What happens at a wedding dress fitting?
Most of us have seen it on TV. A bride stands on a small stage, eight family members sit on a sofa, and someone starts crying when the right dress goes on. The programme Say Yes to the Dress from the New York shop Kleinfeld has turned the fitting into a show all over the world. In real life, luckily, it is much calmer.
Book a time before you set off
Most bridal shops work by appointment, and so do we. We take one bride at a time, so you have the showroom to yourself. If you turn up without an appointment, someone else may be standing in front of the mirror. Saturdays get booked quickly, so try to get one two to three weeks ahead. For weekdays, a week's notice is usually enough.
How long does it take?
Allow an hour and a half. That is enough time to try a handful of dresses, walk around in them and look at yourself in the mirror without rushing. Many think they need to try 30 dresses. You don't. After eight or ten, most brides start to get tired, and then the choice gets harder, not easier.
Who should come with you?
Two or three people. Choose the ones who tell the truth, not the ones who have their own dream dress in their handbag. When six opinions come at once, many brides end up choosing for the others. It is also perfectly fine to come alone the first time and bring your family once you have found two or three favourites.
What should you wear and bring?
A pair of shoes with roughly the heel height you plan to wear on the day, and light-coloured, smooth underwear without lace or patterns. A strapless bra is the most flexible. Wear something you can get out of quickly, and skip heavy make-up, because it rubs off on the fabric. If you have pictures of dresses you have fallen for, have them ready on your phone. Veils, clips and all the practical things we have here.
How it works with us
We start by talking. Where are you getting married, when, what is the budget, and what are you dreaming of. Then we measure you, and you walk through the rails with us while we pull out styles in your size. You try them on in your own fitting room with help with zips and lacing.
What is different from an ordinary bridal shop is the ending. With us, the dress you try on and the dress you buy are the same, because we only have one of each style. If you say yes, the dress goes home with you the same day. No ordering, no six-month wait.
When you can't decide
That is completely normal. Take photos from the front, the side and the back, and look at them the next day. Often there is one dress you keep thinking about. It may well be a different one from the dress everyone else cheered for.
You will find more answers about fittings, children, underwear and appointment times in our FAQ on fittings. We are a Danish shop with a showroom in Hvidovre near Copenhagen, and you can book a fitting online. If you want to look first, see all our wedding dresses.