1. Before you go, collect images of gowns you like.
Your chances of finding your dream dress increase significantly if you walk in with an idea of what you want to look on your wedding day. We always encourage our brides to look through our website, Instagram and Facebook to gather ideas to show your Stylist.
2. Make an appointment at Bridal Signature
Once you have narrowed down the places you want to dress shop, call and make an appointment. Some places don’t require (or allow) appointments, but it’s way less stressful if you have an appointment. Securing an appointment will give you dedicated time with a consultant and will make your experience MUCH better.
3. The style of your dress might be a wonderful surprise and completely different from what you imagined - Keep an open mind.
If you find yourself drawn to glitzier embellishments or edgier details than your day-job-self is accustomed to, indulge your curiosity. After all, getting married is an extraordinary thing.
Be flexible about what dresses you try on. Even if you really want a boho-chic gown, you may find that when you try on a full-bodied skirt and sparkly top you feel more special than you could have ever imagined! When choosing your wedding dress, the most important factor is to be flexible “Nothing should be set in stone. You might think you hate a certain style, but you can only make a sensible decision once you’ve tried it on.
4. Know What You Want (and how much you want to spend)
You should have a clear vision of what your bridal style is: Do you want to be traditional, chic, understated, fashion-forward, fun, quirky, or regal? You also need to know what your venue is like and have a target budget that you're comfortable with.
5. Shop With a Supportive Team
Your shopping partners should support you and have a very clear understanding of your goal and what your bridal style and budget are. They need to respect the fact that this is your wedding gown and be there to offer advice only when asked. Bring a small, limited group with you. Bring your mother and two friends to the appointments which were the perfect amount for you. Of course, you want the opinions of other people, but at the end of the day, the dress you choose should be the one you personally love. Having too many differing opinions being offered up will only overwhelm and confuse you.
6. Know Your Wedding Theme Beforehand
Before you start dress shopping, decide whether you want a casual garden party-themed wedding or a formal, romantic affair. Always keep the venue and theme in mind as you browse gowns because the last thing you want is for your dress to clash with your overall wedding style.
7. Think About Your Venue / The Length of the Dress
We suggest brides go through their day in their mind before buying their dress. If you’re marrying in a small church or chapel with a narrow doorway or aisle, a wide dress won’t make an elegant entrance very easy. If your reception venue has a lot of steps, how easy will they be to tackle in a figure-hugging fishtail gown?
Make sure the length of your wedding dress is just right. It’s a common misconception that your wedding dress should scrape the floor, but we advise against that: “If it’s too long at the front you’ll end up kicking it, or worse, tripping over. And there’s nothing worse than a bride having to hitch her dress up all day.”
Even if your wedding dress comes with a train, make sure the front of the gown skims your shoes, not the floor.
Of Course, they won't work for a formal wedding, but for a more casual, rustic, or beach wedding, untraditional lengths can be a fun way to bring your personality to your big-day dress. Tea-length is fun for a quirky bride, whereas a white mini dress has a rocker-chic party vibe.
8. Pay Attention to Fabric
In addition to the silhouette, color, and embellishments, the fabric makes a big difference on how a gown will look on you. A heavier, more structured material (think silk shantung, taffeta, or guipure lace) will hold its shape and smooth your figure. Less flattering for those with curves are unstructured silk or filmy chiffon.
9. Buy the Dress That You Don't Want to Take Off
After you've taken a good look in the mirror from many angles, when it's the right one, you probably won't want to take it off. You'll feel accomplished, excited, comfortable, and happy -- and you may even shed some tears!
10. Realize that no matter what dress you choose, you are going to look absolutely beautiful on your wedding day.
Wedding dresses are absolutely stunning, so odds are most of them are going to look incredible on you! On your wedding day, you are going to be wearing a beautiful dress and not a single person there is going to be comparing your dress to other dresses you tried on. While choosing "the one" is a big deal, your wedding day is going to be absolutely magical no matter what dress you are wearing.