Rhiannon Hendricks
Shopping for a wedding dress is an exciting but often stressful process. It can be overwhelming, with many brides feeling pressured to find the perfect dress. However, with some extra planning, dress shopping can be made into a magical experience. From doing some research beforehand to establishing a budget, deciding on a guest policy, and choosing the right people to bring along, there are many ways to make the day special.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Planning | Make a reservation for lunch, do your research, establish a budget, etc. |
| Dress | Wear something comfortable and easy to take on and off, like a loose dress |
| Underwear | Wear seamless underwear that matches your skin tone |
| Hair | Emulate your wedding hairstyle, or get a blowout appointment |
| Makeup | Do your makeup as you would on your wedding day, or get a makeup artist |
| Shoes | Wear heels if you plan to on your wedding day, or bring a pair of heels with you |
| Accessories | Bring hair ties, bobby pins, a camera, and a bottle of prosecco or two! |
| Company | Bring only a few close friends or family members |
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What You'll Learn
Do your hair and makeup to resemble your wedding-day look
Wedding dress shopping is an exciting but often stressful experience. One way to make it special is to do your hair and makeup to resemble your wedding-day look. This will help you to better envision your wedding-day ensemble and ensure you have time to adjust your look before the big day.
If you plan to wear heels on your wedding day, bring a pair with you to your dress shopping appointment. You can also bring hair ties and clips to sweep your hair up and out of the way, which will help you focus on the gowns' necklines. If you plan to wear shapewear under your wedding dress, bring it along to your appointment to help you better visualise how the gowns will look.
If you're doing your makeup and hair trials separately, try to emulate your preferred wedding beauty look, or put on your everyday makeup, so you can get a better feel of the look as a whole. Bring inspiration photos, as well as any accessories you plan to wear on your head. If you're not thrilled with the results, you can always schedule a follow-up appointment to perfect your look.
If you have long hair, your hairstylist might need 45 minutes to curl it, and another 15 to 30 minutes to finish styling it. Don't forget to account for the time it takes to put on any hairpieces or your veil. Most hairstylists are happy to help you do this once you get into your wedding dress.
As for makeup, depending on your desired bridal look, it could take anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour. If you're wearing airbrush makeup and/or false lashes, this will take more time than a natural makeup application.
Doing your hair and makeup at the same time is possible, especially if your stylists have experience working together. However, if you want a stress-free wedding day, it's better to keep the two services separate.
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Bring hair ties, bobby pins, and a good camera
Wedding dress shopping is an exciting but often stressful experience. It can be tricky to navigate, especially if you're planning to incorporate multiple looks, including a ceremony gown, reception ensemble, and after-party outfit. To make the most of your appointment, it's a good idea to prepare beforehand.
Bringing hair ties and bobby pins is essential to creating different looks and sweeping your hair up when trying on dresses with intricate strap detailing. This will allow you to see the dress in full without any visual distractions from your hair. If you plan to wear specific hair accessories or a veil, bring those too, so you can see how they look with different dresses.
Additionally, bringing a good camera can help capture special moments and serve as a reference. Take photos of the dresses you try on to look back on and compare. This will help you make a more informed decision and ensure you don't forget any details.
Remember to also bring any specific shoes or undergarments you plan to wear on your wedding day. This will help you decide on alterations and ensure a smooth process. Overall, being prepared will enhance your dress shopping experience and make it more enjoyable.
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Plan a special dinner, Champagne toast, or movie night
Planning a special dinner, Champagne toast, or movie night is a great way to make shopping for the wedding dress special. Here are some ideas to make it memorable:
Special Dinner
Host a themed dinner with a menu that the bride-to-be loves. It can be a Mediterranean-inspired night or a clam bake, coupled with the bride's favorite drinks. If you want to make it more intimate, keep the guest list limited to the bride's immediate family, including her parents, siblings, and grandparents. Alternatively, you can also invite her friends and former roommates to join the celebration.
Champagne Toast
Champagne toasts are a great way to kick off the celebrations. If you want to cut costs, you can skip the champagne and opt for sparkling wine or Prosecco instead. Alternatively, you can provide champagne only for the head table, and let everyone else toast with their drinks. You can also opt for a signature cocktail or a drink that the bride-to-be loves.
Movie Night
Plan a cozy night with the bride-to-be and her friends, watching wedding-themed movies like "Bride Wars." This can be a fun way to unwind and relax after a day of wedding dress shopping.
Other Ideas
- Buy the bride-to-be a new outfit for dress shopping, such as a cool top or a pair of heels, to boost her confidence.
- Book a blowout appointment or a session with a makeup artist before the shopping trip so she feels extra special.
- Make reservations for lunch along your shopping route so you don't have to wait in line or make last-minute decisions.
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Research styles, silhouettes, necklines, and fabrics beforehand
When it comes to choosing a wedding dress, it's important to find a style that reflects your personality and flatters your body type. Here are some tips to help you research styles, silhouettes, necklines, and fabrics before your special shopping trip:
Styles and Silhouettes:
Start by identifying your body shape to determine which silhouettes will highlight your best features. The most popular wedding dress silhouettes include:
- Ball Gown: A classic "princess" dress with a fitted bodice and a full skirt, perfect for accentuating a small waist while providing a majestic presence.
- A-line: Universally flattering, the A-line silhouette features a fitted bodice that gently flares out to create an "A" shape, accentuating the waist.
- Trumpet/Fit-and-Flare: A combination of the A-line and mermaid silhouettes, this style is fitted through the body and flares out at mid-thigh, ideal for brides who want to showcase their figures.
- Mermaid/Fishtail: Sleek and fitted on the body from the chest to the knee, with a dramatic flare below the knee to create a "mermaid tail" effect.
- Sheath/Column: A narrow shape that flows straight down from the neckline to the hem, closely skimming the body without flaring out.
- Tea-length: Features a full skirt that sits at the natural waist and a hemline that falls just above the ankle, a vintage yet contemporary look.
Necklines:
The neckline plays a significant role in the overall look and feel of your wedding dress. Here are some popular options:
- Sweetheart: A romantic and flattering neckline that resembles the top half of a heart, softening wide shoulders and highlighting the décolletage.
- V-neck: A classic and elegant neckline that plunges into a "V" shape, offering an elongating effect and creating the illusion of height.
- Boat Neck/Bateau: A wide, horizontal neckline that follows the collarbone curve, often paired with long or cap sleeves for a vintage-inspired style and is particularly flattering for brides with smaller busts.
- Off-the-Shoulder: A romantic and elegant style that drapes gracefully over the arms, exposing the collarbones and shoulders.
- High Neck: A sophisticated option for brides who prefer more coverage, with a neckline that sits high on the collarbone, often paired with illusion fabric, lace, or a collar.
Fabrics:
The fabric you choose will depend on the season, your venue, and your personal style. Here are some popular wedding dress fabrics:
- Lace: Romantic and vintage-inspired, lace adds texture and detail to your gown.
- Chiffon: Light and breezy, chiffon is ideal for beach or outdoor weddings.
- Silk or Satin: Often used for slip dresses, these fabrics can be combined with spaghetti straps or other design elements for a unique look.
- Taffeta, Brocade, and Corded Lace: Structured fabrics often used for column wedding dresses to give them shape.
Remember, it's essential to keep an open mind when trying on different styles and silhouettes. What looks good on you might surprise you!
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Invite only a few close friends or family members
Wedding dress shopping can be a stressful experience, but there are ways to make the day feel extra special. One way to do this is to limit the number of people you invite to join you. While it may be tempting to bring your entire roster of bridesmaids, this can quickly get out of hand with conflicting tastes and distractions. Instead, consider inviting only a few close friends or family members whose opinions you value and who know your style well. This will help you to feel more confident and avoid the pressure of too many conflicting opinions.
If you are part of the bride's entourage, it is important to remember that your duty is to make her feel loved and celebrated. Be supportive and keep any negative opinions about her choice of gown to yourself. Bring some essentials, such as water, hair ties, bobby pins, tissues, and a camera, to help the day run smoothly. You could even treat the bride to a new outfit for the occasion, such as a jumpsuit or a cool pair of heels, to give her a boost of confidence as she walks into the bridal salon.
If you are the bride, it is a good idea to do some research beforehand so that you can establish a baseline of likes and dislikes. You can browse wedding dress trends on Pinterest and screenshot your favourites to show your stylist during the appointment. It is also beneficial to arrive at your appointment with your hair and makeup done in a similar style to what you intend to wear on your wedding day. This will help you to better envision your big-day ensemble and allow your stylist to choose accessories that complement your gown.
Finally, remember to keep the fun going even after you've found your dress! You can plan a special dinner, a Champagne toast, or a cosy night of watching wedding-themed movies with your closest friends and family.
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Frequently asked questions
It's important to remember that wedding dress shopping can be stressful, so having a positive and open mindset going into the experience is key. To make the experience special, you could treat yourself to a hair or makeup trial before your appointment, so you can get a complete feel for how you'll look on your wedding day. You could also bring along a small group of your loved ones to help you feel celebrated and supported.
It's important to be careful about who you bring with you to your appointment, as they can make a huge impact on how the appointment goes. It's recommended to bring just a few family members or close friends who you trust and who know your style well.
It's a good idea to do some research beforehand so you can establish a baseline of likes and dislikes, such as your preferred silhouettes, necklines, sleeve types and fabrics. You can browse wedding dress trends on Pinterest and screenshot your favourites to show your stylist. It's also important to establish a budget prior to your appointment so that your bridal consultant can choose dresses that you'll love and can afford.
