8 Wedding Dress Shopping Tips
1. Narrow it down, at least a little bit. Use resources like wedding magazines, wedding websites (e.g. TheKnot.com), bridal gown designers’ websites, local bridal stores websites, etc., to see the different options out there, understand the wedding dress lingo, and get an idea of what you like and don’t like.
2. Make the appointments. Don’t leave the appointments till last minute. Look for local stores online, or ask married friends for references. [Alien Bride Tip: If you are like me and your mom/sister do not live in the US, go ahead and visit some stores with friends and try some dresses on to understand what you are looking for. By the time your family visits to officially “say yes to the dress” you will already know your top dresses and it will be easier/quicker to make the decision.]
3. Flexible stores are a must initially. Make sure the first bridal store you visit doesn’t have a fixed limit of dresses you can try on in one appointment. The first time you visit a bridal store, you will be overwhelmed and you will want to try a lot of dresses since you are in the exploration/discovery phase of finding THE one.
4. Bring heels and a strapless bra. Even if you don’t have your wedding shoes yet, bring your heels to get a better idea of how you will look with those extra inches.
5. Be open minded. Dresses don’t look the same online and in person. Keep an open mind, the worst that can happen is you try on a dress that you think you might not like, you don’t like it and take it off.
6. Ask about promotions. Some stores give you a discount if both the bridal gown and the bridesmaids dresses are purchased at the same store.
7. Have an inclusive budget. When I purchased my dress I was told alterations (just hem and bustle) would be around $300. If you have a very strict budget, keep in mind there will be other costs you should account for like alterations, belt, hair piece, veil, etc. [Destination Bride Tip: Make sure to tell the seamstress the date you will be travelling for the wedding, instead of your wedding date.]
8. Purchase the dress between 8-6 months before the wedding date. Otherwise, you might end up paying a rush fee.
Extra ATL Bride Tip: If you will be wedding dress shopping in Atlanta, these are the stores I visited: Winnie Couture in Atlanta, Wedding Angels in Roswell, Formally Yours in Lilburn, and Bride Beautiful in Sandy Springs (I purchased mine here.)
Here is a throwback to finding my wedding dress, have fun!
