Before wedding planning even starts, most brides have already started dreaming about their wedding dress. On the other hand, with so many options it can feel like you’re going in blind.
Not sure where to start on your wedding dress shopping journey? Look no further, Wedding Wingmen Monica and Tori of Platinum Bridal are here to share what you need to know before saying yes to the dress!
When to Start Wedding Dress Shopping?
As a newly engaged bride-to-be it can be tempting to jump right to the fun part of wedding planning, but you don’t want to jump the gun! Ironing out a few key wedding details ahead of time is crucial as they factor into your decision making process. At the very least, Monica and Tori say you should have a date picked out.
“Ideally, you should start wedding dress shopping one year before your wedding.”
At this point of your wedding planning process you should have a budget with most of your big expenses accounted for, including your wedding dress. If you shop any less than a year, know that rush shipping and last minute alteration fees will chip away at that number. Sharing a ballpark number with your bridal stylist can prevent you from going over budget as you’ll only be shown what you can afford.
The more you can share with your bridal stylist will help them personalize the search process. For example, if you’re getting married at the beach, they may not show you the same dresses as someone with a church venue. While dress color used to be traditionally white or ivory, your bridal stylist may guide you towards options like champagne, nudes or light gold to fit better with your color palette. The more you narrow down your search the easier it will be to make a decision you can feel good about and not feel pressed for time.
Wedding Wingman Wisdom
“Depending on the designer and where the dress is coming from will determine its lead time. Dresses nowadays are taking anywhere from 6 to 9 months to come in. Plus you’ll want an additional two months for alterations.”
Where to Find A Wedding Dress?
Most brides prefer the act of trying on dresses in person and we totally understand why! While Monica and Tori may be a bit biased as bridal stylists, they believe “buying a dress online kills the experience. When you buy a dress online you don’t have your entourage, you don’t have the moment, and you don’t have the fun of trying different styles and silhouettes.”
However, we understand that not all brides are able or want to go to a bridal shop! The main benefit of shopping online is that you’re not limited by a store’s availability and have access to all types of dresses and designers from around the world. Additionally, it is a great option for those with a lower budget. As a rule of thumb, remember to compare your measurements with the sizing chart and read reviews!
Similarly, make sure to read reviews for bridal boutiques! They can be your best friend, but consider asking your married friends for recommendations as “word of mouth is the best marketing!” While you may not be able to see the store’s inventory online, you can look to see if what they carry aligns with your vision and if the designers are in your price range.
A bridal shop may have extensive selection, but without a good bridal stylist you can feel a little lost. Monica and Tori say “If a salon matches you with somebody you do not get along with, speak up and request a change! This process is all about making you comfortable.
How Do I Determine My Bridal Style?
Since your time is limited with your stylist, it’s important to get an idea of what you like and dislike before you meet with them. If you find yourself liking a lot of things, don’t fret! In fact it’s becoming increasingly popular for brides with bigger weddings to have a dress for their ceremony and another for their reception.
Spend some time looking at bridal magazines, Instagram and Pinterest. Not only will this help you understand what you like, but it can be helpful for your bridal stylist. They can help you identify specific dress details you like such as a silhouette, neckline, etc. and select similar styles for you to try on first.
However, one of the most common wedding dresses shopping mistakes is relying too heavily on research. Remember your research is meant to guide you, but sometimes it can guide you wrong. “Brides will come with their Pinterest boards with styles from the early 2000s thinking that those styles are still available. They’re not realizing that that dress style has been discontinued for years, and are too closed-minded to see anything but what they have in the picture.”
Who Should I Bring Wedding Dress Shopping?
While some bridal salons take walk-ins, it’s generally a good idea to make an appointment. At Platinum Bridal appointments last an hour and a half. Keep in mind weekends tend to book up fast. “Weekdays are advantageous because the stylist can spend more time with you and the atmosphere is more relaxed.”
Bring your closest friends and family who really know you and are excited for you. “Our opinion is that less is better, too many opinions can be a distraction.”
What to Bring Wedding Dress Shopping?
As always, it’s your day so do whatever makes you feel comfortable, our advice is just a suggestion! For your appointment, make sure to come energized and have a positive attitude! Monica and Tori suggest you wear your everyday makeup so that you feel polished and confident when looking in the mirror. As for hair, something like a messy bun updo is a great option as you can see the dress without distractions. If you have any accessories, make sure to bring them as well!
As for undergarments, nude is key! Make sure to grab a good strapless bra and any shapewear you’re considering wearing. Additionally, don’t forget your accessories! If you don’t have your shoes quiet yet, bring a heel with a similar height to mimic the feeling!
Victoria Addington
Thank you for reminding me that it’s a good idea to have a few friends with you when you go wedding dress shopping. They are your closest friends and family, as you indicated, and they are thrilled for you. I’ll make sure to share this with my buddy who is getting married so she has something to remember. I’ll also look into shops that might be able to assist her in purchasing one.
Elina Brooks
My sister is getting married spring of next year, so she wants to get started with her wedding preparations soon to give her enough time to properly plan the ceremony of her dreams. I’m thankful for your advice when you told us to spend some time checking out bridal magazines and online resources to help us pick out certain styles we would like to get for our wedding dress to give us an idea of what we want before we go to the wedding gown boutique. I’ll be sure to keep this in mind and tell my sister about it while I look for a shop for us to visit next week for bridal gowns.