Why You Need a Bridal Stylist on Your Wedding Team

Many brides share that shopping for the dress and the wedding-party wardrobe is the most difficult, emotional, and potentially stressful part of organizing their nuptials. Making sure you feel and look your best, managing the expectations of friends and family, and navigating through an endless amount of options can be overwhelming. A bridal stylist will act as your fashion advocate and can assist with every aspect, from shopping for the gown to being by your side on the big day.

Shopping for the Dress
With the increasing relevance of social media, engaged women have more choices than ever before; they are constantly inundated with information about wedding-day style. Some are savvy shoppers and look forward to exploring every single ensemble option, while others prefer a quick, streamlined shopping experience. Most women fall somewhere in between, but every bride-to-be can benefit from the help of an expert.

Unlike a bridal consultant – an experienced professional who will help to find you a gown within the confines of their boutique – a bridal stylist will help you find the best gown for you. He or she has access to a wide variety of designers and boutiques, and will not only ensure you are receiving a wonderful experience, but will help you verbalize the style you're looking for and assist in making your vision a reality.

Your personal bridal stylist may also have relationships with designers who will offer a wider range of dress styles than a local boutique may carry in stock. Additionally, they can help with special requests such as extra fabric, custom measurements, rush orders, and other insider favors. The stylist may have access to designers that are otherwise unavailable in your location, which will save you a costly and time-consuming trip to explore ideas.

Choosing Bridal Accessories
Do you want a glamorous, photo-worthy pump for the wedding, but need a second sensible pair for dancing? Most bridal boutiques do not carry a full range of shoes, if any at all, so your stylist can collect several heels to try with the gown. They can also bring in accessories from a variety of boutiques, so all elements can be sampled while wearing your dress – it’s very difficult to find the right options without seeing yourself in full bridal regalia!

Styling the Wedding Weekend
Will you change into a second dress for the reception, or even a third dress for the after-party? What about a special outfit for the rehearsal dinner, bridal showers, and morning-after brunch?

Your bridal stylist can help you decide where to splurge and where to save – they will provide you with an array of options that will ensure your radiant confidence throughout the event.

Coordinating the Bridal Party
Your bridal stylist can design the look of the entire bridal party – from establishing the same level of formality with both the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom to acting as your advocate and counselor during any potentially stressful conversations with your nearest and dearest.

They can find reasonable cost options for the bridesmaid and groomsmen, as well as help with the styling and alterations logistics – especially when friends and family are spread out around the country, or even around the globe!

This seasoned professional can take on tasks such as reworking a family heirloom for your use on the wedding day, finding the perfect gift for the bridesmaids, assisting in the design of a custom embroidered gift for your closest family members, and hunting down the perfect accessory for flower girl, ring bearer, or even pets being included in the wedding day.

Like all personal services, the best way to find an expert bridal stylist who has the experience and personality to play the all-important role is through a trusted referral. The wedding consultant is typically the first person hired as part of your team and can help you to find the perfect stylist to join as your advocate in all aspects of the wedding wardrobe.

For more tips from Dear Maradee, discover the first steps to take when choosing a wedding dress, learn how to decide if you should wear a veil, and read advice on selecting the perfect bridal shoes.