Choosing the right wedding dress is the key to look stunning on your wedding day. Whether you opt for conventional colors or contemporary styles, it must enhance your beauty. How to choose a wedding dress is the most daunting task for many brides, with abundant options around it is overwhelming. Finding your wedding dress style calls for immense planning with some more careful analysis and a lot of patience to be able to pick your delight.
Choosing a wedding gown is never easy and more so the thought of which wedding dress for your body type will make you steal the thunder on your D day. From the neckline, to the shape, to the color and the embellishments on it, all of this needs at least a 6-8 months planning prior to the wedding. Begin early and research more, this is probably the best way to pick your dream wedding dress.
Tips on How to Choose a Wedding Dress:
1- Plan ahead and formulate a budget:
Based on your funds for the wedding, come up with a realistic budget for your wedding dress. Be sure to factor the tax, shipping and alternations in addition to more embellishments you wish to add. Have your funds in hand when you begin planning. Do keep a marginal $200-300 for last moment contingencies in fitting and alterations.
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2- Learn the wedding gown silhouettes before hand:
Before you start checking for options, learn about the available silhouettes. There are mainly 6 silhouettes; ball- gown, empire, A-line, sheath, fit and flare and mermaid. Just try some stores and check out all 6 to pick which one styles best on you. This is a big step in narrowing down your choices. Be sure to check for necklines and sleeve designs too.
3- Pick your favorites:
Now 4-6 months away from your wedding, you must have a Pinterest board and some prints or catalogues which you have picked as your favorites. Be sure to keep checking them with your body type as there may be the latest additions to the styles. Now put all your favorites under one group and begin finding the best of all. Your most picked neckline, sleeve style, embellishments and silhouettes. Narrow down these choices to good 3- 5 styles.
4- Make appointments at salons:
Now from the selected few, make appointments and go ahead for trials. Be sure to have your most trusted friend or maid of honor. And opt for less crowded times for elaborate checks and discussions. Weekdays are preferred for their low rush hours. Be sure to pick your preferred salon and designers which fall within your budget. And make a great rapport with your dress counselor for all the extra help and suggestions. You would thank him for all these later.
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5- Limit your entourage:
Do not bring a group of 8-10 people discussing about prospective wedding dress, just remember an old adage,”too many cooks spoil the meal” And you don’t want that to happen. Just a few good friends and someone who may have a good know-how about the subject. Do not go as a gang just a few 3-5 good friends and be sure to try each of the dresses narrowed down. Take suggestions from only those whom you love and who have your best interest in their mind. Avoid people who are charming their way for their own wedding dress trial or some more fun filled day.
6- Whats your style pick:
How do you envision yourself on your wedding day. A stylish chic or a traditional bride, do you like to opt for sexier cuts or more solemn look. Be it vintage or modern, just convey it to your gown consultant. Be sure to mention all details you wish for your wedding gown. She would be able to guide you the best, so inform everything from your end.
7- Be patient and trust the designer:
Do not overestimate your own choice, let the designer help find you the perfect match. There are many cases where what you discarded in the first place becomes the delightful pick you prefer at the trial. Let the designer suggest, be patient and welcome all suggestions. This is the key, as you have to find the pick, which hits the cord from all aspects. Be it style, budget and fashion, it must have satiated all your parameters. And most importantly, it must look great on you.
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8- Be sure to wear the gown for at least half an hour before deciding:
Sometimes we overlook the comfort aspect, but it’s more of comfort and grace than about style. As even if you have the best styled wedding gown if you cannot be comfortable and keep battling it, it would not make it your perfect wedding gown. So wear it, sit-stand, walk around, climb the stairs and twirl. It must be comfortable and you should feel how you want yourself to look on your wedding day. Be sure to check yourself in the mirror for a few minutes too.
9- Be wise and realistic while sizing:
Don’t worry if you see a size or two up matching you well. Wedding dresses run small and you are planning for after 3-5 months. Be sure to leave ample room for your comfort and grace. Also remember to keep little margin for further alterations. Take advice from wedding gown counselor and designers and pick your size accordingly
10- Pick what looks great to you:
Do not get carried away by what others say, pick the wedding gown that feels just right to you. At the end its you who has to fulfill all her desires and wishes. Be more wise while picking, and weigh in all the parameters again.
The above compilation on How to choose a wedding dress, is based on experiences and learnings over time. Most often it becomes tiring and overwhelming if we do not plan ahead. Just keep a wedding timeline in hand and stick with most on it, to avoid last minute delays.
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Minu Manisha
