I've been knocked just a few too many times now...

[livestrong]

So i'm 21, getting married next year, and I'm fed up with the way i'm treated when I go into bridal shops. They look at me funny as if to say "What are you doing in here? You're too young to be getting married!" like i've just gone in to have a nose at the dresses or something. One shop I went into today with my mum, the lady said "Prom?" as if I was looking for a dress for my school leavers prom! I said "No bridal" and she goes "Ohh.." and acts really shocked/surprised. Others have totally ignored me and go on to serve some of the older looking women. I've totally lost all confidence in going into bridal shops. I know it might sound silly, but I have BPD (a mental health condition) and one little comment like that really sends me into a state, I just wanted to cry and have been feeling really low for the rest of the day. I said to my mum "Do I look about 16 or something?" and she laughs and just made a comment about me not wearing make up. I think i'm going to do all my bridal wear shopping online now, I can't bear the way the shop staff treat me anymore

 

[ahopesforbaby]

I was two weeks from turning 21 when I got married. Don't worry about those people. It happens to all young women who decide to get married. I knew I was young when I got married, but it was the best decision of my life. We have been married for 3 1/2 years now. Don't let them get to you.
Congratulations!

 

[Kimmer]

I got the same hun. I was 19 when I got married so I had to put up with a LOT of comments and weird looks. I just had to ignore it as best i could. Apart from a few times when I'd snap and say to my mum 'well I'm not gonna get anything in here with the staff looking at me like that!' that worked other than that, i just resorted to sarcasm or jokes. Anything to get through it.
Sorry i can't help

 

[booflebump]

Oh sweetie, dont let them get to you. Make an appointment before you go so they cant just go off and serve someone else. You deserve to be there just as much as the next bride! xxx

 

[EstelSeren]

Bridal shops are rubbish! The staff are always so snooty and everything is massively overpriced, at least that's what I found in Cardiff anyway! Try Debenhams, BHS, John Lewis, Marks and Spencer. They tend to be cheaper, have better stock and nicer staff than the bridal shops I've been in! I'd definitely suggest shopping for bridesmaids dresses on the high street because they are so much nicer and no more than about half the price of the ones in the bridal shops! Don't worry about it hon, they're the ones who lose out because you'll still be able to find what you want but they'll lose the custom that they need to survive as a shop! There's nothing wrong with buying online- you're less likely to get the prices hiked up because you mentioned the word 'wedding' then too!

Beca :wave:

 

[pinkmummy]

I had the same when I went in hun, even worse when they seen my tattoos on my shoulders of the kids names!

Just ignore them and try on as many dresses as possible and enjoy it xx

 

[Sovereign]

I've been lucky and found my dress in the first shop I went in and the staff couldn't be nicer. Maybe try and get an appointment in a shop that someone could recommend? That way you know the staff won't be snooty or look down their nose at you. I'm sorry you're being treated this way hun, finding your WD should be a fun and exciting time x

 

[belladonna]

I went to a wedding fair on sunday with my parents and me and my mum were looking at a stall and the lady came over and said which one of you is getting married? I said me- she looked at me strangely (perhaps as I am 21w pg?!?)

Then me and my dad were waiting for my mum who was chatting to someone and another lady came over and said 'are you both getting married this year?' Ew no! thats my dad!

I would definatley say go where people reccommend and book an appointment first- then they won't be able to avoid you and if they do- don't spend your money there!

 

[Blob]

I had the same there were two of us that were 20 when we went for my dress and we were both trying them on and the woman totally was a cow till we bought one and now she's all nice

 

[veganmum2be]

hi hun,
i know the feeling with the BP. i'm BP too, and the whole bridal shop situation didn't help with that.
i went into 4, and each time was a bad experience, i was even asked to leave in one, i asked why, and she said, we dont just let people who wont buy browse (even though i was going to buy)

i suppose it is because i look about 16 and am tattooed and pierced which people tend to think is a bit odd. but i would never set foot in a bridal shop again, not that i will need to lol!
i ended up buying mine online, it was totaly stress free, and much cheaper too.

xxx

 

[plutosblue]

Oh hunny don't get upset

I just turned 22 and went to get my dress, I look very young but its best to be assertive. I just walked in and said "I am getting married this year and want to see what you have available and whether I need to book an appointment?" That way they didn't have time to speculate and helped in serving me. If they don't want to serve you, tell them straight they have lost a customer and walk out, at the end of the day they lose your custom and your money, so they should be kicking themselves for being so ignorant, not you getting upset.

Try not to let bad experiences put you off, some people can be so kind and helpful, it just depends where you go, you could even shop online as places have some fab deals now-a-days.