5 Tips for Wedding Dress Shopping

I saw this meme and laughed out loud alone in my kitchen (well ok, my one year old was here too, and I’m a sucker for anything FRIENDS related, especially the wedding dress episode, but still). It’s so true! Now, I’m no wedding dress expert, but here’s a few things to keep in mind as you start to envision your wedding dress and going about the somewhat intimidating process of finding ‘the one’.

1. BUDGET

Nothing is more heartbreaking than the thought of trying on and falling in love with the perfect dress only to find that it is 4x the price you wanted to spend. Bridal shops will of course ask your budget ahead of time, just be sure you have an idea of what you want to spend so everyone goes into it with the same expectations.

*If you’re dress shopping with a group that will be pulling dresses for you, be sure they also know the budget so they aren’t dangling couture gowns in front of you.

2. VENUE/THEME/VIBE

It’s important to think about all aspects of your wedding. Are you getting married in a barn or at a sophisticated country club? If it’s in a barn, are the tables really close to each other? If so, then perhaps a giant ballgown style dress wouldn’t make the most sense. If your vibe is totally relaxed and casual, then think of a dress that fits into that vibe to keep a cohesive style to the wedding.

3. COMFORT/CONFIDENCE

Ok, I’m a comfort gal, but for real, the last thing you want on your wedding day is a dress that you are going to have to constantly adjust or be self conscious of. The good news is that there are SO many styles of dresses, all that accentuate different features. Strapless is probably the most popular, but don’t be afraid to try straps or sleeves! Big layered dresses can be heavy and hot, so if your venue doesn’t have AC, and your wedding is in July, consider what you will be the most comfortable in.

*Bonus - Did you fall in love with a pair of shoes that are stunning but crazy uncomfortable? I did too.  So I wore the stunning heels for a few photos, and then wore flats for the rest of the day. With a long dress, your shoes will most of the time be barely visible, so don’t kill yourself by wearing painful shoes all day!

4. ACCESSORIES

Don’t forget the little details that can be added to make dresses go from beautiful to stunning! Belts, headbands, jewelry are all special touches that will complete the look. I even recently saw a wedding dress (you know who you are, Lindsey!) with a detachable tulle skirt allowing the bride to get two completely different looks on her wedding day! So amazing!

5. 'THE FEELING'

Of course we have all seen countless reruns of “Say Yes to the Dress” show where brides travel to elaborate New York City and try on gown after gown until they find “THE ONE”, then cue the sappy music and hugs from mom and grandma and everyone is crying. Don’t put pressure on yourself to have some crazy clique ‘moment’ or reaction to a dress in order for you to deem it ‘the one’. I found my wedding dress with my sisters at one shop (not knowing at the time that it would be my dress), then later on in the day when we met up with all my bridesmaids at a different shop, that same dress was there and I fell in love with it and chose it.

Above all else, “you do you”. Get a dress that you LOVE and feel beautiful in. Remember it is your day! Tell me, what wedding dress shopping advice would you give to a bride-to-be?!