Photo: Lanage Studio

Wedding planning is crazy as it is, without the added stress of being unprepared for your bridal appointment. Here at Samantha Wynne we want our brides to have the best wedding dress shopping experience possible. To ensure your appointment runs smoothly, make sure you bring these things along!

1. Ideas and inspiration

Coming to your appointment with pictures of dresses you like is the easiest way to help your consultant understand your vision. Pull up your Pinterest board, pictures from our website or even photos of your venue to ensure your consultant gets the full picture and vibe you're going for.

2. A budget in mind

A budget is really important for your first appointment, as it helps your stylist narrow down dresses immediately. There's nothing worse than falling in love with a gown that's out of your budget, so definitely keep this in mind. If your stylist does suggest a dress that is slightly above what you were planning on spending, if you feel you may be able to spend an extra 10% on your original budget, we recommend trying this on as you can always pinch a little $$$$ from elsewhere.

3. A supportive but honest crew

Make sure you come to your appointment with a crew of people who are going to be honest, but also supportive! It's hard to have a great wedding dress shopping experience when you're being told a million different opinions at once, so we recommend you bring a smaller crew of your closest friends and family who have your best interest at heart.

4. Proper undergarments

It's really important to wear the right undergarments to your appointment so that you don't get distracted and can get the full picture when trying on dresses. If possible, try and find undergarments that are a close match to your skin tone. We recommend nude seamless underwear, and a nude strapless bra.

5. The shoes you plan on wearing on the day

Wearing the shoes you plan on wearing on the day, or even a shoe of the same height, will not only help you get the full picture, but also allow us to determine if you need any extra length added to the hem of your gown.

6. An open mind and positive attitude

Your stylist may pull some options that aren’t what you were initially going for, but keep an open mind! It's surprising how many brides love a style they wouldn't have initially chosen for themselves. This is also an exciting day! Try to enjoy it as much as possible.

7. Light makeup

To help us (a lot) and avoid marking the dresses, try to keep your makeup minimal, but also wear enough so that you feel your most confident whilst trying on gowns. Wearing a little bit of makeup also helps you envision your complete look.

8. Avoid fake tan

Like makeup, fake tan can mark dresses, so try to avoid it leading up to your appointment!

9. A hair tie

If you're planning on wearing your hair up on your wedding day, consider bringing a hair tie or wearing your hair up during your appointment to help you envision what your updo will look like with your dress.

10. Grab a bite before hand

Wedding dress shopping is exhausting! Grab a bite before hand. We always recommend that brides who are early for their appointment go and relax with a coffee and some lunch at one of the many restaurants and cafes near our boutique.

Feeling prepared for your appointment? Book here. We can't wait to see you in-store!