Let’s face it – everyone who attends a wedding is interested in seeing the bride’s dress. As such, if you are planning your wedding, you must have a dress that you will feel beautiful in, and one that will catch everybody’s eye. How, then, do you purchase a wedding dress? Coming up are a few simple rules for buying a wedding dress.
- Start your search early
- The search for a wedding dress should be done at a relaxed pace so that you do not make a hasty decision and end up with a dress that you do not like. As soon as the date is set, therefore, begin to look at dresses wherever you can find them. The internet, for example, is an excellent source of inspiration for wedding dress designs. You can also identify where the good wedding shops are in the nearest town, and check them out.
- Set a budget
- After you have peeped in the wedding shops and you know how much a dress will cost you, set a budget. Add a little money on top for accessories, cleaning costs and emergency repairs. Once you set a budget, you can shop around with the intention of getting the best deal, for either a readymade dress or a tailored dress.
- Do your research
- When buying a wedding dress, remember that dresses are not generic. There are specific styles that suit particular body shapes. Before you decide on a design, identify your body shape, and then look at the styles that suit that shape. A good wedding store or tailor should be able to give you the right advice on the type of dress that would suit you best.
- Stick to your vision
- The dress that you choose should fit your idea for the wedding. For example, if you are planning an outdoor wedding, the dress design should be comfortable to wear outdoors. If you plan for a late evening wedding, the dress should have a ‘dinner dress’ or ‘evening dress’ feel. Also, if you are having a traditional wedding, the dress should reflect the culture and beauty of the occasion.
- Drag a friend along
- It’s a great idea to have a friend tagging along as you traverse the town looking for wedding dresses. This friend will be your mirror when you try on a dress and will give you an honest opinion when you are stuck on which dress to pick. Only one or two friends are enough, though, as more people may end up confusing you!
- Carry your accessories
- How will the dress that you select match the accessories that you intend to wear? The best way to know how everything fits together is to carry them along when you go for a fitting. Accessories include earrings, a necklace, bracelets and other jewelry items. Put them on as you try on each dress so that you see the full effect.
- How about reviews?
- Do reviews matter when buying a wedding dress? Yes, they do! First, you need to know what material is best for a dress. Second, you must know who the best designers and wedding retailers in your area are. Third, you need to see how the dresses made by these designers actually look. For honest reviews on wedding dresses, check out the websites and social media pages of the designers and wedding shops you are interested in.
- Fit the dress
- Once you decide on a design, choose the dress, and try it on – not once or twice, but several times! If you are buying a readymade dress, it will need to be adjusted, while a tailor-made dress will need measurements and several fittings before it is perfect. Keep in mind that the most important thing is the fit, not the size of the dress. Your last fitting should be at least one week before the wedding!
- Sign a contract
- A contract with the designer of your dress is necessary. A written agreement will ensure that both of you stick to the agreement regarding the purchase, adjustments, and delivery of the dress. To avoid disappointments at the last minute, have everything written down on paper, and ask for receipts for every payment.
The tips above will help you loads as you embark on the process of buying a wedding dress. One last thing – you should be able to be yourself in the dress, and it should reflect your real personality. Happy shopping!