Wedding Series #4 – A Guide to Wedding Dress Shopping

Trying on wedding dresses and finding THE ONE… the best thing that happens during the wedding planning process. Just because it’s so magical doesn’t mean it’s not stressful. I am here to give you tips on how to decrease the stress and make the wedding dress shopping process an enjoyable one. Only happy tears here!

Tip #1 : Research Before You Go

Before you go try on dresses for the first time, it’s good to look up all the different kinds. There are all different kinds of necklines, styles, shapes, and it helps if you know what you like and don’t like. You can also go to the website of the shop you are visiting and print out or save dresses. Most of the time someone can find the exact dresses you saved and you can try them on.

Tip #2 : Try On All Different Styles

Even though it’s good to go in with an idea of what you like and don’t like… it is also a good idea to try on all different types of styles… even the one’s you don’t think you will like. I walked into the dress shop saying “I don’t want strapless and I don’t want ballgown”… as you can see I ended up with a strapless ballgown! So try on everything.

Tip #3 : Take Your Time

It is a good idea to start looking for your dress at least 7-8 months before your wedding. It allows you to have enough time for the dress to come in and for alterations to be done. It is also a good idea to take your time. Just because you found one that you think is really pretty at one store doesn’t mean you have to get it right away. I don’t regret getting the dress I got, I LOVE my wedding dress, but I do wish I would have enjoyed the process a little longer. It’s such a fun time you don’t want to rush it.

Tip #4 : Have a Budget In Mind

You don’t want to fall in love with a dress that is $5,000 over budget, so go into shopping with a number in your head. This gives your consultant an idea of what you can spend, and keeps you on track. You also have to remember you may have alterations too, so add a little cushion for those. I think I spent about $400-$500 on my alterations.

Tip #5 : Take A LOT of Pictures

If the shop allows it… take a lot of pictures. It’s been almost 2 years since I said “yes to the dress” and I still enjoy looking back at all of the pictures. It’s so fun to see all of the different kinds of dresses I tried on, and it’s also fun to show Bradley. I wish I would have taken more. Here’s a glimpse into some of the other dresses I tried on during my “say yes to the dress” journey (excuse my faces).

As always, all opinions and text are my own.

Stay Sweet! 

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