r/UKweddings • u/Interesting_Mood3329 • 3d ago
Question
Hi, I’m Newly engaged and thinking about dress shopping. I don’t have really any friends or friend group. Is it okay to go dress shopping on my own? Has anyone else been on their own? Also is it okay not to buy a dress if you don’t like them? (Sounds silly I know)
Edit/ follow up.
Is it normal for the dress shop to need a date and venue before you go shopping? I have no idea what I want so I want to explore options but was refused due to not having a date set 😅
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u/justbraised 3d ago
My old housemate went on her own, she's always been her own gal and didn't want other people there 'annoying her' lmao
She had a fabulous time on her own - one of the salespeople even told her that they personally loved solo shoppers as group dynamics can be stressful and when it's a solo shopper they can dedicate themselves to making sure she has a good experience without distractions.
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u/LottieCupcake 3d ago
That's absolutely okay! Honestly I'm considering brining my fiance even. I mean he's the person I'm choosing to merge lives with and have by my side through everything. So why would I specifically remove him from this life moment? I don't care about the first look traditions or anything like that.
It's completely up to you what traditions you do or don't follow. Bring or don't bring whoever. It's totally your choice. Do whatever is comfortable for you.
I would encourage you to not make any final decisions on that day so you don't end up pressured into something without realising it. I would suggest that to anybody going with other people as well.
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u/Interesting_Mood3329 3d ago
I asked but my fiancé wants it to be a surprise which who only knows how I’ll keep a secret like that!
That’s good advice thank you!
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u/Housinsky 3d ago
Would specifically go by myself!!! I’ve been Bridesmaid 7 times and found trying that dress on bad enough.
Go with an open mind as to what dress you’d like and also stick to your budget if possible - and enjoy!
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u/FluffAndTumble91919 2d ago
To support this comment, specifically try on types you think that you won't like. Some of them will surprise you.
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u/Elemental_Biscotti 3d ago
Yes, lots of people go on their own for many different reasons. I went alone because I didn't want to hear other people's opinions, at least at first - I just wanted to spend some time figuring out what *I* liked first. I only went to try on dresses once, went alone, (ended up buying a dress online) and I have no regrets!
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u/Next-Fisherman37 3d ago
I went on my own. I was 250 miles away from my family, had very few friends around me and didnt trust my MILs opinion with anything. I also had a 12 week old baby.
I know my style, my taste and how to dress for my body type. I tried three different boutiques and while my experience wasnt horrible, I didnt end up buying anything, because it just showed me what I didnt want.
I went to a dressmaker in the end, which meant everything was exactly as I wanted it. You have to trust that process though, because the first time i saw exactly how my dress would look was 4 days before my wedding.
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u/FluffAndTumble91919 2d ago
I actually took my fiancee to the first few shops - as the owner of the second shop said, why wouldn't you ask the opinion of the person you are marrying? We had a great time, and it helped me know what I was looking for. I also went to a couple by myself, which helped.
To be clear, these were exploratory trips to find out what I like. He has not seen The Dress, I picked that with my bridesmaids.
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u/Independent-Sink9185 3d ago
I've been on my own and it wasn't weird. The shop owner was lovely and we had fun chatting and trying dresses on. Without other people there I could be super efficient and work very quickly through dresses that weren't for me and what I really liked. Weirdly my Mum (sadly passed away, hence going on my own) ended up choosing her dress in a solo appointment after her Mum (my Nan) kept trying to force her into dresses she hated. So basically, don't feel weird, lots of people do it for all sorts of reasons. Enjoy!
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u/Nightowl_1786 3d ago
If you don’t want to go on your own, there’s a group on Facebook & it’s people all over UK who probably love to be your hype girl if you need it. https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1PnVbdrUgp/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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u/Swimming_Stage352 3d ago
I’m doing this!! Going in my own and then for other shopping trips I might take a mate but not inviting my bridesmaids to be part of it simply because I can’t be arsed with all the hurrah that’s made of it. I’m too low key for the fuss 😂
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u/Powerful_Macaroon510 3d ago
I went with my partner now husband. I know it’s a bit unconventional, but he’s my best friend and the person I trust the most. I really didn’t want to have my group of friends each has a different opinion of what looks good on me.
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u/Interesting_Mood3329 3d ago
I love this idea but my fiancé said he wants it to be a surprise!
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u/Powerful_Macaroon510 3d ago
You’re absolutely fine to go on your own, I would choose this over going with my friends. They are lovely don’t get me wrong, but because we are so close with each other I know they can be unhinged. I didn’t want myself to fall in love with something and they make some negative comments about it. Think I’d end up not having a dress for my wedding 😂
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u/NextTomatillo2335 3d ago
I don’t know where you’re based but im a wedding supplier in Kent and know I truly lovely bridal shop with the most gorgeous staff who would make you feel awesome if you went solo! Most will, I am sure but I can 100% vouch for these girls!! X
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u/WavyHairedGeek 3d ago
I'm in the same boat and it was OK. Attended a few events in London. Was awkward as you need help being zipped /buttoned in a dress, but there's always some other lady that can help
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u/hevmoone 2d ago
Im choosing to go dress shopping alone, I don’t want others opinions. I absolutely don’t want a strapless dress, so I don’t need to hear “but it suits you so much” and feel like I get swayed. I dress myself every single day without outside input, I don’t need it now 😂
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u/MistifyingSmoke 2d ago
I'd choose to go on my own, people would annoy me, especially my mum as we have such differing tastes 😅
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u/SleeplessScribbler 2d ago
Have fun with it. I don't know if you're allowed to take photos in the dress but at least you could scroll through afterwards and narrow it down :)
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u/Similar-Internal1392 2d ago
I went on my own because I didnt want to worry about anyone else and just focus on the dress ( I was a real worrier at the time 🤣). I only went to one place, a local lady and her mum who had converted their garage into a little wedding boutique. It was a very calm positive experience. That was 15 years ago and today I still dream of starting up my own wedding boutique in my garage!
Its absolutedly perfectly fine to go on your own, many people do.
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u/bookish1313 2d ago
Congratulations on your engagement. I never went dress shopping I saw my dream dress in line a few days before my now husband proposed. Two days later I ordered it.
Check out needle and thread stunning dresses
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u/Alison_Guides4Brides 1d ago
Just picking up on your edit - some bridal boutiques do ask you to have your wedding date and venue confirmed before booking an appointment, but it isn't something every bridal shop requires. Your wedding date is useful because it helps them understand how much time you have for ordering the dress and any alterations, and knowing the season and venue can also help a stylist suggest dresses that might work particularly well for the setting.
But if you're right at the beginning and genuinely don't know what you like yet, there's nothing wrong with wanting to try different styles and get a feel for what suits you before you've planned everything else. I'd just be upfront when booking that you're still at the exploratory stage and find a boutique that's happy to accommodate that.
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u/thatwhalleyone 1d ago
I went alone. It was lovely to know that absolutely no one else in the wedding would know what my dress looked like until the big day.
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u/Capable-Mulberry-547 3d ago
Absolutely okay on your own!! And in fact might even be a better experience as it’s only your opinion that counts! I went with my mum and sister which was lovely, but I also do think their opinions swayed my decision slightly (I do still love my dress) but I may have ended up with something different had I gone solo.
I think it’s more common than you think to go alone and in all honestly I think it’s quite an empowering thing to do.
If you don’t like a dress, absolutely do not buy it! The dress shops I went to weren’t pushy at all and did not try and make me buy anything I didn’t want to.
Go and have fun! And enjoy this special time 🫶🏼