Franklin Dean
Choosing a wedding dress is an exciting part of wedding planning, but it can also be overwhelming due to the sheer number of options available. To find your wedding dress style, it's important to consider your personality, taste, and the overall vibe you want for your wedding. Do you prefer a traditional or modern look? Are you aiming for a formal or casual affair? What is your budget? These are some of the key questions to ask yourself when deciding on your wedding dress style. It's also a good idea to keep an open mind and try on different styles, as you may be surprised by what you end up liking.
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What You'll Learn
Budgeting for your dress
Budgeting for your wedding dress is an important step in the wedding planning process. It can be challenging to predict how much to budget for your wedding dress, especially if you are unfamiliar with the bridal fashion world. Here are some tips to help you budget for your dream dress:
Understand the Bridal Fashion Market
Before setting a budget, it's essential to understand what your money can buy in the bridal fashion market. The cost of a wedding dress varies widely depending on factors such as the designer, style, and fabric. Luxurious fabrics like silk, satin, charmeuse, organza, or embroidered lace tend to be more expensive, while synthetic or blended fabrics like crepe, rayon, chiffon, and polyester are usually more affordable. Additionally, consider the cost of alterations, which can range from $500 to $1,000 or more for labour-intensive changes.
Set a Realistic Budget
When setting your budget, it's crucial to be realistic. Consider your overall wedding budget and decide how much of it you want to allocate to your dress. According to The Knot, wedding attire typically accounts for about 7% of the total budget. For example, if your overall budget is $100,000, allocating $7,000 for your dress is reasonable. This budget should also include room for alterations, taxes, shipping, and accessories like shoes, a veil, and jewellery.
Research and Be Inspired
Before finalising your budget, take time to research wedding dress styles, designers, and prices. Consult bridal magazines, Instagram, Pinterest, online boutiques, and celebrity looks for inspiration. Identify common themes among the dresses you're drawn to, such as embellishments, lace, or specific silhouettes. This research will help you understand the market and set a realistic budget for the type of dress you want.
Be Open-Minded but Stay Within Budget
When trying on dresses, it's essential to keep an open mind. Sometimes, a style you hadn't considered before might surprise you. However, always stay within your budget. Avoid trying on dresses that are above your price range to prevent falling in love with a dress you can't afford. Instead, focus on finding dresses that fit both your style and financial requirements.
Consider Alternatives for Your Dream Dress
If you have a specific designer or style in mind, consider attending trunk shows or sample sales, where you can find discounts of up to 50% off. Alternatively, you can opt for a showroom sample dress, which is usually in perfect condition but offered at a lower price. These strategies can help you secure your dream dress without breaking the bank.
Remember, budgeting for your wedding dress is about finding the right balance between your financial comfort and your dream dress. By understanding the market, setting a realistic budget, and staying informed, you can find a dress that makes your wedding day spectacular and special.
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Choosing a silhouette
Choosing a wedding dress silhouette that reflects your style and personality is an important aspect of wedding planning. The silhouette, or outline of the dress, can be loose and flowing or fitted and flaring, and different styles will complement different body types.
To determine your bridal style, start by compiling a file of your favourite wedding dresses. Tear pages out of magazines, save Instagram posts, create a Pinterest board, browse online boutiques, and make note of celebrity looks you love. Identify common themes among the gowns you've chosen—are they embellished, lacy, or voluminous? Do they have open backs or strapless necklines?
Next, understand your body type and the wedding dress waistlines that typically flatter it. The most common body types are hourglass, pear, apple, rectangle, inverted triangle, and oval. The goal when selecting a dress is to create balance and proportion. For example, an hourglass figure can pull off most styles, but a dress that highlights the waist is often a good choice. For an oval body type, a sheath silhouette that skims the body might work well.
Now that you've narrowed down your style and body type, you can explore different wedding dress silhouettes. Popular styles include:
- A-line: A versatile and timeless silhouette that remains fitted until the waist and then flares out into the shape of an "A."
- Ballgown: A classic silhouette with a fitted bodice and a voluminous skirt.
- Fit-and-flare: A silhouette that highlights the waist, skims over the hips, and flares into a wider shape.
- Mermaid: Similar to fit-and-flare, but with a fitted bodice that closely curves along the body.
- Sheath: A straight-cut fit that contours the body with zero waist seam.
- Trumpet: A bodice that hugs the body from the chest to the mid-thigh, where the skirt flares out like a trumpet.
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Selecting the fabric
If you're tying the knot in a warm climate or during the spring or summer, opt for lightweight and breathable fabrics such as chiffon, organza, georgette, or silk. Chiffon, a sheer and simple weave, is often used as an overlay or in layers, adding a floaty and ethereal vibe. Organza, traditionally made from woven silk, is another sheer fabric that is not as stiff as tulle, allowing for more movement. Georgette, with its delicate and graceful drape, strikes the perfect balance for a destination or summer wedding. Silk, with its luxurious feel and graceful style, is also a popular choice for its softness and refined sheen.
For a winter wedding or formal fall celebration, consider thicker fabrics that will keep you warm and comfortable. Brocade, for example, is a stiff fabric made from silk or synthetic fibres with raised designs woven into it, making it ideal for structured gowns. Satin is another option, known for its softness and sheen, adding a sophisticated element to your bridal look.
Keep in mind that some fabrics, like crepe, are versatile and can work for any season. Crepe fabric is sleek and often features a minimalist style with a smooth, slightly stretchy drape. It is comfortable and versatile, accommodating various embellishments.
Ultimately, the fabric you choose should align with your vision for your wedding dress and ensure you feel comfortable and confident on your big day.
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Finding your bridal style
Firstly, it's important to start with a timeline. Knowing what to expect and when to start shopping is crucial for planning. Most bridal stylists recommend buying your gown nine months in advance to accommodate alterations, customisations, and accessorising. If you have a long engagement, you may want to wait before shopping for gowns, as your style may change over time.
Next, consider creating a visual file of your favourite wedding dresses. You can tear pages out of magazines, save Instagram posts, create a Pinterest board, browse online bridal boutiques, and make note of celebrity looks you love. From there, you can identify common themes among the dresses you've chosen. Do you prefer embellished, lacy, or voluminous gowns? Do you like open backs or strapless necklines? This process will help you narrow down your style preferences and keep an open mind while shopping.
When determining your bridal style, it's also essential to consider your body type and the styles you feel comfortable wearing. Ask yourself what parts of your body you want to accentuate. For example, if you want to highlight your back, you may opt for a low-cut or open-back dress. The formality, location, and weather of your wedding will also influence your dress choice.
Lastly, don't forget to consider the overall vibe and fabric of your wedding dress. The fabric can significantly impact the price of the gown, so it's worth exploring different fabric options to find something that aligns with your style and budget. Some popular fabric choices include silk/satin for a sleek and contemporary look, georgette for a simple and effortless look, or sequins/beading for a unique and gorgeous shine.
By following these steps and keeping an open mind, you'll be well on your way to finding your perfect bridal style and wedding dress!
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Planning your timeline
12-18 Months Before the Wedding:
This is the time to start curating your wedding dress inspiration. Browse bridal magazines, social media, and Pinterest to gather ideas and identify themes that appeal to you. Consider the season, location, and overall theme of your wedding, as these will influence your dress choice. It is also a good idea to start researching boutiques, setting a budget, and formulating a timeline for your dress purchase.
10-12 Months Before the Wedding:
Now is the time to start booking appointments at bridal boutiques and salons. These early appointments will allow you to try on different styles and silhouettes to help you narrow down your preferences. Make sure to do your research beforehand to ensure the boutiques carry styles and designers that match your vision and budget.
8-10 Months Before the Wedding:
At this stage, you should have a clearer idea of your preferred bridal style and budget. You can now start actively searching for your dream dress. Try on dresses and begin narrowing down your options. If you are having a made-to-order dress, this is the time to place your order to ensure timely delivery.
3-4 Months Before the Wedding:
Schedule your first fitting. This is an important step to ensure any necessary alterations are identified and planned. Choose a professional seamstress with experience in wedding dresses and formal wear, as they can get booked up quickly.
6-8 Weeks Before the Wedding:
Schedule your second fitting. This is the time for final tweaks, such as adjusting straps or evening out the hem. Communicate any remaining alterations that need to be made to ensure your dress fits perfectly.
3 Weeks Before the Wedding:
Schedule your final fitting. This will allow your seamstress enough time to make any small, last-minute alterations.
1 Week Before the Wedding:
Take your dress home and find a designated spot to keep it safe, away from anything that could damage it. Place it in a breathable, opaque bag and hang it up in a secure place.
Remember, this timeline may vary depending on factors such as the complexity of your dress, the number of alterations needed, and the availability of your chosen boutiques and seamstresses. Enjoy the process, and don't be afraid to ask for help from professionals and your support system!
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Frequently asked questions
Start by compiling a file of your favourite wedding dresses. You can tear pages out of magazines, save Instagram posts, create a Pinterest board, browse online bridal boutiques, and make note of celebrity looks you love. Then, identify common themes among the images you've saved. Do you prefer embellished, lacy, or voluminous gowns? Do they have open backs or strapless necklines? This will help you determine your bridal style.
You can take a wedding dress style quiz online. These quizzes ask you a series of questions and use your answers to suggest wedding dress styles that might suit you. You can also search for wedding dress styles based on your body type and the parts of your body you want to accentuate. For example, if you want to accentuate your back, you could try dresses with a low cut or open back feature.
If you're unsure of your bridal style, bridal consultants can be extremely helpful. They are experienced and can help you find a dress that suits your body type, personality, and unique sense of style.
Most bridal stylists recommend buying your gown nine months ahead of your wedding to accommodate alterations, customizations, and accessorizing. However, you should start shopping for your wedding dress as soon as you've selected your venue, as the venue will influence your bridal style.
Wedding dresses can be very expensive, and the cost of the dress is not the only expense you'll need to cover. You'll also need to pay for tailoring, accessories, and cleaning. If you plan to cap your spending at a certain amount, make sure to factor in these additional costs.
