How Many Wedding Dresses Should I Try On?

This is one of the questions we are most frequently asked in our wedding dress shop in Essex. The answer is very simple. There are no rules. Only guidance. Everyone is different and it really comes down to your personality, your timeframe and most importantly, just finding ‘The One’.

In my experience of 14 years of owning a bridal boutique, the biggest danger zone is when a bride has become confused. Confused by visiting too many shops. Confused by having too many opinions from their bridal party. Confused by too many shops putting pressure on them. But mostly, confused by just trying on too many dresses and losing their instinct for what they do and don’t like.

For this reason, my most important piece of advice is NOT to overthink it.

On average, most brides try on between 8 to 12 dresses during their first appointment. This gives you enough variety to explore different styles, cuts, and fabrics without becoming overwhelmed.

Here are some things to consider:

1. Don’t follow what the TV shows tell us we must do: This is about making good TV and not necessarily having the bride’s best interest at heart. It’s not about trying on as many dresses as possible, but finding the one that makes you feel amazing. Focus on quality over quantity.
2. Don’t be afraid of ending up with a style you didn’t think you’d like: Many, many of our brides buy a dress which bears no resemblance to what their 12 year old self thought they might wear on their big day.
3. Listen to your stylist: They can help narrow down options based on your body type, preferences, and the vibe you’re going for. Sometimes, starting with 3 to 5 dresses at first can give you a clearer sense of what works for you.
4. Trust your instincts: If you fall in love with a dress early on, you don’t need to try on dozens more. If you’re not sure, continue exploring.
5. Time and energy: Wedding dress shopping can be an emotional and physical experience, so it’s important to pace yourself. Trying on too many dresses can get tiring and make it harder to make a decision.
6. Don’t bring too many people to the appointment: As fun as it may seem at the time, it can be very difficult to come to the right decision with too many different opinions from your group. Bring 1 – 4 key supporters such as close family and maybe a good friend.
7. Give yourself permission to fall in love: When you find the dress you love the most….STOP. Take time to enjoy the moment and fall in love. But don’t keep thinking what else there might be. You didn’t do that when you got engaged did you?!

Sometimes just a couple of dresses are enough to find “the one!”

Many of our brides over the last 14 years have bought one of the first dresses (if not THE FIRST) dress that they try on. At the start of the wedding dress journey, your instinct is strong and you tend to gravitate towards dresses you feel strongly about at the beginning.

To book your appointment at our Essex Bridal Boutique call 01277 280575