Any hints for gown shopping

I am going Thursday to begin searching for my gown. Do you guys have any hints that helped you pick yours out? Did you know it right away? How many did you try on? Did any one deal with Lynbrook Bridal Center? Who did you go with? I had five people said they wanted to go with me but I decided it would just be my mom and I. I did not want to be rude but I felt it should be a special day for us and I also thought too many different opinions might drive me insane.

Any hints for gown shopping

I think you'll just 'know' when you find the right gown. I shopped around and went to several different stores. A few times I found dresses that I thought might be the right one, but there was always something about them that I wasn't all that crazy about. Until I found the dress that I wound up purchasing and I just loved it right away. I never took more than one person with me (usually I took my mom, too, and I think that really was a good thing). Just relax and enjoy it! I never went to the Lynbrook Bridal Center, so I don't know much about them, but I can say I got my dress from the Bridal Suite of Patchogue and I'm really happy with them so far! They have a good selection and a good variety of prices. Lots of luck to you!!! And let us know how your search goes!!!

Hints for gown shopping

Elisa, I first narrowed my search down by finding a couple of pictures of dresses I liked. There was one I truly thought would be great and was going to order it without tring it on since no one on Long Island had one and my deposit would be transferrable if I didn`t like the dress once it came in. Anyway, my sister-in-law (matron-of-honor) was in town in early December and we were going to look for dresses for the bridesmaids. We went to Bridal Suite of Bay Shore. When we got there, on the advice from someone on this site, I requested Maryellen and showed her the dress I wanted. We had already spoken on the phone, so she knew what I was looking for. My sister-in-law and she suggested I try a couple of dresses on, just for the heck of it. Well, she only pulled out a couple, and the very first one I tried was it. It was everything I wanted plus was everything my fiance had always said he liked in gowns! I purposely held back my enthusiasm until my sister-in-law was showing me signs of how she really liked the way it looked on me and we both just knew, this was 'the one.' I ordered the dress and a week later brought my mom back to show her. She loved it too. The girls at Bridal Suite of Bay Shore have been great! Maryellen helped me with ordering my dress, and helped my sister-in-law try a few things that same afternoon. Unfortunately when I went back with my bridesmaid, Maryellen was off that day. However, Heather was a tremendous help. And Gina was great too in getting the final order in on the girls dresses, as well as the order for my flowergirl`s dress. One last thing, if you haven`t already, you might want to consider having a detachable train on your dress. The train on my dress weighs a ton, and my sister-in-law says I`ll be thankful it can be removed for the reception. Good Luck!

Hints for gown shopping (LONG)

Elisa, It's so much fun looking for a gown. I found mine at Macy's FLowerama in Lake Ronkonkoma. I live in North Carolina and looked at one store here and didn't find exactly what I wanted. I tried on a dress that I did like here in NC but ofcourse it was discontinued and it was not in my size. BUT the good thing was now I knew what style I liked and looked good on me. I looked for similar styles in magazines and tore out the pages. When I went to Macy's I showed them all the dresses I liked they pulled out the ones they had like them. There was one dress I had a picture of that looked very similar to the one I had tried on that was discontinued. Macy's had the exact dress. I tried it on and even in the dressing room I said 'Oh yes, I like this one' and came out and my mom started crying. I knew that it was the one! I took my mom and three of my bridesmaids. I took all of their opinions but ofcourse my mom's was the most important to me. They were very nice at Flowerama and the woman who assisted me was great. She told the truth. If she thought a dress was not good (and she was right) she would tell me. She would even tell me some dresses were too heavy or uncomfortable. So good luck, and you'll know when you try the ONE on. Sorry so long. --Stefani

Hints for gown shopping

I think it's great that you're going only with your Mom. It's a really special moment for both of you....my Mom cried when I tried on my dress and veil. I wound up buying the first dress I had on even though I tried a bunch of others just to be sure. It's best to have an idea of what you like before you go shopping because there are hundreds of styles to choose from. Check out this months bridal magazines, and even the new magazine 'Lucky'. Happy shopping!

P.S. Bay Shore Bridal

I too got my dress at Bay Shore Bridal and Mary Ellen was a Godsend!!!!!

Any hints for gown shopping

Have an idea what you want when you look. I went to Bridal Suite in Patchogue. I told her what I wanted (strapless) and she picked out 10 dresses. The first one I didnt like-too plain but she convinced me to try it. Well that is my dress! I looked at a few different stores but came back to it. Trust the person your dealing with too. My mom ended up at the same place as me for her dress and she wasnt sure about the dress for her either but tried it and guess what?? She loves it. Point is, try alot on to see what you like and even if its not really what you want but its ok, try it.. You might love it.

Try on everything!

Although bringing in pictures of the type of gown you think you'd like is very helpful for the salesperson helping you, do NOT limit yourself to a particular style. I definitely recommend trying on all styles (a-line, sheath, ballgown). It's true that what you think won't look good on you may turn out to be the gown! In the end, you'll just know which one is you. I tried on a lot of gowns and styles but when I saw a particular gown I just knew it was the one.

Knowing it's the one.....

A lot of brides have posted about how they just knew it was THE gown the minute they tried it on. I never felt that way about any of the dresses I was trying, and after about 30 gowns and 8 shops, I was starting to worry I would never find it. There were 3 or 4 I liked alot - but not said 'this is the one.' Finally, at one shop, the salesperson (who happened to be a guy) pointed out that I was being very analytical in my process of choosing. I liked certain skirts, or necklines, or this style was flattering but missing a detail, like a lacy full skirt. He said not everyone knew it was THE DRESS and he was right. After several try-ons, I was always going back to one dress, and it turned out to have only one of the 2 features I thought was key, but it was the fact that it felt wonderful on that really convinced me, and I love it more with every fitting. So don't panic if you are not finding a dress that you immediately know is perfect - it may not happen that way for you.

Thanks for all your help so far. You girls are great!! *NM*

Any hints for gown shopping

I didn`t read through all of the responses so someone may have suggested this already: Be sure to bring a person whose taste and opinion you trust. I know when I went shopping, it helped me to have my best friend along, not only to share the fun & excitement but to help me decide. I basically knew what I did and didn't like but at the end was really stuck between 2 of them and her opinion was the clincher. Good luck & enjoy.

Try on everything!

I absolutely agree with Maria J. The type of dress I thought I wanted were the ones that did not look good on me. And the type of dress I thought, oh no I can't wear that, were the ones that were the most flattering. You have no idea what it will look like until you try it on. That is the truth! Again, good luck!

Try on everything!

Absolutely. I have just started shopping for gowns myself but I definitely suggest try everything on. I didn't think I wanted strapless at all and finally my mom and sister convinced me to try one on and now I am set on having a strapless. As far as how many people to bring, the first time I went my mom, sister and mom-in-law came. Everyone was supportive and offered great advise. We made a whole day out of it and had lunch afterwards. It was wonderful. I think it all depends on how comfortable you feel with others there. Good luck and enjoy!

What should I wear

Ladies, your tips are great. What do you suggest I wear when I go. Should I wear stockings and a stapless bra? thanks

What should I wear

I would definitely wear a stapless bra. I don't think stockings are necessary.