My Top 7 Wedding Dress Shopping Tips
When it comes to wedding dress shopping, there is so much to consider. Who do you want to buy from, what is your style, when is your day, where is your venue, etc!
1) SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATION ASAP!
I couldn’t exaggerate this one enough. If you have 12 months before your wedding date, that is the time to start looking for dresses. I started six months before my date and it was cutting it.
The more time you have, the better. This is because the boutique has to measure your size, order the dress, wait for the dress to ship in, have your alterations, fix your dress, and many more check-in fittings after that.
My advice is to plan a weekend with your girls whether it’s in town or out. It’s really fun to try on dresses and make a day out of it! Write down some boutiques you want to try out, call them and schedule your consultation.
2) PICK YOUR SQUAD
Like mentioned above, it’s really fun to get the girls together and make a day out of it. You can bring your mother, sisters, best friends, and bridesmaids. I would suggest keeping your group small so there isn’t a lot of conflict and you still have some space to breath. In the end, bring who you feel most comfortable around!
3) KNOW YOUR STYLE AND VENUE
When picking a dress, think of your venue and theme of your wedding. Some examples include; garden, modern, vintage, rustic, bohemian, traditional and tropical.
A crucial thing to consider is the temperature. If you will be outside in the middle of july, you aren’t going to want to wear a long sleeved heavy dress. Instead, opt in for either strapless or spaghetti strapped top that is lightweight.
If you are having a winter wedding, think of the cold. You can find a dress with long sleeves, a little heavier and even add a fur coat to your dress (trust me, there are so many cute ones out there!)
The easiest way to match your dress to your style is to simply use Pinterest! Which brings me to my next tip!
4) BRING INSPO!
Whether you are an avid Pinterester or read bridal magazines, don’t be afraid to bring in what you love. This will help your consultant find dresses similar to what you are loving.
5) SPEAK UP
There may be times where your crew loves a dress you totally do not. Don’t be afraid to say, “No thanks, next!”
BONUS: To help out your consultant, tell them what you don’t like about the dress. I said no to many dresses, even one’s my squad loved. What makes you feel most comfortable and most beautiful is the dress for you. It’s your day, wear what you love!
6) KNOW YOUR BUDGET
Ok, let’s be honest, we all have a price range. Before going into your consultation, make sure you know your maximum price. Let your consultant know as well. This will settle that awkward moment of, “Ahhh! I love this dress but it’s $500 over what I can afford.”
And girl, I know you see that dress…hanging there in the glow…but it’s over your budget. Don’t get tempted and try it on…not even for fun. There’s a 50/50 chance you could fall in love with it. Breaking the bank is no fun!
There are so many dresses out there (some are similar too) so stick with what you can afford and don’t go over it.
BONUS: Remember there are other factors to put into your wedding gown budget!
- Alterations
- Preservation
- Accessories (Jewelry, shoes, headpiece, belts, coats)
7) BE OPEN
Don’t be afraid to try on dresses that don’t look so beautiful on the hanger. Trust me, dresses look completely different when they are on someone. If you love something about the dress like the shape or style, just try it on! At the end of the day, you’re there to have fun!
There are so many dress out there, you will find one perfect for you! Don’t feel discouraged if you can’t find a dress you fall in love with. Not everyone says “yes” to the dress their first time. When you have 12 months in advance, you have TIME to continue shopping. You won’t feel so rushed to say “yes” either.
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