The wedding dress. It may be the most iconic symbol of being a bride – and the most exciting to shop for. Use these tips to help you find the perfect wedding dress.
What to wear. You’ll be trying on a lot of dresses when looking for your dream dress, so wearing a dress that is easy to get in an out of makes a lot of sense. You will likely get assistance from a store rep, so you want to plan for that in advance. Wearing tights and a strapless bra will give you some coverage during those times. A side benefit of those is the tummy control panels and extra support a bra can offer will make the dress look better. If you will wear heels on your wedding day, bring a pair that is close to the height you plan to wear.
When to shop. Saturdays are usually the busiest days at bridal salons. If possible, make an appointment for a week day evening. This will result in more personalized attention for you.
Dresses can take four to ten months to arrive from the manufacturer. If your chosen style may be discontinued, it may be necessary to buy over a year ahead of time.
Who to bring. Shopping for your wedding dress is a fun event. You may want to bring your mother, maid of honor or sister. Avoid bringing your entire bridal party – too many opinions can become overwhelming and be too much distraction as you shop.
Just remember…no matter how enthusiastic everyone gets, don’t buy in the heat of the moment. Give yourself time to recover from the perfect dress “high”, and go back later to buy it. The vast majority of dresses in are non-returnable, so when you’ve bought it, you’ve bought it.
Before you shop. Bring pictures of dresses you like with you to your appointment. This will help your shopping assistant find similar dresses for you to try on. This can help you to define the materials and styles that appeal most to you. Be open minded though, you won’t know the perfect dress until you try it on.
Stay hydrated. Trying on dresses can be a workout! Dressing rooms are often warm, so bringing a bottle of water with you is a good idea. Most wedding dress shops do not allow soft drinks or coffee to protect the dresses.
Bring a camera. Most wedding dress shops will allow you to take a picture of yourself in dresses you are considering. Check their policy before taking pictures though.
Wedding dress timelines. It is common for your wedding dress to arrive 4-6 months after you order it. You will likely need alterations once it arrives. Ask the representative when you need to order your dress to allow for their timeline.
Buyer’s remorse? Once you buy, stop shopping. You do not want to find one you love more, or a better deal. It will only make you feel bad and maybe even justify yourself on the need for two dresses. Instead, what you need to do is remember why you chose the dress you did and how it made you feel. Go get your dress out of the closet, put it on and stand in front of the mirror. You’ll remember exactly why it’s perfect.
Other wedding day items. Once you’ve found your dress, you can select your wedding veil, shoes, slip and other items. Many wedding dress shops also offer a full line of wedding accessories.
Questions to ask.
- Does the store design custom gowns, update vintage gowns, or provide options when ordering particular gowns (for example, neckline or sleeve styles)? What is the cost of these services?
- Is the store willing and able to order a sample gown you may have seen in a catalog or magazine if they don’t have it in house?
- What is the estimated wait time between ordering and arrival of dress? If necessary, can the store accommodate rush orders and what are the additional costs?
- What is the store’s policy for down payments, deposits, cancellation, and when is the balance due?
- What is the cost of alterations? Can you get the estimate in writing?
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