4 Easy Things To Remember When Buying a Wedding Dress
As fun as shopping for a wedding dress is, it’s also a rather daunting task! However, a little time, a little patience and a little know-how help make the process as seamless as possible. Check out our ultimate guide to choosing a wedding gown and remember to have fun!
Dress For the Occasion
Yes, this seems a bit obvious, however it’s important to find a dress that matches the tone and style of your wedding. Are you incorporating cultural customs and traditions? Want something modest? What about the weather? Kimonos, saris, lace cap sleeves and fabulous sequined bibbed necklines…these are just some examples of what you can wear. If getting married in the middle of a sticky summer, ensure you won’t sweat to death in your dress, and if marrying in winter, consider a beautiful white coat to wear over your dress when en route to the ceremony and reception venues. Dresses should also match the tone of the affair, whether casual, formal or something in between.
Figure and Style
Whatever type of wedding you’re throwing, it’s essential your dress not only match your style, but flatter your figure. For example, if on the tall side, go for a dress that creates a stunning silhouette. If petite, opt for a trumpet-style dress. Fuller-figured? Try something curve-hugging yet sturdy, as loose fabrics will hang and otherwise look unflattering. Mermaid-style dresses are ideal for boyish figures, as they create an hourglass figure. Bodices with ruching at the bust make smaller chests look bigger, while strapless gowns tend to flatter every figure. And while this is a dress you’ll wear once in your life, it should match your overall style. In other words, don’t wear something you don’t like just because it’s trendy! Find a dress that truly speaks to you (well, not literally) so when looking at pictures you won’t go, “Why the heck did I pick that dress??”
Accessories
Do not, repeat, do not forget accessories! These are the details that make your wedding day look one-of-a-kind. For example, a formal dress looks great when paired with a tight updo and cathedral-length veil, while simpler dresses look amazing with birdcage veils for the ceremony and frilly feather headpieces for the reception. Accessories should always complement your gown, such as floral headbands or antique necklaces. Shoes are also essential, such as beautiful heels that highlight the legs when wearing short dresses. If you’re tall and don’t want to tower over your groom, ballet flats and jeweled sandals work. Shoes with elegant, tapered toes look great with floor-length dresses that hide footwear the majority of the time.
Budget
It’s also important to choose a dress that won’t max out one or multiple credit cards! Have a meeting with your parents and your groom to determine a budget for the wedding and your gown, and do your darnedest to stick to it! Discounted and vintage options always work, and remember to budget for two dresses if changing into something shorter for the reception. Remember, the money you save on your dress can be used for other aspects of your wedding!
Once you find your dream dress, enjoy the rest of your engagement! Envision floating down the aisle…the day will come quicker than you think!
