1. Each bride’s journey to finding her dream dress is unique
You might assume that you will buy the first dress you try on, just because your best friend had that experience. You might end up trying on tonnes of dresses before you find The One. Don’t get disheartened! It’s out there somewhere.
2. Do some research in advance
Going into a wedding dress shop prepared is the best thing to do. Look at some dresses online and in bridal magazines to get a sense of the styles you’re most drawn to. Pro tip: create a mood board with pictures of your favourite styles; this will help immensely!
3. Be open-minded
It’s important to have an idea in mind of the style of dress you would like, but don’t be locked in and have your heart set on it. Your consultant may give you different dresses, like a mermaid or strapless dress to try on instead of that ball gown you always wanted, and who knows, you might fall in love with one of those!
4. Set a budget
It’s important to go into your first wedding dress try-on appointment with a set budget in mind. Being honest with yourself, your family and your fiancé(e) and determining how much you’re able to spend is the best way to go. You don’t want to try on a dress and fall in love with but can’t buy it because it is well out of your budget. You’ll be heartbroken.
5. Allow plenty of time to choose your dress
Allow yourself time to pick out the one. Book try-on appointments well in advance to give yourself some breathing time to let your choice set in. If you have second thoughts, you’ll have plenty of time to pick out a better fit.
6. Don’t bring a big entourage to the fitting
Bring just your closest gal pal to your dress fitting, and perhaps your mother too. You’ll feel outnumbered by all the voices and opinions. Bring someone whose opinion your truly respect and want, because it’s quite a decision to make. Nobody wants a rowdy wedding dress fitting.
7. Don’t settle on a dress that needs drastic alterations
The worst thing you can do is settle for a dress, then shed half your body weight just to fit into it. When a dress needs drastic alterations, it changes its shape and appearance, and might end up looking a lot less attractive than when you first tried it on. Go with your gut and settle for something that you love NOW not in a year’s time.
8. You’ll fall in love with a dress, and that’s when you’ll know you’ve found it
Prepare the tissues! Some brides cry, some get emotional or red in the face. It will be one of those moments when you just know. That dress will zip up, you’ll look in the mirror and everything will fall into place. Your fairy tale wedding is about to come true!