Welcome to the wonderful world of bridal fashion! We imagine, since becoming engaged, you’ve been asked a dizzying array of wedding dress questions – what you like, when you’re shopping, who’s going, are you wearing sleeves, can I come?! Who knew wedding dress shopping could seem stressful?!
But worry not, we have all the best wedding dress shopping tips from our experts here at The Kent Wedding Centre! Follow our guide and not only will shopping for gown be your favourite planning task, the whole process can be a thoroughly dreamy experience.
Our Wedding Dress Shopping Tips from Experts
Set a Budget
Before you get carried away Pinning all those lovely lace wedding dresses, take a look at your wedding budget and set a number you’re willing to spend on your gown. This will not only narrow your choices but also help you hone your expectations in the dress shopping process. Beyond that it also helps your wedding shop know what, and what not, to show you. This will avoid any heartache and costly mistakes if you fall in love with something you just can’t afford.
Start Wedding Dress Shopping 9-12 Months Ahead
Believe it or not, bridal gowns typically take anywhere from 4-10 months to be made and received by the wedding shop. Factor in shipping times, alterations, pandemics, and multiple fittings – in the end, your gown could take up to 12 months to be ready for you.
Don’t have that kind of time? Some designers may offer rush services, but be prepared to pay an extra fee. Out of timely options? If you’re happy to get a professional cleaning and are lucky enough to fit in sample sizes, salons often allow brides to buy samples off the rack for a lower price.
Do Your Gown Research
Overwhelmed by the endless options and don’t know where to start? Do your research and decide on what style of gown might be right for you. Want to know what silhouette best flatters your best bits?
Use Social Media To Find & Save Gowns
Pinterest and Instagram are brilliant for discovering the endless gowns on offer these days. Follow your favourite blogs, designers and wedding shops to discover new collections, see your favourite gowns on real brides, find out about surprise sample sales and hear about nearby designer weekends. Save your faves on your wedding dress boards, and Instagram archives to bring with you to your appointments.
Call Your Wedding Shop Before
A top tip for an amazing wedding dress shopping experience: give your bridal shop a call to give them an idea of what you like. Wedding shops almost always keep notes with all your favourite gowns, what kind of bride you are, and when and where the big day is taking place. All of this helps them pull together gowns that are perfect for you on the day you arrive.
While certain shops may have your favourite designers, they’ll likely only have a select number of gowns. Ask them if they have your favourite style and if they can order a sample if it’s not already in the shop. This is also a great time to ask questions like “Do you have plus-sized samples of your gowns?”
Choose Your Bride Tribe Wisely
Take special care when you select which guests will join you on your wedding dress hunt.
First, check how many guests your shop will allow in their rooms (especially at the moment!). Second, take a good hard look at who needs to be there. Finally, choose guests who are above all, positive people. Certain close friends may not be suited for this day due to general cynicism (no matter how fun they are as friends!) Make sure your bride tribe is uplifting, understands who you are, what you like, and understands that this day is about you choosing your dream bridal gown.
Brides often ask if they should invite their future Mother in Law. Our take: if she’s someone you get along with, and they’re really supportive, absolutely! If you have a new or not cemented relationship, or you worry about her judgment, perhaps invite her to another bridal event and let her know you’re shopping with a few close friends. This is your special day, so you want to feel comfortable.
Bring The Proper Underwear & Shoes
Our bridal experts suggest nude coloured underwear, and not to worry about the bra (unless you have an issue with support or want to be comfortable) aka going braless. Fun fact, strapless or plunging gowns are much more supportive than regular clothing. So for example, a strapless wedding gown is going to be more supportive than a regular strapless dress.
Everyone needs alterations, so that’s when you decide if you really want to wear a fancy bra underneath. Bring it with you to alterations to make sure it fits under the gown. Otherwise, it’s common to get cups sewn in during alterations.
Be sure to bring along heels at the height you think you will wear on your wedding day. Wedding shops will have heels on hand, but they may not be your size, or the height you intend to wear.
Forget About Sizing
Wedding dress sizes are vastly different than high street sizing (fashion you wear on a day-to-day basis) so don’t get worked up when you see your wedding dress size. In fact, when you’re in the shop, that sample you’re trying on is definitely “one-size-fits-no-one”.
Nearly everyone needs alterations, so the gown you buy will eventually be taken in and tailored to fit you perfectly – totally different from the usual “pick a size number” shopping experience.
Be Open To Different Gowns
It’s so helpful to know what you like, to narrow the gowns pulled at your dress appointment. But don’t be afraid to try on something totally out of the box.
For example, try on a gown that’s not white – maybe ivory, champagne, nude or even blue! You may be surprised to find out you like something different. Your wedding dress advisor has seen it all, and knows probably better than you, what will work for your silhouette and complexion.
Listen To Your Bridal Stylist (& Your Gut!)
It’s true, your bride tribe knows you best. But no one knows the gowns at the shop like your bridal stylist. The person pulling gowns and jumping into the dressing room is paid to make this experience perfect for you. They’ve taken into account everything you love, and quite frankly is likely to be a lot more objective than your family or friends. They are thinking of what you like, not what they like.
But ultimately, block out all the noise and listen to your gut. If you know deep down you don’t love something, it’s not your gown, no matter how “pretty” your bride tribe says you look. And if you, in your heart, know you prefer something different, listen! You’re the one who’s going to be wearing the gown, you make the ultimate choice.
Take Pictures!
Have your bridal team take photos of you in every gown you love. When you head to your next appointment you’ll have a quick catalogue to compare which is best. Be sure to twirl, walk, get photos of the front and back – you’ll likely try on so many dresses some details can be quickly forgotten.
Don’t Be Afraid To Say Yes To The First Dress You Love
Bridal stylists are really smart, and if they can tell you have a serious favourite during your gown walkthrough, they’ll likely put it on you first. Our experts often say brides think they are being too quick to decide, but then they come back to buy the first gown they loved anyway.