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How to Choose Your Dream Wedding Dress: 26-35 of 70 Things to Know

Published

3 years ago

July 4, 2021

BRJ Media

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Believe Your Consultant That a Gown Looks Better “On”

Wedding dresses often have heavy details that can make it sag on a hanger. “Unlike shopping for a shirt, you won’t really know what a wedding dress will look like until you actually try it on, so be open if your consultant promises the dress will look better on you than it does on the hanger,” says Anne Chertoff, bridal expert at You & Me TV.

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Shop Trunk Shows for Savings

You can often take 10 percent off a gown that way and get to meet the designer, who may also “waive or discount certain changes, like raising or lowering a neckline, extending the length, changing the color, or adding straps,” says Terry Hall, fashion director at Kleinfeld Bridal in New York City.

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Hit Sample Sales

“Salons frequently have sales to move older inventory, so you’ll find designer gowns for 25 to 50 percent off. The only downside is most sales are stocked with sample sizes—that’s bridal 8 and 10, comparable to ready to wear size 6 and 8,” says Mark Ingram, president of Mark Ingram Atelier in New York City.

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Know That Embellishments Add Big Bucks

“Handwork like embroidery or beading always adds to the cost of the dress,” Hall says. Of course, if simple isn’t your style, those embellishments are worth it—just factor that into your budget.

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Don’t Try on Gowns Above Your Budget

If you can’t afford it, there’s no point in trying it on—you’re just torturing yourself and making a standard that no dress you can actually have will live up to.

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Consider Shopping Online

Is online shopping the only retail therapy you know? It’s okay to buy your dress online if you’re an avid online shopper; 18 percent of brides in the U.S. do just that. If you can try the dress on in person that’s great. If not, check the return policy—especially if you’re ordering a few to try on and consider—to make sure you’re entitled to a full refund if it doesn’t look as dreamy in person.

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If You’re Plus Size, Call Ahead

ABDÜLSAMET ARSLAN / EYEEM / GETTY IMAGES

Nothing is worse than getting to a bridal salon and finding they only stock samples to size 10 and you have nothing to actually try on. (Unfortunately, that’s the case for many, even though they sell sizes up to 26.) Call ahead to make sure your shop has plus-size samples for the style and designer you want to try on, or if not, whether they can get some in before your appointment.

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Be Prepared to Try on a Lot of Gowns

Unfortunately, unless you’re really lucky, the first wedding gown you try on probably isn’t going to be “the one.” But don’t get frustrated if you’ve tried on dress after dress to no avail. Stay patient and keep an open mind until you’re sure you’ve tried on the perfect dress. It might even take multiple shopping trips until you’re fully 100 percent sure.

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But Do Limit Yourself

Make sure you stick to a few gowns per appointment/shopping trip. It is possible to try on too many wedding dresses and feel overwhelmed with options. If you’ve hit this point, take a break from shopping and sleep on your favorite choices.

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Decide if You’re More Traditional or Trendy

Perhaps you’re more the type who wants to look classic and timeless on your wedding day (think lace). Or maybe you’re a fashionista who loves being up to the minute on trends.

(to be continued)

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This article originally appeared in Brides.