Trying on wedding dresses – how to prepare

This is how a fitting takes place with us and what you can prepare before you arrive.

Book a fitting

Do I need to book an appointment to try on wedding dresses, or can I just drop by the showroom?

Yes, you need to book a fitting before you set off, because we only take one bride at a time. That means you have the showroom in Hvidovre to yourself, and we can only keep it that way when the times are agreed in advance. If you turn up unannounced, there may already be another bride in front of the mirror in her wedding dress. Use the Book a fitting button, or write to us here, and we will find a time that suits you.

How far in advance should I book my wedding dress fitting, especially if I would like a Saturday?

A week's notice is usually plenty for a fitting, but Saturdays get booked quickly, so you should secure one two to three weeks before. If you are short of time before the wedding, write that in your message, and we will find a time sooner. Also write your size, so the wedding dresses are hanging ready when you arrive. The easiest way to book is via our contact page.

How much time should I set aside for a wedding dress fitting?

Allow an hour and a half for a wedding dress fitting. That is enough to try a handful of dresses, walk around in them, sit down and look at yourself in the mirror without rushing. If you also want to try veils and shoes, it takes a little longer. Tell us when you book if you want extra time, and we will leave space after you. Also read our answers about veils and accessories.

How does a wedding dress fitting work with you, from the moment I walk in?

A fitting with us starts with a chat about the wedding, your budget and what you dream of. Then we measure you, and you walk through the rails with us while we pull out models in your size. You try them on in your own fitting room with help with zips and clips. If you say yes to a wedding dress, you can take it home the same day. Get an overview of all our dresses before your visit.

How many friends and family members can I bring when I try on wedding dresses?

Two or three companions work best for a fitting. Choose the ones who tell the truth, not the ones who have their own dream dress in their head. When six opinions come at once, many brides end up choosing a wedding dress to please the others instead of themselves. Write in your booking how many of you there will be, so there are enough chairs for everyone. If you have more questions about the visit, write to us.

Can I bring my children when I try on wedding dresses?

Yes, children are welcome at the fitting. Mention it when you book, and we will put the appointment at the quietest time, so you do not have to rush. If you have a child who cannot sit still for an hour and a half, it is a good idea to bring an adult who can take over while you are standing in the wedding dress. Write the number of guests when you contact us about a time.

What should I remember to bring to a wedding dress fitting?

Bring a pair of shoes with roughly the heel height you expect on the day, and light-coloured underwear without seams or patterns. If you have pictures of wedding dresses you have fallen for, have them ready on your phone. You do not need to bring anything else. We have veils, clips and the practical things in the shop, so you can simply turn up. If you want to find the shoes first, see our answers about bridal shoes.

What clothes are best to wear when I come to try on bridal gowns?

Wear clothes you can quickly get out of and back into. A dress or a blouse with buttons is easier than a tight jumper that has to go over your head, and avoid make-up that can rub off on the fabric of the bridal gown. Otherwise there are no requirements. You change behind a curtain with help just outside, not in the middle of the shop. Read more in our answers about the shop and showroom.

What underwear is best to wear when I try on wedding dresses?

Light, smooth underwear without seams, lace or patterns is best for trying on wedding dresses. That way you see the lines of the dress rather than those of your underwear. A strapless bra or one with detachable straps is the most flexible, because many wedding dresses are strapless or have a low back. If you are considering shapewear, bring it and try it under the dress. Find more help in our answers about size and fit.

Should I wear make-up when I try on wedding dresses?

You are welcome to wear make-up to the fitting, but keep it light, and leave foundation and self-tanner at home. Dark make-up rubs off on the neckline of a white wedding dress and can be seen in the pictures afterwards. If you are used to a little mascara and lipstick, put it on, because most brides find that the reflection then looks more like the day itself. Get more tips in our answers about beauty and styling.

Can we take photos and film while I try on wedding dresses?

Yes, you are welcome to take photos and video during the fitting. A picture from the side and one from behind often settle the matter when you are sitting at home in the evening, because the mirror only shows what you can see yourself. Ask your companion to film you while you walk. Save the model number together with the picture, so we can find the wedding dress again. Afterwards you can keep browsing our whole range at home.

Will I have one dedicated consultant who helps me through the whole wedding dress fitting?

Yes, you get one dedicated consultant during the fitting. The person who welcomes you stays with you the whole time and does not move on to another bride along the way. She knows the stock and which wedding dresses are available in your size, so you do not have to search yourself. If you come back another day, you can ask for the same consultant when you book. Read more about us behind Budget Dreams.

Do I choose the wedding dresses from the rail myself, or do you find them for me?

Both, and the combination works best. You walk through the rails yourself and pull out the wedding dresses that catch your curiosity, and we add a few models you would probably have walked past. Those are often the ones that surprise. With over 1,000 dresses, it is hard to get through them without someone who knows the stock. If you want to prepare at home, try our guide Find din kjole.

How many wedding dresses can I try on in one fitting?

You can try on five to eight wedding dresses in an hour and a half, depending on how much lacing they have. If you try more, they start to look alike, and choosing becomes harder, not easier. Most brides find their dress among the first five. If you are unsure, we bring out the two best again at the end. Note down your favourites from our range before your visit.

Can I send you the wedding dresses I like best in advance, so they are hanging ready for the fitting?

Yes, and that is a good idea. Send us the model numbers or links once you have booked your fitting, and the dresses will be hanging ready when you arrive. That way you spend the time trying on instead of searching. If one of the wedding dresses has been sold in the meantime, we let you know before you drive to Hvidovre. Send your list via the contact page, and we will take care of the rest.

Can I have the whole shop to myself while I try on wedding dresses?

Yes, you get that automatically. We only take one bride at a time, so there are no strangers watching while you try on bridal gowns, and you do not have to share the mirror with anyone. That is why everything is by appointment. If you want extra peace, ask for a time outside the busy Saturdays when you book your fitting. See how we work on the about us page.

Is it normal to get emotional when I find the right wedding dress?

Yes, it is completely normal, and we have seen it many times. Some brides cry, others go completely quiet, and some feel nothing at all that day and only become sure a week later. None of the three reactions says anything about how right the wedding dress is. There is a box of tissues by the mirror, and nobody is looking. Read other brides' thoughts about the choice on our blog.

How do I know it is the right wedding dress for me?

Look at what you do more than at what you feel: the right wedding dress is the one you cannot let go of. If you take it off and keep talking about it while you try the next ones, that is the one. If you would rather have it off again, it is wrong, even if it looks beautiful on the hanger. And if you do not want to take it off at all, you can stop looking. Get help choosing with our guide Find din kjole.

How many bridal shops should I visit before I choose my wedding dress?

Two or three bridal shops are enough. If you visit more, the dresses blur together, and you start looking for one that does not exist. If you have seen 40 dresses in three shops and none has fitted right, the cut is more often the problem than the selection. We have over 1,000 wedding dresses, so you can get a long way in one visit. See which cuts exist in our answers about style and silhouette.

Can I think it over and come back before I buy the wedding dress?

Yes, of course, and we never pressure anyone into saying yes on the day. Just remember that we only have one piece of each model, so a wedding dress may be sold by the time you come back. If you are nearly sure, ask whether we can hold the dress for a few days while you think. We then write down what we have agreed. Read more in our answers about buying a wedding dress.

Can I book an extra fitting to see the same wedding dress again?

Yes, and many brides book a second fitting. The second time is often when the decision is made, because you know what you are looking for and have seen the other models. Write in your message which wedding dress it is about, and it will be hanging ready. If the dress still has not been sold, you can try it on again without starting from scratch. Book the new time via our contact page.

Do I need to book an appointment if I only want to look at veils and accessories for the wedding dress?

Yes, contact us first, because nobody may be free if a bride is in the fitting room. A short appointment is enough for veils, boleros and jewellery. If you bought your dress from us, bring it along, because a veil is easiest to choose by holding it up against the colour and lace of the dress rather than from a photo. Have a look at our bridal accessories and veils beforehand.

We are two brides marrying each other – can we try on wedding dresses together?

Yes, two brides are very welcome to try on bridal gowns together. Mention it when you book, and we will set aside double time and get two fitting rooms ready, so neither of you has to stand waiting in your underwear. If you would rather not see each other's dresses before the day, we can book two appointments back to back instead. You decide how you want it. Tell us your wishes on the contact page.

I am pregnant – how do I try on a wedding dress when my bump is still growing?

Try on early to find out which cut feels good, and then choose a wedding dress with room over the bump. Empire and A-line grow with you, while a close-fitting mermaid does not. Tell us your due date when you book, and we will take it into account when we pick dresses. Our tailor adjusts the dress close to the day. See our wedding dresses for pregnant brides.

What size wedding dress should I choose when I am pregnant?

Choose the size that fits over the bust and shoulders, because those measurements change the least during pregnancy. We do not order wedding dresses in, so you do not have to guess a size months in advance. We create room at the waist with a lace-up back or with the tailor's help close to the day. Come for a fitting when you know how far along you are. Also read about our tailor and alterations.

Can I sit, dance and walk normally in my wedding dress all day?

It depends on the wedding dress, so test it in the shop rather than hoping. Sit down in the dress, lift your arms, take a few dance steps and walk up and down the floor. A dress that looks great when you stand still can feel tight across the bust when you raise your arms for a hug. We will tell you if a model demands more than you expect. Find more advice in our answers about fit.

Can I try on wedding dresses even if I am not ready to buy yet?

Yes, you are welcome to try on wedding dresses without being ready to buy. Many come to find out which cut suits them long before they buy. Tell us when you book, and we will not push, because we know the day is about getting wiser. If you come back later, we already know what worked. Feel free to start with our answers about planning.

Does it cost anything to come for a wedding dress fitting with you?

No, the fitting is free, even though you have the shop to yourself. You only pay if you say yes to a dress. If you cannot come after all, cancel the appointment, because it is reserved for you alone, and another bride could have used it. Book your fitting once you know when you can come. Feel free to look at the cheap wedding dresses on sale before you come.

Are you open in the evenings and at weekends, so I can try on wedding dresses after work?

Yes, we are open by appointment, which is why we can also do evenings and weekends. If you work until four o'clock every day, we will find a time after work, so you can try on wedding dresses without taking time off. Write which days suit you, and we will find a time that works. Send us your possible days via the contact page, and we will get back to you with a time.

Is there parking near the showroom if I come by car and need to take the wedding dress home?

Yes, there is room to park close to the door. The showroom is in the business area at Avedøre Holme in Hvidovre, so you will not have to look for a ticket machine as in the city. If you drive, we are easy to reach from the Amager motorway, about 15 minutes from Copenhagen. That is handy when you need to take the wedding dress home in the car. If you are unsure about the entrance, contact us when you arrive. Read more in our answers about transport.

How do I get to the showroom in Hvidovre by train and bus when I come to try on wedding dresses?

Take the S-train on line A or E to Avedøre or Friheden, and change to a bus. Buses 132, 137 and 500S run out to the business area at Avedøre Holme, where the showroom is. From central Copenhagen the journey takes around half an hour. If you buy a wedding dress, remember that it takes up space on the bus, and feel free to bring a companion. Write which station you are coming from, and we will send the route that best fits your time. See more about the shop in Hvidovre.

I am coming from far away – can we combine several wedding dress fittings on the same day?

Yes, if you are coming from far away, we combine everything into one day. Tell us where you are coming from and how much time you have, and we will book one long appointment instead of two short ones, so you can try on dress, veil and shoes in one go. If you have bought the wedding dress, the tailor can often take measurements the same day, saving you a trip over the bridge or along the motorway. Read about tailoring and alterations before the trip.

As a Swedish or Norwegian bride, can I buy a wedding dress from you in Denmark?

Yes, and we have customers from both Sweden and Norway every month. From Malmö it is about 35 minutes to Hvidovre, so many Swedish brides drive over the bridge and home again the same day with the wedding dress. As a Swedish customer you pay Danish VAT in the price and no customs duty, because both countries are in the EU. If you live in Norway, other rules apply. Read more in our answers for international customers.

Is there step-free access to the showroom if I use a wheelchair or rollator and want to try on wedding dresses?

Contact us before you come and tell us what you need, and we will welcome you at the entrance that suits you best and clear space for a wheelchair or rollator by the mirror, so you can try on wedding dresses in peace. We would rather have it sorted the day before than have you standing outside waiting. If you bring a helper, she is also welcome during the fitting. Read more in our answers about accessibility.