Shopping for your wedding dress should be a fun and memorable experience. Unfortunately, the amount of pressure and stress that a bride feels is very common. The wedding dress shopping experience can start with excitement and turn into exhaustion when you can't seem to find what you envision. Here are some tips that will help you find the perfect wedding dress:
1. Location
The venue you choose and the theme of your wedding serves as the foundation for your dress choice. If you are getting married on the beach, you can cross ball gowns and dramatic trains off your list. If you are getting married in a church, this eliminates shorter dresses and low-cut backs. The climate in your locale is also one to take into consideration. Warmer weather calls for linen and organdy while velvet and brocade are better suited for colder climates.
2. Set your budget and stick to it!
Trying on the perfect wedding dress that is way out of your price range is a surefire way to put a damper on the rest of your experience. Make sure you not only set a budget but also inform the salesperson before she starts bringing you your gowns when you go wedding dress shopping. The entire look can cost 10-15% of your wedding budget. Don't forget to consider alterations and shipping costs.
3. Start looking early
The perfect time to start looking for your perfect wedding dress is six to nine months before you say "I do." Once you pick the one it takes three to four months for it to be made and another to months for fittings and alterations. If you are picking a gown with a lot of detail it will take even longer. Some stores do offer rush orders, but your choices are limited and it will cost an additional fee.
4. Second Opinions
Making the decision alone can be difficult. Bringing a few close confidants whose opinions are trustworthy can help ease the decision. Invite people that know your taste and will respect your ultimate decision. The last thing you want is butting heads that can make the time spent shopping frustrating and tiring.
5. Choose the fit, not on the size
Many brides are discouraged when they find out their wedding dress size is four times bigger than what they typically wear. A bride that is normally an 8 may find that she fits better in a 12. Always get the size that fits best, even if you plan on losing weight before the big day. Gowns are always easier to take in!
