What being team bride really means.

Being on the journey for the perfect wedding dress alongside your friend, can sometime entail more than meets the eye. Here’s a quick guide to help you navigate a bridal store and be the ultimate supportive guest.

Let the Bride Lead the Conversation

Always keep in mind that this day is all about the bride and her dream dress. Refrain from expressing your opinions until she has had the chance to voice hers. What suits you might not align with her vision, so let her take the reins.

Mind Your Words and Wandering

Avoid wandering around the shop and pulling out dresses without the bride’s initiation. Respect her bridal dress choices, if she needs help, that’s what the consultant is for. Additionally, refrain from talking about the bride’s size or body features in front of others. Be conscious of the bride’s budget and steer clear of suggesting dresses that may surpass her financial limits.

Words to Steer Clear Of

Eliminate negative comments or anything that could make the bride feel self-conscious. Phrases like “You look fat/pregnant” or expressing harsh disapproval will ruin the day.

Constructive Phrases to Utilize

Support the bride with positive and uplifting comments. Ask how she feels in each dress and share constructive feedback. Encourage her to choose a dress that brings her joy, ensuring a positive and memorable experience.

The Bride Sets the Tone

Respect the bride’s preferences and choices. Follow her lead when it comes to dress styles and accessories. Keep in mind that there is usually one consultant per appointment, we prioritize the bride’s needs first, no matter who is paying.

Avoid Dampening Her Moment

After an appointment where the bride has successfully narrowed down styles, She feels confident, beautiful, and is saying “yes!”. Everyone is telling her that this is her dress, but before she can soak up her moment, one guest says, “You can’t say yes now, you have to sleep on it!” Nothing pops a bride’s balloon like this. There are few moments in life like this one. She has the group that she loves around her and she wants to be celebrated. She is so ready to make that memory and savor it forever … “You have to sleep on it” makes the bride feels as though it’s the wrong dress and that she should second guess the dress she is in love with. Her “yes” moment is gone, replaced with confusion and stress because she feels she’s incapable of choosing. She wanted validation but got the opposite.

Ultimately, being a considerate and supportive guest in a bridal store ensures that the bride’s experience is filled with joy and positivity. Your role is to celebrate and uplift, making the journey to find the perfect wedding dress a cherished memory for everyone involved. These are our observations over a 20 year period of designing wedding dresses in Melbourne I hope you find them helpful if you are privileged enough to be invited wedding dress shopping.