Enewbern Photography
One of the most exciting things to do when planning your wedding is, shopping for your wedding dress! I know, we all have different levels of “enjoyment” when shopping but truly their is no other experience than when you shop for the dress you will get married in! In fact, many have been dreaming of the experience since they were little girls. Besides all the magic, we want to get real and share the other feeling that comes with dress shopping - Overwhelming! Is it the prefect dress, does everyone love it, will I love it in a few months, the pressure can feel overwhelming, to say the least. So today on the blog, we are sharing how to prepare yourself for dress shopping with our 5 top tips for before, and during those shopping appointments.
Set a budget.
Like all other areas of wedding planning, it’s important to set a budget in advance of shopping for your wedding dress. Understanding how much you can afford, or simply how much you want to spend, will save you time, energy, and a whole lot of frustration. Not sure how much to spend? Consider 10% of your total wedding budget—this is generally the max amount you would ideally want to spend on your wedding dress.
Don’t forget to factor in the all-important costs of alterations. While some bridal salons don’t charge for in-house alterations, other salons don’t offer it at all. This means outsourcing your alterations and most definitely paying for them. On average, alterations for a wedding dress can cost you between $400-$1,000, so be sure to include that in your wedding dress budget.
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Do your research.
Even if you think you know the exact kind of wedding dress you want, don’t forget that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of different types of wedding dresses out there—different brands, different cuts, different styles, etc. To make the most of your time, as well as the time of any family or friends who are tagging along on your search, do a little preliminary research.
Pinterest is a great starting point. Simply type in the words “wedding dress” and dozens of photos will formulate on your feed. You can also add additional keywords, like “ballgown” or “A-line” to help narrow your search. Once you start to find dresses you like, make a note of the designer, the cut, the price and where it is sold.
Start shopping with time to spare.
Timing is key when it comes to shopping for your wedding dress. You want to allot enough time to shop around without the constraints of your big day being just around the corner. Additionally, you want to be sure you have enough time to get it tailored, have several fittings, shop for wedding accessories, and practice walking in it. For this reason, it’s best to start shopping at least 6-8 months before your wedding date.
If you don’t have a full year of wedding planning ahead and need to find something quicker, that’s OK, too. Be sure to prioritize your dress like you do your venue and be upfront with dress salons about your timeline. Call in advance to the salons to make an appointment and even ask them to have dresses prepared for you to see that you can have within your timeline.
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Bring a few confidants—but not too many.
While your entire bridal party, mother-in-law, cousins, and colleagues might be begging for an invite to help you find your perfect wedding dress, it’s up to you who you ultimately choose bring. Remember that the process is quite personal. In addition, you might want to keep the surprise for the big day for as many people as possible.
It’s best to select only a few people close to you to accompany you to your salon appointments. Choose those you trust—who have your best interest at heart, but aren’t afraid to speak up if they feel that a certain dress doesn’t suit you.
Do your makeup and hair.
You might not be dying to impress everyone at the bridal salon, but consider doing your hair and makeup similarly to how you’d imagine wearing it on your wedding day. This is ideal for two reasons. First, it’ll boost your confidence. Upscale wedding gowns and rolling out of bed don’t always mesh, especially under the lights of a wedding dress salon. A bit of color in your cheeks and lips may help you feel more like a bride than your more casual weekend look.
Second, it’ll help you imagine what you’ll actually look like in your wedding dress. If you’re planning on wearing your hair half-up, all the way down, or in an updo, rock that hairstyle as you try on your dresses so you can see how that style works with each dress.
Remember, you can have the fairy tale moment of finding the perfect dress and have fun while you do it. The best tip we can give is to keep it light— and remember this moment is about you. Embrace the chaos of dress salons and come prepared. The perfect wedding dress for you is out there.
Enjoy
XOXO
Content: https://www.zola.com
Photographer: Enewbern Photography