Tips for Choosing your Wedding Dress
With a vast array of beautiful wedding dresses available, knowing where to begin to find “the one” can be a somewhat tricky task. The following tips offer you a helping hand to start the process to find your perfect wedding dress.
It’s Never too Early to Start Looking
Begin as soon as you can – on average most bridal shops or designers will require at least six months to order or make your wedding gown, therefore it’s never too early to start shopping!
Do Some Research
Start a wedding dress scrapbook by collecting photos of dresses you like from magazines and the internet. Take this with you when you start shopping as it will be the perfect starting point for trying on dresses. Your scrapbook will give the bridal consultant a great idea of the styles you like and enable them to make recommendations based on your taste.
The Style and Setting of your Wedding
When looking for your wedding dress, don’t forget to consider the style and type of wedding you will be having. Will you having a traditional wedding or a more relaxed and casual affair? You want your dress to fit seamlessly into the overall style of your wedding. Also keep in mind the time of year you will be married to ensure the fabric and style of your dress will be appropriate – you don’t want to be married in the height of summer and feel hot and uncomfortable in your dress – this is particularly important if you are getting married abroad.
Stick to your Budget
You can find beautiful dresses in all price ranges, so in order to avoid disappointment try and stick to your budget and don’t try on dresses that are outside of your price range. Wedding dress salons and designers should be able to work within your limits or provide suitable suggestions.
Get a Second Opinion
Getting a second opinion on your wedding dress is incredibly important. When you go shopping, make a day of it and take along your Mum or a friend whose taste you like and opinions you trust. Make sure they can be objective. It is best not to take too many people with you initially as too many opinions can get you nowhere. Also remember to look at the back of your wedding dress too, this is what all your guests will be seeing as you say your vows – your shopping companions will be great for this!
Get an Expert Opinion
Bridal consultants and designers are professionals; they are specialists on fabrics, weddings and current styles. Listen to their advice and keep an open mind to any suggestions they make, remember they have helped hundreds of brides before you. If the consultant recommends something completely different to what you have in mind, try it on before you dismiss it – they will have a great eye for what will suit your body shape and your perfect dress may be a style you would have never considered.
Don’t Buy the First Dress You Try On
You want to make sure that the wedding dress you choose is truly the perfect one for you. The first dress you try on may well be your dream dress and you may end up wearing it on your wedding day – but after having looked at a wide range you will confidently know that it is the right dress for you.
Get Everything in Writing
Make sure you understand all the terms and conditions and get them put in writing. You should know what the terms of deposit, refund and payment are as well as alteration fees and fitting schedules. Confirm when final delivery is to be made and the guarantees that they provide. It’s better to have too many details than not enough in the event of an unforeseen problem.
And Most Importantly…
Have fun and enjoy finding and choosing your wedding dress!
Natalie Wingrove successfully planned her own wedding abroad. In order to share her experiences and offer valuable advice, Wedding Checklist, hints, wedding checklist & tips on getting married abroad she has created the website Weddings-Abroad-Guide.com
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