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Wedding dress shopping is one of the most exciting things to do after you get engaged, but with so many options and so many different opinions, it can seem overwhelming. These 7 tips will help you choose your dream wedding dress without all of the added stress!
What is one of the main things that a newly engaged bride looks forward to? Choosing your dream wedding dress, of course! Once you are engaged, the first thing that you want to do is get together with your bridal party and family and say, “Yes!” to the dress. While it is such a fun process, there can be so many different styles to choose from, and everyone is going to have their own opinion. Before you start making appointments at bridal shops, you’ll want to make sure that you read these 7 essential tips for wedding dress shopping without all of the stress!
Wedding Dress Shopping Tip #1: Remember, this is YOUR dress!
When you take a group of people with you when you go shopping for your wedding dress, everyone is going to have their own opinions. Keep in mind that everyone likes different styles and has different preferences, but ultimately this is your wedding dress. Some people like ball gown dresses, some like lace dresses, and others only like mermaid dresses. These opinions will come out when you are trying on wedding dresses. Don’t give in to pressure from other people and choose something that you aren’t in love with. You want to be comfortable and feel beautiful on your wedding day. To help with all of the pressure, keep the group who you choose to take with you to a minimum. Only take people who you feel like are essential for the wedding dress shopping process. If you really don’t want to cut down your group, just remember to stay true to your own personal style.
Related Content: The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Dress Styles
Wedding Dress Shopping Tip #2: Keep your wedding venue in mind
When you are wedding dress shopping, keep your venue (and the season) in mind. If you are getting married on a mountain in the show, you don’t need a thin lace strapless dress. If you are getting married on the beach, you don’t want a thick long sleeve ballroom style dress. Your venue choice will also help determine the formality of your wedding dress. Before you start making appointments at bridal shops, decide where you want to get married and how formal you want your wedding to be. So many brides make the mistake of purchasing their bridal gown before their wedding day date, time, and location are set, only to realize too late that the beautiful ball gown they fell in love with will not go well with their beach venue.
Related Content: 7 Things You Must Remember When Choosing a Wedding Venue
Wedding Dress Shopping Tip #3: Know Your Body Type & What is Flattering
Are there certain styles of dresses that you like to wear because they make you look amazing? Keep this in mind when you are wedding dress shopping! You may be able to find your dream wedding dress in a style that you already know that you love. If you still aren’t sure, knowing your body type and what you want to accentuate (and what you may want to hide) will help ease the wedding dress shopping process. If you want to hide your hips, when you are trying on wedding dresses, go straight to the A-line section. Do you want to show off your amazing curves? Try on a mermaid silhouette dress. If you aren’t sure what style of dress will best suit your body, read our ultimate guide to wedding dress styles. This will give you a general idea of which silhouette will be the most flattering on your body type. If you aren’t sure, I’d recommend trying on a few of each type. Once you have chosen a style, you will know what else you want to try on.
Wedding Dress Shopping Tip #4: You Don’t Have to Break the Bank to get your Dream Wedding Dress
One of the most important tips that I can give you for wedding dress shopping is to set your budget before you go. Determine how much you can afford, and keep it realistic. Only try on dresses that are within that budget. The worst thing that could happen is you fall in love with a wedding dress that isn’t even an option. Don’t let this discourage you! It is 100% possible to get your dream wedding dress on a budget. For tips on how to score a stunning wedding dress without breaking the bank, check out our article filled with budget dress shopping tips. Remember that in addition to the cost of your wedding dress, you will need to pay for alterations, headpieces, shoes, and jewelry–and trust me, these add-ons can quickly add up!
Related Content: How to Buy a Stunning Wedding Dress Without Breaking the Bank
Wedding Dress Shopping Tip #5: Be a Savvy Shopper
Okay, so let’s say that the worst case scenario that I mentioned above actually happens. You’ve fallen absolutely in love with a wedding dress, but it is out of your budget. What can you do? Your first option is to check out discount stores! Did you know there are stores that will sell dresses that were floor dresses, returned, may have a minor flaw, or even just something from the last season at a deeply discounted cost? You may be able to find your dream dress at a great price! You can also check out this budget wedding dress shopping guide. It gives all the info that you need for online places to purchase deeply discounted wedding dresses. If you are overwhelmed or just don’t know where to start, I can help! I’ve gathered the major players across several Texas areas for you including San Antonio & Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Houston. By being a savvy shopper when you are wedding dress shopping, you may be able to score a designer wedding gown for up to 75% off of the retail price!
Related Content:
- Top 5 Places to Buy a Discounted Wedding Dress in Houston
- Top 5 Places to Buy a Discounted Wedding Dress in Dallas/Fort Worth
- Top 5 Places to Buy a Discounted Wedding Dress in San Antonio and Austin
Wedding Dress Shopping Tip #6: Don’t make a rash decision
Okay, you think that you have found your dream wedding dress and you are itching to get to the register, but make sure that you take the time that you need to think about it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen brides post that they wish they hadn’t gone with one of the first dresses that they liked. Even if you feel absolutely sure, take a day to think about it. Many bridal shops may make you feel pressured and will even offer special incentives for purchasing it that day, but don’t let them pressure you into buying it immediately. You can still buy the gown the next day. Take some time and sleep on your decision before buying what you think could be your dream wedding dress. #noregrets, right?
Wedding Dress Shopping Tip #7: When it comes to wedding dresses, keep an open mind
Honest moment – when I went wedding dress shopping, I ended up falling in love with a style of dress that beforehand I had said that I wouldn’t even consider. When you are going shopping for wedding dresses, keep an open mind. Don’t eliminate something right off the bat. You will also want to make sure to listen to the advice that the consultant is giving you. They are familiar with all of the dresses in the shop and have seen these dresses on so many different body styles. They will help you choose the most flattering dress. If they bring you a dress that you may dislike at first glance, try it on anyway. The worst thing that could happen is you try it on and don’t like it, right? No harm done. Many a bride has ended up going ga-ga for a wedding gown the consultant had to persuade her to try on.
Happy shopping!
