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14 Tips to Help You Find the Perfect Wedding Dress
Whether you’ve been dreaming of your wedding dress since you were five and know exactly what you want down to the last ruffle or you’ve never even thought about it, I’ve got you covered! Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and choosing the perfect dress is an essential part of the process. With so many styles, designers, and fabrics to choose from, it can feel overwhelming.
Finding a wedding dress can be a stressful part of the process; after all, you’ve probably never tried one on before! There’s also a new language to decode: tulle, a line, organza, and sheath, not to mention deciding whether or not you want a veil and what petticoat or undergarments you’ll require. It’s easy to see why some brides can feel overwhelmed when it comes to thinking about their wedding dress.
But don’t worry no matter your style or budget, with these 14 tips, you’ll be on your way to finding the dress of your dreams in no time.
Let’s Dive In – 14 Tips to Help You Find the Perfect Wedding Dress
Tip 1: Set a Budget
Before you start dress shopping, have a clear idea of your budget and remember to add on a couple of hundred pounds in reserve for any alterations. This will help you narrow down your options and avoid overspending.
Yes, it can be a difficult subject to talk about numbers, but before you go shopping, it’s best to know who is paying for your dress and how much you have to spend. If you are going to want to accessorise your gown with a veil, remember to set aside some budget for that. Keep a bit of money aside for cleaning your gown after the wedding.
Tip 2: Do Your Research and Find Inspiration
Get inspired by browsing through magazines, Pinterest, and wedding blogs.
Explore the world of Pinterest, look through wedding magazines, look on Instagram, check out wedding blogs, and check out celebrity weddings to start to get an idea of what kind of look you like. Look for any recurring themes that start to come up – do they all have long trains? Perhaps they have illusion necklines, or you are leaning towards lace. This will help you develop an idea of what you are drawn to before your first appointment.
Take note of the styles, designers, and fabrics that catch your eye.
Research local bridal shops (I’ve jotted a few links in below to help you find an amazing wedding shop in Cornwall) since you’ll be wasting your time if you book appointments that don’t have any dresses you like or that are totally out of your budget. To find the best bridal shops around, speak to a few suppliers you’ve already booked, as they’ll have some recommendations. Also, checking out reviews online will give you a good idea of the shops that have amazing customer service and a solid reputation.
Tip 3: Choose Your Wedding Theme
When choosing a dress, think about your wedding’s theme. For instance, a lighter, more flowy dress might be appropriate for a beach wedding, whereas a formal ballroom wedding might call for a more structured dress.
Tip 4: Be Open To New Ideas
Trust that your assistant, on the day, knows what they are talking about. Yes, you may have a few ideas of what you would like to try, but be open to trying something you may not have considered.
Bridal consultants will often tell you that brides have fallen in love with a dress they wouldn’t have ever thought of trying on. Keep an open mind when trying on your dress – you may just fall in love with something you’d never considered before.
Tip 5: Decide on a Silhouette
Think about the silhouette that flatters your body shape the most. Whether it’s a ballgown, an A-line, or a mermaid style, choose the one that makes you feel confident and beautiful.
Tip 6: Start Dress Shopping Early
Give yourself plenty of time to find the perfect dress, as most bridal shops will have a lead time on their gowns of between 4 and 9 months. It takes time to for your dress to arrive. Once it arrives, you’ll also want to factor in some time for alterations and delivery. So it’s best to start your search about 9 to 12 months before your wedding.
Tip 7: Make Appointments
In most bridal stores, you’ll need an appointment. They may have restrictions on the number of people you can bring, so it’s best to check. If you are planning on hitting a few shops on the same day, it’s also an idea to find out how long your appointment is likely to be, and make sure you don’t drink too much champagne.
You’ll usually be paired with a consultant who’ll listen to what you like and don’t like, make suggestions, and will help you get in and out of the dresses.
Tip 8: Bring Your Closest Friends and Family For Support
Yes, you love your mum, mother-in-law, five bridesmaids, sister, sister-in-law, best friend, and your two flower girls; however, managing all of those opinions can become extremely overwhelming. Plus, trying to organise a time and date when everyone will be available is likely to be a nightmare. Narrow your group down to the three or four people who mean the most to you, and save the rest for when you’ve chosen your dress and are having a fitting.
Tip 9: Try On Different Styles
Even if they aren’t the styles you had in mind, don’t be afraid to try them on. You might be surprised by how a dress that you didn’t think you’d like looks on you.
Tip 10: Ignore The Sizing
Brace yourself for the confusing world of bridal sizing and learn to ignore it! Bridal designers frequently use their own sizing charts, and needing to size up is more common than you might think. Just ignore it; it’s just a number, and you don’t need to share it with anyone!
Tip 11: Bring The Right Underwear
It’s a good idea to bring a strapless bra and to wear nude underwear similar to what you’ll be wearing on your wedding day. That way, your bright red bra straps won’t distract you. Think about smoothing underwear like Spanx, which will give you a nice silhouette under more fitted gowns. When it comes to petticoats and underskirts that will give your dress a fuller look and also give you space underneath all of those layers to move your feet, your chosen bridal shop will be able to help with this.
Tip 12: Seek Professional Guideance
Think about working with a bridal consultant or stylist if you’re having trouble finding the ideal dress. They can guide you through the dress-shopping process and provide expert advice.
Tip 13: Hit Sample Sales
There are usually discounts of up to 50% on sample sales. This is where bridal shops sell off their old inventory, usually at heavily discounted prices. Bear in mind that most stores will be getting rid of the gowns in sample sizes, which are usually around a size 12.
Tip 14: Trust Your Instincts and Enjoy The Moment
Ultimately, trust your instincts and enjoy your wedding dress appointments. Once you’ve found the right dress and you know deep down it’s the right one, then your hunt to find “the one” has finished. Your dress is great – just relax and look forward to wearing it on your wedding day.
I hope these 14 tips help you find the perfect wedding dress for your special day. Don’t forget that you’re going to want to remember the feelings you felt once you put on your wedding dress on the day of your wedding, so make sure to pick the right wedding photographer for you. A photographer that will create beautiful memories for you to cherish.
Here are three links to wedding dress shops in Cornwall that can help you find your dream dress:
- Coastal Bridal – https://coastalbridal.co.uk/
- The Bridal House Cornwall: https://www.thebridalhouseofcornwall.co.uk
- Wed2B Newquay: https://www.wed2b.co.uk/Newquay
Are you in wedding planning mode after reading – 14 Tips to Help You Find the Perfect Wedding Dress. Here are a few blog articles you’ll find useful to help plan your wedding:
- Wedding Apps: The 5 Wedding Planning Apps My Couples Are Loving!
- How To Pick Your Perfect UK Wedding Venue – Your Ultimate Guide
- Wedding Photographer: How To Choose The Right One For You?
