Finding the best wedding dress is just like finding a soulmate. With endless choices available, how can you know which one is the one? You’re only getting one single dress for one single occasion; it’s a lot of pressure for sure!
That’s why in this article, we will give you 10 helpful tips to guide you to your perfect bridal gown dress.
1. Don’t follow trends, follow your style
You’re going to eventually upload your wedding photos on your social media, so there might be pressure to look trendy. But such a mindset won’t help bring out your individuality or beauty.
Think only about what you want. What is your vision of your dream day? What words would you use to describe your dream bridal gown? What kind of dress reflects your personal fashion style? Ask yourself all these questions to get a clear idea of what you’ll get. And of course, prioritize your comfort over traditions.
2. Celebrate your body
The best wedding dress is one that isn’t made to hide your flaws, rather highlight your best features and complement your body shape perfectly. First, identify your favorite body feature, like your waist, legs, or collarbone. Then look for different dresses that help these features stand out.
3. Don’t keep putting it off
Timing is important. You want to avoid last-minute pressure, because you’ll surely end up making the wrong decision. It’s best to start shopping 9-12 months in advance, as wedding dresses take months to be tailored or adjusted. Also, only start shopping once you’re ready with your finances. You don’t want to fall in love with a gown you can’t afford yet.
4. Be smart with your budget
Speaking of finances, there’s always going to be a dress you’ll be tempted to buy despite it being out of your budget. But you must stick to it! The following things can help:
- Telling your stylist your full budget upfront.
- Accounting for hidden costs like alterations, accessories, and others.
- Always going for dresses that are a few hundred dollars below your maximum budget so you can have the option to buy other accessories after without any worries.
5. Carefully choose who to bring
Only bring in those few people in your life to shop for the dress whose opinion matters to you, and who genuinely want you to thrive in your wedding. And if needed, just go solo. It’s good to have second and third opinions, but make sure to prioritize your own feelings the most.
6. Consider the setting and season
Choose your dress depending on whether your wedding is going to be at a beach or a cathedral, or whether it’s going to be in summer or spring. The dress needs to match the vibe of the location and make you feel comfortable in the weather.
A pro-tip is to have matching detachable sleeves, overskirts, or shawls along to help you adapt to different locations and temperatures.
7. Balance emotion and logic
Seeing yourself in a bridal gown in the mirror might make you very emotional. But don’t forget to ask yourself if you actually love the dress or whether you think you love it because others reacted well. Also, take pictures from all angles to make sure you completely look the way you want.
8. Consider practicality
You’ll be moving, sitting, dancing, and hugging people in that dress. Once you’ve got the gown on, try all kinds of movements to see if everything works well. Also, consider if you’ll be able to comfortably use the restroom while wearing it.
9. Don’t rush
It’s a huge decision, so you can’t be rushed. If needed, go back home and see if you’re still thinking about that one dress a few days later. Try on the other dresses you considered once more to make sure they’re really out of the game.
Stylists might say, “It could be gone tomorrow” to pressure you, but don’t be too swayed to panic-buy. There will always be another option!
10. Add your unique touch
Once you’ve got the dress, now it’s time to make it uniquely yours. Customize with accessories, explore small alternations here and there, or maybe add something meaningful like a family heirloom. The choice is all yours.
The ultimate tip to finding the best bridal gown dress for yourself is to trust your gut, stick to your personal style, and not feel pressured. Don’t think about what a bride should wear, think about what you want to wear as a bride!