Wedding fashions come and go, and each year brings a new trend in wedding gowns and bridal accessories. As you prepare for your wedding day, you will be considering all of the latest fashions in your search for the perfect wedding dress, and that’s as it should be.
However, while you’re flipping through those bridal magazines and catching up on the latest fashion trends, you may find that you’re not really getting the hands on advice that you really need. In many ways, finding the perfect dress design is easy. It’s shopping for the dress itself that can prove difficult.
A wedding gown isn’t just another dress, and the shopping experience can be fraught with stress and riddled with indecision. So, in a bid to make shopping for your wedding dress a little easier, we’ve put together a few helpful tips. These tips are less about helping you find the perfectly designed wedding dress, and more about how to handle the actual shopping experience.
Stick to Your Budget
Before you even head out to the shops, the first thing you must do is work out your budget. There is nothing quite as frustrating as finding the dress you like, and realizing it is out of your price range. Set a firm budget early on, and when you start to try on dresses only sample the ones that fall within your preset price range.
Remember, you must also factor into your budget the cost of any necessary alterations, as well as any accessories you may want.
Wear a Bit of Makeup
Shopping for your wedding dress is not really a leisurely day out, and you should make it a point to do yourself up a little. There’s no need to go overboard, but you certainly don’t want to head out to the shops with your hair tied back and without any makeup on. You’ll get a better impression of how you will look in your new wedding dress if you are smartly turned out for the fittings.
More to the point, when you look your best, you’ll feel more confident and will be better prepared to spend in afternoon studying your own reflection.
Wear the Right Undergarments
Wearing the proper undergarments can make or break the appearance of your wedding dress. The right shape-wear or bra can dramatically affect the way a dress looks when you try it on for the first time. If you plan to try on a number of different styles of wedding dress, bring along a few different styles of undergarment so you can get a better feel for how the dress looks and feels under real conditions.
Work With the Consultants
Shop assistants and dress consultants are there to help you find the perfect gown for your wedding. Don’t be afraid to give them your honest opinion of each dress that they present to you. Trust me, you won’t be hurting their feelings. If the dress is beautiful but uncomfortable, let them know. If it is comfortable, but you just don’t like how it looks – let them know. If you don’t communicate with the consultant, they can’t help you find the right dress. Don’t be shy.
Buy The Dress That Fits
When making your final selection, choose the wedding gown that fits you now. Many brides diet before their wedding, and/or take up yoga or an exercise regimen to tone up before the big day. It is much easier, and cheaper, to take a wedding dress in than it is to add material to it later. You will also find it easier to judge the appearance of your gown if it fits you properly when you try it on.
Shop With a Small Support Group
Bring a small support group with you when you go shopping for your wedding dress, and by small we mean one or two close friends. These should be friends who you trust to tell you the truth, and who can be counted on to give an honest and constructive opinion. But keep the group small. You don’t need an entourage when shopping for you wedding gown.
Read the Contract
Finally, as with any major purchase, it is important to read the fine print of the contract. When ordering your dress, double check the contract to ensure that it reflects the style and color you desire, and that it contains the right measurements and delivery date. Also double check to make sure that the contract includes a number of fittings, and that all costs are clearly explained.
Shopping for your wedding dress should be fun and exciting. Unfortunately, it can just as easily become a stressful experience. These few tips should help to reduce the stress, so that you can find the perfect wedding gown that will turn everyone’s head as you walk down the aisle.
