Con: You Usually Dont Get To Try On The Dress Ahead Of Time
If youre only renting a wedding dress for a few days, youll likely get it just before the big day. What if the gown arrives damaged? Or, what if the fit is off? Youll only have a short time to modify the dress if the rental company even allows that.
For many brides, the stress of not seeing or trying on the dress until right before the wedding isnt worth the savings. You can partially alleviate this stress by trying on the dress in person before renting, or paying for an extended rental so that the dress arrives a few weeks before the wedding.
What To Do If Your Wedding Dress Has Already Come In
If the bridal gown has already come in, give yourself some time before deciding to buy another one. You may just need a second opinion to help you feel more confident in your decision. Bring someone to your fitting for reassurance if that will help you decide. This is a personal decision, but sometimes it’s nice to have a confidant who knows your fashion tendencies. They may be able to help you make an informed decision and not keep a gown to avoid an inconvenience and then later lead to you saying, “I hated my wedding dress!”
If you’re still unsure, oftentimes there are little tweaks that can be made to a bridal gown to help it feel like the perfect one. Did you choose a strapless gown, but now you’re wishing you had some sort of strap or sleeve? Take your gown to a wedding dress alterations expert to see what’s possible for embellishing the dress you’re beginning to regret to one you can’t wait to wear!
We also encourage brides to experiment with different veils and jewelry, try a belt or sash, remove some hoops to make a ball gown less voluminous, or add a petticoat to make an A-line dress more princess-like. There are so many options to make your dress your own so don’t give up just yet!
Demanding The Wrong Size
Wedding gown sizes typically run one or two sizes smaller than street clothes, so try not to get hung up on the number. Do not fixate on the actual size but instead on how your measurements compare to the particular line on the specific designers size chart, said Gesinee of Gesinees Bridal in Concord, CA.
Planning on losing weight before the big day? If I had a nickel for every person I have measured who said they were going to lose weight, I would be rich! said Lash. Play it safe and order a size that fits your current body. Any dress can be taken in, typically up to four sizes without affecting the look of the dress, but most can only be let out one full sizeif that. You need to be realistic, in case you dont lose your targeted weight, says DeMarco.
What happens if your dress doesnt fit when it comes in? First, dont freak out and go on a crash diet. Theres always something you can do, said DeMarco. You can order fabric from the designer, add beading, or even put in a new back to accommodate the measurements needed.
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Walk Down The Aisle With Confidence
Many spouses-to-be are led down the aisle by a trusted guardian or beloved parent. That support means everything to the person getting married, symbolizing the commitment they share with the various people in their lives. Let Zola lead you down the aisle of wedding planning, so you have the support and commitment you need throughout the entire process.
With an easy-to-use registry, free wedding website, and hundreds of breathtaking invite suites to choose from, Zola provides you with the support and peace of mind you need to walk down the aisle with confidence.
First Wedding Dress Shopping Step
Wedding organizers all agree like your dress, its never to early to decide on your wedding venue, as one will affect the other. A warm weather beach wedding? Then consider a lightweight boho wedding dress. If you choose a more formal venue, such as a country estate, then you may want to start searching for a princess silhouette. Do you get the idea? Pin down you venue, and your wedding dress style will follow.
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Who Are You Taking With You
Rebecca Baddeley, owner of award-winning bridal shop TDR Bridal Birmingham, explains why its so important to think carefully about who comes with you: Ask yourself, do you trust them to be honest with you but kind and sensitive too, towards your feelings?
Its lovely to have advice from family or friends but if you have the slightest doubt that the people you choose to share this occasion with, will not listen to YOU and what YOU want or wont take your feelings into consideration when being brutally honest then they are not the people you should choose to share your buying experience with.
Online Wedding Dress Shopping Made Simple + Fun
Wedding Dress Price Range: $99-$1600
Shipping Times: next-day to standard shipping available
Return Policy: refundable within 15 days
Try-Before-You-Buy Option: Yes
Vowd is relatively new to the online wedding dress shopping game, but were already big fans of their simple process and quality dresses in inclusive sizes.
Choose 3 wedding dresses to try for only $15 each . And if you choose one, you can keep it right then and there for a 15% discount!
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Being Swayed By Steep Discounts
Try not to be too tempted by the lure of your dream designer gown for 70% off. The biggest mistake I have seen brides make is purchasing a gown online or from a shop for a deep discount only today, said Lash.
Sample sales are popular among brides, but you must keep in mind that you are typically truly purchasing just that a sample: The dress has been tried on by hundreds of brides and could have been torn, stained, or otherwise damaged during the process. Before making a purchase, check the gown very carefully for any damageand if there’s anything that cant easily be fixed, put it back. Some brides end up spending hundreds in alterations to fix whats wrong with the sample when they couldve found a similar brand new dress for not much more money.
But dont be totally discouraged: Sometimes you truly can find an amazing gown at a bargain price. Kimberly Sanicki, of Wanaque, NJ, found her perfect wedding gown at a Running of the Brides event thrown by Filenes Basement. She found a stunning Essense of Australia gown for just $500, marked down from $3,000. Before handing over the cash, Kimberly and her mom thoroughly examined the gown to check for any flaws. My mom made sure it had every crystal, and it did not need to be cleaned or even hemmed, said Sanicki.
Consider Working With A Stylist
Yes, there is such a thing as a bridal stylist she or he is your advocate and guide in shopping for all your looks, knows the ins and outs of the industry, has great relationships, and can solve any issues that arise creatively. When it comes to scoring options and appointments in a pandemic world, a stylist can be invaluable. This expert will serve as your right hand in choosing your looks, as well as in alterations, accessory coordination, and, hopefully, day-of dressing as well.
Also Check: Free Wedding Planning Spreadsheet
When You Should Start Wedding Dress Shopping
Wedding dress shopping can be one of the most fun elements when it comes to planning your day! You get to grab your squad and find THAT dress that youve spent your whole life dreaming about.
But how far out from the wedding should you actually start your dress shopping? There are your own personal goals to factor in. And theres your planning scheduling as well as the schedules of bridal stores and dress designers.
Heres your go-to-guide for when you should start wedding dress shopping and when you should order your perfect wedding gown.
Allowing Time For Alterations
You should allow between 1 and 3 months for alterations, no matter how youre purchasing your wedding dress. This allows for any alterations based on weight changes, or even the changes of the season. A wedding dress will likely be tighter in summer than it is in winter weather because our bodies tend to expand in the heat!
Alterations can include anything from taking a dress in or pulling the hem up because youve changed your wedding shoes and theyre now lower. Whatever it is, make sure you give yourself enough time for these before the big day.
6 weeks is usually a good time to have your last wedding dress fitting and get ready to take that dress home for your big day!
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Con: Dress Rentals Dont Offer A Completely Custom Experience
Youll find a wider selection of dresses when you buy your gown. You can also get the dress permanently altered to fit you perfectly and customize other details to your taste, like the color, length, or extra beading. With renting, youll be one of many brides in the world to wear that exact style, and you miss out on the experience of tailoring a piece to become yours alone.
How Long Does It Take To Get A Wedding Dress Altered
3 Months to Go. Youll most likely have three fittings to get your dress altered to fit you perfectly. Its important to get the timing of each alterations appointment right. Have your fittings too early and you may end up with a dress that doesnt fit properlyyou may lose or gain weight after your gown is altered.
Also Check: A Practical Wedding Budget Spreadsheet
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Renting A Wedding Dress
As soon as you get engaged, your mind starts racing to plan your wedding. Youve probably seen a lot of different designs out there for wedding dresses many that could be way over your budget, or at a cost you simply cannot justify. But renting your dream dress could give you the best of both worlds.
Renting a wedding dress comes with its pros and cons. We have listed the major ones below.
Why You Should Buy A $135 Wedding Dress
- · April 13th, 2021
A while a go now, I saw an article regarding affordable wedding dresses from H& M and ASOS.
Believe it or not the writer actually said that you would be cheapening your wedding day, even marriage if you didnt spend at least $5000 on a handmade, silver sequined, custom designed wedding dress. You should probably have it hand sewn by fairies too.
Now Im not married, and frankly dont intend to be if the norm is spending $5000 on a wedding dress to make you feel more beautiful than any other day in your life. What about all the other days, are you not as beautiful the day after or the one after that? I thought marriage was about feeling beautiful because you have found the one, and youre saying so in front of all your friends and family.
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Guests & Wedding Colors
While theres no rule saying a guest cant show up in wedding colors, we advise against it. Sure, if one of the wedding colors is blue and youre wearing a blue tie, youre obviously off the hook. But if the color scheme is peach, lime green, and tan, and you show up in a tan suit wearing peach socks and a green tie, thats weird and off-putting.
How Long Does It Take To Build A Wedding Dress
It can take up to six months for your dress to be built and then shipped to your salon. So, give yourself enough time putting a down payment on your dress as soon as you know its the one. Choose your bridal shoes. After youve placed your dress order, go ahead and pick out the shoes youll wear on the big day.
While most brides start shopping for a gown at least eight months before their big day, there are lots of reasons why you might need a last-minute wedding dress. These emergencies include alteration snafus, wedding dress salons or brands unexpectedly shutting their doors, or just hating how your dress turned out.
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Where To Buy Your Wedding Suit
As mentioned above, there isnt a single solution and the best approach depends on both your budget and wedding scenario.
If youre planning ahead, a made-to-measure tailor can be particularly advantageous. Firstly, everyone will wear a suit that fits them perfectly in a style that the groom can choose. Furthermore, although it sounds expensive, there are plenty of made-to-measure retailers that offer excellent value for money.
However, made-to-measure garments require forethought and planning ahead. As a single suit can take about four weeks to produce, you may need to place your order several months in advance given that it may be for a group.
Although it sounds expensive, Indochino offers made-to-measure suits from around $350. You can also get a 10% discount when you spend over $399 by using the code BESPOKEUNIT. Otherwise, Black Lapel has a dedicated wedding service and youll benefit from $50 off your order with FTOBESPOKEUNIT.
Alternatively, you can also consider more affordable ready-to-wear suit outlets instead. Both Hawes & Curtisand Charles Tyrwhitt are Jermyn Street brands yet provide competitive pricing for their suits, shirts, and ties.
Rania Hatoum Bridal & Occasions
With over 10 years of experience in bridal design, international luxury wedding gown designer Rania Hatoumcaters to all types of brides, from petite to plus-size. Ever since her first bridal showroom opened in 2014, Rania has been making brides wedding dress fantasies come true. All guests are given one-hour to browse through Ranias unique collection of luxurious gowns and try on as many as they please, with complimentary champagne and expert advice. Looking for something a little different? Not only does the company provide professional dress alteration, but you can also speak to an expert stylist, or Rania herself, about designing your very own dream custom wedding gown or bridesmaid dresses according to your budget.
Mention Sassy upon booking your appointment to receive special gifts and discounts.
Rania Hatoum Bridal & Occasions, 22/F, Derrick Industrial Building, 49 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong , , , www.raniahatoum.com
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