As a bride, one of the most exciting parts of planning a wedding is finding your wedding dress.
The quest for the dress is a rite of passage for every bride to be. Some women have clearly defined styles they have dreamt about since they were young, while others come in fresh and open to new directions. No matter what side of the spectrum you are on, make sure you start your journey to finding the perfect dress with an open mind that’s backed up by information and inspiration!
Buying a dress should be a match made in heaven. If you’re looking for something personalised, original and cutting-edge, then a high fashion gown is for you. But if you are looking for an understated and less-fuss experience, then searching for a ready-to-wear gown, with possibilities of a couple of fitting adjustments is the ideal approach.
These days a lot designers offer gowns, that are ready-to-wear. This means they feature elements, materials or design characteristics that the designer or couturier is well known for, such as specific design signatures, particular fabrics or silhouettes.
Below are a few of my simple tips to get you on your way to finding the perfect dress.
KNOW YOUR BUDGET AND FIND DESIGNERS WITH GOWNS THAT FALL WITHIN IT
I believe that if you have set a budget for your dress it is important to try and stick close to it. Your budget should determine the types of dresses with boutiques or brands you are looking into from the start.
TRY ON A VARIETY OF STYLES BUT DON’T BE AFRAID TO MAKE THE DECISION EARLY
Try a variety of styles to love and lose. Once you try a style that doesn’t suit you, don’t keep trying the same style over and over. Narrow it down to the shape and looks that you love. It’s also important to not stress about trying on every dress in the world! If you feel like the second dress you tried on was the one; then it probably is!
Most importantly, don’t skimp on the style you love. It’s a reflection of who you are, so don’t buy a dress that “isn’t you”.
FOCUS ON HOW YOU FEEL
Don’t overthink it! Focus on what you love about the dress and how happy it makes you feel. If you feel self conscious or feel like it shows flaws, then move on! You want to feel confident in your choice of wedding dress, so consider not taking a picture of yourself in the dress, that way you won’t obsess over the decision.
SELECT YOUR ENTOURAGE CAREFULLY
You don’t need to include every gal in your bridal party when shopping for your wedding dress. The smaller the party, the less opinions you have to manage. Just bring those closest to you and have fun with a small group of trusted sources.
WEDDING LOCATION WILL REFLECT THE STYLE YOU SHOULD CHOSE
The ceremony and reception location, as well as the travel between the two venues, are huge determining factors in the type of gown you can wear. For example, if you are having a beach or backyard wedding, you don’t want to have a gown with a huge train dragging on the ground. If you know that it will be very hot or humid at your outdoor wedding, sleeves and heavy fabrics probably won’t be very comfortable. Think about the weather and the locations in which you’ll be wearing your dress and you can start moving forward to finding your dream gown.