Choosing the Perfect Silhouette
DO pick a silhouette that flatters your figure. From the moment that ring was slipped on your finger, you may have gone directly to your phone and started stalking Instagram pics in an attempt to find your perfect wedding dress. Brides often have an idea or vision of how they want to look on their special day. Some brides come into the salon saying they want a princess ballgown with full beading and a tiara and they wind up leaving with a sleek, satin fit and flare. We often don’t know what style or silhouette looks best on our bodies until we try them. It’s important to go into your appointment with an open mind and to be receptive to the suggestions made by your stylist. A good stylist will recommend silhouettes that flatter your figure and will give you confidence.
DON’T pick a style just because it is trending now. Most trends do not stand the test of time. Want photographic evidence? Take a trip down memory lane and flip through your parents’ photo album and you’ll see what I mean. One word to describe the 1980s was “BIG”. Big hair, big sleeves, big clothes. Thank goodness those trends never really caught on past that decade of excess. Trends come and go, but one thing that never goes out of style is confidence. Pick a dress that make you feel beautiful and special so that when you look back at your photos 30 years from now, you’re still happy with your choice!
What To Wear Under Your Dress
DO wear good undergarments… you’ll be spending a lot of time in your undies. It’s best to pick a color that is closest to your skin tone such as a nude. They won’t show under your dress and it will help you visualize the entire look. But, hey, if you want to rock the leopard print thong or hot pink skivvies…go for it! You also won’t need to wear a bra during your appointment if you are comfortable. Most gowns have built-in cups and having the additional padding of a bra will alter the way the dress is supposed to fit your body.
DON’T worry about bridal sizing. Many brides leave stores feeling confused and discouraged about what size they wear. It is just a number. Most people don’t know this, but bridal sizing is based on a little-known tradition that dates back to original European size charts from the 1940s. Depending on the designer, most bridal sizes run 2-3 times larger than your regular street clothes. Most importantly, you should feel confident and beautiful on your wedding day and should not let size define you or how much you should be celebrated. It’s just a number.
Wedding Dress Appointments
DO bring family and friends to make memories and help celebrate the moment you find your dress. You can certainly bring along a few people to help you “Say Yes,” but keep in mind that in this situation, less is definitely more. Too many opinions from family and friends can make your decision even harder. A good rule of thumb is to bring the person who is paying for the gown and maybe one or two close friends or family members. For everyone else, maybe suggest doing a fun brunch or dinner where you can show pictures and celebrate.
DON’T feel like you have to have an audience. Let’s face it, most brides have been dreaming about the day they will go wedding dress shopping since childhood. While it’s important to have your “trusted tribe” with you, too many people can cause more frustration and confusion than needed. What could possibly go wrong with 10 women crammed into a tiny fitting room?? Drama? Disagreements? If you bring too many people with you to your appointment, you can get a lot of different opinions which can ultimately sway you to go a different direction than you would have liked.
Trying on Wedding Dresses
DO try on as many dresses as you need. One of the best parts of wedding planning is finding your dress! You want to hear the truth about wedding dress shopping is a more vulnerable experience than you might think. Some brides’ first dress will be ‘the one,’ while others will book 4 to 5 appointments on a Saturday in search of their perfect gown. That’s just exhausting even typing that. Be sure to do your research and your best bet is to book an appointment at a salon that carries a few different designers. Your stylist will also help you narrow down dresses at your appointment, too!
DON’T try on too many dresses. There is really no exact answer as to how many dresses you should try on. On average, brides try on about 4-7 dresses during a bridal appointment. Once you start trying on more than that it is easy to get overwhelmed and confused. Sometimes it’s even difficult to remember what the first dress you tried on looked like. While it is fun, it can also be physically and mentally exhausting. So much thought and consideration often goes into each dress that you try. At some point you will have to find your dress and stop shopping. Just like when you found your fiancé…at some point, you didn’t have to keep trying fiances on!
