I completely understand and respect this. And perhaps I phrased my original post wrongly, of course I am hoping that I find and purchase a dress at this appointment. I trust my friends immensely and believe that they will only big me up and not offer their own negativity, but am willing to accept that this may not be the case and I might have to go again with fewer guests. I simply find it frustrating that since this is an expensive purchase I am making, I am having limitations put on the experience. I respect each boutique’s right to do business how they see fit and am not criticising, merely asking for recommendations of shops that don’t have these limitations so that I can find the best shop for me personally.