Tips for Stress-Free Wedding Dress Shopping in South Jersey

by Tara Bard, Contributing Writer

Stress-free wedding dress shopping might seem like a dream, but it is possible to enjoy the experience of shopping for your wedding dress in South Jersey. You can achieve this through planning, patience and maintaining an assertive attitude when necessary.

Map It Out

Some areas have many bridal boutiques in one location. If you’re planning on making the trip to multiple destinations in South Jersey, it’s best to plan out the day and map out the locations. If you want to stick to one town at a time, try:

· Atlantic City
· Cape May
· Haddonfield
· Cherry Hill and Moorestown
· Berlin

If you’re meeting friends at various bridal salons, provide them with a list of addresses to stay on track. Organize a car pool and ensure that everyone has a GPS or knows how to get to the locations.

Follow the Rules

Each bridal salon has its own rules. Frequent rules include: supervise children, no food or drink and no photos allowed of dresses. Always follow the rules and don’t invite anyone along that may break these rules.

Bridal salon consultants vary, just like salon rules. If you feel uncomfortable, mistreated or misdirected, you’re the customer—and you’re allowed to leave if you don’t feel you’re being treated with respect.

Make Appointments

To cut down on stress and make best use of your time, call ahead to make appointments. It is kind to let the salon know how many will come with you and what types of dresses you are looking for.

You may also wish to mention if you or anyone in your bridal party wears a plus size. Prepare everyone for the fact that bridal sizes are much different than actual sizes and that a ‘regular’ size 12 might have difficulty fitting into any sample sizes.

Tip: Holding down a full-time job while planning a wedding is tough. Instead of cramming this important decision into a lunch hour, explain your situation to the salon consultant and mention a particular dress you’d like to try on that isn’t available elsewhere. Most likely, they’ll squeeze you in.

Party Sizes

Limit your party size. If possible, limit to the number of people that can fit in one vehicle, especially if you are making multiple trips. Make concessions for older relatives and children who may not be able to make more than a few stops in one day.

It’s best to pick a driver who knows South Jersey well. You’re the bride—let someone else handle the GPS navigation!

Do you have any favorite South Jersey bridal salons or dress shopping experiences? Please share them in the comments!

This post was originally published on Examiner.com.