One of the most exciting and fun things about getting married (for most) is getting to choose THE DRESS. We have some tips on how to make this experience fun, stress-free, and guaranteed to be saying “I Do” in your perfect dress!
- Do not buy your dress too early in advance before your wedding. Most planners recommend starting your search no earlier than a year before your wedding date.
- Schedule an appointment with a few local bridal boutiques to see yourself in gowns and to envision what your wedding dress will look like. Buying a dress online is quite difficult with figuring out sizing and quality. You can search for gowns online and in-person, but in order to know that the dress is a good deal, in-person fitting appointments are strongly recommended.
- Remember, comfort is important! You will be wearing your dress around many people and will be taking more than a few pictures. Make sure that you feel good in the dress! The sizing needs to be perfectly fitting.
- Vintage dress shops can have a great selection of bridal gowns at lower costs. You can also find designer gowns in many of these shops.
- If you are into sustainable fashion, second hand clothing shops and sites such as Poshmark and Depop are places to find a dress and feel good about being environmentally conscious.
- The quality of the dress should matter. You might think that you are getting a good deal if you are on a budget, but you should evaluate your options!
- Having some inspiration pictures (Pinterest is a great resource) for what dress style you are interested in. Visual examples of what you like can help planners and the bridal boutiques prepare for your visit and possibly already have some options in mind as to what might work for you before your first appointment.
- The earlier you find the perfect dress, the better! You will be relieved when you find the one dress that just checks all of your boxes. You usually know immediately when you have found the perfect dress.
- Try to limit second opinions. This is your dress! The decision is ultimately up to you!
- Don’t feel pressured to follow current dress trends. Everyone has their own style!
- Lastly, most bridal shops will have accessories for sale, which pair up magnificently with the dresses in the shop. Plus, you could get jewelry out of the way at the same time as purchasing your gown. The best of both worlds!
