How to Pick a Wedding Dress
Wedding Dress Shopping Advice
You said “Yes” to the ring. Now, it’s time to say “Yes” to the dress!
Finding the wedding dress of your dreams might be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be a depressing experience.
And, let’s be honest. The dress plays a huge part in planning the perfect wedding.
Even if you want a classic white dress or a vintage gown, in your eyes, it’s the attire that will mark this special day.
Before we dissect the process of buying the dress, remember that YOU get to choose the wedding gown you’re going to wear down the aisle.
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Don't be influenced by others opinions
Try not to be influenced by current wedding dress trends or your cousin’s dress style that you fell in love with.
You should feel comfortable and beautiful in your wedding dress, and that means you get the final say.
Even if your parents are paying for it and it’s their second choice. This is YOUR wedding dress.
Related Content: How to deal with opinionated parents
1. Research, Research, Research
Bridal magazines, online boutiques, Pinterest, and Google are the best places to start your wedding dress research.
Create a magazine collection or Pinterest board dedicated to all the styles you love and keep them handy in order to show them to your first appointment.
Keep in mind that you might have to try up to 20 dresses (or more!) in order to find the perfect one. So, keep your eyes open!
Authentic Bride Guide Tip: Try on ALL styles of dresses, even ones you don’t like. You’ll be surprised at how different you feel about a wedding gown once you try it on.
2. Trust the Pros
You might want to wear the dress that Meghan Markle wore at the royal wedding, but a good bridal consultant will tell you what you need to hear.
Keep an open mind.
Get advice from your bride tribe and listen to tips from the professionals and you will find the gown you want in no time!
3. Bridal Dress Sizing
Most brides want to lose a few pounds before the big day.
But, you should shop for dresses that fit your current size, rather than buying a smaller one.
Why? You really don’t want to get stuck with a small wedding dress that doesn’t fit.
Plus, it’s much easier for a seamstress to alter the gown to your size a month before the wedding. As opposed to trying to come up with extra fabric to match the dress in case you didn’t hit your target weight goal.
4. She Works Hard for the Money!
Before saying yes to the dress, you need to figure out the wedding budget.
Who is paying for the wedding dress?
Maybe your parents want to give you money for the dress or your Grandmother wants to contribute.
Either way, you can start shopping after the money talk so you don’t find the dress of your dreams that costs too much and then you’re disappointed.
Authentic Bride Guide Tip: Tell the bridal shop boutique your budget in advance and tell them to only bring out dresses within your budget.
5. Where My Girls At?
Trying on wedding dresses can be a very emotional moment.
And, most brides-to-be want to share it with their mother, sister, cousins, Bridesmaids, friends and the shop owner.
For this occasion, choose carefully who will accompany you at the bridal store.
Forget your Aunt Becky and her negative attitude or your sister-in-law who cries every time she sees a bride.
You want two or three people whose opinions are important and will tell you the truth.
6. Say "Yes" to the Dress You Want
Each woman is different.
And, each bride wants to wear the dress of her dreams.
If you dream of a vintage, midi lace gown, then go for it.
You certainly don’t have to dress like every other bride in the history of weddings.
Authentic Bride Guide Tip: Don’t rush the decision. Sleep on it for a night or two.
7. Fits Like a Glove
Wedding gowns are not meant to be as comfortable as your sweatpants.
But, that doesn’t mean that you will have to feel trapped in it.
Make sure that your dress will stay in place during the wedding day, and that you will be able to dance, hug and breathe!
Authentic Bride Guide Tip: When trying on dresses, raise your arms out to the side and give someone a hug. You’d be surprised at how many wedding dresses restrict you from doing this! Say what?!
8. Custom Made Wedding Dress
If you can’t find THE dress at the bridal store, it’s time to visit an experienced seamstress and create your own gown.
This can be much more expensive, but it doesn’t have to be.
If your budget is limited, maybe you should spend a little more time researching rather than spending a small fortune.
9. Love-Hate Relationship with your Dress
Your wedding dress is here and you are very excited!
But, once you try it on, you’re not feeling so hot about it.
No worries! You can still make it work.
A good seamstress will be able to make some mind-blowing alterations.
Now you have a dress to impress!
10. Time to Relax
Once your wedding gown is safe and sound in the closet, stop the search.
You have found the ONE!
Now sing hallelujah and let’s drink some mimosas!
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