Choosing your wedding gown is an exciting journey, and AV Bridal is here to make it smooth and stress-free! With the right preparation—from setting a budget to finding your dream dress—you’ll feel confident and ready for your first bridal appointment.
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Step 1: Find your inspiration!
If you already have a vision in mind—like a stunning Mikado wedding dress—you can filter your search to see only those styles. You can also browse by fabric, long sleeves, or other features to refine your selection.
Looking online will give you a better idea of the bridal gowns you love and help you discover designers that catch your eye! |
Step 2: Book an appointment
Booking your appointment is simple and only takes a minute on our website! Once it’s confirmed, one of our friendly bridal consultants will personally reach out to you. Whether you have a clear vision or don’t know where to begin, we’re here to help — our team is great at asking the right questions and guiding you every step of the way.
To reserve your spot on weekends, we require a $50 consultation fee, which will be credited toward your wedding dress purchase. Weekday appointments are free of charge!
Step 3: Bring the necessities
• Nude undergarments
Time for the nitty gritty! To feel most prepared for your appointment, you’ll want to consider wearing nude undergarments and a strapless bra. A backless bra is also a great option if you know you’ll be trying a low back or an illusion lace wedding dress.
• Hair tie
Some wedding attire looks best with hair up! It’s always great practice to have a hair tie handy during your appointment.
• Choose your crew
While it’s tempting to bring all your loved ones to your first consultation, having too many spectators too soon can feel like a lot. Consider fine-tuning your crew to include the essential people who’ll help make the most of your bridal appointment experience.
Bringing the right support can kickstart your shopping journey on the right foot, and make you feel confident stepping into your first white dress!
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Step 4: Know your budget The average cost of wedding dress can vary depending on the bridal boutique you visit.
At AV Bridal, wedding gowns can range from $1500 to $8,000, depending on the designer and fabric.
• Factor in alterations Wedding dress alterations are separate from the cost of the gown, which is why it’s worth factoring alterations into your budget. |
While the average starting point for alterations is typically between $800 and $1,000, this is just an approximation and does not include add-ons like custom straps, sleeves, or bustles.
The final cost can vary depending on your body type, the structure and style of the dress, and the level of tailoring required.
Pro tips for a successful first wedding dress appointment
• Eat a light meal – Eating a light meal before your appointment will ensure you’re feeling energized and refreshed for the bridal shopping experience. Bottomless mimosas will be waiting for you after you say YES!
• Be open-minded – Sometimes, the styles we love in photos don’t always feel the same when we try them on. Many brides find “the one” in a style they didn’t consider at first.
If you find yourself feeling underwhelmed by the styles you’re trying on, this is your sign to switch things up!
• Trust your consultant – Communication is key! Sharing your preferences and concerns will help your consultant guide you in the right direction.
Talking openly about your challenges and having an honest conversation with your consultant can help them understand what type of bridal gown will suit you best.
• Limit your appointments to one or two bridal boutiques per day – Visiting too many boutiques in a row can be overwhelming and may leave you feeling confused.
Don’t miss out on your dream wedding dress by rushing through the trial and error process!
We recommend trying on fewer options that fit closely with how you want to feel. You’ll know you have found the one when you feel like the BEST version of yourself in the dress.
• Have fun! Some say that wedding dress shopping is the best part of wedding planning. Take your time, think things over, and enjoy the process!
Here we have it! The completed guide on how to prepare for your first bridal appointment. By following these steps, and bringing the right essentials, you’ll feel confident and prepared when stepping into your first wedding gown.
AV Bridal is here to support you every step of the way – we can’t wait to help you find your dream gown!
Book your bridal consultation today! Call us at (905) 848-9927 or click here to schedule your “no pressure” appointment.