It is usually suggested that you should get your wedding dress 9 months before your wedding date. To some, this seems ridiculously early and many leave it until much later. However, when you take into account all aspects associated with getting a wedding dress, such as paying in installments, alterations, and any mind changes you may have before your big day, 9 months seems completely reasonable.
Often, wedding dress shopping has the stereotype of being rushed and stressful, but this certainly doesn’t have to be the case. If you’re looking to start dress shopping but are unsure of where to begin, keep reading to discover some simple tips on how to make the experience fun and enjoyable for everyone involved.
Do research
If you walk into a wedding dress shop without doing any prior research into the style of wedding dress you want, you could find the whole experience scary and overwhelming. Generally, these shops will have a huge array of styles and types of dress to choose from and, if you have no idea what you want, you could face hours of stress and indecisiveness ahead of you.
Try searching online for some inspiration before you start your shopping, simply to get an idea of what’s out there and the styles that appeal to you the most.
Stick to your budget
With the average wedding costing a huge $26,000, it’s essential to budget for every single aspect – including your dress. Establish a budget before you start looking, and make sure you stick to it under all circumstances.
Budgets are there for a reason, especially when considering how many other items will need to be paid for, so use your budget as a guide for which shops to enter and which to avoid. That way, you’ll always be shopping within your means and won’t be tempted to stray.
Don’t take too many people with you
Whilst all your friends and family members would love to be a part of your wedding dress shopping experience, it’s essential you place a limit on who you take with you. If you end up taking to too many people, opinions will be rife and you may find yourself feeling pressured by the thoughts of others. This dress is yours, and only you should make the final decision.
Taking a couple of close friends and maybe your mother and mother-in-law will be more than enough to provide constructive advice without being too overwhelming.
Millions of young girls worldwide dream of the day they go shopping for their wedding dress and it would be a shame if, when the time comes, it’s full of stress and hassle. It should be a fun and exciting experience so, as long as you follow the above tips and stay organized throughout, you’ll avoid any unnecessary problems and end up with the dress of your dreams!
Alicia Douglas is studying fashion design and she has a penchant for bridal fashions and trends. Her articles mainly focus on bridal dress trends.
These are all good tips for brides to be. I really didn’t know what I was doing while shopping for my gown many years ago!
These are great tips. Our oldest daughter got married in May. We went dress shopping in late August/early September, we had a budget of around $700. She said she’d pay for half. She tried on a few dresses in our price range, then she tried on one she liked without looking at the price first. It was around $1200 and I said yes, I regretted it right after we bought it. Even though she liked the dress, she says now that she wishes she wouldn’t have gotten such an expensive one. Food for thought for when our other daughter gets married. Live and learn :/