Should Your Fiancé Go With You for Wedding Dress Shopping?

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By Courtney Levia, Martha Stewart

You want your partner to be involved in every aspect of the wedding-planning process, from choosing the venue and the invitations to the menu and the cake flavor. But what about your wedding dress? Should your soon-to-be spouse join in on the hunt for the perfect gown? Ultimately, this decision is yours, but most grooms agree they want to be surprised by their future wife's wedding dress on the day of the wedding. If your partner is open to seeing your dress ahead of the wedding, and if you value their opinion in the world of fashion, you can certainly invite them along. Before you do so, however, we asked two wedding planning experts to explain what a bride should keep in mind before inviting her partner along on this important shopping trip.

Don't Do It If Surprise Is Important to You

"I strongly advise against doing this, as this may ruin the element of surprise," says wedding expert Kaeleigh Testwuide, owner of The Diamond Reserve. Even if he doesn't know exactly which wedding dress you've selected, he'll have a good idea about the styles you gravitate towards. Simply put, if he wants to be surprised, then it's best he doesn't join you for any shopping trips.

However, There Is No Rule Saying You Can't Do This

"There's no hard-and-fast rule that states you can't bring your fiancé to your wedding dress shopping appointment," says Jenna Miller, creative director of Here Comes The Guide. "For many couples, their fiancé is not only their best friend, but also is the one who will give them the unabashed truth." If you think you want him there, go for it.

A Lot of Superstition Surrounds This Topic

If you're superstitious, you might want to ask him to stay home. "Not having your fiancé present at the dress appointment is related to the superstition that you shouldn't see each other prior to the walk down the aisle," Miller says.

You Can Still Make the Final Decision on Your Own

"Nothing says you have to make the final decision with your fiancé present," Miller adds. If you want your partner's opinion, but still want your final dress choice to be a surprise, she advises getting their feedback during the shopping appointment, and then purchasing your favorite dress on your own later.

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