Shopping for wedding dresses is easily one of the most exciting parts of wedding prep. For most people, wedding gown shopping is one of life’s few chances to try on outrageously priced clothes just for the fun of it. No matter what your price range, trying on dress after beautiful dress is essentially the grown-up equivalent of playing dress-up in a very expensive closet.
That said, shopping for a wedding dress can sometimes be a challenge. It’s a good idea to go into it prepared to face some frustration, and with a good crew to help you out. Keep these tips in mind as you head out to start trying on gowns.
* Bring a couple of people – and not just mom. Chances are, your mom is going to have some strong opinions. Maybe she’ll get misty with every change and love each look, or she might dislike everything. It’s a good idea to bring at least one other person to help provide perspective. Whether it’s your friend or a cousin or an aunt, they can be a source of objectivity, which you’ll likely need.
* Don’t do it all in one go. Trying on dresses can be tiring – no joke. It’s a bit like a workout, with all the bending, lifting, twisting and walking you’ll be doing. Lining up multiple appointments in one day is a quick path to frustration central. Once you’re tired, you won’t be in a good place to make decisions, so pace your appointments as much as you can. Two in a day might be doable, but three could be pushing it.
* Be open to something new. You might have imagined the perfect dress for years, but keeping an open mind might just help you find the dress that’s perfect for you. Sales assistants at wedding shops have seen it all, and they might have a better perspective on what will work for your body type. That said, don’t let yourself be pushed in a style direction you really don’t like, once you’ve tried everything on.
* Don’t expect love at first wear. Some women have the “lightning bolt” moment and fall instantly and deeply in love with a dress – they know it’s “the one” the moment they slip it on. But for a lot of brides, that never happens -- don’t be disappointed if it doesn’t. A lot of dresses will look better on second viewing, and most will improve markedly with some tailoring. Find the dress that you like best and tweak it until it’s perfect.
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