Take the stress out of wedding dress shopping

It’s an exciting time – shopping for 'the' dress – so why then does it feel so darn stressful? It needn’t be that way though. With a bit of planning, research and our top tips, you’ll be able to make the whole process super stress-free.

Less is more

Shopping for your wedding dress should be a joyous occasion. It should be something that you share with your friends and family, but the whole wedding party don’t need to attend. Only take those people who really have your best interests at heart. It might also mean ditching your super trendy friend – the one who convinced you that Crocs were really flattering. You want a dress that is 'you' and that will stand the test of time, so trendy Wendy can take a back seat for this trip.

Listen to the stylist/designer

They’ve seen a whole lot of body shapes try on a whole lot of dresses and they really do know what looks good on you. They might push you out of your comfort zone, but that is a good thing sometimes!

Do your research

The only way to really know what looks good on you is to try it on but you can narrow down the selection by creating a mood board of those looks and styles that you are instantly drawn to. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try on the minimal slip dress when you’ve been coveting full on ruffles, but it does give you a starting place.

Know your budget

And stick to it. There’s no point falling in love with a dress that’s out of your price range. By all means try it on for a look and feel but then move on to something within your price range.

Remember to take your time

This isn’t a decision that can be made instantly. Some brides do just know when they try on their dress. Others try on way too many. Whatever camp you fall in, having time to reflect is never a bad thing. You can always go back and try it on again at a later date. 

Don’t buy a dress in a smaller size

Yes, you may lose that wedding weight, but getting married is pretty darn stressful as it, without having to ensure you can squeeze into your wedding dress. The best wedding dress boutiques will have seamstresses on hand to ensure your dress fits you like a glove. This is way better than worrying about what size it is. Ultimately your dress needs to feel comfortable – you don’t want to be fidgeting around with pulling tops up or skirts down just because you needed to fit into a certain size. 

Make sure you look at all angles

You may only see the front, but all your guests are going to see this dress from lots of different angles. If it fits you at the front, but gapes at the back, it’s a no-no – unless it can of course be sorted out by a seamstress. 

Don’t try on too many dresses

Wedding dress shopping is actually quite exhausting, so it’s probably best spread over a few days if you have the time. Also, if you end up trying on 30 dresses in one day, you’ll end up with a spinning head and total confusion about what you want to wear.

At the end of the day, it’s only your opinion that matters

So, your mother-in-law doesn’t understand your vision and your mum wants you to wear her old wedding dress… That doesn’t matter. It’s your day. If you like the dress, if it fits in with your theme, if it makes you feel amazing, then buy it. They don’t have to wear it – end of. And yes, even if your parents are contributing to the dress, you need to love it. Don’t compromise so much that you don’t feel like yourself on the big day.

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