Basic Gown Information & HOW to shop for Your Gown
As a young girl, you probably have always dreamed or at least thought of your wedding day. And every girl, when they get their ring, wants to start wedding dress shopping. However, once you start, you will quickly understand how overwhelming it can be. With thousands of dresses and styles available, you can go crazy! So, let’s break down wedding dress shopping with everything you need to know.
Schedule an Appointment
Most bridal shops prefer you make an appointment because the shop attendant who is working closely with you will help select styles and sizes. Walk-in are always welcomed, but you might find yourself in the store when it is extremely busy, and your stylist may not be able to give you the time and attention you really should have. Saturdays are the most popular day for brides-to-be to shop, so you might want to schedule a weekday.
Know Your Wedding Date
If you are purchasing a dress that will be made only after you purchase it, you need between four and seven months for your dress to arrive. If you are buying “off the rack” you need only allow enough time for tailoring the dress to fit you perfectly, anywhere from one to two months. So – know your wedding date when you shop.
Understand Dress Terms
To communicate clearly with your stylist, get familiar with wedding dress terms like silhouette, sweetheart neckline, bustles, etc.
Have a Budget Range
Know your price range than you are willing to spend and share that with your stylist. By creating a range, your stylists can select dresses on either end of the budget and you will get a good array of dresses to try on.
Budget Price Ranges: $100-$500 and $500 – $1000
Moderate Price Range: $1000 – $1500
Quality Price Range: $1500 – $2500
High End Price Range: $2500 – $4000
Couture: $4000 and Up
Who & What to Bring With You
The more people you have at your shopping trip will result in more opinions and more chaos. Select a few special people whose opinion you value and cap it at about three or four individuals. Bring along any photos of dresses that you really like (just 2 or 3) and don’t forget to bring your undergarments and shoes that you will wear that day.
Undergarments can drastically change the look of a dress. You already know that wearing a strapless bra or a regular one with clear straps is non-negotiable. Even so, I’d recommend getting your measurements taken before you start this process; being in an incorrectly-sized bra can make the entire gown look awkward on your body. Undergarments one cup size too small or a few inches too big around can make a huge difference in the fit.
Wear just enough makeup to feel pretty—don’t go overboard. Being surrounded by a billowing sea of white fabric makes you hyper-aware of your appearance. Under-eye circles that were barely noticeable before look stark. Pale pink lipstick is drowned out by fluorescent lighting. You don’t have to get dolled up for your consultant; apply just enough so that you feel presentable. But whatever you do, DON’T apply self-tanner in the days leading up to your appointment, in order to avoid damaging any of the dresses. Also, wear your hair the way you’ve planned it for the wedding.
When trying on dresses, tell the truth about the gowns. The consultant can’t assist you properly if you don’t tell us how you really feel about the gown. “It’s beautiful,” after stepping into each dress does not help them when you are trying to feel out what you have in mind for your ideal wedding gown. They are not the designers; you won’t hurt their feelings. Ten “no’s” will help you get to your final “yes.” Do “the aisle test” to make sure the gown looks good from every angle. Go ahead, sit, shimmy, and even twirl in the gowns while trying them on—if it’s the right one, you should feel as if you never want to take it off.
Make Mom love you forever by trying on a dress she recommends, even if you hate it. If Mom has been looking forward to this moment ever since you played dress-up as a little girl, oblige her just this one time and try on one of her recommendations. It’s a win-win: Either she’ll see that you were right about lace looking all kinds of wrong on you, or you may shock yourself by purchasing one of her picks.
In order to buy a dress, you’ll have to commit to a certain size ahead of time, and they’re a lot smaller compared to regular clothing sizes (a bridal size 6 is equivalent to a size 2 in “normal” clothes). If you’re planning on customizing your gown by adding sleeves, or embellishments, be prepared to answer very specific questions about that as well. You’ll have to sign on the dotted line for even the smallest details.
Repeat after me: You are not a failure if you have to try on more than 10 gowns before finding The Gown.
Shopping can be a scene out of a romantic comedy. The excitement in the bridal salon is palpable, you’re swilling champagne, everyone coos over how stunning you are, and you wish you could bottle how giddy you feel. What movies don’t show you are how despondent it can make you feel if it takes four, or five, or six visits before you find anything that even remotely feels like you. Do it once, do it fabulous. You’re (hopefully) only going to shop for a wedding gown once in your life, so reserve the right to make the final decision yourself, and you’ll hear a silent little voice tell you which one you should choose.