Perusing for the perfect gown, while fun and fantastic, can also be incredibly intimidating. Marianne did it right, and was kind enough to share the hushhush with us!
Marianne in her gorgeous gown...

*Bring someone with you, but not more than 1-2 well-wishers. Make sure they are not only dear to you (like a mother or sister or best friend) but also respect your style and preferences. (It also helps if you admire theirs!)



*Be clear and concise when speaking with the sales staff. Don't be afraid to tell them what you like, love, dislike, and detest. Their job is to help you, and to make you feel comfortable.



*Don't be afraid to quit early and look around another day if you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed. Trying on billowy dresses can be exhausting!



*Sip the champagne. Note: sip. While you may be a hot mess on your weekends out on the town, you probably want to stay relatively sober when dropping the benjamins on a beautiful gown.



The end result? Pure, sweet, shopping bliss.

Picture Above: Marianne in her gown by Brides by Demetrios, Platinum Collection.