When you’ll come to a wedding dress store, the shop assistant will ask you some questions to find out what bridal gowns to offer you. So, you should already know the answers or at least have some idea of what dress you want for the big day. Facing dozens of sparkly and exquisite wedding gowns, you might get confused as to which to choose. That’s why before going to the store, try to narrow down the possible options and set some focal points. We’ll help with that.
Related posts:
Wedding underwear advice. What lingerie to wear under your wedding dress?
Wedding dress tips. How to find the dress that will fit you perfectly
Set your budget
Before going to a store, decide how much you can spend on your wedding dress. If you find the perfect gown and the price is higher than you expected, it will be for you to decide whether you can expand the budget or not. But never start looking for a dress without setting limits – otherwise, you might end up paying more than you can afford. Remember, any wedding gown budget is ok, so don’t be embarrassed if you can’t spend $2,000-5,000 on your bridal gown. The shop assistant needs to know what you’re counting on, the real numbers.
Theme and style of wedding dress
Most brides have some vision of what style of a wedding gown they prefer, what looks good on them, and what styles they dislike. Your wedding dress should represent your personality – this is the secret to finding the perfect wedding attire. Wedding store assistants and designers often advise going for something that is in accord with your everyday style of clothes. If you never wear a dress, choose a jumpsuit or pantsuit for your wedding. If you’re all about retro and vintage styles, pick your wedding gown accordingly. And so on.
Another factor is the theme of your wedding. Consider where the event will take place, what ceremony there will be, what wedding décor and color palette you’ll have, etc. Your bridal gown should fit perfectly with everything else.
You can even show the shop assistant your Pinterest board with photos of wedding dresses you like – it will help narrow down the number of options.
At the same time, don’t be afraid to try on something you haven’t considered if the store assistant thinks it might fit you. Sometimes, professionals get one look at you and know what to offer you. Just give it a try. You can always take it off and forget about it.
How much time before the wedding?
Normally, women start looking for their wedding dress months in advance so that they have enough time to find what they want and do all the adjustments. But if that’s not your case, let the shop assistant know that you have limited time. Not always does the dress you pick sit perfectly on your body, sometimes adjustments are needed or the gown might even be made to order just for you. All that requires time. So, always keep in mind how much time you have until the wedding. You’ll feel most comfortable and stress-free if your wedding dress is ready about 2 weeks before the big day. In this case, any final changes you come up with can still be made.
Who to invite with you to pick the wedding dress?
Don’t bring too many people and don’t come alone. You need a small gang of close friends or relatives that will help you choose the gown. Preferably, honest and supportive people. You need them to stop you from buying the wrong dress and support you in your choice. These people should not compete with you in beauty but put your needs first. It can be your bridesmaids, your mother or sisters, your closest friends, or whoever you feel comfortable shopping with.
What to bring with you to the store?
When you’re going shopping for your wedding gown, bring a number of accessories with you – the shoes you plan to wear on the wedding day (or at least footwear of the same style, with the same height of heels, etc), underwear in the same style and design you plan to use (so that you see how it looks together and know that no lingerie lines are visible). Or you can wear nude lingerie with a strapless bra that will allow you to try various designs of dresses. And don’t wear spanks or similar underwear because they change your size and shapes (if you choose the gown you like and decide to wear it with spanks, it’s up to you, of course, but don’t start trying dresses on like this). Your hair and makeup should also be styled in a similar manner as you plan to wear on the day of the wedding.
Related article:
Wedding underwear advice. What lingerie to wear under your wedding dress?
Wedding dress tips. How to find the dress that will fit you perfectly
