Saying YES to the dress!

The other day I was at a friends house and they had TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress” on. Every once in a while you need to relax on the couch and veg out on reality TV. So, I was 3 episodes in and had a revelation-- Some women have no idea how to shop for the right wedding dress.

 

Here are my quick tips when you are going dress shopping:
Decide what you like... Determining your style is important when shopping for your dress! There are a ton of fabrics and silhouettes to choose from. Let your venue and the time of year help you choose a dress that would be both appropriate and perfect for you! Also consider any restrictions at your venue. Some churches have strict dress code policies.

...but be open minded too. It is exciting to research and look through designers websites and find dresses that you like. You can even save them and bring them in when you are at the dress shop. Trying on your “dream dress” is great, but also consider some that the person assisting you suggests. They know the dresses and may suggest a silhouette that is perfect for your body.

Have a budget, and stick to it! No matter who is paying for your dress, a conversation needs to happen to determine an ideal price point. When going into bridal shops, make sure to tell the salesperson your budget. They should only show you dresses within your budget.

Bring the RIGHT entourage. Having some people to go shopping with you is a great idea! Just make sure they are the right people. Having your bridesmaids and mom there is a great idea since you want the opinions of truthful and trusting people. Shopping for a wedding dress is overwhelming already, so the last thing you will want is too many {clashing} opinions to consider. Steer clear of bringing a large group.

Plan ahead. Consider the time and day of the week when you schedule your appointments at bridal salons. Saturdays are obviously the busiest day of the week to shop. I would suggest a weekday afternoon if you and your entourage can make that work. If not, Sunday mornings are a great option. You don’t want to feel rushed or for there to be a ton of other clients there. It can make your shopping experience feel less special.

Order a dress that fits you NOW! To guarantee the perfect fit, alterations of some sort are going to be a must! Keep in mind it is much easier {and cheaper!} to take a dress in versus taking a dress out. No crash diet is worth having your dress fit on your wedding day, especially when you are already stressing over the wedding planning details. Thinking you will tone up and possibly drop 10 pounds is great, but there is no certainty that will happen. So make sure you order the right size for you now.

Hopefully these tips ensure you say a resounding YES to the dress! Happy shopping :)