Choosing your wedding dress can be one of the most exciting, daunting, and stressful parts of wedding planning. It’s such a momentous moment and you want to get it right. Trust me, I feel ya. In order to help give you a clearer head going into your appointment I wanted to give you some advice that will help ease your search.

• Be open to exploring different styles. So many times I have gone wedding dress shopping with Brides and they walk into the store having a dead mindset on a certain look.  It’s so hard to really know how certain dresses will look and feel until you try them on. Your wedding dress is unlike any other outfit you will ever wear and having an open mindset will give you so many more possibilities. By immediately closing yourself off you are already limiting your options you may be losing out on that one dress. Once you try a dress on and you see it doesn’t work for you then you can move on but it never hurts to try!
• Trust your consultant. As much as you should trust your own instinct you should also give those reins to the consultant that’s helping you. They are the professional in this scenario and it’s their job to use their knowledge to steer you in the right direction and listen to what it is that you’re saying. There are more dresses in a Bridal shop than you could even imagine and they have the access to all of them so don’t undermine what they can bring to the table. If, for some reason, you are not comfortable with your consultant or you just don’t feel like your personalities are clicking then don’t be afraid to ask for a new one. This is not the time for you to compromise because this experience should be fun and something for you to enjoy.

 

• Limit the number of people you bring with you while shopping. Keep in mind that the more people you bring with you while shopping for your wedding dress the more opinions you will have to contend with. As much as you want everyone to agree at the same time, in the same way it’s just not going to happen. We’re only human after all. Only invite the people whose opinions you trust 100% and if/when you don’t agree with them they won’t pressure you or make you second guess your own feelings. The group you shop with could have two people, four people, eight people, or you could be by yourself. However many, remember that you’re the one wearing the dress. Not them.
• Don’t try on too many. If you’ve already found a dress or two that you’re debating between don’t keep trying on more dresses. You’re only going to confuse yourself more. 

 

• Keep in mind the season and setting of your wedding.. If you’re getting married on the beach then take into account the elements you’ll be around. You would probably not want a heavy multi-layered ballgown due to all the sand. If you’re having a winter wedding then maybe a slinky backed charmeuse wedding dress isn’t the best choice with the cold weather. I’m not saying you can’t have any of those dresses if that’s what you really want but just keep the elements in mind so you can choose a dress you know you will be comfortable in on your big day.
• Have a clear budget set before you walk into the store. I hate having a budget limit when shopping just as much as the next girl but it’s something good to have. Having a clear budget will allow you, your consultant, and those shopping with you have a clear definition of what you’re looking to spend. It will also help keep you from trying on a dress that’s WAY over your budget and then feeling let down when you learn you can’t afford it, especially if you’ve really fallen in love with it. Don’t be ashamed of your budget either. There are beautiful dresses in every price range and you should never put a price tag on what makes you feel good. Trust me, you can find what you’re looking in the budget you want to stay in.

 

I would love to hear how you found your wedding dress? How did it make you feel? When did you know it was THE ONE?