Finding Your Dream Dress

Looking for my wedding dress was honestly the best shopping experience I will ever have! Knowing that it will be probably the most expensive item of clothing you ever wear and that you will wear it on the most magical day of your life there’s nothing like it. Saying that it can be stressful. Basically, because it is probably going to be the most expensive thing you ever wear and you will wear it on the most magical day of your life! You want it to be perfect and that’s a lot of pressure! It took me two bridal shops and around 12 dresses before I put on “the one” I am still in love with my dress and a year after first trying it on, I have no doubt in my mind I chose the right one.

So, I’ve thought up some tips and guidance for shopping for your dress. Hopefully will make it easier, less stressful and all round pleasant experience!

Straight off the bat, I’m not even including this as a main tip. Start shopping early! Don't put it off because your wanting to loose weight before you start looking. Dresses can be altered weeks before your wedding but, they take months to initially create. I bought my dress in February 2016 and I get married April 2017. My dress wasn’t ready to see until November 2016. You need to make sure you leave enough time to find your dream dress, for it to be made and them time for it to be altered.

1.Do not book more than one appointment per day. In both bridal shops I went into, I tried on about 6 dresses. Trying on more than that I truly believe will cloud judgement. You could find yourself getting so confused and muddled by which dress you tried on with the lace you liked or had a sweetheart neckline? Plus, its not that easy getting into wedding dresses! If your more on the petite side they will use industrial size clamps to pull you into these dresses as well. its tiring standing on a posh box deciding if it’s the dress of your dreams! One appointment per day that way you have enough time to evaluate what you liked and what you want to look for at the next appointment.

2. Keep your entourage small. Has anyone seen the show “say yes to the dress” and brides come in with 10 people?! Mum, mum in law, sister, auntie, cousins, best friends, grandmas. Do those appointments ever go well? With that many people in one room you are going to have a whole lotta opinions flying round that bridal shop! Think about who you truly want there. Whose opinion do you value the most. Don’t feel like you have to invite anyone, so their feelings aren't hurt. I've spoke to too many brides recently trying to keep various family members happy and ending up miserable themselves! This is about your dress, your day, your special moment. Its what you want. In my opinion whoever you choose to bring with you is there to share the moment with you not critique your choice of dress. If it makes you happy it should make them happy! I just took my mum. It was really special just me and her time together and it wouldn’t have been the same with anyone else there. My Maid of honour Louise came to my fitting to see my dress and my other two bridesmaids will see the dress the day of the wedding!

3. Try on styles you don’t like. This sounds odd stick with me. I was dead set against mermaid dresses. I think they are beautiful but how do you walk in them? Seriously I was worried I would look like a penguin! It just put me off them massively! However, in the second bridal shop I went into, my consultant asked me just to try a couple fitted style alongside the ball gowns I was drooling over. I tried them on they looked nice but I knew instantly they weren’t for me. So, because I tried on a variety of styles not just one shape, meant I could absolutely be positive I made the right decision on the dress style I wanted. If you feel you really don’t like something just give it a go if not to reaffirm how you feel about it. Think about it, might not be your style but its still an extra 10 minutes in a wedding dress. Always a bonus and no second guessing yourself!

4. Wear your hair and make up along the lines of how you are thinking of having it on your wedding day. For both my bridal shopping appointments I wore my hair up in a bun with subtle smokey eye make up. I wasn’t sure how I wanted my hair for the day but having it up seemed more bridal at the time. By feeling more bridal in your hair and makeup you can get a better feel for how the dress will look on the day!

5. Wear appropriate underwear. I’m talking both bra and knicker department. Most dresses are supportive enough on their own to not need a bra or they can stich cups into the dress itself. However when trying on dresses they wont be custom made to your size so you made need to wear a bra still. Try and wear a nude strapless bra and nude colour knickers.

So those are my 5 tips on finding your wedding dress. One last thing from me is to just trust your gut. If you fall in love with a dress don’t second guess yourself you will know as soon as you put it on if it is the one or not. Finding my wedding dress is definitely one of the best feelings ever. Enjoy yourself and soak up every minute. I hope these are useful to anyone who is engaged and starting the search for the perfect dress. I wish you luck and hope you find your dream dress!

Abi

xxx