Finding The Dress: Insider Tips on Wedding Dress Shopping

Every bride wants to look stunning on her wedding day, but let’s be honest, it can feel like a lot of pressure to fine “the most important dress you will ever wear”.  There’s so many questions and expectations about the whole experience, that it’s important to have a game plan!  Today we are sharing some insider tips on how to make the most of your wedding dress shopping experience, while finding the perfect gown to wear while you say I do!

Before you go to your first Bridal Salon, there are a few things you should know

• Book an appointment.  You want dedicated assistance while you are making your decisions, that isn’t guaranteed without an appointment, in fact, on a busy saturday afternoon,  you may not even be able to walk in without a appointment.
• Most appointments last an hour and a half, so don’t book more than three in a day.  You don’t want to feel rushed, and you’ll want to be able to remember where each gown was from.
• Try to make your appointments during the week.  A Tuesday morning is much less busy than a Saturday afternoon.  Take a day off of work and enjoy the process without nearly as much commotion as a weekend.  
• Limit the number of guests you bring to your first salon appointments.  We suggest bringing 2-3 trusted advisors (mom, sisters, BFF) and not the entire gang of bridesmaids.  Too many opinions make decisions making harder.
• Determine a budget before you step into your first shop.  There is no use in trying on dresses that just don’t match your spending plan.
• Bring examples of gowns you like.  Pull images from magazines or have your pinterest board ready!

At the Salon

• Be opinionated.  It’s the bridal associated job to listen to what you like and what you don’t like about each dress and help you find the one that’s right!  When you see a dress you love on the hanger, but don’t love on you, chances are after listening to your thoughts, the associate will have a dress suggestion that matches what you need.  They know their gowns really well and will help you find the dress that checks all your boxes.
• Stay open minded.  In our experience, many brides end up with a dress or silhouette they never even considered before.  Try on the dress your mom loves and the one the store associate recommends- one might surprise you!
• Don’t worry about the size!  A size 6 at a bridal store is usually a 2 at a regular store.
• Bring a bra, but if you forget one don’t worry,  most salons have strapless bras you can borrow.  Make sure it’s the right size, because it definitely matters.  If you plan on wearing a body shaper on your big day, it doesn’t hurt to bring one along as well.
• Listen to others opinions, but at the end of the day, remember this is your wedding.  This is your dress.  You are the one that will cherish it for the rest of your life.  Trust your gut,  you’ll know when you find the right one!

Choosing A Color

Believe it or not, there are literally dozens of shades of white. Typically you will find diamond or silk white, light, medium and dark ivory, champagne and blush.  Sometimes you will even find a light blue.  Keep in mind the dress you try on, may come in a few shades, so be sure to see which one looks best with your skin tone. This means, keep your makeup natural and light (plus you don’t want to get makeup all over the gowns).

Ultimately, the most important thing is to find a gown you truly love.  One that you know you will look back on for years to come, no matter the trends and say to yourself, “I still love that dress”.

Creative Team:

Photographer: Cindy Lund Photography
Bridal Gowns: Laurie’s Bridal
Venue: The Royal Palms
Jewelry: Design By Claudia
Makeup: Makeup by Nicole Fisk
Flowers: Juliet Le Fleur
Rentals: Prim Unique Rentals
Coordination and Styling:  Your Jubilee