Buying your wedding dress is one of the most important purchases of your life. Your wedding pictures will last forever so you want to look your best.
Are you ready to make this decision?
You could walk into the dress store without an idea of what you want. Or, you could know the exact style you like. Either way, there’s more you need to know about how to choose a wedding dress.
We’ve all heard stories from women who regret their wedding dress choice. You don’t have to join that club. Keep reading for the do’s and don’ts of buying a wedding dress.
Do: Research Everything
Don’t walk into the dress store unprepared. The internet is home to thousands of websites that discuss wedding dresses. Look at all the different styles, cuts, and designs.
What stands out to you? What styles attract you the most?
There are a ton of different cuts, like ballgowns, A-line, trumpet, and sheath. Necklines vary as well, like sweetheart, square, and sheer. Go out of your way to learn more about wedding dress elements.
Create a vision board with all the aspects of wedding dresses you love. Include designers, colors, and styles. The more you know, the easier it is to tell the consultant what you like.
Don’t: Box Yourself In
Even if you do know the exact style you want, keep an open mind. You can know you want a trumpet cut, but try a few different necklines.
The consultants are specialists in wedding dress shopping. Let them select a variety of dresses they think you may like.
If you box yourself in, you could miss out on the perfect wedding dress for you.
Do: Set Your Budget
Go into your appointment with a set budget and stick to it. This is especially true if you aren’t the one paying for it.
Have a set budget and know the exact amount of wiggle room around it. If you find the perfect dress, but it’s $1000 more, are you willing to buy it?
Consider shopping at all levels of wedding dress shops. Vintage stores, lower end and higher end stores all have beautiful dresses to offer. Some may be more affordable than others.
Don’t: Splurge on Extras
The “extras” to your wedding dress are the shoes, jewelry, and hair accessories. These are small additions to the overall outfit that will be outshone by the dress. So, don’t splurge on these items.
If possible, take this opportunity to get your “something borrowed” in. You can wear a family heirloom jewelry piece. Or, wear the vail your mother and grandmother wore.
For shoes, you want to be comfortable. Depending on the length of your dress, people might not even see your shoes. Focus on finding a pair that you can dance the night away in.
Do: Prepare Your Body
The day of your wedding dress shopping, make sure you prepare your body.
It can be tempting to not eat before because you want to look thinner. This is a big mistake. Without fueling your body, you’ll feel grumpy, “hangry”, and unmotivated.
Eat a balanced and healthy meal beforehand. It’s best to make your dress appointment in the morning when you’ve got the most energy. This is also when the consultants have the most energy.
Take a relaxing shower and put on the right undergarments. Choose garments that match your skin tone and don’t have thick seams. Body-shaping undergarments are best.
Wear minimal makeup so it doesn’t distract from the dress. You can always plan on wearing heavier makeup once you know what dress you’ll wear.
Don’t: Focus on the Dress Size
Wedding dress sizes are different than regular clothes. Many brands run a few sizes larger, others run smaller. The consultants are there to find your perfect size so you don’t have to.
Don’t bother looking at the number when you’re trying on dresses. This is not the time for stressing about body image. We all have insecurities about our size, but you don’t want to worry about that today.
Instead, focus on how the dress looks and how you feel in it. Let the consultants worry about what size is best.
Do: Bring Supportive Pals
It’s always good to have a couple people there to help you make the decision. They might see a flaw you don’t notice in the mirror. Or, they can reassure you that you look fabulous.
Plus, it’s a fun time in your life! Embrace this big life event and use this as an excuse to celebrate. Go to a store that offers champagne to you and your party.
It’s also a beautiful time to bond with your family and soon-to-be family. Bringing your mother-in-law along shows you care about her opinion. Just remember that the most important thing is that you feel beautiful in the dress.
Don’t: Bring Toxic People
Although it’s important to bring some loved ones, you don’t need the whole wedding party. Movies often depict wedding dress shopping to include all the bridesmaids. This doesn’t have to be the case.
Some friends or family members aren’t great at being supportive. Or having the attention on someone else. We all have that one person in our lives.
Having these types of people at the consultation can ruin the day. They may not mean to, but their negativity brings everyone’s energy down.
Wedding dress shopping needs to be a calm, fun, and positive experience. Forget about needing a couch-full of people in your entourage. Leave the toxic people at home and only bring the supportive ones.
Want to Learn More About How to Choose a Wedding Dress?
Your wedding day is a day you’ll remember forever. More than the moment your love says, “I do”, you’ll remember what you wore.
There are a lot of factors when it comes to choosing a wedding dress. The style, price, and people you bring all make a difference. So does how you prepare your body the day-of.
Follow the do’s and don’ts above to find your dream dress. For more information on how to choose a wedding dress and other style tips, check out the blog.
