You’ve found the guy (or he found you), now it’s time to find your dress! You make your appointments, start browsing online for styles you would like to try, and last you invite your entourage. Not so fast, here are a few things to think about when inviting the people you love wedding dress shopping.

• Bigger is not always better. A big group can definitely give you more feedback and advice, but too many voices in your head may bring you more confusion than clarity.
• Consider the in-laws. If you want to include your soon-to-be-mother and sisters, great! However, ask yourself what they will be contributing to the appointment. If it’s not positivity and constructive insight, rethink the invitation.
• Your bridesmaid’s attitude should match yours. Yes, you want help! But you will also need your girls to keep you grounded in the reality of the day: YOU’RE the bride and YOU are beautiful. Period.
• A mother’s dream is to pick out her daughter’s wedding dress. However, if your relationship with your mother is less than congenial, rethink this invitation as well. As special as you want her to feel to be asked to come along, it’s also important that you not lose sight of what wedding dress shopping is about: YOU!
• If you intend to bring your groom to your appointment, call ahead! Many salons do not even allow men back in the viewing area.

The most important thing to remember when sending out invitations to go wedding dress shopping is to remember the day is about YOU! This is YOUR day and YOUR chance to feel like the bride. Anyone who will get in the way of that vision may be someone you want to invite to an alterations appointment instead.