Dress shopping nerves..

As someone who went trying on dresses alone, I would strongly recommend bringing people with you - you will need their help & it will make you feel more confident. Just relax and take your time. If you're worried, get some nice pretty underwear to make u feel better when hoping in and out of dresses! Also, if you feel like you're going to have a panic attack, just close your eyes while you try them on! Plus, just to add, it is normal to be fretting about this beat in mind that on the day itself, you will all glamm'ed up so will look different!

Hiya,

I am no stranger to anxiety/panic attacks and felt exactly the same as you! I did loads of research about shops beforehand and found one with amazing reviews and I had such a laugh when I was in there. (Saying that, I did have a glass of wine beforehand to calm the nerves....!)

Are your bridesmaids trying on dresses that day too? the only reason I ask is because, if not, the shop I went to suggested only taking a max of 2 people with you ....

Good luck and hope you have an amazing day! :-)

Emma

Have you made any appointments yet?? I would maybe call the shops you're going to, and explain that you're really nervous, and that you don't want to be 'paraded' if you're not comfortable. Ask them to have a mirror in the changing room so you can see yourself, but if you feel anxious you don't need to come out and show people.

I have to say though, for the reasons you are nervous, I went shopping alone. Some people might think that's sad but I had a great time, without anyone second guessing my choices, without the "are you *sure* you want to look like *that* on your wedding day?" etc. Once I had narrowed it down to 2 dresses I took my mum with me, and she helped me choose between the two and was a good haggler too

If I were you, and you've got lots of time, I would go alone for the first few trips til you feel more comfortable.

Hope you feel ok!!

Don't know on earth why but SunnyGreenStationery is actually me! Anyway, hopefully the post will help x

Thank you all ladies for your replies. It was really good to hear it from all sides.

I am unsure how to quote part of your replies so that I can reply more directly to them (any help with that would be great lol)

I spoke to 2 of my BM's last night about trying on dresses and they were so excited about it all, I didn't have the heart to tell them not to come, I think I will let them all come along on Sat, since its my first time, but for future appointments just take my mum along, until its time to make a decision.

Thanks again! xx

I went alone and panicked, ran out of the shop and to this day have not tried on a single dress. Getting married in less than 60 days abroad but I really cannot see myself in a wedding frock so may buy something off the shelf instead. I love all the short tea length prom type dresses but you only seem to be able to buy them online from China, this country is seriously lacking in places to buy destination wedding dresses. Anyway I'd take everyone with you have some champagne and a giggle, I don't have any bridesmaids and my mother is no longer with us so I'm taking hubby with me, unconventional but I don't have anyone else and it's him I want to look gorgeous for.

I took all 5 bridesmaids with me, my mum, my grandma and my future mum in law, it was a bit rediculous but we weren't planning on going but after a coffee all together we realised it is not often we would all be together so just went there and then. Other days we made appointments and 3 or 4 of us went. I am not a dressy person or a weddingy person so i had no idea what i wanted to wear so i needed some opinions. I was worried about taking so many people but they were brilliant. I have ended up getting my dress made because i am quite petite it was hard to be confident in any dresses i tried on. My family and friends had seen me in so many dresses we were able to tell the designer exactly what i did and didnt suit. As soon as i walked in the designer lit up and said she would relish making me a dress which i loved because i wasnt a dressy person. If you bridesmaids are good friends personally i would trust them to come into their own for dress shopping, mine cried and laughed at me in equal measures- once you get going i am sure you will be fine, but as another poster suggested ask them to put a mirror in the changing area so you can get used to it before other people react.

Oh Nanoushka what an awful experience you must have had. I agree with you about destination wedding dresses being in short supply. There are lots available but Ive found from experience that a lot of the time my brides want the whole bridal experience whether they are getting married in Mexico, Malta, Maldives or Madeira. How about this cutie from Justin Alexander....

Oh Nanoushka what an awful experience you must have had. I agree with you about destination wedding dresses being in short supply. There are lots available but Ive found from experience that a lot of the time my brides want the whole bridal experience whether they are getting married in Mexico, Malta, Maldives or Madeira. How about this cutie from Justin Alexander....

That's lovely but probably out of my price range unfortunately. Would be perfect with my antique lace shoes and paper bouquet.

I went with my 4 bridesmaids and mum. My bridesmaids were desperate to go with me and as the day came closer I was getting really anxious, had a horrible day in the end, too many opinions, and bridesmaids ' trying to help' weren't really! I've just gone with my mum to other shops and it's so much better! Good luck! X