If you’re newly engaged, then you probably have a laundry list of things to do when planning your big day. One of the first wedding-related things that ladies start thinking about is what they will wear.
In fact, you have probably been fantasizing about your wedding dress before you even met your husband-to-be. While this is one of the most fun wedding tasks to accomplish, there are some common mistakes that brides make when shopping for wedding dresses. Here are some mistakes to avoid to help make your dress shopping experience as smooth as possible.
Shopping Before You Set a Date
While shopping for your dress is easily one of the most exciting parts of planning a wedding, don’t rush out to do this before you’ve set your date. This is one of the first questions you will be asked when you come in to shop for your dress. This is because of the length of time that it takes to have a dress fitted and altered. If you are working with a shorter time frame, then you are going to have more limited options in terms of customization. If you know your wedding will be further out, then this won’t be as much of an issue but do keep in mind the season that you want to get married in. You will likely be looking at different styles for a summer wedding than you would for a winter ceremony.
Not Setting a Budget
This is one of the most common mistakes that we see brides make. Before you even begin dress shopping, make sure you have a clear idea of what you would like to spend on your dress. Set a cap and ask the consultant not to show you anything that goes over it. All too often women will fall head over heels for a dress before checking the price. When this happens, their only option is to spend way over budget or to make the heartbreaking decision to leave their dream dress behind. Avoid this tragedy by being clear with what you are willing to spend as soon as you arrive at the store.
Buying the Dress a Size Down
Pre-wedding diets are a common trap that many women fall into. In fact, this happens so often that some women will try to order their dress in a smaller size to help motivate them to hit a weight loss goal. This is not a good idea, and we cannot stress that enough. Don’t add undue stress onto yourself by feeling forced into a goal that may not be achievable by your wedding day. If you do end up achieving any weight loss after you’ve purchased your dress, you can easily have it altered to fit your figure. Adding extra fabric is not as easy of a process, so make sure to purchase a dress that accentuates your current figure.
Not Trying the Dress with the Right Shoes
You are going to want to try dresses on with the shoes you will be wearing on the day. If you have not yet chosen shoes by the time you shop for your dress, make sure you bring a style and height of heel that is similar to what you would like to wear on your wedding day. This is a lesser-known mistake but it will create more work for the fitter and will cost you an extra fitting down the line. This is because the height and type of heel will change your posture and affect the fit of the dress. It will also give you a better idea of how the dress will look on the day.
Sacrificing Comfort for Style
While you obviously want to prioritize style, we cannot recommend doing this if you are completely sacrificing comfort. You will be in your wedding dress for a full day. You will be expected to move around, sit down, pose for pictures, use the restroom and dance for hours in your dress, so make sure you can do all those things without being irritated or in pain. You want to enjoy every second of your wedding day and not spend any of that time in discomfort. Choose a style that you feel relaxed and confident in so you feel fantastic on your special day.
Bringing too Many People
Brides love to show up to fittings with every woman in their life in tow. But this can quickly turn into a ‘too many cooks in the kitchen’ situation. An oversaturation of opinions can cause brides to second guess their choice and end up choosing based on other people’s preferences. Avoid this by instead inviting two to three members of the bridal party to support you. These should be people who you trust to understand and respect your vision.
Finding Your Perfect Dress
If you avoid making these simple mistakes, then finding your perfect dress will be a smooth and enjoyable process. Don’t be afraid to shop around if you don’t find what you want at the first store, and don’t forget to have fun. Planning a wedding is an exciting process so make sure you enjoy every second and don’t get caught making any common mistakes.
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