The bridal boutique appointment is an important moment in a woman’s wedding planning process. It’s the moment in which she could potentially find her dream dress, and share that experience with her loved ones. At Weddings with Joy, we do our best to create an uplifting and no pressure environment for the bride so that she can shop confidentially and at ease with her guests. However, nothing ruins the mood quicker than someone who is being too critical, rather providing the bride with constructive feedback.
Below we have provided some helpful tips on how to be a constructive bridal boutique guest!
1. Wait for the bride to speak first.
Remember that this moment is about the bride and not about you. Watch your loved one walk out onto the platform in front of the mirrors and then ask her some open-ended questions to gauge her feelings about the wedding dress before throwing in your own two-cents. By allowing the bride to speak first, you’re affirming that it’s her feelings which matter the most during her bridal boutique appointment.
2. Ask open-ended questions.
Asking open-ended questions are constructive because it encourages a full and meaningful answer. Open-ended questions usually begin with “how,” “why,” or “tell me about…” Some examples of what you could ask are, “How does this dress make you feel?” “How do feel about this particular style?” Asking these sort of questions will help the bride decide if the dress she is wearing is a contender, or not. Remember, you’re there to help her decide on a dress that’s perfect in her eyes.
3. Remember to be kind.
When speaking about the dress, don’t forget that someone you love is wearing it. Instead of saying, “your stomach looks big in this dress,” say “this dress doesn’t flatter the areas you told me where important to you.” Women are already critical about their own bodies, and each individual may have areas that they’re a little sensitive or insecure about. When you speak, be mindful about a bride’s insecurities and phrase your comments in a way that are kind and constructive, not hurtful or diminishing.
4. Avoid too many “I” statements.
Before sharing your opinion, ask yourself, “Am I considering the brides feelings and desires with what I’m about to say?” If your comment only concerns you and your feelings, don’t share it. Examples of “I” statements are, “I don’t think this dress is for you,”or “I don’t think you actually like this dress.” Instead, make the bride the focus of your statements and turn them into open-ended questions, such as “tell me about why you love this dress,” “how do you picture yourself on your wedding day?”
The bridal appointment should be a joyful experience, and that’s what we’re all about! We hope these tips help you navigate this special moment in a mindful manner. We love our brides, and we love our jobs! Our number one priority will always be too make sure they’re having a great time and feel beautiful exactly as they are.
