Finding a wedding dress can be daunting! There are literally thousands of white dresses out there, so how are you supposed to pick just one? Well, fear not brides-to-be! Our friends at Essense Designs, the design house that brings you award-winning designer wedding dresses from Essense of Australia, Stella York, and Martina Liana, have you covered with their top 10 tips for finding the perfect wedding dress.
Budget
First and foremost, give yourself a price range and stick to it! Be vocal and honest about your price range and how much you can realistically spend on your dream wedding dress. When you make an appointment, tell your consultant exactly what you’d like to spend in order to avoid trying on a dress, falling in love with it, and ultimately having sticker shock.
Location
Where are you getting married? On a beach resort? An ornate cathedral? How about a candlelit ceremony in a refurbished warehouse? You know what they say, it’s all about location and the same goes for your wedding dress! Think about the overall vision of your venue and go from there. You probably don’t want to wear a heavy ballgown on the beach, and you probably won’t want to wear a short and simple wedding dress in a large church.
Time frame
Start early, at least six to nine months in advance. Almost all wedding dresses are made to order and take at least four months to complete. The longer you wait, the fewer choices you’ll have and you may incur rush order fees if your dream wedding dress isn’t ordered on time. If you’re short on time, check out bridal salons that sell off-the-rack wedding dresses that you can carry out the day you try it on.
Be Flexible
How many times have you heard of a bride with a clear vision of what she wanted who ends up leaving with something completely different? It’s a tale as old as time! Unless you’re always red carpet ready, this will likely be the first time you’ve ever had to pick out a gown, so let the consultant help you with silhouettes, unique fabrics, and unexpected choices. You might just fall in love with something you never thought of trying on!
Know Your Body Type
The cardinal rule of style is knowing how to dress for your figure and nothing could be more true than when shopping for a wedding dress. Try afit-and-flare silhouette to accentuate your waist, or a sheath silhouette if you’re tall and slender. Of course, a ballgown with a sweetheart neckline is flattering on any frame! Be conscious of what looks best on you, but throw a little caution to the wind and make sure to try on something new! One of your favourite trends of the moment? Wedding dresses with sleeves! From illusion long lace sleeves, to elegant crepe and off-the-shoulder sleeves, this trend is so very fashion-forward and definitely worth a try!
Consider a Trunk Show
If you have your heart set on a particular designer, call a store near you that carries that designer’s line and see if they are having any trunk shows. A trunk show allows you to try on more designer-specific dresses than the salon usually carries from the the designer’s collection.
Know the lingo
Understanding the basics of cut, color, fabric, and silhouette are super important when trying on wedding dresses. Knowing the difference between ivory, white and champagne will save you time and energy.
Select your entourage carefully
You don’t need to include every gal in your bridal party when shopping for your wedding dress. The smaller the party, the less opinions you have to manage. Just bring those closest to you and have fun with a small group of trusted sources.
Focus on how you feel
Don’t overthink it! Focus on what you love about the dress and how happy it makes you feel. If you feel self conscious or feel like it shows flaws, then move on! You want to feel confident in your choice of wedding dress, so consider not taking a picture of yourself in the dress, that way you won’t obsess over the decision.
You'll know when you know!
Just like your groom, you’ll find the right one when you’re ready. Don’t pressure yourself into buying something just because it’s on sale, or losing weight to look a certain way, or saying yes because your friends like it. Focus on what really matters and the dress will find its way to you!
For more gorgeous gown inspiration, check out Essense of Australia and follow @essenseofaustralia on social media!
