Are you overwhelmed by finding a dress? Here are a few tips that may help ease your stress!
1. Start shopping early, don’t wait until the last minute. It may take up to 6 months before your dress comes in after it is ordered so be sure and start early, take your time and do not rush yourself into a decision! You will be looking at your wedding dress in your wedding photos for the rest of your life so it better be the perfect fit, cut and style. Basically you better love it!
2. Keep your mind open. Even if you have a certain style in mind try all styles on…even if it looks horrible on the rack. A gown hanging on the hanger can be deceiving and may just be the perfect gown despite its first impressions.
3. Look the Part! You will feel better looking for your dress if you do your hair and make-up all pretty. It will give you a better idea of what the dress will look like on you on the big day!
4. Feel comfortable! Your going to be wearing the dress all day so it is best that you feel beautiful and comfortable at the same time.
5. Take pictures! If the boutique allows it be sure and have your girlfriend take some photos of each dress you try on, we have different perceptions of ourselves in the mirror and a photo is a great way to tell if a certain style or cut is truly flattering on you. You want to pick a dress that you will love but also not regret looking back on…nothing should be tugged or squeezed…you want everything to fit perfectly. This is sometimes hard to tell when not all boutiques will have your exact size in every dress.
6. Stick to the budget! If you have a budget try and stick to it, don’t let your dress put a hole in the bank! But don’t regret anything and if you find the right dress than make it work- rework the budget and be sure and talk everything over with your fiance! Team work!
7. Dress Silhouettes & Necklines (these great images are from www.brides.com)
Necklines…
8. Finding the Right Dress (I got these great tips from Premier Bride Milwaukee Magazine – Winter/Spring Edition)
If you are Short or Petite: stick to Sheath, A-line, or Mermaid. A Empire Waist can help to make your silhouette look even longer and taller.
If you are Full Figured: Ball Gown or A-line styles are the most flattering..a fitted waist will draw attention to you smallest part (your beautiful curves). A full skirt will hide any other issues, like if you have a nice booty like me! A-line is the most flattering on all figure types!
If you have a large bust: Necklines such as keyhole, high, v-neck or illusion yoke work best. A dress that allows you to wear a bra with stapes will give you more support. Choosing a gown that has more detail with beading and lace at the hem line will help even out the balance, avoid gowns that have a lot of detail at the bust area.
If you got some nice full hips: A-line, ball gown, flared skirt, o r cinched waist styles are all flattering choices. Off the shoulder neck-line can also help balance your silhouette.
If you have a small bust: Styles that have extra details- layering, bead work, ruching, and lace around the bust line for a more full look.
If you have a hour glass figure: Classic styles such as sheaths, mermaid, or a fitted princess gown. A v-neck, off the shoulder, or scoop neck help to provide balance to your shape.
If you are Pear Shaped: Gowns with a textured bodice or a flattering neckline help to draw the eyes upward and are the most flattering.
If you are Tall: A gown with a drop-waisted dress and a lower neckline or off the shoulder looks best onf taller figures. If you are very slim try a sheath or mermaid style gown.
If you have a Thick Waist or Rectangle-Shaped:An Empire silhouette looks especially flattering on figures with a fuller waist. A gown with detail on the upper or lower part (not both) of the body will give the illusion of curves.
9. Consider color! Not all wedding gowns need to be pure white. In fact most skin colors are not flattered by the white white of a wedding dress…look at such colors like a soft white pink, gold white color, pewter white, mocha white, ivory, or champagne!
10. A few featured Gowns
These gowns are for sale at OnceWed.com (this site is great, it has an amazing blog and you can also buy and sell wedding gowns).
Here are a few that are listed right now…
I wanted to point out this Lazaro gown which is strapless with a mermaid/trumpet style. This specific cut draws attention to the hips! It actually is creating hips for you and showing off a small waist. I would say this dress would fit best on a woman who needs a lot of curve added to her hour glass! (this dress is street size 4/6)
To see the listing check out the link below.
http://www.oncewed.com/find.cfm?listingID=1412&name=Lazaro_LZ3617
This gown is fun flirty and so 1920-40′s Hollywood Glam! This gown is a sheath style with an empire waist and sweetheart neckline and a flounced train! Very fun and very modern classic. This gown was custom made by Melissa Sweet and is street size 6 dress size 10.
http://www.oncewed.com/find.cfm?listingID=1404&name=Other_Melissa_Sweet_Liliana_Custom_Made_
This custom made Monique Lhuillier dress is just stunning. This gown is all ivory lace with a sheath style.
http://www.oncewed.com/find.cfm?listingID=982&name=Monique_Lhuillier_SCARLET_Custom_Made
This is another glam style Hollywood gown. This Casablanca dress just might be perfect for a full figured or flat chested girl, or if you are like me you got the curves but not chest. The attention to the bust can allude to a fuller bust as well as the tight empire waist and A-line bottom helps to bring the eyes up and hides the figures curvy bottom and hip 
http://www.oncewed.com/find.cfm?listingID=381&name=Casablanca_Used_wedding_dress_1831
I love this A-line gown by Pronovias! It is so flattering with beautiful lace work and the ruching to the side. Very vintage inspired and a bronze color. This gown is now sold! Someone got lucky! This is a beauty!
http://www.oncewed.com/find.cfm?listingID=294&name=Pronovias_Octubre
Not sure what style gown you are looking for…check out Brides.com….this may help give you a better idea…
For more tips on finding the perfect dress, check out this recent post, “Saying Yes”
Good Luck Dress Hunting!
-brittany
