Rhiannon Hendricks
Finding the perfect wedding dress can be a stressful experience, especially with the pressure of finding the right one, the abundance of options available, and the high costs involved. However, it should be a fun and exciting experience, so it's important to not let anxiety overshadow the process. To make the experience as smooth as possible, it's recommended to start shopping for your wedding dress right after selecting your venue, to allow enough time for alterations, customizations, and accessorizing. Before starting to shop, it's a good idea to compile a visual file of your favourite wedding dresses, identifying common themes and styles, and to determine a budget. It's also worth considering the venue and theme of your wedding to ensure your dress suits the overall aesthetic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time | Buy the dress nine months before the wedding to accommodate alterations, customizations, and accessorizing |
| Budget | Discuss the budget beforehand and know who will be paying for the dress |
| Style | Compile a visual file of your favorite wedding dresses to determine your bridal style |
| Theme | Choose a dress that fits the theme of the wedding, whether it's a garden theme, a formal affair, or something else |
| Fit | Get measured by a bridal stylist to determine your wedding dress size, which is likely to be larger than your everyday clothing size |
| Customization | You don't need a custom-made dress; consider buying a used dress or working with a local tailor to create a custom gown within your budget |
| Silhouette | Choose a silhouette that enhances your figure, such as an A-line dress or a trumpet-style dress |
| Fabric | Consider the fabric of the dress, such as crepe, chiffon, tulle, lace, or silk |
| Neckline | Choose a neckline that suits your preferences and the overall look you want to achieve, such as a bateau, strapless, sweetheart, or illusion neckline |
| Details | Focus on the details of the dress, such as lace, beading, or embroidery, ensuring they fit the theme and don't overwhelm your figure |
| Color | While traditional white dresses are an option, brides are also exploring blush, blue, gray, and mint colors |
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What You'll Learn
Know your budget
Knowing your budget is a crucial step in finding your dream wedding dress. It is important to be realistic about what you can afford and how much you are willing to spend on your wedding dress. This will make your dress shopping experience a lot easier and more enjoyable.
The first step is to determine how much you can spend on your entire wedding. On average, couples allocate about 6-7% of their total wedding budget to attire and beauty, which includes the wedding dress, suit, shoes, and accessories. You can adjust your spending on other items in your wedding budget, such as floral arrangements, food, music, and the venue, to allocate more funds towards your wedding dress if desired.
The average cost of a wedding dress is about $1,500 to $2,500, but prices can vary widely depending on various factors. Wedding dresses from large retailers or budget-friendly options can often be found for under $1,000, especially during sample sales. Mid-range options typically range from $1,500 to $2,500, where most brides find their gowns. High-end boutiques usually start at $2,500 and can quickly climb, with some luxurious gowns ranging from $3,000 to $8,000. Customized dresses can cost upwards of $10,000, depending on the designer and complexity. The designer, fabric, embellishments, and location can also impact the price, with coastal cities and certain states having higher prices.
It is important to remember that alterations and accessories will add to the overall cost of your wedding attire. Alterations can range from $100 to $500 or more, depending on the complexity of the changes. Accessories such as veils, shoes, and jewelry can also increase the budget, so it is essential to factor these costs into your total wedding dress budget.
To save money, consider attending trunk shows, sample sales, or reaching out to designers for off-the-rack sales. You can also look for wedding dress brands that offer custom or made-to-measure sizing to avoid the cost of alterations. By being strategic and realistic about your budget, you can find a wedding dress that fits both your style and financial constraints.
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Understand your style
Understanding your style is a critical part of choosing your wedding dress. It can be a daunting task, with the sheer number of options available, but there are ways to make the process more manageable and enjoyable.
Firstly, it is essential to understand your body type and the wedding dress waistlines and styles that flatter it. For instance, if you have an hourglass figure, a dress that highlights your waist will be particularly flattering. Pear-shaped brides may prefer a ball gown style that emphasises a small waist and provides coverage for the lower body. Taller brides can opt for a drop-waist style that elongates the torso, or a ball gown that creates a dramatic silhouette. Sheath silhouettes are ideal for tall, slim brides, while petite brides may want to avoid voluminous skirts that can overpower a small frame. Keep in mind that these are merely starting points, and you should feel free to experiment with different styles and silhouettes to find what makes you feel the most confident.
Another way to understand your style is to compile 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 note celebrity looks you admire. Look for overarching themes in your selections—are the gowns embellished, lacy, or voluminous? Do they have open backs or strapless necklines? This process will help you identify the styles and silhouettes that appeal to you and will guide your search for the perfect wedding dress.
It is also crucial to prioritise comfort and how the gown makes you feel. The ideal dress should not only look good but also feel good, with breathable fabric and construction. Remember that you will be wearing the gown for an entire day, so comfort and confidence are key. Stay true to your style and trust your instincts—choose a dress that reflects your personality and makes you feel like your most authentic self.
Lastly, keep an open mind throughout the process. Many brides arrive at bridal salons with a set idea but end up falling for a completely different style they had never considered. By keeping an open mind, you increase the possibility of finding a dress that exceeds your expectations and makes you feel like your dream self on your wedding day.
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Consider the venue and theme
When it comes to choosing a wedding dress, it's important to consider the venue and theme of your wedding. This will help you narrow down your options and choose a dress that complements the overall aesthetic of your big day. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
Think About the Venue's Style and Ambiance
The venue's style and ambiance can either blend with or contrast with your dress, creating a cohesive and striking look. For example, if you're having a beach wedding, you might want to choose a lightweight and flowy dress that's easy to move around in. On the other hand, if you're having a formal ballroom wedding, a more structured and glamorous dress might be more appropriate.
Consider the Season
The season of your wedding will also play a role in the style of your dress. If you're getting married in the summer, opt for lightweight fabrics like chiffon or organza to create a flowing and airy look. For a winter wedding, choose heavier fabrics like velvet or satin for warmth and elegance.
Details and Theme
The details on your dress will often depend on the theme. For instance, a vintage-themed wedding might feature delicate lace detailing and cap sleeves. A modern theme could be complemented by a unique element, such as a coloured sash. If you're going for a bohemian theme, consider a boho wedding dress with ruffle accents and a flowing skirt for a relaxed feel.
Accessories
Don't forget to consider accessories such as veils, headpieces, jewellery, and shoes. These can enhance or complement your dress. For instance, a simple dress can be styled with statement jewellery, while an intricate dress may be better paired with simpler accessories.
Keep an Open Mind
While it's important to consider the venue and theme, it's also crucial to keep an open mind. You may have a specific idea in mind, but trying on different styles can help you find something unexpected that you love. Trust your instincts and choose a dress that reflects your personality and makes you feel confident and beautiful.
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Try on different styles
Trying on different styles is an important part of finding the perfect wedding dress. It is a good idea to research styles and silhouettes that complement your personality and body type to narrow down the endless options available. However, it is also important to keep an open mind and try on a variety of different styles.
To determine your bridal style, you can create a visual file of your favourite wedding dresses. Tear pages out of magazines, save Instagram posts, create a Pinterest board, browse online bridal boutiques, and make note of celebrity looks you love. Identify commonalities in the styles you like and bring your ideas to your appointment. However, be aware that the dress style you think you want may not be the one for you, and that is okay. Keep an open mind and try on different styles, even those that you are not initially drawn to.
The shape of your wedding dress will be partly based on your preferred style, your wedding venue, and the aesthetic of your wedding. It is important to choose a dress that flatters your body and makes you feel comfortable. For example, if you have an hourglass figure, a fitted style will highlight your curves, and a fit-and-flare or mermaid silhouette will look stunning. If you have a petite body type, consider a dress with an open back to elongate your shape, or a slinky A-line gown to play up your curves. For athletic body types, an off-the-shoulder or strapless dress will showcase your gorgeous arms, and a halter neckline will enhance your shoulders.
Don't forget to consider accessories when trying on different dress styles. Accessories can help tie your look together and make a big difference to your overall style. Try on different options, such as a veil instead of a flower crown, and remember that bespoke accessories are also an option.
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Buy in advance for alterations
Wedding dress alterations are an essential part of the dress shopping process. Even if your dress feels great when you first try it on, small adjustments can make your gown feel custom-made for you. To achieve the perfect fit, you should buy your dress in advance, leaving plenty of time for fittings and tailoring.
Most bridal stylists recommend buying your gown nine months to a year before your wedding. This gives you enough time for all your fittings and allows for some leeway in case additional ones are needed. You should schedule your first fitting eight to twelve weeks before your wedding and your final fitting no later than two weeks before. If you are making major changes to the design, such as reworking the cups or accommodating a pregnancy, you should budget a few extra weeks.
During your alteration appointments, you should bring the shoes and undergarments you plan to wear on your wedding day. This will help you obtain the proper fit. You should also bring any undergarments you are curious about trying to your first fitting. This initial meeting is a good time to discuss any concerns or issues with the seamstress. They will often have cups they can sew in or may be able to advise on undergarments based on their experience.
Finding a reliable and skilled seamstress or bridal alterations specialist is crucial for achieving a perfectly tailored wedding dress. Your bridal boutique will either have an in-house seamstress or be able to recommend a trusted tailor. It typically takes about three fittings before a bride's ensemble is ready to be worn, depending on the style and size of the dress originally purchased.
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Frequently asked questions
Finding the right wedding dress can be stressful, but it should be a fun and exciting experience. It's important to find a dress that makes you feel beautiful and special. To determine your bridal style, you can compile a file of your favourite wedding dresses, then identify common themes. Keep an open mind, and don't be afraid to try on a variety of styles.
You can find lightly used or new wedding dresses at a discount on sites like StillWhite, TheRealReal, and Vestiaire. You can also shop off-the-rack or buy sample dresses from bridal stores.
Most designers offer rush options, and you can also pay extra for a rush order on a custom dress. Bridal stylists recommend buying your gown nine months ahead of your wedding to accommodate alterations, but it is possible to find a dress in a shorter timeframe.
Your wedding dress size will likely be two to four sizes larger than your usual clothing size. These garments are made with the assumption that they will be altered to fit. Get measured by a bridal stylist to determine your size.
The style of your dress should complement the venue and theme of your wedding. For example, a beach wedding might call for a short dress, while a garden theme could inspire whimsical details like tulle or lace. You should also consider your own personal style and what makes you feel comfortable and confident.
