Many women feel as though their wedding centers around The Dress (and their husband-to-be, of course!) The ceremony can be a dream, the cake perfection, and the toasts Pulitzer prize winners - but if you don't feel good in your dress, it will be difficult to focus on anything else.
But shopping for the Perfect Dress feels like a daunting task. Not only does it need to look amazing, but it needs to feel amazing too! Plus, you probably have a budget to think about, right? Yeah, thought so.
So before you go out there to buy the gown of your dreams, here are a few planning steps you can take to make your the task as enjoyable as it should be:
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Set a budget -
Giving yourself a ballpark estimate of what you can spend will help you narrow down your choices as you begin to look at different wedding designs. Ever since Romeo popped the question, I'm sure you've been ogling dresses in magazines and on the internet.
Now is the time to begin paying attention to those prices! While we may all pine after a Vera Wang dress, it may not be within your budget. Many dresses retail for $1200 to $2500. Now take into account the cost of professional alteration ($400), a veil ($300), and accessories like gloves and shoes (at least $100).
Take these added expenses into account when you plan out the amount that you can afford for your dress. When you stick to your budget goal, it will be much easier to say yes to a dress that you can afford rather than one that might break your bank!
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Set a time line -
I probably don't need to tell you this, but shopping for a wedding dress isn't like shopping for a prom gown. Believe it or not, from the time you are fitted for the dress until the time you actually receive it can take up to 12 weeks! There will probably be a couple of added weeks of alterations after that.
And you still have to actually find the perfect dress!
Give yourself a window of at least six months before the wedding to pick a dress, have it fitted, customized and delivered. Giving yourself the extra breathing room, time-wise, means less stress in the days and weeks leading up to your wedding.
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Research different styles -
This is a chance for you to go to the bookstore, stock up on bridal magazines, and begin to scan the pages. Doing this alone with a tall latte can be a wonderful way to begin thinking about what it is you want to look like on your wedding day.
If the opinion of your mom, best friend, or posse is important to you then set some time aside to flip through the pages with them as well. They will be thrilled to be included in this part of the planning process.Your intended might also venture his own opinion whilst you peruse the pages. While men don't often admit to having opinions on dresses too often, I was recently watching a film with my boyfriend when he suddenly remarked, "That girl is wearing the most beautiful wedding dress I have ever seen!" (Filing that one away...)
Also feel free to ask married friends where they got their gowns. It stands to reason that if they were happy with their dresses, they might have some good recommendations for you!
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Pick a Winner!
The time is nigh! Don't panic! Bring along a trusted loved one or friend for support.
Most bridal salons will provide you with a personal consultant that can help you find designs for your height and body type. But here are some things to keep in mind when trying on dresses:
Color
It was originally Roman brides who wore white
to symbolize purity. But this is the 21st Century, ladies! These days many ladies are choosing ivory and beige gowns over snow white. My best friend looked amazing in her ivory dress with crimson trim! And don't forget Gwen Stefani's delicious pink concoction! A dash of color in your dress can be far from scandalous, and can add depth and interest to your gown!Length
Full-length gowns are perfect for formal weddings. But an informal wedding can be the perfect occasion for a tea length wedding dress. To remain classy, the skirt should cover the knees or drape at least one inch below the top of the kneecap. The veil should coincide with the dress: a shorter veil with a short dress or skirt, and a longer veil with a full-length skirt or gown.Silhouette
Remember how we talked about finding a dress to fit your body? This is the time to be thinking about how best to flatter your type! Why not re-read our article as a refresher?Train
Most of us grew up with fairy tales, where the princess gets married in a wedding gown with a train so long that all of the woodland birds and bunnies have to help carry it down the aisle. The fact is, however, that it's tough to walk around (and dance!) with a massive train. So if you want the long train, try to find one that can either detach or bustle so that your dress isn't being stepped on all evening!
Jen Kiaba is a photographer and burgeoning crafter who lives in Rhinebeck, NY with her lovely boyfriend, two crazy cats and an adorable basset hound. When her hands aren't covered in tacky glue, she specializes in taking romantic portraits of happy couples in the Hudson Valley!