The Emotional Stages of Bridesmaid Dress Shopping
Being a bridesmaid is fun for a lot of reasons, but one thing that never quite goes to plan is the bridesmaid shopping experience...
We have included third party products to help you navigate and enjoy life’s biggest moments. Purchases made through links on this page may earn us a commission.
Bring a bridesmaid consists of many duties; some fun, some exciting and some that are downright stressful. One bridesmaid duty that’s a combination of all the above, is shopping for your bridesmaid dresses.
If you’ve ever been a bridesmaid, or a bride going shopping with your girls, you’ll recognise every one of these emotional stages.
Yay We’re Bridesmaids and We Love Each Other
The process of bridesmaid dress shopping starts the minute you found out you were going to be a bridesmaid. You’re all over the moon that you’ve been chosen and just can’t wait to get started on choosing the dresses.
The Pre-Shopping Group Chat
Before the actual shopping begins, there’s always a group chat discussion where everyone starts to discuss what styles, shapes and colours they like.
READ MORE: Top Tips for Choosing Your Bridesmaid Dresses
‘Kate Has Sent Another Image’
Print screens and URL’s start flying in from Pinterest boards and fashion sites of what each BM thinks you should wear, and there’s always some pretty interesting suggestions.
The Bride’s Vision
Despite your preferences, the bride’s colour scheme and wedding style will ultimately define what bridesmaid dresses you end up wearing. Whether it’s your dream style or your worst nightmare, you kind of just have to deal with it and hope for the best.
READ MORE: 17 Times Mix and Match Bridesmaids Gave Us Style Goals
Arranging a Date to Go Shopping
Arranging a date for anything is difficult when there’s lots of busy females involved. Don’t let this stress you out, eventually there’ll be a date you can all do, even if it is in two years’ time.
Pre-Shopping Anxiety
What if you hate all the bridesmaid dresses? What if everyone loves a dress and you’re the only one who hates it, but you don’t want to cause a fuss and ruin the whole wedding by hating the one dress that everyone loves? …That’s it, you’re not going.
It’ll Be Fine
BREATHE, just breathe! There are a million dresses out there and there’s bound to be one that you all like, right?
READ MORE: Gorgeous Bridesmaid Dresses Under £100
The Shopping Day is Here
This is when things start to get really exciting. The shopping day has arrived and you’re all in high spirits, getting along really well and can’t wait to get started.
READ MORE: The Emotional Stages of Wedding Dress Shopping
Everything Looks Awful
Yep, this will happen. You’ll try on a few dresses and one, if not all of you will dislike something about each and every one.
No One Can Agree
If you thought trying to agree on a shopping date was hard, try finding a bridesmaid dress that everyone will agree to wear. It’s NOT easy.
READ MORE: Our Favourite Celebrity Bridesmaids
Too Many Opinions
With shopping, comes opinions, and trust us when we say, no one will keep these to themselves. As polite as people try and make them sound, the tension will be there.
We’re Getting Somewhere
Finally, things start to look up. You’ve agreed on a style, colour or at least shape that flatters all of you and you’ll be welcoming this tiny bit of progress with open arms.
READ MORE: The Most Beautiful Bridesmaid Gifts
Lunch Time
Time for a drink? Erm, YES. Stopping off for lunch and a bit of bubbly is exactly what you ladies need at this stage. People were starting to get hangry and no one should make decisions when they’re hangry.
Passive-Aggressive Table Talk
As fun as bridesmaid dress shopping is, it’s really tiring. People’s patience will be wearing thin so just prepare yourself for a potentially awkwardd lunch date.
Let’s Start Again
After lunch comes a fresh start. The progress you made before has set a good vibe for the next shop and people are starting to agree on things.
READ MORE: Our Favourite Navy Bridesmaid Dresses
You Actually Agree on a Dress
Wait, is this actually happening? You’ve all decided on one dress. It’s a miracle, pigs are actually flying, we’ve seen them with our own eyes!
Let the Catwalk Commence
You’re all feeling yourselves, you all like the dress, that can only mean one thing…catwalk!
No, You Look Amazing
Now you’ve decided on your dresses, the compliments are flying around. So overwhelmed with the fact you’ve actually picked one, you all can’t wait to tell one another how amazing they look.
READ MORE: Bridesmaid Duties Explained
Did We Just Buy a Dress?
Hold on, as if things couldn’t get any better, you’ve bought the dress. THE DRESS IS BOUGHT!
Yay, Let’s Celebrate
Suddenly, as if the past has deleted itself, it’s like no conflict had ever happened. No one ever disagreed on any dresses and you all wanted that one all along? Really?
Love is Back in the Air
You all love each other again. Everyone is back to the whole “OMG we’re bridesmaids” stage and the mood is lifted even more now that you’ve chosen the dresses. Hallelujah!
Now you know what to expect from your bridesmaid shopping experience, make sure you’re educated on what not to say to your fellow bridesmaids!
