As an experienced Bridal Stylist, I am frequently asked, “So, what exactly do you do?” Do I just help the bride find a dress? Am I the wedding planner? Do I do their hair and makeup? Can you help brides on the day of the wedding? If you’re curious about what exactly working with a wedding dress or Bridal Stylist entails, read on! I’m excited to share more about Bridal Styling and the positive impact working with one can have on your wedding planning journey.

What is a Bridal Stylist?

A bridal stylist is essentially a professional fashion consultant that helps brides find the perfect wedding gown and styles them for a cohesive and beautiful overall look. My clients appreciate my in-depth knowledge of the bridal fashion industry, including current trends and classic styles, paired with access to exclusive resources I have mined over years in action. All of this is done under the guise of ensuring each client’s style, vision, budget and body type are accounted for to ensure each and every element selected is a perfect fit.

The stylist gets to know the bride during consultations to understand her aesthetic. They consider details like wedding location, theme, budget, and bridal party attire. Using this information, the stylist selects gorgeous gowns for the bride to try on during fittings. As the bride tries on dresses, the stylist provides honest feedback and helps with tailoring and accessories with veils or jewelry to complete her vision.

The wedding dress stylist can also support the Mother of the Bride and other members of the wedding party with wardrobe styling. Wedding Day Dressing or Wedding Day Concierge services are also considered during my time working with clients. Take a look here for more information on how I support my brides on the day of their wedding!

Benefits of Working with a Bridal Stylist

Expert Knowledge to Save Time

Bridal gown styling is very different from every day dressing, trust me. The cuts, fabrics and even the ordering process differs wildly from what you may do when ordering a dress as a wedding guest! Working with a bridal stylist can help you make a more educated purchase as we know how, when, where and why to buy!

In addition to the actual shopping, we are skilled at knowing the best gown shapes to flatter your body type to highlight your body in the best possible way.

Honest Feedback

Friends and family want to be supportive, so they say they love every dress! Plus, the glass of champagne might cloud their judgment! A stylist provides an objective perspective on what flatters the bride's figure best. If a dress misses the mark or does not suit the bride, they gently guide the bride to more suitable silhouettes.

Personalized, Luxury Service

Shopping for your wedding gown should be stress-free, easy and happy. Working with a bridal stylist allows the bride to have the best experience possible as we handle the logistics, redtape, and all of the other details so the bride can focus on the fun. My clients in particular are doted on, as they expect a luxurious experience from start to finish.

Efficiency

Working with an experienced wedding dress stylist streamlines the shopping process. They understand how to ask thoughtful questions upfront to gather details on your style, vision, and preferences. The stylist then handpicks gorgeous dress options suited for you to try on. It saves time trying on irrelevant dresses or sifting through overloaded racks alone.

The stylist knows inventory and designers well, pulling options you would have never discovered but love. They are efficient at facilitating appointments tailored specifically to you.

Support for Alterations

Most wedding gowns require some degree of tailoring for an impeccable fit. A seasoned stylist has a well-trained eye to identify precise alterations needed after you've selected the dress. They will work closely with your Bridal Tailor to complete the necessary alterations, such as taking in the waist, hemming the length, and the creation of a beautiful bustle if needed.

Accessories

A wedding dress stylist goes beyond the gown to accessorize your bridal look completely. They incorporate accents like jewelry, headpieces, gloves, or veils paired purposefully to complement your style. The stylist knows how to pull together all elements for a cohesive aesthetic.

Wedding Day Service

The wedding dress stylist provides wedding day concierge service to the bride and the wedding party on her special day. Booking your Bridal Stylist to assist you offers immense peace of mind. The stylist helps you get dressed efficiently and positions accessories perfectly. It frees your bridesmaid and family to enjoy the wedding festivities instead of dressing you as they handle the steaming/pressing, bustling the gown before the reception, and support for any fashion emergencies that may arise on the Big Day.

Things to Consider When Booking a Bridal Stylist

Once you decide to hire a Bridal Stylist, research to find the best match according to your needs. Here are some key points you need to consider before booking a wedding dress stylist.

The stylist should be able to understand your needs clearly. Schedule meetings and interviews beforehand so they have a clear picture of your bridal vision and understand how much support you may require, no matter how big or small.
Review their social handles, websites, and portfolios for examples of their styling work. Evaluate their aesthetic to see whether it appeals to you or not. Ask for referrals or recommendations from previous clients so they can evaluate you directly from this first-hand information.
Clarify what's included in their services, timeline, contract, and cancellation policies. Leave no detail undefined. Discuss if they style bridesmaids, mothers, or the entire wedding party.

Weddings can be a very stressful event. Hiring a wedding dress stylist means there is one less thing for you to worry about on your big day. I can provide you with a concierge service that meets all your requirements. I can help dress you, the mothers of the bridesmaids, groomsmen, and other members of the wedding party. Feel free to contact me to make your wedding day memorable and stress-free.