Choosing the right tribe...

Bridal party, entourage, gang, whatver you want to call those people in your life that you want to have with you when you say Yes to the dress that you will remember forever.

We’ve all seen Say Yes to the Dress when the bride has people on top of people on top of people at their appointment, and yeah they might end up saying Yes to the actual dress but I can promise you that appointment was loud, stressful and LONG!

Honestly I get it, You might want to share your experience with all the bridesmaids, mum, mother-in-law, the aunties, all the nan’s and the girl who sits 3 desks over at work, and that’s ok! But you need to think about just how many voices, how many opposing opinions that is going to be.

I mean yeah different opinions can be helpful, but what does it take for it to become too many opposite ones and therefore a problem. Your entourage may begin to think their opinions aren’t being heard or even worse don’t matter and get frustrated and upset. All lets be honest you finding your wedding dress isn’t about them, It’s about you! While you may want those closest to you with you when you say Yes, you need to remember that always… the most important opinion is yours.

The Bottom Drawer Bridal has been open for over 6 years now and I can only estimate how many 100’s of appointments I have looked after and how many 1000’s of women have been into my boutique to either help find THE one or find THE one and I like to think I have some good knowledge on the subject and what works and what doesn’t in regards to having a successful bridal shopping appointment. Having a seat on that pink sofa is a coveted position and one that is not to be taken lightly…

I can honestly tell you that bringing two or maybe three people to that appointment will give you the best chance of having that Yes moment, It’s needs to be the people that you are closest to, those special people in your life that you would perhaps regret not being a part of your wedding dress shopping experience. It may well be your mum, maid of honour, best friend, future mother-in-law and yet it doesn’t have to be.

All I will say is that it needs to be those that know your style just as well as you do, maybe even more. They won’t allow you to make a rash decision but they wont stand in your way when you want to make that decision.

By keeping your team, support system, bride tribe, whatever you want to call it small, you will still get those honest opinions because they know you the best, but that honesty won’t be brutal, they may not particularly love the dress that you love, but they will love it because you do. They will see how it makes you happy, They will see how your eyes, face and heart have lit up because you can see yourself on your wedding day.

I’m not going to get into the actual politics of how you go about choosing some and not others right now as noone wants to read my version of War and Peace but you know what, you don’t have to either. I will be here, the best friend, wing woman, the cheerleader you didn’t know you needed.

I can’t even count how many amazing brides have come to their appointment alone and walked away having found THE dress they will remember forever.

FInally don’t ever EVER forget, I am not going to let you say Yes to a dress that does not look amazing, photos of you looking happy and stunningly beautiful in your wedding dress with your new husband or wife on your wedding day is going to be my best advertising should you let me, so like I said, I am not getting to let you leave my boutique with a dress that you don’t look perfect in!