Are you a future bride looking for that perfect dress to wear on your wedding day? If so, you may come across thousands of wedding gowns to choose from in the market. Yet, with so many choices available to you, making up your mind and choosing that one best gown can prove to be a daunting task. In this article, we present practical tips to help you find that one-of-a-kind gown for your wedding.
Set a definite budget- Before setting out to shop, it’s very important for you to decide how much you are willing to spend on your dress. Be realistic. How much can you afford to spend on your dress without going into debt? Remember, a wedding gown does not need to be expensive in order to be beautiful. You don’t have to spend lavishly on this one thing if you only have a small budget.
Know your body type- Women have varying body types. Some women are full-figured while others are petite. Some women have a pear-shaped body type while others have an hour-glass figure. Get to know your own body and find a gown to match. Regardless of what your body type is, there is surely a style of a gown that would be perfect for you.
For instance, if you have a full-figure, you may opt for an off-shoulder gown or a strapless wedding gown as these styles accentuate the shoulders. A ball-style gown is also a great choice because it creates the illusion of a smaller waist.
Nonetheless, full-figured brides must avoid fitted dresses or styles that hug the body such as the mermaid-style; gowns with puffed-sleeves because they emphasize the arms; and gowns with ruffles because these embellishments tend to add volume and can make a bride look bigger than she really is. Remember, Look for styles that will help hide your flaws and highlight your best features.
Traditional or Modern? What kind of wedding gown do you imagine yourself donning on that most special day of your life? Would you like a modern-style wedding dress or a traditional wedding gown? Traditional gowns often come with a veil and a long train. These gowns may be made out of vintage materials such as vintage lace or satin and designed with intricate embroidery and embellishments.
On the other hand, modern wedding gowns tend to be simpler. Tea-length gowns or short wedding gowns are very popular especially with outdoor weddings and garden weddings. These bridal dresses often do not have long trains. Nevertheless, a modern gown can still look elegant and stunning despite its simplicity. In fact, a lot of brides today prefer to wear simple wedding gowns that are gorgeous but affordable.
Do comparison shopping- A wise buyer always spends time and energy to shop around and compare prices. Bear in mind that vendors may sell at different prices. You will most likely find the perfect bridal dress at a much cheaper price if you will take the time to comparison shop.
The internet is a wonderful tool to make your search convenient and quick. You will surely find online wedding shops that offer wedding gowns in various lengths, styles and sizes. Don’t forget to check out the sale section where you can find dresses and other bridal accessories at lower prices.
Consider vintage gowns- You can also check out vintage gowns both online or from a local shop as these are more likely to be cheaper than tailor-made gowns. You might be able to find an authentic wedding gown from a past era that looks fabulous on you.
Consider bridesmaids gowns- Here is another great tip for brides on a budget. Instead of shopping around for bridal gowns, why not consider bridesmaids’ gowns? A lot of bridesmaids’ gowns can be worn by the bride herself. Nevertheless, bridesmaids’ dresses are usually sold at half the price or at lower prices compared to bridal gowns. So if you prefer a simpler gown or a shorter gown, a bridesmaid dress is a wonderful option.
Consider online bridal shops– If you want to purchase a wedding gown from an online store, be sure to check the merchant’s reputation. Is it a bridal store known to provide quality products and services? Watch out for unscrupulous sellers that sell cheap wedding gowns online!
Purchasing from an online store can enable you to save money as most online sellers are able to cut down their prices because of the lower overhead costs. However, choosing a gown with the right size and fit can be a challenge. See to it that you can take your correct body measurements. It’s also recommended that you choose a style of gown that will allow you to do alterations easily, in case you need to.
Read the merchant’s policy on returns and refund. If the gown does not fit you or if you have any issues with your purchase, will you be able to return it? How long will it take for your order to reach you? Shipping items from across the State may not be a problem but if you are purchasing from a seller located in another country, shipment could take a much longer time.
It’s best to use a credit card when shopping online so you can enjoy additional purchase protection services from your credit card issuer. Thus, if you might encounter problems with your order or with the gown you bought, your bank may allow you to charge-off the purchase.
Furthermore, safeguard yourself against online ID theft and fraud. See to it that you are in a secured web page when you are required to enter personal information such as your name, shipping address, and credit card number. A secured web page begins with https://, instead of the normal http://. Last but not least, read the store’s Privacy Policy so you can be aware of how the merchant protects customer information.
Make room for alterations- Whether you are ordering a custom-made wedding gown or purchasing a gown off the rack, make sure that you have enough time to do alterations if necessary. The only way to know for sure whether you need to make some minor adjustments with your gown is to try it on. For instance, you may need to adjust the waistline or shorten the length of the dress. See to it that you will have ample time to do these things.
Wear a good-fitting bra- The type and design of the bra you will be wearing underneath your gown can make a big difference in the fit and appearance of the gown itself. See to it that you will wear the right size and type of bra on your wedding day. Also, make sure that it is made out of quality, comfortable material.
Ask for opinion- If you are going to do a fitting, be sure to take along your maid-of-honor, your mother, sister, and/or friends. In fact, accompanying the bride to her fittings is one of the most important tasks of the maid-of-honor. They will be able to give you an objective opinion as to whether the dress suits you well or if you need to go on looking for that perfect dress.
Make sure it comfortably fits- It is strongly recommended that you personally visit the shop and do the actual fitting of the gown at least a few months before your wedding date. It is very important to choose a gown that fits well to your body type and that you feel comfortable wearing. You may have your eye on a gorgeous dress but if it does not have a good fit, it’s best to look for another gown that has a much better fit.
It’s also a good idea to do a final fitting one week before the wedding day. Some brides may lose weight or gain weight during the period of the preparations so you need to be sure that the gown will exactly fit you. Remember, if you feel good in the dress you’re wearing, you will certainly look more beautiful too.
These are just some tips you should consider before buying a wedding gown. Keep in mind that what’s most important is for you to feel good about yourself. Stay happy and you will surely be the most beautiful woman on that day.
