Bridal Shopping Myths - Part 1

So the cat's out of the bag: We are in the bridal business. This mean that we're accustomed to seeing brides-to-be come into the boutique to shop and have the "Say Yes" experience. We love those moments as much as brides do, promise! 

What we've also noticed these last 2 decades is that brides-to-be often come in to BT and play out some typical, but avoidable, shopping myths. What are shopping myths, you ask? These are little lies we've been told and keep telling ourselves (THANKS, MEDIA!!) or they are misplaced expectations about buying a wedding gown that cause a variety of symptoms.

Symptoms include:
- anxiety
- immediate disappointment, when there should be hopeful anticipation
- lack of patience with oneself
- exhaustion with the process
- extreme disillusionment 
- feeling the need to justify yourself in front of others, .... when it's about YOUR day
- tears and confusion
- loss of joy.

Fret not, ladies. We can help, and to do this we've identified the 4 most common myths. Overcome these and you'll be a happier shopper, happier bride and you'll avoid those symptoms during what should be an exciting chapter of your life. 

Bridal Shopping Myth 1

"My dress cannot be the first one I try on or be found at the first shop I visit."

There aren't just dozens of wedding themed movies, there are thousands. We love them and we've memorized them and now we're all paying for it. Thinking that you'll only hear the soundtrack from your own personal romance after trying on 100 dresses comes from watching all of those movies. They've convinced brides-to-be that you have "to earn it" by twirling like an actress in gown after gown, in front of a mirror, and FOR HOURS.
You don't. That's a myth.
In fact, you may find your dress in the first store and it may even be the first dress you try on in that first shop. It happens. A lot!

If it is the one, IT. IS. THE. ONE. Don't stress out that you aren't living that rom-com dream. It's a myth. We've seen so many brides confused and feeling like they missed some experience when they just happen to find their gown more quickly than they imagined. Chill out. Be happy. You checked that box and now have time for other items on your list.

Bridal Shopping Myth 2

"I have to cry if it's the one. If I don't cry then this cannot be the dress."

EVERY ONE IS DIFFERENT and if you aren't a crier most of the time, that is probably not going to change for this situation. You don't have to transform your personality to buy your wedding dress.

Our goal, during a gown buying experience with us, is to see how you answer the following questions:
- Do you feel beautiful in this dress?
- Are you comfortable in it?
- Do you feel like yourself in it?
- Do you feel good inside when you picture yourself walking down the aisle in this dress?

Answer those questions in the affirmative and we've likely found your gown, whether you showed emotion or not.

It's especially frustrating when a member of the bride's entourage makes a point of saying, "you haven't found the dress yet, 'cause you're not crying." People: let the bride decide and if there are tears, we have tissues. If there are no tears, but the bride is over the moon in her way, hush. 

Bridal Traditions has been in business for 20 years. We have volumes and volumes of knowledge and we know when to counsel and when to encourage and when to let the bride just be. Trust us and we won't steer you wrong. 

Next week's blog: 2 more BIG bridal shopping myths. Tune in!