wedding dress

You’ve found the venue and decided who will be in your bridal party, so the next step is finding the perfect gown!

This is likely a part of the wedding planning process that you have been thinking about long before you were engaged… So being prepared will make sure the experience is all you’ve hoped it will be.

And who doesn’t love a shopping spree?

Do a Little Research

Before you text your closest friends with a dress shop address and a time to be there, take a minute to scroll through dress options.

Look up all the different styles, cuts, and fabrics to determine what your absolute must-haves are…and which you’d like to steer clear of.

While you’re looking at pictures of different styles, make notes of your favorites as well as some that are just a little out of your comfort zone.

It never hurts to experiment, and even if you end up loving something more like what you originally envisioned yourself in, you will feel more confident that you made the right decision after trying other options.

Once you’ve looked at dress styles and inspiration, start researching shops in your area.

If there is a specific quality that you are particularly interested in, look at the shops’ websites or give them a call to see if they offer what you are looking for.

Researching shops ahead of time will also provide you with the opportunity to see if appointments are required.

Many dress shops will ask you to make an appointment and may have restrictions on how many people you can bring with you, how long you can take, etc., so it’s always good to know in advance!

Pick Your Squad

Once you know where you’re headed, which fabrics or styles you’re most interested in, and how many people you can bring with you, it’s time to decide who gets to be with you!

There is no set right or wrong answer for who to take with you, but always keep in mind that if you aren’t going alone, you will want someone who will be honest but supportive of your vision!

People to consider bringing are your closest friend(s) or family member(s). If anyone is contributing to your wedding dress budget, they may especially love and appreciate seeing you pick what you’ll wear on the big day.

A pro-tip: if you keep your group small, more people will be amazed when you walk down the aisle on the big day. So don’t be afraid to go solo or invite just one or two people!

Bring a Few Essentials with You

First, bring an open mind, and trust the bridal shop experts – they have helped dress people of all shapes and sizes and have a good eye for what may fit your vision best…even if it’s not what you originally imagined.

Next, we recommend having a bag with a few things to help you know how the dress will look and fit on the day of, such as undergarments/shapewear you plan to wear under your dress as well as shoes that are similar in height to what you think you’ll wear for the ceremony and reception.

Making the try-on as similar as you can to the actual day of the wedding will really make it clear if the dress is the one.

Lastly, don’t forget your budget!

Make sure to tell your fitter what your budget is before you start trying anything on. Believe us, it’ll only cause complications if you try on dresses outside your budget.

And Finally: Shop Around Before You Settle Down

Keep in mind that the biggest part of looking for the dress is that it has to feel right to you. If you don’t love it, it’s not the right one!

So take your time, and don’t be afraid to try multiple shops. You’ll find what you’re looking for that makes you feel beautiful on your big day.

Once you are ready to make the decision, celebrate it! You found the dress! Do a little happy dance and take a picture…or two or twelve.

But don’t show anyone who didn’t come with you! It’ll make the big reveal that much better.

When you’re finished twirling and fan-girling over the gorgeous gown, place your order, but keep in mind that dress sizes may be different from your usual size. So follow the fitter’s recommendations, and don’t overthink it!

And don’t worry if your body changes between now and the big day – that’s why dress shops allot enough time for alterations!

We can’t wait to see how stunning you look!

For more tips and tricks, come back next month, but until then, visit https://thesadiejane.com/ to find out more about what we have to offer!