When it comes to wedding planning, there’s nothing quite as panic-inducing for a bride as being unable to find the perfect wedding dress. With endless options to choose from, the most overwhelming part of choosing a gown for a wedding is narrowing down the style that best suits you. Without an idea of what you’re looking for, the quest to say yes can result in endless frustration and trying on 100 gowns across a dozen salons—a serious bridal fashion nightmare
Finding your dream gown can be stressful. After all, you’ve likely never tried one on before, and it’s the most expensive garment many women will ever own, so it can feel like a stressful while wedding dress shopping. It may also feel like there’s a whole new language to decode. Not to mention, more brides are doing multiple dresses—a more formal one for the ceremony and a party-centric one for the reception, which can make shopping even more stressful.
Do Research to Find What You Like:
Do a bit of research before you start the big hunt so that you can get a sense of what is available and what your eye is drawn to in terms of shape, details, and fabric textures,” says Ward. Maybe it is an open back or the timeless sweetheart neckline or elaborate beading. Browsing online (even for an hour) can help you start focusing so that you’re not totally overwhelmed when you first step into a store with countless choices.” Make a secret board and pin all the dresses you really love, then look for patterns and similarities among all your picks. And make sure you come into the salon with the app on your smartphone, ready to show your stylist your board. “It really helps us when a bride comes in with pictures so that we can get inspiration from her and help guide her search,” explains Ward.
Think Shape:
“It’s best to try on a few silhouettes at your first appointment so that you can choose one that feels the most like you and fits your personal style,” says Ward. “Maybe it is the dreamy princess shape or the sexy fit-and-flare. You won’t know until you try it on.”
Pay close attention to how the dress fits your body and whether it’s accentuating your best features and de-emphasizing your insecurities. “If you have always loved your narrow waist but are not a big fan of your hips, then an A-line shape might be the best fit for you. There are no golden rules for this. You know you have the right shape when you feel confident and beautiful. And that’s exactly how you’ll want to feel on your wedding day.
Bridal sizing means your gown’s number will often be one to two sizes higher than what you wear in your regular clothes. Even if going bigger sounds horrifying, remember that no one will know the number but you and your consultant
Even if you plan on losing weight before your wedding, shop for dresses in your current size rather than going smaller. It’s much easier to take a dress in than trying to work with one that’s way too snug.
Figure Out Your Budget:
Yes, it’s uncomfortable to talk numbers, but it will save you from heartache later on. Before your first appointment, figure out who is paying for the gown (your family, your partner, you?).
A wedding dress should suit you and you should love it, irrespective of the designer or price tag. It doesn’t matter where it’s from or who it’s by as long as you can’t imagine yourself wearing anything else. If you find a dress for £250 on the high street that you adore, never feel like it’s not a ‘proper’ wedding dress.
If you’re after a certain designer, or you’ve found your dream dress in a store but the cost of it is keeping you at bay, go pre-loved. Great second-hand dress sites include Still White or Bridal Reloved.
“If you are on a lower budget, all boutiques sell off samples at the end of the season so you can still have your dream dress without feeling like you have to compromise on quality, i.e. buying a replica online from China,” says Jo.
If someone else is paying for the gown (a parent, your partner), get a firm limit on your budget or be prepared to pay the difference yourself.
Be You:
Remember, your dress needs to represent you. Begin by putting your best foot forward during shopping. “If you feel your best in curls and makeup or clear lip gloss and flats, then go for it,” says Ward. “Buying your dream dress is an emotional decision, so you should stop feeling like the best version of you. This way, you can truly assess how you feel in the gowns.” It will also help you picture how you’ll look in the dress on the big day.
Once you’re at the salon, stay true to yourself by considering what fashion you lean toward on a daily basis. If you favor clean lines and solids, look for a minimalist gown, or if you love quirky, retro styles, beeline for vintage designs. Listen to your inner style and voice, which can also mean limiting the opinions. Ward suggests one or two trusted pals or family members with great taste. “Of course, you want someone to point out that puffy sleeves are a thing of the past, but you also want to not be overwhelmed,” she says. “In the end, it is your gown, so stick to your gut and feelings.”
And, as one final note, when you’re finally ready to say yes, don’t be afraid to do so. As Maes puts it, “As long as it feels right and you feel like the best version of you, then go for it. It might feel like the long-anticipated search is over, but you have found your dress soulmate. Hey, you will now have more time to figure out the countless other details of the big day.”
No one knows better than you what style of dress you like and feel comfortable in. It’s cliche but true, you wear the dress, the dress doesn’t wear you, so make sure you’re not so bowled over by a gorgeous gown you forget to ask whether you feel like you in it.
Second Chance Dresses’ Olivia Bowen Buckland admits she felt “dress blind” after trying on wedding dresses. “My top tip is to imagine walking to your husband-to-be down the aisle. Imagine that moment. This may sound silly, but I found myself staring at these beautiful dresses and forgetting to look at me in the dress. I forgot to look at the whole package. It’s all about you on your day, so make sure you search for a dress that makes you happy and you feel like the best version of you in it.”
David says not to listen to people who warn against following the latest dress trend. “Fashion doesn’t standstill. To find a gown that’s going to be classic at the time and last 30 years, that’s a big ask! More importantly, it’s got to suit your figure and suit your personality.”
Wedding Jewellery
Important wedding jewelry tips to remember are when it comes to your wedding day attire, your gown should be the hero of the day. The style of your jewelry, including your wedding necklace, wedding earrings, and wedding bracelet, should complement the style and finish of your gown. It’s therefore advisable to decide on your wedding dress before selecting jewelry pieces to accentuate it, as you want to build your bridal look around your gown. The only exception will apply when you will be wearing heirloom jewelry, which usually pairs beautifully with classic wedding gown designs.
MATCH COLOUR TONES
Knowing how to choose wedding jewelry starts with matching the color tones of the metal used in the jewelry and how it compliments your dress. Bright white metals like white gold and platinum look exquisite with white wedding gowns; while metals with warmer tones, like yellow and rose gold, complement ivory, and champagne dresses beautifully. If you have chosen a blush gown, rose gold will best accentuate the beauty of the dress.
To add a hint of color, try incorporating a gemstone, like Tanzanite jewelry which radiates beautiful hues of blue, violet, and flashes of red.
CONSIDER YOUR GOWN’S NECKLINE
If you want to know how to choose wedding jewelry like an experienced stylist, consider your gown’s décolletage. Pairing your neckline style with the proper adornment will not only add character to your wedding gown but will frame your face or even highlight a unique feature. When selecting wedding dress jewelry to add shimmer to your beautiful day, consider the following guidelines: A sweetheart or strapless neckline pairs beautifully with a shorter necklace or choker, which creates height.
With these necklines styles, you may even choose to exchange the wedding necklace with a shimmering pair. If you are going down the aisle in a V-neck gown, consider wearing a delicate, simple pendant necklace. With halter (or reverse halter) dresses you can put the focus on your hair rather than the neckline. In this case, you may even add a dazzling pair of drop or stud wedding earrings to enhance your bridal look.
LESS IS MORE
For an elegant, sophisticated look it’s best to be on the safe side by keeping it minimalistic. If you have an elaborate necklace, wear small stud earrings; or if your gown has a lot of sparkling embellishments, keep your diamond jewelry understated. By choosing one focus piece to complete your overall look, the accessories will accentuate rather than outshine the gown; and, more importantly, the blushing bride will take center stage.
Your wedding dress jewelry should be something you can wear again and again. The best wedding jewelry is enduring, timeless pieces that can be worn on everyday occasions throughout the journey of marriage. Ideally, you want your wedding necklace, wedding earrings, and wedding bracelet to reflect your personal style. They should look stylish and glamorous with any outfit.
