Hey bridal babes, welcome back to Martini Mondays with Chrissy!
I’m Alexandra—your bridal stylist, consultant, gown guru, and wedding day BFF. Each week, I’m joined by my martini-loving mom, Chrissy for unfiltered wedding talk, served straight up.
We’ve already spilled the martini on the first three steps of wedding planning:
But this week, we’re taking a glam break from logistics and diving into what I love most—wedding gowns! If you’re a newly engaged bride wondering, “Where do I even start with dress shopping?”—this episode (and blog post) is for you.
Let’s Talk Wedding Gown Timing
Here’s the thing: wedding gowns take time. On average, it takes 6–8 months for a dress to arrive once it’s ordered, and you’ll need another 6–8 weeks for alterations. That’s a 10-month process from start to finish. So, as soon as you lock in your date, start booking bridal salon appointments. Trust me—early is never too early when it comes to your dream dress.
If you have a shorter engagement, salons can make it work, but why stress when you can plan ahead?
Know Before You Go: Wedding Dress Prep 101
Here are a few insider tips to prep before your first appointment:
- Do your research.
Know which salons carry the designers you love and what their price points are. It’s heartbreaking (and awkward) to fall in love with a dress way outside your budget. - Set a realistic budget.
Don’t forget to ask if that includes alterations, accessories, or additional customization fees. - Get visual.
Save inspo on Pinterest or Instagram. Even if you don’t end up with that exact style, having a visual direction helps your stylist (hi, me!) guide you. - Wear the right underwear.
No joke—nude seamless underwear can make or break how a dress looks in the fitting room. Lime green undies? Just don’t.
You can read even more of my wedding gown prep tips in this blog post.
My Golden Rule: Be Open-Minded
You may think you’re a mermaid bride until you actually try it on. I always start with what you think you want and then sneak in a wildcard that I know will look amazing on you. You won’t know until you see it on your body.
And like I always say: trying on wedding dresses is like bringing a celebrity haircut photo to your stylist—you’re not them, and your gown should suit YOU.
From Mom’s POV: A Bridal Consultant in the Front Row
Mom’s take? Good alterations matter. So many brides pick and tug all night at their gowns because something didn’t fit quite right. One of her favorite gowns ever? Danielle’s custom silk brocade gown—elegant, timeless, and a complete showstopper. (Yes, we customized it down to the train.)
She’s also not shy about saying: if you spent thousands on a gown, don’t change into a mini dress at the after-party. Live in that moment. Own the aisle.
Let’s Hear It from a Groom
My brother George, who’s getting married this July, joined the chat to share a groom’s perspective—and let’s just say it was eye-opening and hilarious.
What did he think a bustle was? Surprisingly… he nailed it! And yes, he threw out words like “sequins,” “ruffles,” and “strapless” while trying to guess what his fiancée’s dress will look like.
His advice to fellow grooms?
“Don’t say ‘I don’t care.’ Even if you don’t have a strong opinion, show up, listen, and support her choices.”
(Side note: he thinks his fiancée’s gown will be strapless and elegant. We’ll circle back post-wedding to see how right he was!)
Quick Recap: Bridal Gown Shopping Tips
- Start shopping once you know your wedding date
- Budget 10 months for order + alterations
- Research salons, designers, and price ranges
- Wear the right undergarments
- Be open-minded—your dream gown might surprise you
- Trust your stylist (especially if it’s me!)
- Get support from your mom, your squad… and yes, even your groom
Coming Up Next…
We’ll have more behind-the-scenes dress talk, a possible Whiskey Wednesday edition, and yes—a post-wedding debrief with George to see if he guessed the gown right.
Until next time, keep sipping, keep planning, and always say yes to what makes you feel fabulous.
Cheers & Kisses,
ACE
Skinny Cosmopolitan Martini
Ingredients:
- 2 oz vodka (citrus vodka if you’re feeling fancy)
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 1 oz light cranberry juice (look for one with no added sugar)
- ½ oz orange liqueur (like Cointreau or a low-cal alternative)
Instructions:
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add vodka, lime juice, cranberry juice, and orange liqueur.
- Shake it like you mean it—about 15-20 seconds.
- Strain into a chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with a lime twist or orange peel for extra glam
Cheers to keeping it light but still fabulous!
