Forget All The Preconceptions
Forget all the preconceptions – a wedding dress is simply what is right for each individual. So many brides wear what they think they should be wearing rather than what is right for their venue, plans on the day, or what perfectly reflects their personality. Find a designer that can create a bespoke dress so that every detail makes you look your absolute, confident best.
– Sarah
Choose Your Perfect Wedding Dress
Now that you know how to choose the perfect wedding dress for your body type, you are ready to make your selection. Make sure you try on a few and bring a friend along to help you decide.
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Be Open With Your Bridal Consultant
If you’re shopping with a consultant at a bridal boutique or salon, don’t hold back when letting him or her know exactly what you’re looking for. Be as honest and open as possible. The more information you give about your likes and dislikes, the easier it will be for the consultant to pick out your dream gown.
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Consider Your Own Point Of View And Dress Crush
I still meet too many brides who choose a dress to make their mother happy or because they are influenced by their friends. This is not a smart choice. You shouldn’t be influenced by the designer either.
Choosing a dress is a real private and personal story. In everyday life, we can be influenced with our choice of a coat or a jacket, and it’s ok if we make a mistake. But for a wedding dress, we can’t. During a fitting session, I always watch the girl’s eyes. It is only when I can see sparkles inside that I know that’s the one.
– Olivier
Build A Good Rapport With The Boutique You Visit
You’ll be visiting them a few times before you collect your dress, and your consultant is the person who will hold your hand throughout your journey.
If your wedding is in the summer and your theme is ethereal/romantic, you may want a soft flowy dress like McKenzie or a soft slinky dress like Ginger. You may visit a shop to try a particular style but may find something different that suits you better. Maybe classic dresses like Alana or Emerson.
Your consultant will guide you and help you find the dress that will work for your particular shape and will help you accessorize to complete the look that you want.
– Alan
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Do Some Research On The Designer
This is to ensure he/she has the right skills and experience to create your dream dress while matching the aesthetic with your style.
One of the most important elements of working with a bridal designer for a unique custom bridal gown is the design experience. You should feel comfortable working with the designer throughout the whole creative process and trust in his/her expertise in fit, shape, and style. The designer can guide you in finding the right style that accentuates your features to make you feel and look your absolute best.
Comfort is key. Many brides forget that they will be wearing their gown for an entire day. The ideal dress should feel as good as it looks. The breathability of fabric and construction is just as important as the design of the dress.
– Taline
Do Not Lose Sight Of Why You Are Having The Wedding
During the planning stage, couples get so bogged down in the stress and accommodating everyone else. In the end, they forget the main point of their wedding – to celebrate their unique love.
That translates directly to even the wedding dress. I have had brides come in worried about the type of dress they plan on wearing. Will it be formal enough? Will it match with the venue? Does it look like a wedding dress?
Don’t fit yourself into a dress – find a dress that fits you. At the end of the day, you want your wedding day to be a celebration of love, not anyone else’s. Don’t be afraid of wearing any color, or non-trendy silhouettes, as long as it is what you want to celebrate your love in.
– Connie Tao
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Choose A Dress That Speaks Your Style And Personality
There are a few things we recommend doing. First, go with the dress that makes you feel the most beautiful. This way, you’ll feel confident and comfortable.
If that doesn’t help, then think about practicality. Is the dress too much for a small backyard wedding? Is the dress too thick for a hot summer beach wedding? Is the dress too big and poofy for you to dance all night long in?
The very last and most important tip is to go about your day and notice which gown comes across your mind the most. That one dress which you can’t seem to get out of your head is most likely the gown that you will be walking down the aisle in!
– DBH
Pay Attention To Fabric
Greg Finck
In addition to silhouette, color, and embellishments, fabric makes a big difference on how a gown will look on you. A heavier, more structured material will hold its shape and smooth your figure. Unstructured silk and filmy chiffon are less flattering for those brides with curves.
Some bridal salons have communal high heels you can borrow, but that’s a little icky, and a dress will look a lot different with flip-flops than stilettos. Be prepared by bringing heels of the same height you think you’ll likely wear for your big day, so you’ll have a better idea of how the dress will look.
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Don’t Let Other People Influence Your Wedding Plans
But always keep an open mind for suggestions, and always prepare ahead of time.
Don’t let other voices take you down a path you don’t like. Your wedding dress should be an extension of your style, only taken a bit further. Despite having the best intentions, other people might try to get you to buy a dress that ultimately isn’t “you.” Listen to your style. The happiest brides are sometimes the ones that come in by themselves for their first appointment!
Always be open to all shapes and cuts. You might have your heart set on a dress or style, but when you try it on, it might not work for you. Be prepared to try on as many different types of dresses, especially early on. When you find out what works best for your style and body shape, make sure you get your stylist to focus on it!
Lastly, give yourself plenty of time! Don’t schedule your dress pickup at the boutique until just a couple of months before the wedding. Many dresses, like ours, are handmade and need six months to make sure they are completely fitted to you perfectly.
– Gail
Choose A Dress You Love
Even if youve been successfully dressing yourself since you were a toddler, you might find that there are suddenly a lot of people around you offering their opinions on and expectations for what youll wear on your wedding day. Read that again: your wedding day.
Its nice to be mindful of family traditions or cultural conventions, but this is still your day. Your family members have important roles on the day of the wedding and should celebrate and be celebrated, too but this is your party.
Wedding gown shopping is subjective, Ensminger said. Not everyone is going to like the same gowns that you love. It can be tough when you fall in love with a dress, but you dont get the reaction you hoped for from your mum or best friend or sibling. Everyone has their idea of what you should wear for your wedding and that is shaped by how they see you or what they would choose for themselves. As long as you feel like yourself and you feel beautiful and happy, thats all that matters.
Popovic said the same, and she said it emphatically: This is your day and no one elses. Pick a dress, headpiece, veil, etc., that you want. Do not pick anything for someone else just to make them happy. This day is about you and your spouse-to-be and no one else.
And wear what you want.
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Start Early And Shop With An Open Mind
This gives you the best opportunities to secure exactly what you want. But even if you’re working on a short time frame, most designers have rush options and best-selling styles that are immediately available. You can also consider shopping off-the-rack. Just keep an open mind and the right dress will find you!
– Suzanne
If You Don’t Love It Don’t Panicyou Can Salvage It
Erich McVey
If the dress arrives and you’re iffy on it, you don’t need to scrap it. Gather your trusted style advisers and “try it on with totally different accessories, like a new belt, or add a bolero,” says Molly Guy, creative director at Stone Fox Bride. “If that doesn’t help, a seamstress can really change the look by shortening it, changing the neckline, taking off sleeves, or adding sleeves.”
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Bridal Salons And Boutiques
Ranging from local, small-scale bridal boutiques with a handful of designers to larger name-brand bridal salons stores such as Kleinfeld, wedding-specific retailers can be a great place to start your dress shopping search. While some require scheduled appointments, larger stores often allow walk-ins or the opportunity to browse . If you already know a style or a designer wedding dress that you like, picking out a bridal boutique will be a piece of cake. However, if youre looking to simply try on lots of dresses , then you might want to do a little more research before you make any wedding dress shopping appointments.
Think Of Your Wedding Attire As A Fancier Version Of Your Everyday Self
Dont feel pressured to wear anything too traditional, expected, or too trendy. You want to feel confident and comfortable. You need to look and feel your best as that will translate to your wedding photos. For us, theres no higher compliment than when a bride says, This is so me.”
– Carol Hannah Whitfield
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Mostly Ds A Glamorous Wedding Dress
Dreaming of a wedding dress that doubles as a red carpet gown? Glamorous brides are suited well in silk or satin, giving that Hollywood ready shine. Trade the traditional lace and tulle for gowns with beads and sparkle, and wear with a sleek pony or sweeping, glamorous curls.
This Moonlight Tango mermaid gown is sleek and sophisticated perfect for a city wedding and paparazzi flash.
Mostly Cs A Romantic Wedding Dress
French lace, dramatic veils, fluttering tulle, flowing trains so many elements can add an air of romance to your wedding dress, and what most of these details have in common is their vintage inspiration. When searching for romantic wedding gowns, browse through vintage-inspired lace dresses, for the ultimate romance.
Choose a layered tulle gown that flounces during those windswept sunset photos, or a luxurious lace, low-back gown with a long train for classic bridal portraits.
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Stay True To Your Style
Find a designer who understands what you want and creates dresses that suit your personality. Don’t let others pigeonhole you into a “bridal look.” There isn’t a one-look-fits-all anymore. At Cathleen Jia, we love seeing our brides embrace their unique taste and incorporating it into their day.
– Cathleen
Your Wedding Day Look Should Be A Reflection Of Who You Are
Take in how much love is in the room. Enjoy the simple moments of the day. Remember, this is the celebration of you and your partners’ journey together. Your true beauty on your wedding day isn’t just in what you wear, but how your wedding dress makes you feel like a bride.
– Alex Parina
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Choose A Good Reputable Boutique
Choose boutiques that have a good reputation, great customer service, and a modern yet timeless selection of gowns that you love. It’s also important to have a budget in mind, even if you’re still undecided with your style. This helps you and the consultant make the most of the appointment trying gowns that don’t suit you and your price range.
Accessories can make a big difference too. Try a veil and a beautiful headpiece. They can really change the whole look. Just remember to keep it elegant and complementary to your gown. Finally, when you find the one, go for it! The boutique will take care of the rest.
– Morgan-Davies Bridal
Try A Little Bit Of Everything
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How To Find Your Dream Wedding Dress
Have you been dreaming of your wedding dress for years and know exactly what youre looking for right down to the last stitch? Or are you completely lost and unsure where to start? Panic not, we have the ultimate step-by-step guide to how to choose the perfect outfit. Follow our advice and sail through to the I Do with the dress of your dreams and minimal stress along the way.
We Suggest Being Open
Dont fixate on a particular style or dress designer without trying on various gowns. You may be surprised how great you look in a form-fitting gown. Or maybe you love the way you look in that sparkly princess ball gown.
You only get to wear one, so make sure you love it. Dont let anyone else influence your dress decision. At the end of the day, youre the one wearing it and will be remembering it forever.
– The Curvy Bride
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