quiz tells you which silhouettes suit your answers, and the AI wedding dress generator can sketch ideas to show a consultant.
- A budget. Decide a number before you go and tell the consultant, so you are shown dresses you can buy. The wedding budget calculator has an Attire and beauty line that helps you decide what share of the total goes to the dress.
- Your date and venue. The season and the setting affect the fabric and the length you will want.
- Water and a snack. Appointments can run long.
- A phone or camera, if the salon allows photos. Ask before you take any.
Questions to ask at the appointment
You are allowed to ask practical questions, and a good consultant expects them.
- How long does it take to order a dress, and by when would mine need to be ordered for my date? Timelines vary, so ask for the salon's own numbers.
- What is included in the price, and what costs extra, such as alterations?
- What are the terms if the dress is delayed or does not arrive as expected?
- Can I take photos of the dresses I like?
- Is there a fitting schedule, and when would the first fitting be?
Write the answers down or take a photo of the paperwork. If you feel pressured to decide on the spot, it is fine to say you will think it over.
During the appointment
Say yes to a few gowns that are not what you came for. Sometimes a dress you would never have picked off the rack is the one that feels right. Walk, sit and turn in each dress, and lift your arms. A gown has to be comfortable enough to eat and dance in, not just to stand in. Note the ones you loved and the ones you did not, and why.
After you leave
Give yourself a day before you decide, unless you already know. Look at the photos, if you took any, and compare how you felt in each dress. Then start the planning that depends on the dress, such as the veil, the shoes and the date for the first fitting. The wedding planner has a checklist where you can keep those tasks together.
If you would like a head start on the look of the day, the color palette generator can help you choose the colors that will sit beside your gown.
More real previews, all of fictional people, are in the AI photo examples.