Photo by Varna Studios
Wedding dress shopping… it’s one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning, yet it can also be one of the most overwhelming. For those of us who aren’t in a position to buy couture on the regular, wedding dress shopping will likely be a whole new world. There’s lots to learn – and, potentially, lots of pressures to navigate, too.
That’s why I’ve chatted with Maria Yiannikaris, cofounder of beloved London bridal boutique Mirror Mirror London, about some of her top tips for making your shopping experience as smooth as it can be. Mirror Mirror is one of the very best options for finding your dream dress in London – or even, dare I say it, the entire world!
And with over 30 years of experience running Mirror Mirror, Maria knows more about the ins and outs of wedding dress shopping than just about anyone. Plus, her ethos of helping each bride to look and feel her most beautiful, confident self on her wedding day couldn’t be any more aligned with ours here at Smashing The Glass!
Photo by Voyteck Photography
DO YOUR RESEARCH
GET A SENSE OF YOUR PREFERRED STYLES
Figuring out what looks you like best -and which brands design them- will make it easier to decide which bridal salons to hit up. You can find inspo on Pinterest, in bridal magazines, in past real wedding features on Smashing The Glass, and on boutiques’ websites. And be sure to note any designers (and even style numbers) you’re particularly smitten with.
Knowing which designers you like and which don’t speak to you as much will also make it easier to figure out which shops to visit. A lot of boutiques will carry the full spectrum of styles – Mirror Mirror carries a fabulous range of 8 international designers, showcasing styles from classic minimalism to soft boho vibes or a truly opulent gow – but some have a more narrow focus.
Photo by Voyteck Photography
SHOP YOUR CLOSET
Well, not exactly. But taking a look at the clothes you already own can be helpful in trying to decide what silhouettes will work best for you. If there are certain similarities in a lot of the items you already own, let those elements guide you. It can also be helpful to think about physical features you’d like your dress to highlight.
Photo by Varna Studios
BRUSH UP ON DRESS TERMINOLOGY
It’ll be easier communicating your preferences at appointments if you know a mermaid from an A line.
Photo by Varna Studios
KNOW YOUR WEDDING THEME AND VENUE
Knowing your venue and vibe before you start shopping will make it easier to choose the right dress.
Photo by Varna Studios
FIND OUT ABOUT RELIGIOUS RESTRICTIONS
If you’re having a religious ceremony, check with your rabbi to find out if there are any attire guidelines you’re required to follow, such as covering your shoulders for the chuppah.
If you do find yourself in need of a chuppah coverup to add to your bridal ensemble, it’s smart to shop someplace where the team is experienced working with Jewish brides. Mirror Mirror, for example, has a wonderful, longstanding relationship with London’s Jewish community, and all of their stylists are well-versed in the needs of brides from Orthodox to Jew-ish.
Photo by Varna Studios
FIGURE OUT YOUR BUDGET
Before your first appointment, figure out how much you’re able to spend on your gown – and choose where to shop accordingly. For instance, Mirror Mirror offers gowns ranging in price from £1850 – £8000.
Photo by Varna Studios
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
START EARLY
If your timeline allows, it’s smart to start looking 8 to 10 months before your wedding. Many gowns take 4 to 8 months to be produced (plus, you’ve got to factor in time for alterations), and if you put dress shopping off for too long, your selection of dresses could be limited or you might end up having to pay rush fees.
However, if for any reason you find yourself on a tighter timeline, don’t despair – there ARE good options out there! One exciting new possibility available from Mirror Mirror is Pronovias’s Fast Delivery service, whereby you can choose from a gorgeous selection of dresses from the beloved brand with no rush charges!
Photo by Varna Studios
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
Most salons require you to book an appointment in order to try on gowns. Call in advance–and if there’s a specific dress you’re hoping to try on, ask about that too. And if you’re plus-size, it’s worth asking to make sure they have plus-size samples on hand.
Photo by Varna Studios
HIT SAMPLE SALES
Salons frequently have sales to move older inventory, where you’ll find gowns at steep discounts. The downside is that sales tend to be stocked with–you guessed it–sample sizes (typically bridal 8 and 10, comparable to ready-to-wear size 6 and 8).
In addition to holding blockbuster sample sale events a handful of times a year, Mirror Mirror’s got a running collection of beautiful sample gowns available year-round – check out some of their current lineup here.
Photo by Varna Studios
TRY TRUNK SHOWS
If there’s a designer you’re particularly obsessed with, see if they’ve got a local trunk show coming up near you. Making an appointment during a trunk show can not only get you discounts on the dress of your dreams (typically 10%), you’ll also get a chance to see more of the designer’s styles than would ordinarily be available at your local boutique. Plus, the designer or a member of their team will be able to give you ideas on how to customize a style.
Mirror Mirror holds some fantastic trunk sales from designers like Vera Wang, Eliza Jane Howell, Inbal Dror, and more – they’ve always got something fabulous coming up, so if you’re in the market it’s worth checking out their upcoming events.
Photo by Varna Studios
AT THE APPOINTMENT
KEEP YOUR TEAM SMALL
Narrow the group down to the two or three people whose opinions matter most to you. And only shop with people who really make you feel comfortable. You don’t need to bring your whole bridal party or everyone in your family.
Photo by Voyteck Photography
EAT!
Make sure you don’t forget to eat before your appointments! Wedding dress shopping can be exhausting, and you want to make sure you’re all fueled up before getting started.
Photo by Voyteck Photography
GO EASY ON THE MAKE-UP
You don’t want to be worrying about whether it will rub off on the dresses you’ll be trying on.
Photo by Voyteck Photography
BRING THE RIGHT UNDERGARMENTS
For your appointments, wear nude seamless underwear and a strapless bra—and shapewear, if you’re planning on wearing it the day of your wedding.
Photo by Voyteck Photography
HEELS OPTIONAL
Most salons will have shoes on hand for you to try on with your gown, but if you know the heel height you’ll be wearing on the big day feel free to bring your own for an even more accurate assessment.
Photo by Varna Studios
BE OPEN WITH YOUR BRIDAL CONSULTANT
The more information you give, the easier it will be for the consultant to pick out your dream gown.
Photo by Varna Studios
GET OUTSIDE YOUR COMFORT ZONE
It’s great to go in with an idea of what you’re looking for, but don’t refuse to try on a gown your consultant/mother/bridesmaid pulls because you’ve decided you just can’t do, say, a sheath. You just might surprise yourself and fall in love with a look you hadn’t anticipated.
Photo by Voyteck Photography
SHOP TRUE TO YOUR SIZE
Even if you plan on losing weight before the big day, shop for dresses in your current size. It’s much easier to take a dress in than trying to work with one that’s way too snug. And keep in mind that bridal sizing means your gown will often be one to two sizes higher than what you wear in your regular clothes.
Photo by Voyteck Photography
POSE FOR PHOTOS IN VARIOUS ANGLES
Have a friend or family member take pictures and video of you from all angles, from the back and sides to shots of you sitting down. While you may know when you’ve found your dress, more often the decision is made upon reflection. Looking at pictures will help you edit down selections for future visits—or cement your intuition about a favorite.
Photo by Varna Studios
TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS
If you have to be reassured the dress looks great, it’s probably not for you. If you can’t see yourself walking down the aisle in it, move on.
Photo by Voyteck Photography
DON’T TAKE IT AS A SIGN IF YOU DON’T CRY
You may not be brought to tears—but that doesn’t mean you haven’t found your gown. Not all brides cry when they find their dress–nor does every bride have that magical experience of finding “the one.” And that’s perfectly fine. Likewise, know that there’s no right number of dresses to try on before you make your selection–so don’t be deterred if it takes you longer than you expected, but also don’t walk away if you fall in love at first sight.
Photo by Voyteck Photography
WALK AWAY IF YOU FEEL PRESSURE
When should you walk away? When you feel like a salesperson’s putting the heat on you to make a decision on the spot. A wedding gown is a big purchase, so if you need more time to decide, take it—guilt free. That’s one of the reasons we recommend you aim to shop at boutiques known for their exemplary customer service, like Mirror Mirror.
Photo by Voyteck Photography
CONSIDER COUTURE
If you’ve got a very specific vision and aren’t finding anything that quite matches it – or if you just want a one-of-a-kind creation totally tailored to your tastes and shape – consider going bespoke. In addition to the fabulous array of designers they carry, Mirror Mirror also crafts custom couture creations, designed and made especially for you, cut to your own proportions from your personal toile fitting.
Photo by Voyteck Photography
ALL ABOUT THE ALTERATIONS
FIND OUT ABOUT ALTERATIONS BEFORE MAKING A PURCHASE
Ask your stylist how your dress will differ from the sample, what alterations can or can not be done, and the estimated price. You’ll need to factor those costs into your budget (plus taxes and shipping fees).
While most bridal boutiques require you to outsource your alterations – adding another step to the process – some, like Mirror Mirror, have in-house alterations teams. It’s hard to overstate how big a benefit this is – in addition to saving you the hassle of finding (and schlepping yourself and your gown to) an outside seamstress, with Mirror Mirror’s team there’s no need to worry about quality of work or trustworthiness.
In addition to ensuring that your gown fits you beautifully, Mirror Mirror’s stylists and seamstresses can work seamlessly together to help you incorporate the kinds of style changes that will make your wedding day attire totally unique to you.
Photo by Varna Studios
POST-PURCHASE
GET IT IN WRITING
Make sure you get everything in writing, including the schedule for alterations, the cancellation policy, the delivery date, the total price and deposit amount, the manufacturer’s name, the model number, and any other pertinent information. Once you have a contract in front of you, triple-check it to be sure all the details are correct.
Photo by Varna Studios
RELAX AND STOP LOOKING
Now that you’ve found your dream gown, stop shopping—nothing good will come of continuing to look at dresses.
If you’re local to London and on the search for the dress of your dreams, reach out to Mirror Mirror at +44 (0)20 7713 9022 or angel@mirrormirror.uk.com to set up an appointment today!
CONTACT MIRROR MIRROR
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | On Smashing The Glass
You can get in touch with them at +44 (0)20 7713 9022 or angel@mirrormirror.uk.com
And don’t forget, Mirror Mirror offers members of our Brides Club a £200 discount for veil and accessory purchases over £400!
