Welcome to the bride-to-be club!
Now that you’ve gotten acclimated to your new title, congratulations are in order. The next phase of your life is going to be pretty exciting, so grab your wedding binder and start taking notes.
As you take the next steps to say yes to the dress, remember to enjoy the process and soak in every milestone along the way to planning your wedding. Preparation is the name of the bridal planning game, so make sure to get yourself as organized as possible with our helpful tips for wedding dress shopping to avoid any last-minute stress.
Before you know it, you’ll be floating down the aisle towards the partner of your dreams!
Nine Tips for Wedding Dress Shopping
After some of the engagement excitement has subsided, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to work. One of the most important places to start is looking for a wedding dress. With these nine helpful tips, you’ll be sure to find your dream dress in no time.
1. Know Your Budget
The number one thing you need to do before visiting your first bridal salon is to create a budget. Although it’s tempting to get stuck on a pricey designer dress because you saw it on the runway, there’s nothing worse than having your heart broken because you’re broke. For your own sanity, and peace of mind, stick with an amount you can realistically afford for a dress and accessories.
2. Start at Least 9-12 Months Ahead of Time
If you know you won’t be tying the knot for at least a year, take advantage of the extra time you have to find your dream dress. Not only will you avoid panicking to find the right dress in a short amount of time, but you will also dodge extra charges. Many bridal salons charge a rush-fee if you if you order a dress with less than six months to go.
3. Clip Magazine Images
There’s nothing more awkward than playing charades at the bridal salon with a bridal consultant. Face it – trying to explain your preference for Chantilly lace over Brussels lace can be difficult without a reference photo. Make things easy on everyone and bring along as many photos of dresses that you like as possible.
Not only will your salesperson appreciate seeing what styles of dresses you like, but they can also get a feel for any specific designers you like too. Plus, if you’re going with a theme, it will be pretty obvious if you have 10+ photos of princess seam, off-the-shoulder dresses.
4. Let Go of Size Expectations
Because wedding dress sizes typically run several sizes smaller, trying on a wedding dress in your actual clothing size is practically unheard of. For many future brides, this can come as a major shock! Especially when dieting and exercising before the big day is on their minds.
Just remember that it’s not the size of the dress but how it looks on you. If you can remember that, then you’ll allow yourself to fully enjoy the experience of trying on dresses.
5. Make a List of Questions
For many brides-to-be, going to a bridal salon for the first time can be an exhilarating experience. It’s a day filled with love and happiness – but it can also be a little bit overwhelming. While the emotions and the bubbly are flowing, sometimes important details you need to know can get lost in the excitement.
Rather than leave the bridal salon feeling confused about your concerns, take some time before your visit to come up with a list of questions for your professional bridal consultant instead. That way, you’ll feel more confident in your choice of dress and salon.
6. Bring Proper Undergarments and Shoes
There’s nothing more uncomfortable than trying on wedding gowns with a sports bra or black or red underwear. Make the decision ahead of time to wear nude underwear and bra so you can get as close to the full effect of the gown as possible.
Also, remember to bring along a pair of shoes that will be similar in height to your wedding shoes. While salons might have heels available for you to try on, they might not be the right size or height.
7. Enlist the Perfect Squad
Your visits to bridal salons are bound to be some of your most cherished memories during this special time. Make them count by including only the people who make you feel happy and secure. There’s nothing worse than a “Negative Nancy” who has something bad to say about every dress you try on.
One way to ensure you have the best squad is to find out how many guests you can bring along to the salon. Next, make a list of anyone you feel would enjoy the experience, like your grandmother you are close with or your future mother-in-law (but only if you get along!). Filling up a room full of supportive and caring people will help you feel uplifted.
8. Keep an Open Mind
Brides-to-be often choose a frock in the salon based on a photo or mannequin, but then become disappointed because it isn’t right for them. Try to keep an open mind when your bridal consultant brings you something you didn’t ask for. Prepare to have your mind blown by trying on a gown that looks ho-hum on the hanger but is actually stunning on you!
- Finding the Right Fit: 3 Hacks to Help You Dress According to Your Body Type
This open mind theory can be applied to just about any bridal gown option – from the color of the gown to the materials to the sleeve length. This opens up a whole new realm of choices for you that can help get you one step closer to your dream dress!
9. Take Lots of Photos
After a full day of trying on wedding dresses, it’s easy to lose track of which ones were your favorites and why. Ask your bride squad to snap a few pictures of you in each of your favorite dresses, both front and back, to help create a visual reference. When you look at the images later on, it will be so much easier to recall why you liked each dress.
Photos also help you imagine what type of wedding hairstyle you can wear with each dress. You might even daydream about how you look walking into your reception with your bride squad.
Choose Your Wedding Dress with Confidence!
Are you ready to find the wedding dress of your dreams? We hope our helpful tips for wedding dress shopping helped you feel more organized and confident in your journey to finding the perfect wedding dress.
For more great wedding fashion tips, check out our wedding section in our blog!
