Be Realistic about your Budget
Having a realistic price point will not only save you the heartache of falling in love with a dress outside of your budget, but it'll also save you time so you're not loading your fitting room with too many options. There are plenty of amazing options in all price points so you're better off trying dresses you can afford, which also ensures you have room for the cost of alterations, taxes, and accessories such as veil, shoes, lingerie, and jewelry.
Consider the Venue, Your Closet and Guest Dress Code
I always tell my brides to secure their wedding venue and date before purchasing their gowns as the season and venue style can offer cues as to what will be appropriate for to fabrics (you likely won't want a bulky ball gown on the beach). Consider what is in your closet and take queues. It's often a good place to start when looking for flattering silhouettes. Think about your favourite assets and show them off! Do you typically lean towards girly, ball-gown style dresses or do you like something that hugs your figure? Do you prefer spaghetti straps over strapless? Lastly, if the wedding ceremony is taking place in a church, be sure you inquire about guidelines you will need to follow, such as covering your shoulders. You don't want to find out at your wedding rehearsal!
Listen to the Shoppe Attendant's Suggestions
Shoppe attendants really know what they're doing. This is what they do for a living and they've been through this a thousand times. You'll see they pick up on your preferences pretty quickly and can suggest options that will suit your figure. They also know how much effort a dress will require in alterations, so it's totally ok to ask the shoppe attendant to suggest dresses that are designed in such a way that they would be easy to alter.
Wear the Right Undergarments and Accessories
It's important to bring what undergarments you are seriously considering wearing on your wedding day (ie. Spanx or shapewear and a nude, strapless bra). It's also a good idea to bring a pair of comfortable heels that are a realistic height for what you would wear on the wedding day as the extra height can immediately change how you look in the dress. By the time you do your first dress fitting after ordering your dress you'll need your gown-specific undergarments so don't leave this decision too late!
Limit your Entourage
It's an exciting time and everyone wants to be included in the wedding dress shopping experience. Some will never (or never) get the chance to shop for themselves, but it's incredibly important to limit the number in your entourage. It'll give you a fair chance at finding your perfect dress without having too many options. Aunt Jane's opinion of what she thinks is "you" will be drastically different from those who know you incredibly well and could shop for you with their eyes closed.
Expect to Spend A Few Hours at Each Dress Shopping Appointment
People are always surprised that a few hours have passed when trying on dresses. Have stain-safe snacks on-hand!
Trust Your Instincts and Watch to Your Body Language
The most important thing when choosing a wedding dress is to be completely and utterly head over heels in love with your choice. Listen to your body language. Did you stand up a little straighter? Can't stop running your hands over the dress and looking at yourself in the mirror? Do you want to wear it home? Those are good signs! Are you constantly hiding the spots you're feeling self-conscious about or having to be reassured that it looks great? It probably means that it's not 'the one'.
Shop at the Best Times
If you are able, take a half-day off at work as shops will be quieter and you'll get better one-on-one attention. If you do have to schedule a weekend, be sure to schedule first thing in the morning as the attendants will be more alert, fresh-minded and able to give you better attention. Sample sales often present amazing dresses at incredible prices, but try to avoid the first day or you'll drive yourself crazy. Call and find out how many days the sample sale is running, when they find the traffic tends to be slower, usually the second or third day of the multi-day sales.
Forget the Size.
Seriously. You'll thank me for it. Ready-to-wear and bridal sizing are two completely different animals so do not be discouraged if you're a size 6 in "real-life" but a size 10 in your wedding dress. Don't convince yourself that you will lose weight (though you likely will) just to be able to mentally handle the dress size. It's always better to buy a dress that fits your current figure and alter it after if it's too big. You can always make a dress smaller, but it's near impossible to make it bigger if it doesn't fit. It's always possible that there will be unforeseen issues that may arise that may prevent you from getting into your goal weight. Seriously. Do not focus on the size.
Read The Fine Print
Yay! You just said 'yes' to the dress! Now take a deep breath and carefully look through the fine print. Are all of the notes correct? The colour, size, inclusions, the price! It's easy to get caught up in the excitement, but be sure you have a clear head when signing off on the paperwork!
