Wedding dress shopping seems like an easy task until you’re faced with dozens of dress options, conflicting opinions from friends and family, and the pressure of finding the perfect style that fits your vision and budget. Suddenly, dress shopping starts to feel increasingly overwhelming. With all these choices and challenges, where do you even begin?
Don’t fret; there are ways to make the experience enjoyable. Here are ten tips that will save you stress and confusion, helping you find the dress of your dreams!
1. Create a Wedding Dress Vision Board
Before you go shopping, create a vision board with photos of wedding dresses you like. This will help you communicate your preferences to the bridal consultants. Use Pinterest and Instagram to gather dress ideas or make a physical collage of your favorites.
Start Your Dress Search with Inspiration
2. Set a Realistic Budget
Decide on a budget before you start shopping, ensuring it includes not only the dress but also alterations, accessories, and any additional costs. Having a price range as a guide will make it easier for both you and the consultant to select dress options.
3. Start Shopping 12 to 14 Months Before
Begin your wedding dress shopping journey early, ideally 12 to 14 months before your wedding date. This timeline allows enough time for the dress to be ordered or made and provides ample time for alterations.
Allow Plenty of Time for Dress Selection
4. Schedule Your Appointments in Advance
To ensure a stress-free experience, book your appointments a few weeks ahead of time, especially if you’re aiming for a weekend appointment. Weekends are typically the busiest days for boutiques. Scheduling in advance guarantees dedicated attention from the staff, allowing them to assist you in finding the perfect dress without distractions.
Book Appointments Well in Advance
5. Don’t Shop on an Empty Stomach
Dress shopping can take hours, so it’s wise to fuel up beforehand. Have a good meal and bring along some snacks to keep your energy up during your appointments.
Stay Energized During Your Appointments
6. Bring the Undergarments You Plan to Wear on Your Wedding Day
Wearing the undergarments you intend to wear on your wedding day will help you get a better sense of how the dresses will fit and feel on your big day. Consider seamless underwear and a strapless bra for a smooth fitting process.
Seamless underwear is ideal as it minimizes visible lines, allowing the dress to drape smoothly over your body. A strapless bra is also a smart choice, especially for gowns that feature off-the-shoulder or strapless designs. This combination not only enhances your comfort but also helps you visualize how the dress will look without any distractions from ill-fitting undergarments.
Wear the Right Undergarments for Dress Fittings
7. Bring People You Trust, but Limit the Number
When shopping for your wedding dress, bring along people you trust for support and feedback. However, keep in mind that bringing too many companions may result in conflicting opinions, which can make the experience stressful. That is why limiting the number of companions is wise; it will help you stay focused and make the experience more enjoyable.
Choose Your Dress Shopping Companions Wisely
8. Maintain an Open Mind
While it’s great to have a vision for your dream dress, be open to trying on styles you may not have initially considered. Often, brides discover that a dress they didn’t expect to love becomes their favorite. Trust your bridal consultant’s expertise and be willing to explore different options, especially when it comes to choosing the right wedding dress for your body type.
Keep an Open Mind When Trying on Dresses
9. Document Your Experience
Have someone take plenty of photos and videos of you in each dress. This visual record can help you remember how each dress looked and felt, making it easier to compare your favorites later on.
10. Test the Dress’s Comfort and Fit
When trying on dresses, move around. Jump, walk, run, and sit down in each gown to ensure it’s comfortable enough to wear. A dress may look stunning, but it’s crucial that you feel at ease in it as well.
Ensure Your Dress is Comfortable and Fits Well
Follow these tips for a stress-free wedding dress shopping experience. Finding your wedding dress is a significant milestone in your wedding planning, so enjoy the process, celebrate your choices, and cherish the moments spent with loved ones during this exciting time!
