If you’ve watched “Say Yes to the Dress” on TLC, you are already familiar with all the emotions, the indecisiveness, the struggle, the tears… and oh, the drama, that doesn’t necessarily happen in real life, but hey! Who doesn’t like some laughs and giggles, right?!
Dress shopping is fun. Now I know, you may say “Not really Paulette…” but what if I told you, that you can make your dress shopping experience exciting, enjoyable, interesting and stress free by being mindful of a few simple things?
When getting ready to shop for your wedding dress, there are a few aspects to keep in mind. I’ve come up with The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Dress Shopping that will help you “Say Yes to the Dress!” So ladies, leave you stress behind, your vision ahead, and read on!
1. Do you have a theme in mind?
Is it rustic, country, whimsical, garden or a holiday wedding? Considering this will help you decide on the dress style, fabric and silhouette. Whether you want delicate work on your wedding dress, bold colors, embroidery, or jewels, it all depends on what the overall wedding theme is. Remember, you’re the star of your own fairytale!
2. Do your research
Before you start shopping for your ideal wedding dress, do some research on what is out there in the market. Depending on the theme you’ve chosen, look up for some dress inspiration online and check which vendors carry the brands and styles of your preference. This will save you a tremendous amount of time when you start booking your appointments.
3. Book an appointment
Once you have done your due diligence of researching what bridal stores you want to book an appointment with, it’s time to start creating a schedule for yourself. Set aside different days and times for different places you want to visit. Keep in mind the commute time and leave some room for traffic delays and/or appointments running longer than their set times. Making a list of all the stores in a particular area so you can target them all on a given day, also helps you organize appointment slots better and reduces stress of rushing back and forth across the city from one store to another.
4. Know your budget
Set yourself a budget and stick to it! I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to set a budget for your wedding gown and stick to that budget.
Keep a set price in your mind before you start trying on different wedding gowns. Avoid trying gowns beyond your budget. Trust me, this will save you a lot of unnecessary stress, and will help you narrow down your options so you can focus on designing the best style within a given budget.
5. Decide on a silhouette
Based on your body shape, decide on a silhouette but be open to try out things outside your comfort zone. Whether you’re petite, tall, pear shaped or hourglass, do some research before you start looking for different gown styles and cuts. Consider a style that follows the natural and feminine contours of your chest, waist, hips and thighs. However, if you feel confident in a particular dress, chuck out any rules that hold you back from feeling yourself wonderful in that dress.
6. Focus on the fit not on the size
Keep in mind that sizes will vary, depending on the dress designer. If you must try on a size medium instead of a small, know that it’s due to the store or designer sizing, not a reflection of your own body size. Remember one glove doesn’t fit all, and not all five fingers are the same.
7. Bring the right undergarments and shoes
Everything will look better with the right foundational pieces. A nude strapless bra and a no-show pair of panties is the safest choice. Wrong undergarments can completely alter the appearance of a dress.
8. Narrow down your entourage
Bring friends that are going to be honest but who also understand your ideals of a wedding dress, along with your style needs. Sometimes, having too many opinions from different friends and family members can sway you from deciding what you had originally envisioned for yourself.
And lastly
9. Be true to yourself
Choose a dress that makes you smile, feel special and enhances your beautiful assets. It’s your wedding, and you should feel like yourself! Choose something that brings out the best in you. If you want to add a pop of color to your dress, or try a floral skirt with a top, then go for it and see how it looks. There is no right or wrong. Ultimately, it’s what accentuates your inner and outer beauty and makes you say “Yes, this is definitely the one!”
While all these things are important, above all, be patient with yourself. You want to allow yourself time to decide what looks great on you. You want to choose something that makes your heart filled with joy. A dress that goes well with your overall wedding theme, makes you feel like your true self, and the dress that will make your husband’s eyes filled with love and appreciation for the real beauty that is You!