Should You Travel to Shop for a Wedding Dress? An Expert Weighs In

If you’ve ever watched Say Yes to the Dress and its offshoots—and we know you have!—you’ve definitely seen brides who have made the trek from far-flung states like Georgia and Kansas just to shop at Kleinfeld. That's because, for many brides in smaller states and cities, the selection at local stores just isn’t enough, and shopping online might feel intimidating and risky for something as significant as a wedding gown. As a result, a trip to a prominent metropolitan area is the only solution.

But while visiting major bridal ateliers and showrooms is a great way to find your dream gown, do you have to travel to find your dress? Ultimately, the answer is a personal one, but it can be a worthwhile experience if the options in your local area aren't as extensive. Plus, taking a special trip with loved ones to find your wedding gown and explore the city together is a bonus when leaning into this type of shopping experience.

“What is more fun than going on a trip to find your wedding dress? The experience of destination wedding dress shopping can be a really memorable experience to have with your family or one or two close friends,” says Julie Sabatino, founder of The Stylish Bride. After all, it is the dress you’ll wear on the biggest, most important day of your life, so why not do it in grand style?

Before you pull out your suitcase and start browsing flights and hotel deals, however, here’s what to know about traveling to "say yes to the dress."

How to Determine If You Should Travel for a Wedding Dress

Unsure if you should travel to find your wedding dress? If any of the below factors apply to you, it might be worth booking a ticket and flying to a major city to find "the one" look.

You live in a small town or a rural area.

If you live in a less populated region of the United States, your shopping options are probably pretty limited; traveling a few hours or a few states away can make a world of difference. Or, perhaps you found a dress at a local boutique you liked, but want to see more from that designer; it’s time to book a ticket to New York City or another large city where more of their designs are stocked. “Bridal designers’ boutiques are generally located in large cities where they can service the biggest number of clients,” says Sabatino.

You're not finding what you want near you.

Even if you have several great boutiques near you, your dream dress can be elusive. If you’ve visited your fair share of salons within a few hours’ drive and are leaving empty-handed, it may be time to book a trip.

You're not sure what you want.

Hitting a few showrooms in one day can give you a better idea of what you like, what you love, and what you definitely don’t like. “Traveling can be the most efficient way to see a lot of options in a short amount of time,” says Sabatino. “Generally, you will find salons in the same area as each other, so it makes it easy to go to several in a day.”

You're a planner.

If you love a to-do list, you’ll thrive while planning out your itinerary. After booking your tickets, make a list of a few different locations you’d like to visit, then work the phones and start booking appointments as soon as possible.

Just don’t overbook yourself amidst all the excitement! “It’s important to understand your threshold for shopping and respect that in the plan. Get really targeted before you set foot in the salon,” advises Sabatino. “On the other hand, if you love to shop and could go all day, be careful that you don’t overbook yourself and end up with too many appointments and options.”

You want to spend time with loved ones.

Looking for a wedding dress can be a wonderful bonding experience for you and your mom, sister, or best friend. “The experience of destination wedding dress shopping can be a really memorable experience to have with your family or one or two close friends,” shares Sabatino. Before you invite your besties, your mom, your favorite aunt, and your cousins, though, take a step back and think about who you really want with you as you shop. Who will be most supportive and offer thoughtful feedback? Who will make the day extra fun? Ideally, two to three guests should be your maximum.

You're open to returning for alterations, if necessary.

Some bridal salons have tailors onsite and may require you to return for any alterations. “Ideally, you will travel back to the store to do alterations (if they provide that service) because they know their dresses the best, and if anything goes wrong, they will fix it,” Sabatino says. Be sure to ask the salon’s policy on alterations before purchasing anything. 

If you’d rather keep the tailoring closer to home, be sure to do your research. “Make sure to do your due diligence on that person because you need someone who has extensive bridal experience,” says Sabatino. She recommends calling a local bridal salon for referrals.

When to Avoid Traveling to Shop for a Wedding Dress

Here, we list out when it's best to stay home and shop from a location that's close to you.

You don't like to shop.

You will be hopping from store to store and trying on countless dresses, so if that sounds like torture to you, perhaps sticking to your local options or ordering a few gowns online is the better plan.

You're going on a whim.

This isn’t the time or place to book a spontaneous trip. Most bridal salons require appointments and stick to a tight schedule, so you won’t get the same kind of service or experience if you just walk in. You’ll need to make appointments well in advance

You need your dress ASAP.

While you may be able to buy something off the rack and take it home that day, it typically takes about five to six months, at minimum, for your dress to be created and altered. If you need a dress urgently, give a few salons a call before booking a trip to make sure they can accommodate your turnaround time. 

You're always running late.

You’ll have to stick to a firm schedule to make it to as many appointments as possible, so if you’re habitually late, bring a friend or family member to keep you on track or skip a trip entirely. “Map out the locations and travel time to make an efficient route and leave enough time to get from one to the other,” advises Sabatino. “Salons aren’t flexible with delays; they will have another appointment after yours, so if you arrive late your appointment will be shorter.”

You have a few bridal boutiques close to home.

Maybe you live in a mid-size city with several showrooms to choose from, or within a few hours of a location you’re interested in checking out. Why not start there before jetting off to NYC? Your dream dress may be just a few miles away!