Your wedding dress is possibly the most important fashion purchase you will make in your lifetime, meaning getting it right can be a bit tricky. Your wedding dress shopping experience should be exciting and rememberable for all the right reasons.
You’ve probably already thought about what you want, been to The National Wedding Show and scanned your local David’s Bridal store for all of the different styles you can find, but before you set your heart on a design, we’ve rounded up some expert advice from David’s Bridal to help ensure you have the perfect wedding dress shopping experience.
Wedding Dress Shopping Tips for the Perfect Bridal Experience With David’s Bridal
Start Early
Give yourself as much time as possible before the big day. You may have picked the wedding dress you want soon after your first date; however, wedding dress shopping is a lot different from a quick trip down your local high-street to buy an outfit for the weekend.
Finding your dream dress, getting it made or delivered and altering it to ensure the perfect fit, all takes time.
David’s bridal can work to accommodate any timeframe as they stock dresses which are available to purchase and take home on the day.
Budget
Nobody likes to talk about money, especially when it comes to wedding dress shopping but it is so important to consider it from the outset.
Have a think about how much you are able to spend on your wedding dress as a whole. Your budget should include the dress itself, alterations, bridal boutique fees and any added extras you may want like a veil or hair accessories.
Then stick to it! Working to fit your finances is nothing to be shy about, tell your stylist and ensure you stick to it by not trying on dresses above what you can afford. No matter how tempting it may be.
If you are trying to cut down costs, David’s Bridal do not charge for any appointment type so book into your local store now and have a browse with your bride squad.
Research
By doing your research before you begin your wedding dress shopping, you can save a lot of time, and time is something you’ll be valuing a lot more now you’re planning a wedding.
Check the boutiques you are visiting offer wedding dresses within your price range and have designs in your size. Double check if you need to make an appointment and if this comes with a fee. Although David’s Bridal do not charge for any appointment type, some wedding boutiques do!
You also don’t want to over-do the bookings, as choosing several boutiques and spreading the appointments across the day can be exhausting! Davids Bridal offers various sample sizes in all gowns, and their various brands and store size offers an experience much like visiting several boutiques.
Those Joining You
You will obviously want your girls and some family members to be with you when you are wedding dress shopping and it’s great to get some different opinions, but as the experts at David’s Bridal explain it is so important to remember that although you value their opinions, it is just that, an opinion.
If you feel like you’ve found your dream dress and you’ve fallen in love all over again, don’t let someone else put you off. It is your big day!
Pre-Plan The Day
It is easy to get caught up with all the planning and organising that you have to do on the lead up to your wedding, it can take away your free time and make it like another part-time job. So it’s important to remember that this should be enjoyable.
By pre-planning your appointment days. you can make sure it’s an enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
Have a think about things like what hairstyle you want for your wedding day, what the venue is like, and what time of year it will be. Knowing all these things will help you think practically when you begin the search for your wedding dress.
Don’t forget that during the day you’ll be in and out of dresses (with help of course), so wear something comfortable and practical. Nude lingerie and a strapless bra are versatile and won’t distract from any dresses you try.
Stay Open-Minded
It’s important to remember that although we buy clothes and other fashion items based on taste when wedding dress shopping it isn’t quite the same.
David’s Bridal experts advise that wedding dress purchases are made by structure, so the shape of a gown plays a key role in how it will look, and a good bridal retailer should be able to point you in the right direction towards a shape that complements you.
You can check out additional inspiration by browsing David’s Bridal’s online look-books if you want a rough idea before your local store visit.
By trying on a range of styles you can get a feel of how each design and shape is different. Trying on dresses from fit and flare to ballgown cuts will help you determine what does and doesn’t suit you. Remember, it’s good to find out what you don’t like too.
Stop The Search
When you find the one and by ‘the one’ we mean the dress of your dreams that makes you feel beautiful, elegant and ready to walk down the aisle, then it’s time to stop looking.
You’ve got so much to organise and prepare without looking for something for ages and over-thinking your choice so book in
Snap a picture of your chosen dress to keep it fresh in your memory. It’s also a good reference for make-up artists and hair stylists when perfecting your wedding look.
For more than 60 years, David’s Bridal has helped women shine for the special moments in their lives, and they want to make your day amazing. As the world’s largest bridal retailer, they offer a wide range of styles and sizes at reasonable prices so you can have the celebration of your dreams. And they stock more than just wedding dresses – think lingerie, shoes, hair accessories, jewellery, and party dresses, too!
David’s Bridal can support you on every step of your wedding dress journey from selecting the gown, bridal party outfits, alterations and more. Start the process by booking your free in-store appointment with David’s Bridal now.
