Make your wedding dress shopping stress free with our 7 great tips!

1. Start Early, but Not Too Early
   Begin your wedding dress shopping about 12-13 months before your wedding date. This timeline allows for the delivery of custom or made-to-order dresses and any necessary alterations. Starting earlier than this might lead to second-guessing your choice as new styles emerge. Another issue with shopping too early is the dress may not be available when you are ready to buy! While we can always accommodate shorter wear dates it can limit your options. You may not be able to purchase alldesigners or you may have to purchase off the rack limiting your options.
2. Set a Budget
   Determine how much you’re willing to spend on your dress and communicate this with your stylist. Don’t forget to factor in costs for alterations, accessories, and any other add-ons like veils or belts. Do your research on what shops have dresses in your price point and shop at a place that has many options in your budget. Do not try on dresses over your budget unless you are willing to pay the price for that dress if it is the one. We have seen many brides on a hunt for another dress when they fell in love with a dress over their budget.
3. Research and Gather Inspiration
   Look through bridal magazines, Pinterest, and Instagram to identify styles you love. Consider the overall theme of your wedding and venue when narrowing down your choices. Save your favorites to share with your stylist. Many shops will share pictures of their dresses on their websites and social media. Check out what dresses shops have in store and make sure their aesthetics fits what you are looking for.
4. Book an Appointment Early
   Bridal shops often require appointments, especially for weekends and popular times. Booking ahead ensures you’ll have a stylist to assist you in a personalized and stress-free environment. Most bridal shops have their appointments open to be booked well ahead of time so book them early! Don’t overbook either! While social media may have you feeling like you have to shop everyone start with one or two shops, if you did your research on shops that meet your vibe don’t be surprised if you find your dress on the first visit!
5. Limit Your Entourage
   Bring a small, trusted group of people whose opinions you value and who understand your vision and style. While it may be tempting to bring a large group or you feel like you need to include everyone too many voices can become overwhelming and make it harder for you to focus on what you love.
6. Be Open-Minded
   While it’s great to have an idea of what you want, trust your stylist to guide you. Many brides fall in love with a dress they hadn’t originally considered. Your stylist listens to what you say when trying on dresses and will be able to hone in on what you like or how a dress feels and will likely be able to pull others that fit that vibe. They also get to see the wedding dresses on all different shapes and sizes so they will be able to help pick ones that flatter you!
7. Wear Proper Undergarments and Light Makeup
   Arrive at your appointment wearing neutral, seamless underwear and a strapless bra. This will help to be able to focus on the dress and not your undergarments and how they show in a dress. Avoid heavy makeup to keep the dresses clean, and bring shoes with a similar heel height to what you plan to wear on your wedding day. A lot of our Brides are visual so its good to have your hair nicely done and your make-up on to help visualize what the dress will look like on that day

With these tips in mind, your wedding dress shopping experience will be fun and stress free!