
Top Tips for Wedding Dress Shopping - Must Read!
DON'T GO IN BLIND - PREPARE YOURSELF WITH THE BELOW DO'S AND DON'TS BEFORE GETTING STARTED
- Time: Give yourself plenty of time ahead of the wedding to start looking at dresses. You may find that some stores can take 6 months or more to order in or to custom make your gown, and you also need to factor in alteration time. Around 12 months ahead is a good time to get started.
- Budget: Have a budget in mind, and also don’t forget the add-ons such as alterations, veil, belt, sleeves etc
- Inspo: Browse online and save image of styles that you like, and also research the store before visiting to see if there is anything that they stock that you would like to try, so that they can prepare these for you upon your arrival. NOTE: Oftentimes the style that you think may suit you doesn’t suit you at all! So stay open minded and try a few things that are outside of your comfort zone – you may find your hidden gem!
- Booking: Don’t forget to book! Most stores require appointments and sometimes a deposit, so be sure to check this as you may be turned away at the door if you don’t have one. Also check upon booking as to how many support people you can bring with you.
- Don’t wear makeup: you will be trying on multiple garments in different styles, some of which may need to be pulled over your head, so skipping the makeup is a good idea for keeping the dresses free of marks and stains
- Nude, seamless undies: as you will most likely be trying on white or light coloured wedding dresses, some possibly fitted, nude undies are the way to go so that they don’t show through, and seamless will give a better idea of how the dress is shaped without showing your underwear digging in
- Strapless bra: if you are keeping your options open I regards to style, you’ll want to have a strapless bra handy as this is most likely what you would be wearing on the day
- Shoes: it’s a good idea to take your wedding shoes to give you an idea of how long the dress sits and what alterations you may need
- Tan: don’t apply fake tan beforehand as this may mark or stain the dresses that you are trying on
- Jewellery: avoid wearing jewellery that could get caught on the dresses. If you want to see how your jewellery looks with your dress, take it with you and try it on in store
- Tip: If you’re shy and planning on trying on lots of dresses, a great idea is taking a light robe to throw over you in-between dresses. That way you are using the curtain for a shield while talking to the shop assistant, and you don’t need to keep taking your clothes on and off