What to expect from your first bridal boutique appointment

Q – What can I expect from a bridal boutique appointment?

"I can’t speak for every boutique, but I can tell you about our process. When our customers arrive, they are met by either myself or my amazing assistant manager, Kyla. You’ll be offered a drink, somewhere to sit, and we will ask you to fill in a profile form. Don’t worry, this isn’t anything scary – just questions to find out more about your wedding, such as the date and theme. This will allow us to tailor your appointment to suit your needs. We then go through the form, before coming to sit with you to discuss your requirements.

"We don’t believe in pressure selling and want you to feel as comfortable as possible. It’s not in anyone’s interest for you to be bullied into buying something you’re not 100 per cent sure about or can’t afford. Budgets are always taken into account, which is why we prefer to go through the layout of the shop with you before you start browsing the rails. This is especially important as there is nothing worse than a bride being passed a dress by an eager friend, only to fall in love with it and then realise it’s twice her budget!

"In terms of what you need to bring, the answer is as simple as an open mind. You don’t need to worry about shoes, underwear – although having light-coloured pants is a good idea! The staff should be there to help you as much or as little as you need them too."

Jen Jamieson 
Wedding dress expert 
www.avamaybridal.com