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We know that beginning your search for the perfect dress to wear on your perfect day can be stressful which is why we’ve compiled some tips to bear in mind as you go through the process of what might feel like trying on every dress in the world.
- Start your search early
So, you’ve got the location set in stone, now it’s time to start your search for the dress. Most brides will begin shopping as much as six months in advance, particularly if they are getting a gown custom made. If you’re buying one ready-made, it will still take dressmakers up to one month to complete any alterations so this certainly isn’t the thing you should be leaving until the last minute!
- Find the best silhouette to suit you
When the time comes to start booking appointments at bridal shops, it’s best to approach the situation with knowledge of the types of dresses that will suit your body shape the best. This will let you narrow down the many options and save a lot of unnecessary stress. Choose a dress silhouette that will highlight your best assets. When researching body types, remember that you won’t necessarily fall into one distinct category so don’t be afraid to try on some dresses that you may think are outside your comfort zone.
- Set a realistic budget
It’s likely that you’ll have set a budget for the entire wedding so figure out how much of this can be set aside for your gown and accessories. Once you know this, tell the salesperson how much you intend to spend that way you won’t fall in love with a dress you can’t afford. Typically, a wedding dress and all of the accessories including the veil, shoes, underwear, jewellery etc account for 10 – 15% of the entire budget. Also remember that your dress might need alterations which could cost a pretty penny too.
- Focus on the fit, not the size
Most bridal wear is made slightly smaller than ready-to-wear so don’t focus on the size that it says on the label and don’t get upset if it doesn’t fit. It’s not uncommon that brides usually have to buy a few sizes up from what they would normally wear, even if they’re focused on losing weight for the wedding. Bridal gowns can be easy to take in but this can add to the overall expense so make sure you go for one final dress fitting one or two weeks before the big day just in case.
- Bring an entourage (and a camera!)
Of course, there’s nothing stopping you from bringing your family and friends to help you find the right dress but be wary of those that are opinionated who may sway you in a direction you don’t want to go. Bring people whose judgment you trust. Another great tip is to bring a camera because often the perception we see in the mirror can be different to how we photograph. With photos in your gown, you’ll be able to better picture the scene of you in your gown outside a beautiful location such as Château Bouffémont.
- Keep an open mind
Wedding consultants will tell you this over and over again. Don’t walk into a bridal shop with a firm idea of the dress that you want to buy because nine times out of ten that dress will not exist, will not suit you or will be too pricey for your budget. On the hanger, there’ll be certain dresses that you won’t even give a second look but by keeping an open mind and taking advice from the salesperson, you might be surprised once it’s on. At the same time, don’t ever let someone convince you to buy a dress that you’re not 100% in love with. After all, it is your wedding day.
The most important thing is to choose a dress that you love and feel comfortable in. After all, you only get one day like this so why not make the most of it?