Wedding dress shopping doesn’t look the same for everyone anymore. Trying on wedding dresses at home has become an increasingly popular option for brides who want more flexibility, a more relaxed experience, or just want to explore their options before making an in-person appointment.
No, you may not get the Hollywood version of champagne, luxury couches, and your own runway. But you can still find the dress of your dreams and create a memorable experience with your friends and family.
Some brides dream of the traditional bridal shop experience. Some want to be in the comfort of their own space. Some want both. Trying on wedding dresses at home can be the first step in your search or the entire experience from start to finish.
No matter how you decide to shop, give yourself plenty of time to explore your options. We recommend ordering your wedding dress at least six months before your big day or even earlier if you’re considering a custom gown or anticipate needing a lot of alterations.
Get Inspiration Online
The first step to wedding dress shopping is figuring out what your options are. Yes, this is true even if you’re trying on wedding dresses at home. Of course, you don’t have to choose exactly what you want. You may not discover your dream dress until you actually try it on. But it’s important to have a starting point to make the process feel a lot less overwhelming.
Before you start shopping, spend some time gathering inspiration. Browse Pinterest, save Instagram posts, flip through bridal magazines, check out the sites of some of your favorite brands, or explore bridal boutiques online.
Pay attention to the details that catch your eye. Do you want a simple dress with minimal detailing? Or are you drawn to lots of tulle and beading? Will you need a long sleeve for a winter wedding or a backless style for summertime?
You definitely don’t need to have every detail figured out, but having an idea of silhouettes, fabrics, and styles you’d like to try will help narrow down your options. Having more direction can help finding the dress of your dreams even more easily.
Bonus Tip: Don’t forget to set your budget before you start shopping!
Choose How to Shop
Once you have an idea of your dream dress, it’s time to decide how you want to shop. Some brides prefer working one-on-one with a bridal consultant, while others would rather browse and try on dresses at home. And of course, many choose a combination of both.
Many bridal shops now offer both virtual and in-person appointments, giving brides more flexibility. There are also a growing number of online retailers and rental services, like Azazie, Avery Austin, Afarose and Rent the Runway, that let you rent or try on wedding dresses at home.
Remember, this stage is all about exploring your options. The perfect dress isn’t always the one you expected, so keep an open mind and don’t be afraid to try something outside your comfort zone.
Bonus Tip: Before you commit, take a few minutes to review the details. Shipping costs, deposits, service fees, and return policies can vary from one boutique or at-home try-on service to another.
Order Dresses to Try at Home
After you’ve chosen a bridal boutique or at-home try-on service, it’s time to get some dresses in your hands.
Every retailer is a little different. Some boutiques offer sample dresses for home try-ons, while others ship dresses directly to your door or ask you to pick them up at the store. Online retailers and rental services often let you order multiple styles at once, making it easier to compare your options before you make a decision.
Once your dresses arrive, take your time. Try them more than once. Take lots of photos. Try them on in different lighting at different parts of the day: natural, fluorescent, soft, even in the dark. You may be surprised which dress feels the most you.
Bonus Tip: Wear the shoes, undergarments, and accessories you plan to wear on your wedding day (or something similar). It can help you get a better sense of how each dress will look and feel once everything comes together.
Make It a Special Occasion
Trying on wedding dresses at home doesn’t mean you have to skip the fun parts of dress shopping. An at-home try-on gives you the freedom to add your own style to the process.
Invite your closest friends and family members, or keep it simple and enjoy the moment on your own. If your favorite people live far away, a FaceTime or a Zoom call is a great way to include them in the experience.
Don’t be afraid to make a day of it. Put together a playlist, pop some bottles of Prosecco, and break out the fancy snacks. The goal isn’t to recreate the bridal shop experience. It’s to create an experience that is all your own. Most importantly, remember to have fun. This should be an exciting part of your process.
Bonus Tip: Just like you would in a fitting room at a shop, make your yes, no, and maybe piles. The dresses you can’t stop thinking about (even if they’re in the no pile) are the ones that deserve the second look.
Return What Doesn’t Work
Not every dress is going to be the one and that’s okay. Once you’ve made your decision, carefully pack up the dresses you don’t plan to keep and follow the retailer’s return instructions. Most companies make returns easy, but pay attention to deadlines and policies.
Bonus Tip: Keep the original packaging until you’ve made your final decision. It can make returns much easier and help protect the dresses during shipping.
Conclusion
Trying on wedding dresses at home may not be the traditional way to shop, but for many brides, it’s become a favorite way to start the search for the perfect gown. It gives you freedom to explore styles at your own pace, involve the people who matter most, and create an experience that works for you.
Whether you find your dream dress on the first try, or after a few rounds of shipping labels and return boxes, remember to enjoy the process. Remember: finding the dress is one of the most memorable parts of wedding planning.
Have you tried on wedding dresses at home? How was that experience for you?
