Finding your dream gown can be stressful. After all, you've likely never even tried one on before, and it's the most expensive garment many women will ever own, so it can feel like the pressure is definitely on. Plus, your dress sets the tone for the wedding as a whole, whether it's a grand ballroom affair or a casual beach bash. It may also feel like there's a whole new language to decode — tulle, A-line, fit and flare, organza, sheath. Plus, more bride’s than ever are doing multiple dresses, a more formal one for the ceremony and a party-centric (danceable or more blingy and outrageous) one for the reception, which can double the task of shopping.
The choices can seem overwhelming for sure. No matter your budget, your personal style, or your timeline, check out our wedding dress shopping tips for finding the gown of your dreams — the one you'll love today, on the big day, and in 30 years from now, when you look back at your Wedding Pictures.
Wedding Dress shopping tips
1. Brace yourself for Bridal sizing
Bridal sizing means your gown's number will often be one to two sizes higher than for your regular clothes. Even if going bigger sounds horrifying, remember that no one will know the number but you and your consultant.
2. Be Open
Bridal consultants will tell you that they constantly see women come in with a set idea of what they want for a gown, then try it on and don't actually love it — and instead, fall for something completely different that they'd never considered. Keep an open mind to finding a dream dress that you didn't know would be your dream dress. If you're shopping with a consultant at a bridal boutique or salon, don't hold back when letting him or her know exactly what you're looking for. Be as honest and open as possible. The more information you give about your likes and dislikes, the easier it will be for the consultant for pick out your dream gown.
3. Start Inexpensive and Work Your Way Up
Make your first appointment with the least-expensive bridal shop and keep scaling up if you don't find anything. Same goes for trying on dresses during your appointments — try on the most affordable one first, and work your way up to the bank-breaker; you may fall in love before then!
4. Pick your silhouette
Your ideal gown's shape is partly based on the style you like, the venue and mood of your wedding, and also what flatters your body most. A fit-n-flare is both contemporary and traditional and works on many body types, whereas a simple sheath is best on tall, willowy brides. A voluminous ball gown adds drama, but can overwhelm a petite frame. Mermaid styles show off curves like your favorite pencil skirt.
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5. Pay attention to Fabric
In addition to silhouette, color, and embellishments, fabric makes a big difference on how a gown will look on you. A heavier, more structured material (thick silk shantung, taffeta, or guipure lace) will hold its shape and smooth your figure. Less flattering for those with curves are unstructured silk or filmy chiffon.
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6. Try on a Non- White gown
That might mean subtle eggshell or ivory, romantic blush, or even a bold red. It may not be right for you, but a survey showed 14 percent of brides and bride of honor and brides tribe would wear a colored wedding dress. Don't be afraid to be unique!
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7. Have a Professional to take your Measurements
Even if you're ordering online, have a seamstress take your measurements — this is not the time for DIY, since putting the measuring tape even an inch up or down from the industry standard can throw off your results. so , please pay attention to your measurements as it plays an important role in your wedding dress.
8. Test to make sure You can move
No wedding gown is going to be as comfortable as your pajamas, but you don't want to be pulling it up or constricted by it all night, so bust out some moves in the dressing room. If you're planning a Church Wedding where you may need to kneel or sit during the ceremony, practice doing that in the gown. If you're planning to drop it like it's hot on the dance floor, try it out to make sure you can move how you want.
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9. Pay attention to the top of the dress
You should love every aspect of your Wedding Dress, but keep in mind that the top of the gown will appear most in wedding Photographs, especially while you're seated at dinner or dancing with your nearest and dearest. Make sure the gown fits comfortably when you're sitting down and that the neckline won't require adjusting throughout the big day. If it's not done with precision, it can potentially ruin a gown.
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10. Think about Adding a Bustle
If the dress of your dreams has a long train or hem, decide whether you want to get a bustle sewn into the gown. This helps pick up your train during the reception, dance but keep in mind that it will alter how the back of the dress looks. see if one is right for your dress before you undergo fittings and alterations.
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