11 Tips for Choosing the Perfect Dress to Say ‘I Do.’
Got your wedding date fixed? Worried about your big day’s dress?
Whether you know the exact details you want in your wedding outfit or have no idea what will suit you the best, you don’t need to worry. We have got your back!
Finding your dream wedding ensemble can be a little time-taking and stressful. You may need to try a bundle of dresses, find the right fitting and style, the perfect footwear, the accessories and what not? After all, it’s your wedding, and probably it is the most expensive outfit you will ever own. So, wedding ensemble shopping may leave you feeling pressured. Think of it as a whole new process – from choosing the dress color and fabric to opting for the dress design, we tell you, it isn’t going to be easy. However, considering a few tips will help you find the perfect dress for your wedding with less fuss.
1- First Things First – Set Your Budget
Yes, some of you may feel awkward talking about numbers, but trust us, it will save you from many headaches later. Once you have decided to begin shopping for your wedding ensemble, you need to figure out the money you are willing to spend on your dress. Tell the sales representative about your budget before they start showing you royal robes. That way, they will only bring out gowns under your budget, and you probably won’t be disheartened by an outfit you cannot afford. Try to keep a little bit of room for an extra budget if you need alterations or professional pressing.
2- Research Different Dress Styles
Start searching for different bridal outfit styles in magazines, explore online sites like Pinterest, search for online bridal dress boutiques and check out what’s on-trend. Researching can do wonders! When you explore dresses from different platforms, you will know what exactly you want. Look for common things in most of them, like are they lacy, embroidered, voluminous, or heavily embellished? Do they have A-line silhouettes and open backs? Once you are done with the research, you can easily describe your desired style to the salesperson. It saves a lot of your precious time.
3- Consider Wedding Location and Time
Knowing your wedding location and time will help you decide your wedding dress, in fact, many things. Will you be having a daytime outdoor wedding ceremony? You can rock a ball gown with a long train and striking embellishments. If your marriage is taking place at a church, or any other religious place, try to wear a more traditional outfit. Choose a fabric that is suitable for current weather. For example, you won’t want to wear thin material at your winter wedding. Go for brocade and velvet, as they are perfect for cold weather.
4- Start Shopping As Early As Possible
It’s important to start shopping six to eight months before your wedding date. Usually, wedding outfits take around 4 to 6 months to complete and in case of alterations, you may need more time. If you are short on time, many designers do urgent orders for extra charges, but in that case, you may have very limited choices.
5- Choose Where to Shop
Look for boutiques near you, and if traveling is feasible for you, you can look for boutiques in other cities as well. Make a list of all the designers you like, and check out their online store first for an idea. You would not have enough time to visit all the shops physically, so picking some favorite bridal shops can work well.
6- Decide Who To Take With You Shopping?
Whether your sister, mother, best buddy or fiancé, take people you’re comfortable with for your wedding dress shopping. But you should limit them to two or three people max whose advice matter the most. The more people, the more opinions you get, which will only make it hard for you to decide. Also, make sure the group you take with you should be people who know your style preferences clearly so that you can get the best and most honest opinions.
7- Go with the Style That Compliments Your Body Type
Different dress styles suit different body shapes. Look for the one that flatters your figure. For example, an A-line, spaghetti strap, or V-neck dress goes well with a pear body type. The same dress style with a little more detail on the bodice and deep V neckline suit brides who typically have the apple-shaped body. If you are curvier, an empire bridal dress will do the job. Got a taller and slimmer figure? You can stick to simple dresses with a low waist and long trains.
8- Bring Accessories You Already Have
Is there some special neckpiece you want to wear? When choosing a bridal dress, bring anything you know you will wear at your wedding with the gown, such as your mother’s necklace or your grandmother’s crown. This allows you to make sure every single accessory works together.
9- Don’t Forget Your Comfort
No matter how wonderful an outfit looks on you, if you’re not comfortable, you won’t probably be happy. While selecting a dress for your life’s big day, make sure to consider comfort. Pick an ensemble that is beautiful and comfortable. Surely you would not want to ruin your wedding.
10- Keep An Open Mind
Try different styles before you find your favorite dress, even if it doesn’t seem like your cup of tea. You might be amazed! Some outfits don’t look good until you try them on. Be open-minded with the cuts of the bridal dress. Having said that, never settle for something you are not completely in love with.
11- Always Take Pictures
Taking pictures of your favorite picks will help you look at them with a free mind after a day or two. If you have tried the outfit, the pictures will give you an idea of how you’ll look in your wedding dress and how the ensemble looks on camera.
Conclusion
Every bride wants her dream wedding outfit that makes her feel exceptional. After all, you most likely get this chance only once. Shopping for your bridal dress can be a bit long and a hectic process as you need to look after a bundle of things together. However, taking your budget, accessories, body type, comfort, and location into account can make your search easier. The most important thing is to research, research, and research before you opt for your perfect bridal outfit.