For many brides the dress is the biggest decision of the entire wedding event.
Finding and choosing the right dress can be overwhelming - so we have put together a few tips to help for initial dress shopping and some for the fittings that follow.
Shopping Tips
1 - Before you go shopping, do some research to discover what styles of wedding dresses suit your body type but also and most importantly, what style speaks to who you are and what you love.
2 - Pick three words to describe your dream wedding dress. Whether you want to feel classic, vintage and comfortable , or maybe you are more romantic, glamorous and beautiful. Whatever your vibe, choosing three words specifically to describe your dream can help to narrow down the selection.
3 - Don't fell pressured to have the most expensive gown. Wedding dresses can be very pricey and if you are on a tight budget you may need to prioritise your money elsewhere. There are always fantastic options that will offer you a beautiful and less pricey alternative and still make you feel and look a million dollars.
4 - Always try on a few wedding dresses that you would never usually consider. Sometimes the wildcard dress ends up looking the most magical on.
5 - Do not get upset over sizing. Bridalwear sizing is different from highstreet garments. You may wear a larger size in bridal wear than your everyday clothing. It doesn't matter - as long as you look and feel great!
6 - Go with your gut! Even if the family or friends you bring with you have a different preference, go with the dress that feels right for you.
7 - Book a weekday appointment. Bridal shops are much busier on the weekends, meaning less personal attention or the dress you love is being tried on by somebody else. If you can manage it, a weekday appointment will be well worth it!
8 - Only bring a couple of people with you to your appointment. I know it might be tempting to bring a whole crew with you - the more opinions the better right? Wrong! The more people you bring the harder it is get a consensus and can leave a bride overwhelemed with multiple thoughts and opinions. Narrow it down to your true nearest and dearest of people whose opinions you trust!
So you have found and bought your dress - Congratulations! Usually there will be about three fittings after you have bought the dress with some time between to allow for alterations and tweaks. Fittings can be a minefield of emotions for a bride. To help you through, we have put together a few tips and thoughts that may make things that little bit easier!
Fitting Tips
1 - If you have them, bring your wedding shoes and underwear to the fitting. This can help ensure the fit, length and silhouette are accurate from the start.
2 - Try headpieces and veils when you are in your dress. It will help give you the overall look.
3 - Make peace with your body at your second fitting. Any fitness regime afterwards should be aimed at maintenance rather than weight loss.
4 - Be honest! The consultant can't assist you properly if you don't tell them, truthfully, how the dress feels and how you feel in it.
5 - Have an idea of your desired hairstyle. There is no point having the most beautiful design with intricate lacing or detail on the back of a dress if your hair will be down and covering it!
6 - Make sure you can move comfortably in the dress. Can you sit down in the dress? Can you dance in it? You will want to do both things on your wedding day - so make sure you try to do a bit of both at fittings.
7 - Listen to the consultant and seamstress. They have a wealth of experience and knowledge - if they warn against a change or suggest a different one, seriously consider their advice!
8- Familiarise yourself with the dress, and if you can, bring the person who will dress you on the wedding day to the second fitting. The consultants will be able to give them a how-to tutorial to help them understand the dress and how to dress you on the big day.
9 - Do not feel guilty about examining every detail meticulously before you take the dress away. Check for loose seams, missing beads, discolouration, tears, marks etc. You want that dress perfect when it leaves the store.
10 - Remember the cost for alterations should be accounted for in your budget. They can range from approximately £60 for basic alterations to well over £200 for major changes such as bodice and hemline.
11 - Traditionally, 'attire' is budgeted at 10% of the total wedding costs. This includes the gown alteration, shoes, underwear, accessories, jewellery AND the groom's costs - KNOW YOUR BUDGET.