Online vs In-Store Bridesmaid Dresses: What Brides Really Need to Know

If there’s one part of wedding planning that causes more nerves than our brides expect, it’s choosing the bridesmaid dresses.  

Not because you don’t trust your friends.  Not because you don’t know what you like.  But because you’re trying to keep the whole squad happy – different bodies, different heights, different confidence levels and very different feelings about being put in a dress and photographed all day.  

That’s usually the moment when online shopping starts to look appealing.  It feels quick. Easy.  Tick it off the list and move on.  

And sometimes that works.  But when it doesn’t, it’s not much fun for anyone.  

Bridesmaid dresses aren’t just outfits.  They’re worn for hours, by real people, on a day when a lot of eyes (and cameras) are going to be pointing their way.  And that’s why seeing, feeling and trying them on in person still matters far more than the convenience of online.   

When ‘looks lovely online’ meets real life 

We’ve all been there. Something looks perfect on screen – the colour, the cut, the way it hangs – and you sigh, relieved you’ve finally found the one.  

Then it arrives.  

The colour isn’t quite what you imagined.  The fabric feels different.  The dress doesn’t move the way it looked like it would.  Or it technically fits but just doesn’t feel quite right on.   

Online shopping makes it harder to judge the things that actually matter with bridesmaid dresses.  You can’t feel the weight of the fabric.  You can’t tell how it stretches, how it flows when you walk or how it feels when you sit down.  Screens also lie a little when it comes to colour – lighting and editing can make shades look softer, brighter or warmer than they really are.  

When something isn’t right, you’re suddenly dealing with returns, reorders, delivery shenanigans and rising stress levels.  And none of that helps anyone feel confident or excited.  

It’s not even about convenience vs tradition – it’s about knowing (rather than hoping) that your bridesmaids will feel good in what they’re wearing.  

Fit matters, because bodies aren’t standard 

One size never fits all.  And one style doesn’t either.  

Bridesmaids come in all shapes, sizes and heights and online sizing charts rarely reflect real bodies.  Measurements don’t account for curves, proportions or how someone likes clothes to feel on them. What feels secure and flattering to one person can feel restrictive or just a bit awkward to another.   

 Fit is always about real people (how can it not be?).  We’ve got dresses available up to size 30 and every appointment is inclusive, welcoming and completely pressure-free. No-one is expected to ‘fit into’ a dress.  The dress is there to work for them.  

Our focus is on comfort, confidence and how someone actually feels when they look in the mirror – not the number on the label.  

The comfort of trying on dresses properly 

Trying on bridesmaid dresses in-store removes so much of the guesswork. Instead of ordering and crossing your fingers, you can see straight away what works – and what doesn’t.   

We’ve been doing this a long time and we really do love what we do.  We understand fit, structure and real women’s bodies and we’re here to help you find something that just works.  We’re always honest too, we’ll tell you if something’s not quite working for you, kindly of course.  

And if a style looks beautiful but doesn’t feel right, there are always alternatives, we’ll look at adjustments, styling ideas and colours together until everyone feels comfortable and confident.  

Colour you can trust 

Colour choice is one of the biggest reasons brides feel unsure about ordering online.  A shade that looks perfect on screen can feel completely different in real life.  

Seeing colours in person makes everything clearer.  You can compare options side by side, see how they work with different skin tones and choose shades that feel right for your wedding.  

We stock a huge range of colours, including softer tones and more modern shades that feel considered rather than mass-produced.  The aim isn’t to chase trends but to help you find something that feels special, individual and right for every member of your bride squad.  

Fabric, movement and all-day comfort 

Bridesmaid dresses have a big job to do.  Walking, standing, sitting, hugging, dancing and still feeling good by the end of the night.  

Trying dresses on in person lets you understand how a fabric moves, how it drapes and how it feels throughout the day.  You can move about in it, walk around, sit down, move your arms or even bust out a few dance moves to really test comfort.  

When bridesmaids feel comfortable, they relax.  And when they relax, they look confident, natural and happy, which shows in every photo  

The Lily’s experience 

Bridesmaid dress shopping should be something you can all enjoy together, rather than just a job to tick off the list. 

Our appointments are relaxed and unhurried, with one-to-one attention to make sure you get what you need. We’ll laugh together - a lot - and you might even find that the whole experience of choosing the perfect dresses with your bridal party ends up becoming a core wedding memory. 

Instead of feeling like you’re figuring things out alone, we’ll support you every step of the way.  

A calmer, happier way to choose bridesmaid dresses 

Choosing bridesmaid dresses doesn’t have to be stressful - we promise.  When dresses are seen, felt and tried on properly, there are fewer surprises, fewer worries and far more confidence for everyone involved. 

You want your bridesmaids to feel just as good as they look and so do we!  

Ready to get Team Bride kitted out? Book a bridesmaid appointment, bring your bride squad, and let’s find dresses everyone feels comfortable, confident and happy in.