Wedding dress shopping is an exciting, yet sometimes stressful, part of planning your wedding. To make the process easier and more enjoyable, follow these simple dos and don’ts.
The Dos of Wedding Dress Shopping
- Do Start Early Begin shopping for your dress at least six to nine months before your wedding. This gives you plenty of time for fittings and alterations.
- Do Set a Budget Know how much you want to spend on your wedding dress before you start trying on gowns. This will help you avoid getting caught up in dresses that are out of your price range.
- Do Bring a Trusted Friend or Family Member Take someone whose opinion you trust. Their feedback can be helpful, and they can support you through the decision-making process.
- Do Consider Your Wedding Venue Think about the setting of your wedding when choosing your dress. A beach wedding calls for a different dress than a formal church ceremony.
- Do Try On Different Styles Don’t settle for one style. Trying different cuts, fabrics, and designs will help you find the best fit and style for your body type and personality.
- Do Focus on Comfort Your wedding dress should be beautiful, but it should also be comfortable. You’ll be wearing it for hours, so make sure it fits well and you feel good in it.
- Do Schedule an Appointment Call ahead and book an appointment with bridal shops to avoid waiting. Most shops will require an appointment to give you full attention during your visit.
- Do Think About Accessories Consider accessories like veils, shoes, and jewelry when trying on dresses. These details can change the overall look of your gown.
The Don’ts of Wedding Dress Shopping
- Don’t Rush the Process Take your time when selecting your dress. Rushing could lead to regret later. Enjoy the experience and make sure you love the dress.
- Don’t Bring Too Many People Too many opinions can be overwhelming. Limit the number of people you bring to a few trusted friends or family members to help keep the process focused.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Speak Up If you don’t like something about a dress, speak up. Your bridal consultant is there to help, and you should feel comfortable expressing your preferences.
- Don’t Forget About Alterations Wedding dresses often need alterations, even if they fit well off the rack. Make sure to account for fitting time and costs when setting your budget.
- Don’t Settle for the First Dress You Try On You may think you’ve found “the one” on your first try, but try on a few more dresses to be sure. The right dress should feel like a perfect fit, not just in size but in style.
- Don’t Ignore Your Body Type Choose a dress that complements your body shape. Avoid getting caught up in trends that don’t suit your figure. Look for a style that flatters your shape and enhances your best features.
- Don’t Forget to Bring the Right Undergarments Wear the right undergarments to your fitting. This will give you a better sense of how the dress will look on your wedding day.
- Don’t Panic If It Doesn’t Fit Right Away Don’t worry if the dress doesn’t fit perfectly when you first try it on. Alterations are common, and a few tweaks can make a big difference.
Wedding dress shopping should be an exciting part of your wedding journey. By following these dos and don’ts, you can make the process smoother and ensure you find the perfect dress that makes you feel confident and beautiful on your big day.