With Friends Like These: When Your Wedding Dress Entourage Needs a Muzzle

There’s nothing quite like wedding dress shopping to bring out the unfiltered opinions of your nearest and dearest. In theory, bringing along your mum, sister, best friend or auntie is meant to make you feel supported. In reality, it can sometimes feel more like starring in your own personal episode of Bridal Fashion Police.

Here at Tricker Bridal, I’ve heard it all. And I mean all (check out number 10 on my list!) . From blunt appraisals of body parts to the kind of commentary that would make Simon Cowell wince. Most of the time, it’s well-meaning — after all, they love you and want you to look your best — but there’s a fine line between helpful honesty and downright sabotage.

I always worry when a bride introduces one of her entourage as ‘the honest one’ – this usually translates as ‘the one with no filter’.

So, if you’re part of a bride’s entourage (or suspect you might have a touch of loose-tongue syndrome), here’s my guide to some of the most toe-curling comments I’ve heard in the Tricker Bridal salon — and some kinder, more constructive ways to make your point without leaving the bride rocking in a corner.

“That makes you look fat”

We all know it’s brutal — but it still gets said … and often! There’s a gentler way to question the fit without going full Jeremy Kyle.

Try instead:
"How about trying a silhouette a shape that pulls you in a bit more at the waist — just to see the difference?"

“It looks cheap”

Even if you’re thinking it looks like it came from the discount rail at Debenhams closing down sale, there’s a softer way.

Try instead:
"I wonder if you’d feel happier in something with a bit more detail — maybe some lace or a different fabric?"

“That’s too sexy for a wedding”

The ‘pearl-clutchers’ always emerge for the deep plunge or leg slit moment. Admittedly this comment is usually uttered by the more ‘mature’ members of the entourage!

Try instead:
"It’s definitely a bit more daring than I expected — do you want to try one with a bit more coverage just to compare?"

“It’s just not you”

It might not be what you pictured — but maybe the bride’s having her unexpected ‘main character’ moment. Often a bride will restrict her thinking before she gets to the salon about one or two styles she thinks she’ll like but when she gets into the fitting room her horizons sometimes open up.

Try instead:
"This is really different from what I thought you’d pick — do you feel like you in it?"

“Your boobs look enormous in that”

Breasts exist. They’re not a scandal. But pointing them out like they’re some kind of geological feature isn’t ideal.

Try instead:
"That dress really shows off your curves — do you feel comfortable in it or do you want to try something a bit softer?"

“Mutton dressed as lamb”

The only time this should be said is at a carvery.

Try instead:
"It’s quite a playful, young style — do you fancy seeing something a bit more classic as well?"

“It’s not very bridal”

What does ‘bridal’ even mean these days? Everyone’s version is different.

Try instead:
"It’s definitely more modern — do you want to see how you feel in something a bit more traditional too?"

“Your ex will laugh his head off”

If your contribution involves dragging the ghost of relationships past into the room, it’s time to sit (very) quietly and drink your Prosecco.

Try instead:
"The important thing is how you feel — do you feel amazing in it?"

“That’s too plain”

Simple can be stunning. Not every bride wants to look like she’s been rolled in glue and dipped in Swarovski.

Try instead:
"It’s very simple — do you want to try something with a bit of sparkle, just to see?"

“Your dad would turn in his grave”

There are no words for how grim this one is — but yet I have heard it said to a bride to be by her mum. It’s hard to bring back the love in the room after that.

Try instead:
"It’s a really bold choice — do you think it fits the vibe you’re going for on the day?"

At the end of the day, the bride’s the one walking down the aisle — not her mum, not her best mate from school, and not Auntie Karen who’s got opinions on everything from hemlines to hors d’oeuvres.

Honest feedback is brilliant, but a bit of tact goes a long way — and you’d be amazed how much more fun dress shopping is when the bride isn’t bracing herself for a personality critique every time she steps out of the changing room.

So, if you love her (and I know you do), maybe leave the brutal honesty at home and just help her find the dress that makes her feel like the best version of herself. You’ll know which is the one by the look on her face.

That, after all, is what it’s all about.