02/28/2018

Tips for Choosing the Right Wedding Gown

I was one of those rare brides that didn’t have to try on hundreds of dresses before I found the right one; I saw the gown I wanted in a magazine.  Further, my husband worked for the magazine’s publisher, so they called the designer who sent me a sample.  We then sent her my measurements, and about a month later my gown arrived.  I was also lucky because it was a simple, sleeveless sheath dress, and we were getting married in a simple outdoor ceremony.

Sadly, not every bride falls into the perfect dress.  Sometimes it takes time to find ‘the one’, so we thought we’d offer a few tips that might help that process go a bit more smoothly.

Set your budget and stick to it.  If the overall budget for your wedding is $10,000, don’t spend $8,000 on your gown.  Figure out how much money you have to work with and then allocate the dollars realistically.

Think about your style and the venue.  In my case I knew I wanted something simple; I’m not an overly ornate or frilly kind of girl.  I also knew we were going to get married outside, so the last thing I wanted was a long train that would get grass stains on it or get stuck on the rocks on the cobblestone walkway.   

Start shopping – as early as possible.  There are so many variables here – Are you a picky shopper? Are you going to want a custom gown?  Will it be rather ornate?  We recommend at least 8 -10 months out from your wedding date.  This will take into account shopping time, if it’s a custom gown, and will allow for alterations.

Schedule appointments.  Don’t just show up at bridal salons, especially on Saturday afternoons.  Instead, call ahead, discuss your likes and dislikes in case they might want to bring in more samples, and then schedule an appointment.  Take any accessories you might want to wear on your wedding day, but avoid taking too many helpers.  Sometimes too many opinions make it difficult for the bride-to-be, but do take one or two friends, or your mom, to give you honest feedback.

Have an open mind.  Even though you might have your heart set on a certain style be open to trying on other things, especially if the salesperson recommends it.  It’s hard to get a good picture when the dress is hanging on a hanger.  Plus, it is possible to fall in love with something completely opposite of what you thought you wanted.

Have fun.  You’re preparing for your day; enjoy the attention and pampering.  When you find the right dress, you’ll know it.