A wedding dress symbolizes the consummation of a dream, which is many times cherished for long decades. It is a symbol of the fulfillment of true love and the formalization of an eternal bond.
Therefore, choosing a wedding dress requires attention, dedication, and even preparation as a single mistake can make your wedding not as delightful as you dreamed it to be – or even disastrous if unforeseen events mark it negatively.
Yet, there’s no reason to panic! We’ve got you covered! We created this guide to help you make a perfect choice and obtain the wedding dress of your dreams.
LOOK FOR WEDDING DRESS INSPIRATION
It’s a common situation not knowing how to start: which style, color, or fabric to choose, for example. Even though we may have some references from movies and series, these images in our minds are just not tangible enough. They’re only pictures our memories keep of happy and enchanting moments, which isn’t enough for a referential level.
Then, you can get started for free and from home: look for classic magazines – if you’re thinking of a more traditional wedding -, and especially for contemporary photographs to get accustomed to the aesthetics used today.
Pay attention to some parts of the wedding dresses you appreciate, such as the neckline, bodice, waistline, hemline, and embellishments.
Look for references on Pinterest and also search for current celebrity weddings. Then, create a folder to start saving your favorites and feed your ideas.
You must have at least ideas and references over your gown before you contact a consultant that will help you choose, so you have higher chances to reach together the piece of your dreams.
PREPARE IN ADVANCE
Good planning changes everything!
The research is a great way to start, but there are other steps you need to go through to be on schedule and choose the perfect dress.
Before starting the dress idealization step, it is interesting that you have pondered (perhaps even decided on) your wedding theme and even selected the wedding venue. The wedding dress is a component of your event’s aesthetics, and it needs to be highlighted, but it cannot clash with the event’s line.
Planning when to visit a consultant and some shops and then finalize your dress order is an imperative matter. After all, gowns take months to get ready and delivered. To guarantee you won’t be receiving yours too late, try to decide on a piece at least 6 months in advance.
It might seem too much, but, honestly, you’ll probably receive your wedding gown missing a few weeks to your big day. The ideal is to order your piece nine months in advance.
Finally, NEVER forget to establish a budget and strictly commit yourself to it. If your budget is short, it’s advisable to look for discounts and subscribe to boutique and designer mailing lists to stay on top of sales that may show up.
BRIDAL SIZE AND SILHOUETTE
Bridal gowns often require larger measurements than your regular clothes, so do not worry about it. Also, remember it’s not worth it – nor is it visually pleasant – to wear something uncomfortably tight to make your final look slimmer.
You definitely should prioritize beauty but also give the attention that comfort demands. Your wedding event will seem to last forever and take much from you, which means you don’t want to feel uncomfortable that day.
Even if you are planning to go on a diet, make plans for now! Unfortunately, we have no guarantees that diets will work or be kept to the letter. Besides, it will not be possible to measure or make adjustments to your gown if you do not reach the expected measurements.
Buying a dress that does not fit is the worst-case scenario: remember the dress is supposed to fit you, not the other way around.
ELABORATE AN ID FOR YOUR GOWN
Before visiting an actual consultant, try to develop an identity for your event and define some characteristics you are looking for in your piece.
Defining a personality for a brand is a widely used technique in graphic design to align clients’ expectations with the designers’ final result. A client usually provides at least three adjectives they would like their brands to match with, and the designers build their visual IDs with these words in mind.
Take it as an example and try to create your gown’s personality, and while you’re picking your piece, try to meet the crucial characteristics you believe it has got to have to match perfectly with you.
RECRUIT A CREW
No one chooses a dress on their own, so it’s best to start preparing yourself to give a call to that person you trust in the aesthetic senses and, also, in the ability to keep secrets in order to go shopping with you.
In addition to the support of a trustworthy person, you will need a consultant that can dialogue with you. This person has to be capable of providing hints about fabric, shaping, sizing – and much more – while you’re deciding on your piece.
Once you’ve gathered these people, you will be ready to start trying on.
GET PREPARED TO SHOP
Give them a call and schedule visits at renowned and prominent stores. Also, ask for indications from your consultant and some friends that have recently married. To find even more potentially valuable places, search the internet for highly rated sites. It’s time to visit stores and try on.
Personally, avoiding the weekends will result in a better experience. You’ll receive more attention from vendors and have more privacy.
Finally, remember to take your references with you, whether they are magazine cuts to be put in a folder or digital files that will need your laptop to open the archives. Being able to share what you’re looking for with your crew will help you find the perfect match.
VISUALIZE YOUR LOOK
Don’t leaf through and pick the one you find the most pleasant. Try it on to ensure it fits your body shape. However, just looking at yourself in the mirror might not precisely represent what you’re going to look like on your big day.
For better viewing, remember to wear a strapless bra and nude underwear. It is also interesting to wear heels when trying on since you’ll probably be wearing them on your final look.
About the style, commit yourself to your wedding theme. Remember not to let the urge to wear something too charming and flashy go your head, especially if you intend to host a classic, elegant, or vintage event.
Oh, and NEVER, NEVER, NEVER try something that exceeds your budget. All it takes is a glimpse of yourself in a piece you can’t afford, so you’ll never again be able to look at affordable pieces in the same way. Your ruler will be unbalanced, and you may not be able to find anything you like, at least that day. Another strategy to avoid letdowns is to start trying the cheapest pieces and, then, move to the more expensive ones. You can also start with the low-cost stores and, then, scale the costs.
More importantly, make sure you look for pieces you can afford and choose with passion and enthusiasm. That’s the only way you will have no doubts or regrets of your choice and enjoy each moment of your journey throughout your prewedding period.