Tip Tuesday: Saying "YES!" to the Dress
Once wedding planning is underway, one of the most exciting steps for most brides is saying "yes" to the dress. Before trying on your first gown, take a minute and read through our tips to help your dress shopping experience go as smoothly as possible.
Make an appointment: You don't want to find this one out the hard way. Some bridal boutiques allow walk-ins, but often won't let you actually try on dresses. Call ahead and make an appointment so you have a dedicated associate to help you along the way! Make appointments at multiple boutiques to give yourself as many options as possible.
Make a day out of it: Be sure you don't feel rushed. Block off a day (or weekend) to give yourself time to make the right decision.
Get choosy with your entourage: It may sound like fun to bring your entire family and bridal party, but before asking everyone to clear their schedules, remember that every person that comes with you will bring an opinion. Keep your entourage small and intimate to make your decision process easier.
Do your research! Don't know the difference between sweetheart, v-neck, scoop, halter or plunge neck lines? What about ball gown, A-line, trumpet, mermaid, or sheath silhouettes? If your answer was "no." you're not alone. Spend a little time on Pinterest identifying the gowns you like, and make note of the descriptions so you come to your appointments prepared.
Have a budget in mind: Have a rough idea of what budget you're working with ahead of time. Make sure to select styles within or close to your budget so you can be as realistic as possible while selecting potential dresses.
Dress the part: On the day of your appointments make sure you wear comfortable clothes! You'll be doing a lot of changes, so you'll want to wear something loose that you can easily take on and off, as well as something underneath that is versatile, won't stand out, and provides as much coverage as you need. A bridal associate will be in the dressing room with you helping you in and out of dresses, so consider how comfortable you are with someone else in the room before selecting undergarments.
Bring supplies: You want to make sure you come prepared. Bring water, champagne, and snacks to help keep your spirits up, as well as your wedding shoes or accessories if you have them so you can see your whole vision come to life.
Try something new: Come to your appointment with a few ideas in mind, but give yourself the freedom to try something new. Try necklines or silhouettes that you've never thought of before. Who knows, it may surprise you!
Bust a move: Simulate all of the different parts of your wedding day and make sure you feel comfortable moving around in the dress. Practice sitting, standing, and even dancing to make sure you love the feel of the dress in all scenarios.
Consider alterations: There are so many things that dress designers can do to alter your dress, so if you want something adjusted, just ask! Think the train isn't long enough? Ask to extend it. Think the back isn't low enough? Ask them to modify it. The possibilities are endless!
Don't force yourself to decide the first day: One of the most fun parts of finding the dress is the moment you get to announce you found the one. Don't get so caught up in the moment that you feel the pressure to commit. Trust your gut and make sure you're truly ready before saying "yes!"
Tell us, how did you know that you found the one?