You’ve pictured your perfect wedding dress hundreds of times, but now that your wedding is a reality rather than a daydream, you may want to shop around a bit. Is the dress 14-year-old you fell in love with still the one that will look best? Maybe in a John Hughes movie, but probably not in real life. If you haven’t done so already, take a little time to study different wedding dress styles.
Leave yourself plenty of time to do the actual shopping. The earlier you start, the better. You’ll need to order your dress at least six to nine months before your wedding date, and sooner if possible. Why so early? Because you’ll need to allow plenty of time for your dress to arrive, and then have a series of fittings and alterations after each one. The first fitting usually happens about three months before your wedding. Plan on having the second fitting approximately a month before your wedding, and the final fitting about one week before the big day. See why you need to allow plenty of time? Use these tips, ideas and strategies to make the most of your time and help you find your perfect wedding dress. For more planning help, download these free printable wedding planner worksheets.
Pre-Shopping Prep It’s exciting to spend a day visiting store after store, but your time will be better spent if you do a little work ahead of time:
- Know your price. It’s easy to overspend on the first beautiful dress you see if you don’t have a firm grip on your budget.
- Consider your wedding location and also the season. What kind of ceremony are you having? Would a very formal or more casual dress work better with your venue and personal style?
- Know what you like, and know your body type. Can you take sleeveless gowns or those with plunging backs off your list for a specific reason?
- Schedule appointments at bridal shops. Sure you can just walk in, but wouldn’t it be nice to know you have someone completely dedicated to you and only you for an hour or so?!
- If you do choose to just drop in at a bridal store, choose an “off” day and time, rather than a Saturday. It will be much less crowded and you’ll get more attention from the salespeople.
Shopping Tips Ready to shop? Use these tips:
- Bring magazine clips or a link to your Pinterest boards so you can show the salesperson the types of dresses you like.
- Don't bring too many people along. Everyone has an opinion. Only bring those whose opinions you value the most. And remember – you have the final say.
- Wear proper undergarments.
- Bring your accessories such as a slip and shoes with a similar heel as your wedding shoes. Also bring your veil and jewelry if you have them. Pop them all in a tote bag so it will be easy to take everything from store to store with you.
- Stay open minded. Remind yourself ahead of time that if the salesperson shows you a dress you’re not sure about, give it a chance anyway. They have done this hundreds or thousands of times and have a feel for which dresses suit different body types. And also? That dress is going to look way different on you than it does on the hanger.
- Buy a dress that fits now, not the body you’ll have if you lose 15 pounds. If you lose the weight, yay you! Your dress can be taken in, but there’s not much that can be done if the dress is too small. No matter what your size, a dress that fits well will make you look even more beautiful.
- Take photos wearing the dresses to help narrow your choices later. You can even ask friends and relatives for their opinions. It's like selfies with a purpose.
- Once you find THE ONE, double check ALL the details before you place your order. Make sure the color, size, style and designer are correct.
- Think of cute ways you can display your dress. Make sure to check out this Bride Hanger to put your dress on on your wedding day. We also have this adorable DIY Bride Hanger that can be created in just a few easy steps. Many times your dream dress will be displayed for photos, and this is the perfect element to go with! You can also buy your own personalized garment bag to keep your dress nice before the wedding.
Other Options If you’re not prepared for the reality of how much a wedding dress can cost, there are some things you can do to save a little money and still wear a beautiful wedding gown:
- Look for local or regional wedding dress rental options in your area.
- Buy online. Remember, you will still need to find a local tailor for alterations.
- Shop sample sales. Bridal stores periodically sell their sample dresses at substantial discounts, so keep your eyes open for these sales.
- Update a hand-me-down. Perhaps a friend or relative has a wedding dress they no longer want. A few updates and alterations can turn it into your ideal dress.
- Browse formal dresses and evening gowns at mass retailers. There’s no law that says you have to wear an actual wedding dress, you know!
- Skip embellishments and fancy details. Those things add more cost to wedding dresses.
- Shop vintage. With a little patience, you’d be amazed at the beautiful gowns you can find.
- Make your own dress – but only if you know your way around a sewing machine!
Remember, whether you buy or rent, wear a short dress or a long dress, or opt for pink instead of white, the important thing is to find a wedding dress that makes you feel nothing short of beautiful.
You’ve taken care of your wedding dress, but have you interviewed photographers or thought about your wedding decor? Take a deep breath – you have ten months until your wedding! Oh, and don't forget to hire a caterer!
Follow our Month-by-Month Wedding Planning Guide for more tips for every phase of your planning process. Feeling crafty? We’ve handpicked our favorite DIY wedding projects too! If you need more guidance planning your big day, download these free printable wedding planner worksheets to help.
Article written by: Heather Clark
