Have you been wondering how to choose the perfect dress for your wedding?
There might be so many thoughts in a bride’s mind before a wedding. And choosing the perfect dress is going to be one of the most important topics!
But how do you make sure you pick the dress that is right for you? I’ve teamed up with Eliza from Levow Bridal and I’ve asked her what are the most important things to look for when choosing your wedding dress.
Let’s dive in!
Style and design
Before you start looking for your wedding dress, you should have already an idea of where you will get married.
This is because you want to match the style and design of your wedding dress with your chosen wedding venue.
A boho wedding in a rustic venue will require a different dress compared to a summer wedding at the beach. So pick your venue before you start hunting for your dress!
Give yourself enough time
Planning is key when it comes down to organising a wedding.
You want to give yourself enough time to look for the dress without stressing out at the idea of running out of time.
So start looking for your wedding dress between 6 to 8 months before the wedding, if not earlier! Also, consider that alterations can take up to 2 months, so factor in this extra time when you start your research.
Keep in mind the time of the year
Are you getting married on a beautiful spring afternoon?
Or maybe you’ve opted to do something a bit different and you decided to tie the knot on a mountain in winter?
Whenever you get married, keep in mind the season of the year! When the weather is hot, you’ll want to choose a light and breathable dress.
But if you know the weather will be a bit more chill, look for a dress that will keep you warm and comfortable.
Think about your budget
We would all love to have an unlimited budget and be able to splash big money on the things we love.
Realistically, most of us will need to figure out our budget and stick to it.
This doesn’t mean though you can’t be flexible! If you find something you love which is just above your limit, just go for it!
But make sure to factor in the price of the possible alterations, which can add up to the final price pretty quickly.
The bridal consultant is there to help you
How to choose the perfect dress for your wedding means also being very open and honest with your bridal consultant.
Give them all the details you’ve in mind because, at the end of the day, they’re the expert. And they’re there to help you!
Body shape
We all have some parts of our body that we like, and some others that we don’t.
We are all humans after all! When choosing your dress, think about what are the parts of your body you like most, and which one you like less.
A great wedding dress will be able to highlight certain shapes while at the same time making other parts less noticeable.
Be open-minded
Our expert Eliza suggests keeping your mind open, especially before starting looking for a dress.
It’s great to have a rough idea of what you’re looking for, but don’t narrow your choice to only one style or one design.
Consider all the alternatives when looking for a dress and who knows, you might choose a particular style you weren’t even thinking of!
Comfort is key
No reason to lie about it, a wedding day is long and tiring.
You’ll be walking around all day talking with friends and parents, taking photographs, dancing, and so on. Can you imagine doing something like that while wearing an uncomfortable piece of fabric? No way!
So choose something which makes you look great, but that is also comfortable to wear.
If the dress you love is a bit uncomfortable and if the budget allows it, you could even consider buying 2 dresses. One for the ceremony, and a more comfortable dress for the reception.
Happy days!
Get some honest opinion
Bring along some close friends or family members when shopping around for your dress.
It will be really helpful to have the support and also the opinions of someone you know and trust. But don’t bring too many people with you or the whole experience might get overwhelming and confusing pretty soon.
Bring with you a max of 3 people to make your experience as enjoyable as possible.
Take some photos
This might sound needless to say, but make sure to ask your support team to snap some photos while you are wearing your dress.
This way you can check how it looks from different angles!
Of course, double-check with the staff at the bridal shop if you’re allowed to take some pictures because this is not always the case.
Pick the right undergarments
Plan before going out shopping and make sure to wear some neutral undergarments: anything close to white will be perfect.
Try to avoid black or bright colours because they will show through your dress while you’re wearing it.
At the end of the day, how to choose the perfect dress for your wedding is all about the small details!
If you’re happy, stop looking around
If you find something you love, simply stop looking around! It’s very easy to change your mind regarding your choice if you constantly keep looking for something else.
Once you find something you like, make yourself a favour: stick to your choice and stop shopping around.
The choice is really up to you
Don’t forget, it’s your wedding, not someone else!
You’ll have to do and choose what makes you (and your partner) happy. So if you’re the only one falling in love with a dress, don’t mind what other people think about it.
If you’re happy, that’s all it matters. The choice is truly yours.
Try it on before the wedding
After you make your purchase, don’t forget about your dress!
Eliza suggests wearing it a few weeks before the wedding just to make sure everything is alright.
If not, you still have enough time to make a last-minute alteration.
Get it professionally cleaned
If you managed not to spill a big cup of red wine on your wedding dress (high five to you!), chances are that it will still be pretty dirty.
After all, you’ve spent hours and hours wearing it. To keep it last as long as possible, get your dress professionally cleaned.
And finally, store it in its original bag. This way you can be sure it will last forever!
Conclusion
As you can see, it’s not easy to figure out how to choose the perfect dress for your wedding.
You will need plenty of time, patience and support, but we are sure you’ll succeed in finding something you truly love.
Don’t forget though, that the process of looking for your dress is a part of your whole wedding experience, so make it fun and enjoy it as much as you can!
