How I Picked My Wedding Dress at Weddings with Joy | Getting Hitched
Wedding dress shopping is not for the faint of heart whatsoever, but I was lucky enough to have a phenomenal team behind me. I knew I wanted my shopping experience to include the people I love the most, so I curated a group of guests within the suggested # limit from the bridal shop. I also knew which bridal shop I had to go to: Weddings with Joy here in Olympia, Washington. Today, I want to share how I picked my wedding dress, as well as some tips that you should keep in mind when wedding dress shopping!
How I Picked My Wedding Dress (+ You Can, Too)
Go to a Shop You Can Trust
For me, it was a no brainer: Weddings with Joy is the absolute best of the best in my town. I love the owner Courtney - we’ve been in a networking group together and have worked together a bit on social media projects through my marketing business. In addition to already knowing her, WWJ has a great reputation having been around for over 40 years, and always keeps up on the latest trends and styles with an inclusive size run of 2-30. Even if you can’t know anyone who works at the bridal shops near you ahead of time, do some research and make sure they offer the environment and styles that speak to you.
Opt for an Experience
If you have the option, I highly recommend renting out the shop just for yourself and your loved ones - this eliminates any awkward feelings of having strangers observing you and really sets the tone for an all-about-you moment where you can feel pampered and loved on in one of the most vulnerable moments you’ll have as a bride-to-be. I booked a Champagne Experience which includes champagne and refreshments and devoted time with your stylist. I was lucky to get one of their master stylists, Kristin, who made the experience just perfect! This ensures that it will be a memory you’ll cherish forever instead of just another task.
Bring Your Strongest Supporters
I think it’s super important to share this day with someone, whether you only want to share it with your mom and aunt, for example, or your best friends. For me, I wanted as many as I could take without the shop getting mad at me! They gave me a ballpark of around 10 guests and I immediately knew who I had to invite: my mom, his mom, my soon-to-be sister-in-law, and 7 of my very best friends that have grown with me through the various chapters of my life (an 8th friend couldn’t be there because she just gave birth weeks prior, but she was there in spirit and we were able to FaceTime her in to give her two cents!). Personally, I wanted a variety of opinions and those who were familiar with very different elements of who I am / my personality, so the group could give a really well-rounded collection of feedback on the dresses. Ultimately, I knew I was going to make the final decision, but I didn’t mind the input. These loved ones can also help you document with photos/video. It’s fine if you’re not the kind of person who wants to bring a whole crew with you (I hear from the bridal shop that it can get quite chaotic), but I’d say don’t go it alone.
Keep an Open Mind
One of the first things Courtney told me was the very real trend of brides walking in with a specific idea or inspirational Pinterest board, and walking out with something totally different, and she encouraged me to keep my mind open to the possibilities. I’m definitely the Pinterest type as we know, but other than a few credentials (long sleeves, modest, lace and tulle-forward), I wasn’t set on a specific gown.
So, did I end up picking my imagined type of dress? It’s a funny story, actually… back in February, I attended an anniversary event at WWJ and noticed a stunning gown on a mannequin. I snapped a photo for inspiration, thinking this gown probably would be out of my budget, or wouldn’t be in my size, or would be gone by the time I shopped later in the year! What do you know? It was available, fit me like a GLOVE (I walked out with the actual dress day-of), and I teared up the second I slipped into it. Regardless, I tried on a few and kept my mind open to potentially finding my dream dress in a very different style range.
My stylist Kristin said that the moment of finding your dream dress is similar to finding your person - it just hits you, it’s like a rush - and you will know. She wasn’t lying! I didn’t expect to have this moment myself, as I’m pretty easy to please, realistic, and not very imaginative, but boy did it happen.
The gown I ultimately chose has lots of my must-have desired elements, but it also differs in many ways! One of the things I did not expect was my cathedral length veil! My dress is complimented so nicely by this dramatic veil length so you know I had to go for it. Because of this choice, I picked a jeweled crown that will help hold it in place without overshadowing it. Originally, my aim was a flowy, boho dress and statement flower crown - I’m saving this look to change into at the reception since it’ll be easier to dance in and I’ll still get the best of both worlds with my flower crown incorporated! I cannot wait to show off these looks.
In case it’s helpful, here’s a few of the questions I asked my shop/stylist:
Should I wear heels about the same height as what I’ll wear on the big day to my shopping experience?
About how long is my appointment? Is it easy to find something in that amount of time?
How do you go about sizing? Is it pretty different from street sizes? What if I gain or lose weight between now and then?
What is the average spend for a wedding dress at your shop?
How much would a tux or suit rental be in addition?
Overall, the experience I had at my wedding dress appointment was incredibly unique and special - a day I’ll remember forever. I hope every bride is as lucky as I was to find a Weddings with Joy in her town! The experience was truly unmatched and I’m proud to be a #JoyfulBride.
You can see videos of the experience on Instagram (and TikTok):
Vendor Rec:
Weddings with Joy
@weddingswithjoy on Instagram
www.weddingswithjoy.com
About the Couple
We’re Jared and Kathryn - Olympia, Washington natives that have dated since April 2013 (nearly a decade in, baby!) and have lived together a majority of those years as well. Jared is launching into his career in IT, and Kathryn is the owner of a freelance content marketing agency serving clients across the country. Together we’re tech nerds, Pacific Northwest travelers, the ultimate foodies, and drag show lovers. We’re so excited to share our wedding journey with you + hope to provide some insight that helps you along the way!
