In the whirlwind of wedding planning, lots of brides often find it overwhelming when it comes to the daunting task of choosing their dress. Whilst some brides have always had a specific dress in mind, lots find it difficult to know if a dress is really 'the one'. At Guides for Brides we think that finding your dream wedding dress should be enjoyable for every bride, so we've created this step by step guide to help you relax and make the most of the dress shopping experience.
1). Start Early
Don't leave it until 2 months before the big day to start looking for your dress. Book appointments in bridal shops with plenty of time so that you don't get yourself worked up as you frantically search for a dress you like. Start early and allow yourself the time to enjoy the dress shopping experience. This way, not only will you be less stressed, you'll be much more likely to find a dress you're in love with.
2). Do Your Research
Meet your new best friend: Pinterest. When it comes to wedding planning, there's no better resource for organising and scrapbooking everything you want for your wedding day. Make a board full of your favourite dresses and start to get an idea of what you're looking for in your dream dress. Do you like long sleeves? Ballgowns? Fishtail skirts? There are so many variations, and it really helps to have a clear idea of exactly what you like before you start visiting bridal shops. If you're ready to start shopping for your dream bridal wear, check out these amazing suppliers!
3). Go with Your Heart
Whilst looking for your dress, there's no doubt you'll be bombarded with opinions from your bridesmaids, your mum, your grandma and from every other person in your life! Listen to them and take their opinions on board, but always put your own opinion first. If you're in love with a dress but your bridesmaids aren't so sure, hear them out... then ignore them. It's your wedding day, so wear a dress that YOU love.
4). Keep an Open Mind
When shopping for your wedding dress, try to keep an open mind. Challenge yourself by trying on a style or colour that you wouldn't usually go for. More often than not, wedding dresses look completely different on the hanger so take some risks and, you never know - it might just pay off!
5). Be Realistic
Don't be the person who walks into a bridal boutique with £200 expecting to snap up a bespoke Oscar de la Renta gown. If you've got a strict budget, try to set realistic expectations. There are plenty of affordable options for brides who are on a tight budget. Try to visit as many vintage stores and dress sales as you can - and don't be afraid of the sale rack!
6). Have Fun
If you expect to walk into a bridal shop and see "the dress" straight away, then you'll only stress yourself out with the pressure. Try to have a lighthearted attitude to dress shopping and don't overthink it. You get to spend the day twirling around in pretty dresses. What could be more fun than that?
Ready to make your appointment? Find your nearest bridalwear supplier here!