Rhiannon Hendricks
Shopping for a wedding dress can be a daunting task, especially if you're unsure where to begin. The first step is to establish a budget, which will help you avoid disappointment and ensure you only look at dresses that align with your financial plan. It's also important to start planning early, ideally about 12 months before your wedding day or shortly after finalizing your wedding date and venue. This gives you ample time to find your dream dress and make any necessary alterations. To get started, you can browse wedding dress trends on platforms like Pinterest and Instagram to identify styles, silhouettes, necklines, sleeve types, and fabrics that appeal to you. Once you have a sense of your preferences, you can begin visiting bridal salons and trying on dresses, keeping in mind that your wedding dress size may be larger than your everyday clothing size. Remember to bring along a small group of trusted friends or family members to make the experience memorable and enjoyable.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time to start shopping | Between 6 and 15 months before the wedding, or shortly after the venue is booked and the date is finalized |
| Budget | On average, $2000 (not including alterations or accessories). Wedding attire typically accounts for 7% of the overall wedding budget |
| Research | Browse trends on Pinterest and Instagram, and screenshot styles you like to show your stylist |
| Appointment | Ask about the salon's guest policy and how many people you can invite. Avoid bringing a big group to avoid conflicting tastes and distractions |
| Size | Wedding dresses are usually two to four sizes larger than everyday clothing, as they are made with the assumption that alterations will be made |
| Weight | Don't fall into the trap of waiting until you reach your "perfect weight". Give yourself enough time to get alterations done, as your body may fluctuate |
| Venue | Keep the venue and theme in mind when browsing gowns, so your dress doesn't clash with the wedding aesthetic |
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What You'll Learn
Establish a budget and know who's paying
Wedding dresses are expensive, and for many brides, the bridal wardrobe includes multiple looks, from the ceremony gown to the after-party outfit. This makes establishing a budget and knowing who's paying a crucial first step in the shopping process.
First, create a wedding budget with your partner. This will help you decide how much you want to allocate to your wedding dress. The average cost of a wedding dress is $2000, but there are many affordable options under $1200. If someone else is paying for your dress, be sure to know their limit, so you can pay the difference if you find a gown that exceeds their price point.
Next, remember that the cost of the dress is not the only expense. You will also need to budget for alterations, accessories, and cleaning. If you plan to cap your spending at $2000, for instance, you should look for a dress that costs less than that, to account for these additional costs.
Finally, it's a good idea to do some research beforehand to establish a baseline of likes and dislikes. This will help you communicate your preferences to your stylist. You can browse wedding dress trends on Pinterest and Instagram, and look for common themes among the necklines, fabrics, and silhouettes that you gravitate towards.
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Research styles, fabrics and silhouettes
Wedding dress shopping can be a daunting task, but with some research and preparation, you can make the process enjoyable and stress-free. One of the most important steps is to familiarise yourself with the different styles, fabrics, and silhouettes available to find the perfect dress that complements your personality and body type. Here are some tips to guide you through this exciting journey:
Researching Styles and Silhouettes:
Before you start trying on dresses, it's essential to have an idea of the styles and silhouettes that appeal to you. The silhouette of your gown is crucial as it determines how the dress fits, moves, and flatters your figure. Browse through wedding dress galleries, Pinterest boards, or magazines to identify the styles that catch your eye. Consider whether you prefer a sleek and minimalist look or something more voluminous and dramatic. Do you envision yourself in a fitted mermaid-style gown or a flowing A-line dress? Explore the various silhouettes such as sheath, column, trumpet, tea-length, and empire waist to understand which style will accentuate your best features.
Understanding Fabrics:
Fabric plays a significant role in the overall look and feel of your wedding dress. Different fabrics drape and move differently, so it's important to consider the season, venue, and your personal style when making a choice. Here are some popular fabric options to consider:
- Lace: Lace is a versatile and timeless choice, offering a range of patterns, textures, and weights. It is delicate, romantic, and supple enough to work with various silhouettes. French laces like Chantilly, Alençon, and Venise are especially popular.
- Chiffon: Chiffon is a lightweight and airy fabric, often used as an overlay or in layers. It is perfect for creating a bohemian, ethereal look, especially for spring and summer weddings.
- Dupioni: Dupioni is a coarse and organic-looking silk fabric that can hold its shape. It is ideal for dramatic silhouettes like ball gowns and modern or minimalist designs.
- Gazar: Gazar, made from wool or silk, has a smooth and crisp appearance. It is stiff yet translucent, making it suitable for structured designs and full-skirted styles.
- Satin: Satin is a sleek and glossy fabric that can add a touch of elegance to your wedding ensemble.
Additional Considerations:
While choosing a style and fabric, it's also important to keep the following in mind:
- Neckline: The neckline of your dress should complement your silhouette and highlight your best features. Popular options include sweetheart, V-neck, bateau, off-the-shoulder, and high neck.
- Venue and Theme: Consider the venue and theme of your wedding to ensure your dress aligns with the overall aesthetic. For example, if you're having an outdoor garden party reception, a lightweight and breathable fabric like dotted Swiss might be ideal.
- Budget: Establish a budget for your wedding dress before you start shopping. This will help you make informed choices and avoid disappointment.
Remember, the key is to find a dress that makes you feel confident, beautiful, and true to yourself. Happy shopping!
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Plan when to shop
Planning when to shop for your wedding dress is an important step in the process of finding your dream gown. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Start by considering the length of your engagement and how much time you have until your wedding day. The general rule of thumb is to start shopping for your dress about 12 months before the wedding, or shortly after you have finalized your wedding date and venue. This gives you enough time to find your perfect dress, as it may take a few appointments, and also allows for any necessary alterations and customizations.
Most bridal stylists recommend buying your gown nine months in advance. This timeline ensures that you are not shopping too early, as trends and styles can change, and your tastes may evolve over time. However, it is important to note that some bridal boutiques have high seasons, so planning ahead and mapping out your shopping timeline is crucial to ensuring you don't feel rushed.
Before you begin shopping, it is beneficial to do some research and establish your likes and dislikes. Browse wedding dress trends on Pinterest, Instagram, or other online sources, and screenshot or save the styles that appeal to you. Look for common themes in necklines, fabrics, silhouettes, and overall vibes that align with your wedding theme and venue. This will give you a good starting point when you begin trying on dresses and help your stylist understand your preferences.
Additionally, it is essential to set a budget for your wedding dress. Knowing your budget beforehand will help you avoid falling in love with a dress that is outside your financial comfort zone. It will also enable your stylist to suggest dresses that are both to your taste and within your price range.
Remember, the sooner you start the process, the more time you will have to find the perfect dress and make any necessary adjustments.
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Choose your crew
Wedding dress shopping can be an overwhelming experience, so it's always helpful to get some advice and do some research beforehand. One of the first steps is to decide on who you want to bring along.
It's important to keep your crew small. While it may be tempting to bring your entire roster of bridesmaids, this can quickly get out of hand with conflicting tastes and unnecessary distractions. Instead, enlist just two or three VIPs, such as your maid of honour, mother, grandmother, or another close family member. These individuals will be able to provide you with their opinions and help you start your search without pressuring you with too many viewpoints.
Before heading to the bridal salon, it's a good idea to do some research and establish a baseline of likes and dislikes. This includes preferred wedding dress silhouettes, necklines, sleeve types, and fabrics. Pinterest and Instagram are great places to start getting ideas, and you can screenshot your favourite looks to show your stylist during your appointment. You can also take style quizzes and read blogs to help you determine your wedding dress style based on aesthetic, price, and must-haves.
When scheduling your appointment, be sure to ask about the salon's guest policy and how many people you're allowed to invite. It's also a good idea to call ahead to confirm that they have the dress you want to try on in stock.
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Book appointments and prepare
Booking appointments and preparing for wedding dress shopping is an important part of the process. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Research and Preparation:
Before booking any appointments, it is a good idea to do some research and preparation. Knowing what you like and what you want to avoid will help you describe your ideal dress to a stylist. Browse wedding dress trends on Pinterest and Instagram to get a sense of the styles, necklines, sleeve types, fabrics and silhouettes that you prefer. Look for common themes and create a Pinterest board or an inspiration board to share with your stylist. This will give them a clear understanding of your taste and "vibe" and help them select dresses for you to try on.
Timing:
The ideal time to start shopping for your wedding dress is about 12 months before your wedding, or shortly after you have finalised your wedding date and venue. This will give you enough time for the dress to be made, as well as for any necessary alterations and customisations. Most bridal stylists recommend buying your gown nine months in advance. However, many designers can accommodate shorter timelines, especially if they have ready-to-wear collections.
Budgeting:
Before booking appointments, create a wedding budget with your partner and decide how much you want to spend on your dress. This will help you avoid disappointment and ensure your stylist only shows you dresses that fit your budget. Remember to budget for extras such as taxes, alterations, shipping, rush fees and accessories like shoes, a veil and jewellery.
Salon Policies:
When scheduling your appointment, ask about the salon's guest policy and how many people you're allowed to invite. It is recommended to keep the group small, with just two or three close friends or family members, to avoid conflicting tastes and distractions.
Confirming Dress Availability:
If you see a dress online that you want to try on, call the bridal salon ahead of time to confirm that they have it in stock. Your bridal stylist may be able to request a sample, especially for you, even if it's not a style they usually carry.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to start shopping for your wedding dress about 12 months before the wedding, or shortly after you have your wedding date and venue finalized. This will give you enough time for the dress to be made, as well as for any necessary alterations and customizations.
The average cost of a wedding dress is $2000, not including alterations or accessories. Wedding attire typically accounts for 7% of the overall wedding budget. It is important to establish a budget before your first appointment to avoid disappointment and so that your stylist can choose dresses that you can afford.
Wedding dresses are typically made with the assumption that they will be altered, so they fit the largest part of the body. To figure out your size, get measured by a bridal stylist.
It is a good idea to do some research beforehand so that you can establish a baseline of likes and dislikes. Pinterest and Instagram are great places to start getting ideas. Look for common themes among the wedding dress necklines, fabrics, and silhouettes that you gravitate towards.
It is recommended to enlist just two or three VIPs, like your maid of honour, mom, or another close family member. Having your entire roster of bridesmaids with you can lead to conflicting tastes and unnecessary distractions.
