Finding Your Dream Wedding Dress – Everything You Need to Know!
The A-Z of wedding dress shopping – Wedding Planner Expert Advice
From when we are a little girl we dream of our big day! From choosing out our prince charming to the colour of our perfect wedding dress… it’s all mapped out in our heads – complete with the fairytale tiara. When you get engaged and the beautiful rock is on your finger, the fun really begins! The search for the most stunning dress you will ever wear… What will you choose and will it tick all of the boxes? This article will hopefully assist you in finding your dream gown, one which you will never want to take off! I know for myself, I sure didn’t on our big day…
Research, Research & More Research!
The key to finding the dress of your dreams will require some research! So grab yourself a hot cuppa and sit yourself down with those gorgeous bridal magazines which you have so heavily invested in and been gifted. Mark pages which you like the look of the dress, even if it’s just the colour, the style, or the fabric, it’s all inspiration which will help you find your dream dress, the one which brings the tears and the heart-warming moment when you know – “it’s the one!”
Subscribe to as many bridal blogs as you can! And of course, take note of all of the wonderful advice on Weddings Know How. Blogs are a great source of up-to-date trends for designer information on the best of bridal beauty and fashion each season.
When to Shop for Your Dress – Timing is Everything
You have your wedding planner ready! All is set, it lists the months and order of which you are meant to do everything to ensure nothing is left until the last minute and the sourcing of your wedding dress is almost top of the list! Give yourself plenty of time. You don’t want to be worrying about your dress not arriving on time. If you are purchasing your gown from a wedding dress shop and you are choosing a design off the rack, allow six months for your dress to arrive from the time you order it and if you are getting it made, allow for three months or more. The only thing you have to be mindful of is staying a similar weight and shape. Three fittings are usually perfect but the last thing you need is stressing that it’s too small or too big! Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions and if you order your dress online, be aware that it might not be exactly like the image on the online website. If you are ordering online, ensure you are measured up by a professional dressmaker and it’s the right measurements for your country.
The Million-dollar Wedding Dress Question, to go White, Ivory or Coloured?
Everyone has different colour toned skin and hair, and we all come in beautiful shapes and sizes… The colour plays a big part in choosing the perfect dress for you. I know I for one was unsure at first whether to go white or slightly off white and in the end, off white or “diamond white” as it is more commonly known won!
It is a personal decision, but be sure to try on both initially and see which you feel is best. Don’t be afraid to get a professionals opinion and take your Mum, Mother-in-law and bridesmaids to receive their honest advice. It’s their role to help you on the day and also the lead up and they will know when you find the one! Having said that, stay true to yourself and listen to your heart at all times!
As we have seen in some famous weddings of late, Reese Witherspoon and Jessica Biel have pulled off gorgeous pink dresses which looked absolutely stunning! Don’t feel like you have to stick to the traditional white gowns. If you love pink, then go for it and if you adore patterns, then consider that too!
The Style and Budget Debate?
When it comes to choosing the wedding dress style, you might already have an idea but don’t be afraid to also try styles which you might not usually go for! Sometimes you will be pleasantly surprised as to what suits you and your figure and what makes you feel like the princess who you will be on your big day!
Don’t feel like you have to follow traditions, your wedding dress can be long or short, puffy or sleek, detailed or simple, the options are endless! One thing to keep in mind is styles which you suit in normal dresses and have that as a source of inspiration. Will you go strapless or will you have sleeves?
The other big thing to consider is of course, your allocated wedding dress fund! In my case, I called my fiance my “financial fiance” as he looked after the money side of things. How much you are willing to spend and most importantly sticking to so you don’t blow the budget? Sit your fiance down and decide how much you wish you spend on your dress. You may even find your dress on sale, but going shopping with a budget in mind is something which will certainly help you out. Dresses can range from as low as a few hundred dollars or pounds to thousands, but no matter what your budget, you can be rest assured your dream dress is out there, just waiting for you to try it on! My own personal experience was that I started looking at the $5,000 mark, but in the end my dress was $1,500 and it was just as nice if not nicer than the dresses which did cost $5,000. You don’t always need to have the designer price tag and you can’t buy class, it’s all in your own individual style. One thing to remember is to make sure your dress reflects you! All eyes will be on your walking down the aisle and as you gaze in to your husband to be’s starry eyes on the big day, you want to feel and look your best. No doubt, even if you are wearing a paper bag, the man you are about to marry will love whatever dress you choose! The same goes for your wedding shoes, accessories and how you wear your make-up and hair, keep it simple, stunning and elegant and you can’t go wrong. On the day everything will come together and once you put that dress on, nothing else will matter except marrying your soul mate.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions – The More You Ask, the More You Know!
There are many different questions which you can ask and no doubt you will ask them many times over but once you know, you will know! There is nothing better than the feeling of finding your dream dress. There will be smiles and quite possibly tears of joy and excitement. I know for me there were many tears indeed! Those memories with your Mum, sister and loved ones is the most special and looking back, choosing the dress was much more than finding a beautiful dress, it was sharing the special moments with the people who are most dear to me and they were so happy to be involved with such a special time in our lives. Cherish every moment and I wish you all the very best with finding your dream dress, after all, you are halfway there, you have already found your one true love, your prince charming!
Rachael Elizabeth Tickner – “Until next time Weddings Know How readers, happy planning with your lovely fiance and good luck on the wedding dress journey!”
Rachael Tickner is the founded of Love Shoe Weddings – Your Cinderella Day.
This bubbly lover of all things weddings will be a regular monthly columnist and she welcomes any feedback on what about different wedding topics you would love to hear more about. Feel free to drop her a line on her business email, [email protected] or visit: www.loveshoeweddings.com.au.
As an experienced and dedicated wedding planner in sunny Australia, Rachael is happy to answer any wedding advice she can! Love Shoe Weddings does destination weddings too so she accepts enquiries from all over the globe!
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