tulle tiered strapless maxi dress
Shop the Look: Exquisite Enchantment White Tulle Tiered Strapless Maxi Dress

From the minute you slip on that engagement ring, you’re a bride-to-be, thrown into a whirlwind of pre-wedding events. There’s venues to look at, cakes to taste, guest lists to think about, and of course, a dress to say yes to! Stepping into a bridal boutique (like ours in LA!) isn’t like trying on clothes at your favorite store. It’s a major event that has you considering hemlines, necklines, and everything in between. And knowing what to wear wedding dress shopping can make your style session so much simpler. So let’s start from the ground up and go over what to wear to try on wedding dresses! 

Shoes

shoes for wedding dress shopping
Shop the Look: Lelanee White Satin Rhinestone Bow Ankle Strap Pumps

When you’re shopping for a wedding dress, you probably don’t have your wedding shoes yet, but you probably do know what kind of shoes you want to wear. Bring your favorite pair that’s about the height you plan to wear. And remember, you’ve got to walk down the aisle in those shoes–so be realistic about what’s comfortable and easy enough for you to walk in! Shoes of the approximate heel height will give you a good idea of how the dress will fall, as well as help you envision the overall look and feel of your ensemble. 

Shapewear and Underwear

high waisted shapewear thong
Shop the Look: Seamless Solutions Almond Tan High-Waisted Shapewear Thong

What you wear under your dress is important for your comfort. Some brides love shapewear; others not so much. Whatever your feelings are, bring what makes you comfortable. The same is true for the rest of your underwear! You want to wear comfortable, plain undergarments- not your cute lingerie! Instead, try to stick to neutral undergarments. 

A white bra sticking up at your neckline can confuse the image of what the dress looks like on you. But also, don’t worry too much about whether or not you can see your bra at your neckline, because the bra you bring with you probably isn’t what you’re going to be wearing on your wedding day. The boutique bridal experts can give you guidance about the type of support you need. Many wedding dresses have boning or other types of built-in support, so you might not even need a bra with your final gown!

Jewelry

rhinestone drop earrings
Shop the Look: Made to Glow Silver Rhinestone Drop Earrings

You’re probably going to be trying on a lot of gowns, and you want to get a clear look without distracting from the dress.That means that you should stick to minimalist jewelry around your face and neck, if you wear any at all! But, if there’s a particular piece of jewelry you know you’re going to wear, like an heirloom necklace or your favorite earrings, be sure to bring that with you to the appointment, as well.

Hair and Makeup

embroidered lace mermaid wedding dress
Shop the Look:: Eternity of Romance White Embroidered Mermaid Maxi Dress

Definitely bring hair ties and a hair clip! You will probably be trying on gowns with different necklines, and having a way to easily throw up your hair to mimic an updo is a game-changer. 

As far as makeup goes, wear whatever makes you comfortable and confident. Have you ever gone shopping and not liked anything you tried on because you weren’t feeling your most gorgeous that day? Exactly. You might want to avoid a full face or heavy tinted looks; neutral makeup makes it easier to see how the fabric looks with your complexion. Once you have your dress, your makeup artist can design the perfect look to go with it.

Ready to try on wedding dresses? We’d love to have you in our Los Angeles boutique. Show us your bridal looks on Instagram and TikTok @lulus using #LoveLulus. And if you can’t make it into our bridal salon, check out our beautiful bridal styles at our Wedding Shop!