Keeping an open mind and having fun with your girls is the main thing to remember during any bridesmaid dress fitting.
Once the bride or the bride’s squad have gotten an idea of the style, fabric, and colour they want for their gowns — it’s time to book a bridesmaid dress fitting! And we cannot wait for you to arrive! But before you brush off the cold, and enter our cosy bridesmaid studio, cuppa in hand. There are a few things to keep in mind if you are to get the most out of your pre-wedding experience.
Simple steps you and your girls should take that’ll ensure you find the best bridesmaid dresses for the big day.
Preparation for a Bridesmaid Dress Fitting
You may well need multiple bridesmaid dress fitting appointments, but with our handy tips, you’ll stride into every one like a seasoned pro.
1. Appropriate Underwear/undergarments
If you’re at a loss about what to wear to a bridesmaid dress fitting, start with the basics, underwear. Aim to wear the exact, or at least a similar style of undergarments to your bridesmaid fitting as you plan to wear on the wedding day.
As it’s difficult to know how certain dresses will fit, bring along a couple of different bra options, especially a strapless version, to see which one is the most comfortable and works best with your dress. Keep it understated and simple by sticking to seamless styles and nude tones, as (practically) nobody will want to see your leopard-print bra sticking out. If the gown has a low or open back, it may have cups sewn in, but bringing along bra variations will still be helpful.
2. Shoe Options
The bride may well ask you to pick out a special pair of shoes that’ll suit the style theme, or colour of the celebration, but for now, bring a few different shoe options to your bridesmaid fitting. Try to find shoes with a similar heel height to the ones you might wear on the big day, as this will determine the length of the gown. How much hemming needs to be done or, if you’re a bit taller, whether you’ll need extra length added to the dress. These things are all affected by heel height.
Not bringing a pair of shoes the same height as the ones you’re planning to wear can disrupt the fitting/s, as the seamstress won’t know what they are working towards.
3. Makeup
On the big day, you’ll be looking your very best, wearing an amount of makeup that makes you feel good, and having had your hair done probably by a professional. Keep this in mind when attending your bridesmaid dress fitting.
You’re certainly less likely to love the dress if you’ve just rolled out of bed and shown up for the fitting. Feeling a mess. We’ve all experienced trying on an outfit before going out, and it just not looking or feeling right before we put our shoes on, and have done our hair, the same applies. You’ll be in a lot more responsive state of mind and feel happier with yourself if you get ready ‘to go out’ to attend a bridesmaid fitting.
4. Jewellery
If the bride has gifted the bridal party with jewellery she wants her squad to wear on the big day, or if she has a specific vision for earrings, necklaces etc – bring the appropriate accessories to your bridesmaid dress fitting. It’ll help you visualize the full ensemble.
The other benefit is that the bride-to-be will be ecstatic knowing you’re on board with her bridesmaid accessory choices. Send selfies of the full look, jewellery and all, to get her seal of approval and earn massive bridesmaid brownie points!
5. Hair Accessories
Planning on wearing your hair up at the wedding? Bring a hair tie or clip to get a better idea of what the bridesmaid dress will look like paired with an up-do. This will also give you a better feel for how the neckline and the back of your gown will look on the day.
6. Bring Your Best Self
If the bride is present during the bridesmaid dress fitting, keep things positive. Even if you’re not madly in love with the dress you’re wearing (impossible at Nabbd btw!), consider the brides’ feelings first. Go in with an open mind and knowledge that you can add your own splash of personality to the dress with makeup, accessories & sass!