5 Tips for Finding Your Perfect Wedding Dress

If you’ve recently got engaged, CONGRATS! Enjoy every moment of it and when you’re ready, let’s talk about finding the perfect wedding dress just for you.

First off, let me warn you that wedding dress fatigue is REAL so before you start your search, let me just share a few tips that will help lessen that frustration when dresses start to look all the same (because they will!)

Do your research but also be open-minded.

I’m Type A, so you can bet that I already had a Pinterest board with dress inspirations for a while. I am also a stubborn Capricorn so I had specific silhouettes in mind and was not willing to budget outside my comfort zone when I started trying on dresses. Of course, this led me to be annoyed because I quickly realized that those silhouettes just didn’t look good with my body type. So, be open to going outside your comfort zone and know that there will be disappointments along the way. A lot of things look much different on and off a hanger, and on and offline.

Show up to your fitting with hair, shoes, the proper bra and underwear, and any other accessories.

If you already know what hairstyle, shoes, veil, and/or any other accessories you want for your big day - bring them with you to the fitting. The shoes are a must so that you can properly alter the length of your dress and decide on how long you want your train. But, all the other things will help you visualize what you’ll look like on that special day. Hair does play a huge role too! Whether you want to cut it shorter, keep it longer, have it up, curled, etc., will help you on the type of straps, how deep your v-neckline should be, if you want a certain sleeve length, etc.

Also for fittings, know that most associates will be helping you with the dress in the fitting room so if you’re a little shy, wear nipple covers. Keep in mind your underwear type as well for the dress you want, whether you’ll be wearing a seamless panty or thong, you want to make sure it doesn’t show through your dress.

Start early!

There is no such thing as starting your research early and making an appointment too. Some bridal shops require custom orders and ordering, in general, can take a few months, unless it is a ready-to-wear situation. So keep that in mind when browsing, to ensure you’re not going to have to pay an extra rush fee or be stressed over whether it’ll arrive in time. You also need to calculate alteration timeframes as well.

Focus on FEEL, not size.

You can get any dress altered to how you want it to fit, so set aside your worries about the size and focus on how you feel in it. You want to be comfortable and make sure that you can sit, stand, and dance in it. More importantly, make sure you can also eat in it!

I do recognize and understand that not all bridal shops and brands will carry inclusive sizing, which in 2022, I cannot understand how or why. However, I am hopeful that we can all find something we love and if not, MAKE IT! Yes, it’ll cost more but it’s also a once-in-a-lifetime thing and you want to wear something you truly love. Please do not settle! You will find a way to make it work!

Set your budget BUT add a cushion for alterations, accessories, and any other expenses that might come up

Have a range but be open to adding a little extra as a cushion for things like alterations, accessories, or any other custom changes for your dress because all those add up. Increasing a slit on a dress can be $150-220 alone. A veil can be from $200-600 depending on the fabric and detailing. Shortening your train is also an additional cost so just be sure to have a little wiggle room with that budget.

Lastly, HAVE FUN! Enjoy the experience. Book as many appointments as you want. Bring all your friends or go alone. Even try on dresses that are beyond your price range because why not? When else will you get to try on $10K dresses right? Oh and please DO NOT worry about your body type. I know it’s easier said than done, but truly, ANY and EVERY body is beautiful. Find a dress that shows YOU off, just the way you are. A dress that truly makes you feel like THE QUEEN that you are. You deserve it.