A lot goes into creating the perfect wedding, but the dress is really what makes a bride feel amazing on her big day.
But finding the right wedding dress can be daunting. There are thousands of white dresses out there–and finding the perfect dress might feel like an impossible task. How are you supposed to pick one?
Shopping for a wedding dress doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. Here are eight wedding dress shopping tips that can take your shopping experience from overwhelming to extraordinary.
After all, you only get one chance to pick the perfect dress–why not have some fun while you’re at it? Let’s get into it.
1. Do Your Homework
Research your options before you go out and try things on. You can start by looking at dresses online or in bridal magazines to get a sense of the colors and styles that you feel drawn to.
You can even create a vision board of images to bring with you when you go dress shopping. This initial research will help you figure out what you like and get a sense of what’s out there. See if there are some designers whose work you really enjoy–learn more about their styles.
2. Keep Location in Mind
Location is a key part of the type of dress you’ll wear. Think about what the location is for the ceremony. In a church? On a beach resort? A clearing in the woods?
Think about the overall vision of your venue and go from there. This can help you stylistically. For example, if you’re getting married in the woods, you can try a floral design or something that fits the woodlands scene.
It can also help you in a practical sense. You wouldn’t want to be wearing a long ball gown on the beach–something short and simple might better fit the environment.
3. Set a Budget
This is one of the most important factors you’ll have to consider. Be honest with yourself, your family, and your partner when you determine how much you want to spend on the dress.
Make sure you set your limits before you make your try-on appointment. If so, you might end up trying on dresses that are way out of your range-which will leave you feeling miserable about your choice.
Give yourself a price range and stick with it. Know how much you’re really willing to spend on your dream dress, and be open with your consultant about your budget.
4. Know What Looks Good on You
One of the best ways to make sure you’re not disappointed while trying out dresses is being aware of what works with your figure.
Know what kind of style you prefer–and what parts of your body you’d like to highlight. For example, some designs accentuate the waist, while others look best on someone who’s very tall.
Be conscious of what looks good on you–but don’t let that hold you back. Feel free to be bold and try something on that’s a little out of your comfort zone.
5. Don’t Bring Too Many People
You might feel tempted to bring your family or all your friends to an appointment. But this can get overwhelming quickly.
The last thing you want is an argument breaking out–and it can be hard to get a good opinion with so many voices in the room.
Bring just a few people that you trust, like your mother and your maid of honor. Choose people’s whose voices you respect and whose opinions you think will be helpful.
6. You Can’t Force the Connection
You might have your heart set on a particular gown, but find that it doesn’t have the spark that you were looking for when you try it on in person.
Finding the right dress can be a lot like finding the right partner. You need to have faith that you’re going to find the perfect dress–and that you’ll find the perfect connection and spark that you’re looking for. Don’t try to force it with a dress that just isn’t working.
When you find the right dress, you won’t want to change it. You’ll know it’s the right one when you love it just from looking at it in the mirror.
7. Be Comfortable With Your Body
When you go into a session, the worst thing you can do is insist on getting measured for a smaller size than they are when they try on the dress. Some brides use this as motivation for losing weight with an exercise or dieting plan.
But even with the best of intentions, a lot of brides won’t reach their goal. This can be heartbreaking, not to mention disastrous for your wedding plans.
Get comfortable with your body and what kind of dress looks best on you. There are options out there for everybody–no matter the body type. Don’t let insecurity or fear drive you into changing yourself for the right dress.
Wedding Dress Shopping Tips: Find the Right Dress For You
Picking the right dress is a big part of putting your wedding plans together–and you want to make sure you get it right.
With these wedding dress shopping tips, you can make the process a lot less stressful. Put your fears aside and just focus on finding the wedding dress of your dreams.
Looking for more wedding dress inspiration? Check out our outfit ideas for more!
