Going into any of your bridal fittings can be a daunting (and exciting!!) time, but particularly if it’s your first! Your mind might be a wealth of ideas and inspiration, from colours and fabrics to sequins and silhouettes (and don’t even get me started on bridal accessories!). It’s so easy to get caught up in what you might try on, what you might love, and what you might not, and entirely forget to remember what might be beneficial for you to bring to help your decision-making journey that little bit easier!

To avoid any last-minute mad dashes to Kmart at midnight (I’m so guilty of this) and to ensure you get the very best out of your experience, here are some valuable assets to bring with you to your try-on sessions.

1. Undergarments & Shapewear

I know, it can seem a little silly to think about your underwear in advance, but if I’ve learned anything, it’s that the morning of your try-on, your options might be less than desirable. (Think uncomfortable lace, or those fluorescent colours that live at the back of your drawer.) Consider nude or pale options made of soft, breathable fabric – the lighter the better to avoid any of those pesky panty lines!

When considering your bra options, something with comfort and support is highly desirable. I’d also recommend either wearing or bringing a strapless bra with you too. You would be amazed at how different a dress can look without any visible bra straps! And even though you may not go in with the intention of trying on a strapless dress, I encourage you to expect the unexpected! (Especially when it comes to wedding dresses.)

Lastly, if you’re considering wearing any type of shapewear, I’d highly recommend you wear it or something similar to your appointment. Shapewear can be an incredible way to further enhance your confidence and provide additional support, so it’s important to get a feel for it underneath any dress. At the end of the day, you want to be as comfortable as possible!

Bonus Tip: Jumping in and out of dresses can be a tiring task! To make it easier for yourself, wear something comfortable that’s easy to slip on and off.

2. Shoes

While you probably don’t have your wedding shoes picked out just yet (if you do, you’re an absolute superstar!), you might have an idea of the style of shoe or heel height in mind.

By taking something similar along with you, not only will you be able to play around with different dress lengths, but you will also be able to get a better understanding of how to comfortably move, dance, and frolic in your dress! It’s so much easier to find out that your shoes might not work at your bridal appointment as opposed to on your actual wedding day.

Bonus Tip: Bring along your heels, but wear something comfortable going into your appointment, especially if you’ve got a few lined up!

3. Accessories

Accessories are like a beautiful silver lining to any dress! They are the perfect way to bring the vision to life and give you a glimpse into the bride that you’ll be on your special day. From earrings to necklaces and hair pins, your bridal appointments are the perfect opportunity to mix and match different ideas to achieve your dream look! Don’t forget about the basics, either. Hair ties and bobby pins are your best friends and can quickly transform your hair into an up-do if the dress calls for it!

Bonus Tip: Perfume is also an accessory! And whilst I don’t encourage you to douse each dress in Chanel, these try-ons can be the perfect way to test out the longevity of any new fragrances that you might be trialling out for your wedding day.

4. Makeup

I will shout this one from the rooftops! I’m a huge believer in trialling different makeup looks with your try-ons and fittings. Remember, they don’t have to be dramatic changes—something as simple as changing your lipstick colour or shade of blush can make a significant difference.

Bonus Tip: Always keep makeup wipes handy in case you want to make any last-minute changes or are trying something mid-appointment.

5. A Trusted Support System

Last, but certainly not least, is bringing along a trusted supporter. Whether that’s a group of your loved ones or just a select few, it’s incredibly beneficial and rewarding to have those people in your corner, with whom you can be open and honest and bounce ideas off of one another.

Bonus Tip: You can take it one step further and incorporate your loved ones with “say yes to the dress,” “add it to the list,” or “keep looking!” cards. These cards are just a little extra bit of fun and the perfect way to make your experience even more memorable.

Personally, I don’t believe you can ever be too prepared, especially since going to your bridal fittings can already be a stressful experience. By ensuring that you have the right underwear on and knowing that your loved one has some hair ties handy, you’re already one step ahead of any hurdles you might encounter and one step closer to finding the dress of your dreams.

If you’re going into your first bridal appointment and are unsure how best to prepare yourself, check out my blog here, where I further explore how to find your perfect wedding dress!