One of the most anticipated steps in the wedding planning process is selecting the bridal gown and it is no wonder why. With so many incredible options in terms of fabrics, colors, fits and styles…it can feel like a dress-up-dream-come-true while envisioning yourself wearing such a beautiful garment on one of the most special days of your life.

Shopping for your bridal gown is a lot more than a sophisticated game of dress up, though. With so many options, the process can feel overwhelming and the pressure to “get it right” can been very stressful!  We’re pulling together the tips we share with Madison Sanders Events’ brides as they prepare for a day of shopping for the perfect bridal gown. 

Do Your Research

Before setting up a day full of appointments with every bridal salon in town, make sure to check out each salon’s designer offerings, starting prices and customer feedback. No two salons are the same – some specialize in specific styles while others feature a wide-range of styles and price points. You want to make sure that you are making the most of your time and targeting the stores that have the greatest possibility of finding “the one”. It never hurts to call ahead and ask how long an appointment at their salon will typically run, how many people you can bring along and what to be prepared with before shopping (images, designer names, venue information, etc.). 

Set Your Budget and Be Honest About It

The best bridal salons and stylists do not wish to sell you gown for the sake of selling a gown, but they want to help guide you in finding the perfect gown for you and your event. It is important to share your budget goals with your stylist so that they can deliver items that are a good fit for your needs. If you are dishonest about the price range that you are comfortable with, the stylist might not have the opportunity to share all true possibilities with you. In addition, do not allow yourself to “just try on” gowns that you know full well are outside of your target price range. This only sets you up for disappointment and complicates the process if you fall in love with the out-of-budget gown! 

Choose a Gown that Represents Your Wedding Style

Your gown is one of many ways to represent your style and personality in your event. With so many different styles and trends, how do you know which gowns will be the best fit for you? In addition to sharing images of gowns you are interested in with your stylist, be sure to share the details such as your venue selection, wedding style, time of year and formality. Having this information will help them to select gowns that are most appropriate for that setting and will set you up for success in finding the perfect match!

Trust the Stylist and Give Their (or Mom’s) Recommendations a Chance

The best bridal stylists will be great listeners and will take the information you share to help guide you in finding the perfect gown. They are among the first in the industry to view the newest designs and trends. Sometimes it is worth giving their recommendations a shot, even if it may seem a little outside of your comfort zone or is outside of what you would “typically” buy. This is not just any “typical day” after all and they are experts on which gowns are most flattering for different body types and which gowns are most appropriate in your event setting. 

And… if mom wishes for you to try on a style that you would have never considered on your own, why not give it a try? It’s not worth the hurt feelings after all, and we find that many brides end up falling in love with an amazing gown so different than what they had originally envisioned after giving someone else’s recommendation a try. 

Be Patient, Be Honest

Shopping for your bridal gown is meant to be fun…not stressful. If you have yet to find your gown after your first appointment or two, be patient! There is no need to feel frustrated…as we’ve said before, there are SO many style options that there is a perfect fit for everyone! Keep a level-head and keep an open mind. Share with your stylist the things that you like about each gown as well as the things you dislike. Being honest does not hurt their feelings, but instead it helps them to narrow down selections to find the perfect gown for you. If you feel like they are bringing out gowns that don’t feel like you, kindly share this with your stylist and try to clearly communicate what you are looking for. 

Recently we were able to attend a bridal appointment with Madison Sanders Events’ bride, Nikki Ferrell. Here are some of the beautiful gowns she tried on at her appointment! So much fun to see her explore so many gorgeous options for her day.

---

As for our favorite bridal salons in Kansas City? The salons below are where our brides have not only had great success in finding their gown but have also enjoyed the shopping experience. 

The Gown Gallery | 1901 Main Street #200, Kansas City, MO | 816-381-8111

Altar Bridal | 5220 West 116th Place, Leawood, KS | 913-451-4696

Emily Hart Bridal | 12450 Blue Valley Parkway, Overland Park, KS | 913-681-1500

Something White Bridal Boutique | 1510 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO | 816-216-7454

Bridal Extraordinaire | 12109 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Shawnee, KS | 913-268-5566