One of our most popular blog posts with over 10,000 views has been “Finding the Perfect Dress: How to Guide”. So I thought I would re-touch on the subject. Saying “YES” to the dress.
When shopping for your wedding dress it is important that you keep these simple steps in mind. They will make finding the perfect dress a breeze.
1. Be open minded: You just never know how it is going to look on, try them all on! My friend Amy was unsure about what she was looking for, she wanted something vintage looking but she is a classic girl naturally. Her Mom picked up a beautiful dress with layered lace, at First Amy was unsure about it, but than she tried it on! It was perfect, the perfect combination of classic simplicity, and vintage elements that she wanted but was unsure of how it would look….So keep an open mind and trust your bridal consultant when they make suggestions.
2. Communicate: let your bridal consultant know what you are looking for, bring photos of dresses you like, and point out the various elements that you like such as the neck-line or the bottom of the dress, be as specific as possible, because this will help them bring you dress you might like, as well tell them about your wedding details, the theme and style. Also tell her that you are open to other ideas and willing to try on anything- because again you just never know.
3. Wedding style/theme: Be sure to have your wedding style already decided before you go dress shopping. This will help to make sure that your wedding is cohesive.
4. Take pictures: If you can take pictures. Often we view ourselves differently than what is really reality, so have your friend take a front and back picture so that you can look at it later and see what you think how the dress fits and looks on you.
5. Don’t get discouraged: Keep looking, some girls say oh I found my dress right away, well not everyone! Believe me, I searched forever!! So just keep looking and keep trying stuff on, never settle because you are tired and frustrated, you will only regret it later.
6. ASK for HONEST opinions: Ask your Bridal Consultant and the few people that you bring with for a honest opinion.
7. Don’t make a rash decision: Keep looking for the perfect dress until you find it and know in your gut that it is the right one.
8. Only bring 1-2 friends/rellies/and or Mom with to your appointment. Bring the people you love and who you know will help you make the best choice. You want to not only pick something that fits you your personality and your body, but also that fits the style of your wedding.
9. Seek resources: Online/magazines and bridal shows are all great resources for bridal boutiques, personal dress makers, and designers. Do you homework and search for what you want and contact those resources in order to make your dress dreams possible.
10. Shop for your body type: The biggest mistake that girls make is buying something that is “in style” or a recent “trend” instead of shopping for the “most flattering” dress for their body. Just because strapless is the trend does not mean that you should pick a strapless, I love strapless, but on other people. It is not suiting to my curvy viking woman body, so I opt to stay away from it. Check out this post for more information on shopping for your body type as well as this one from Miss Ruby’s.
11. Price: The price really comes down to designer and material used, where was the dress made, from cheap materials, or is it amazing quality and made with the highest quality of materials. These are all things to consider when looking at price. It is up to you, some of you may not care about quality as much and that is fine, but some of you may care. Think of it this way, would you rather spend $700 on a dress that is made from poor materials and poorly constructed or spend a extra $400-600 on the dress and get a dress that was beautifully made and will stand the test of time and become a beautiful heirloom for your children and grandchildren. (that includes no buttons popping on your big day and so on). It is your wedding, and your priorities. So what is important to you? Your dress will be forever in your photos, you want to love and cherish it deeply! So pick the right dress, the one that makes you feel like a princess. I am not saying don’t stick to your budget, but be flexible and open to it, ask questions about quality, do the research, cheap does not necessarily mean better and vise-versa.
12. 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! Don’t forget a strapless bra, and the spanx! Ask your bridal consultant for shoes to try on with each dress, and have them show you accessory options, seeing the dress all dolled up really helps to visualize the big day.
And for some visuals…
Check out the new dress lines coming in this summer to Miss Ruby’s Boutique! So excited for Steve Birnbaum Collection & Alyne Bridal by Ravina. They are both two very different, unique and understated bridal lines! Your going to love them! Go see them for yourself. The cuts are flattering, and the materials used are amazing to the touch and look!!!
{images & bridal line} Steve Birnbaum Collection
