Things to Know Before Buying a Wedding Dress
When you’re getting married, so many of the details are such a blast to plan. But your wedding dress is something you’ve probably been dreaming of long before you ever found your perfect match. Finding the perfect dress can be a difficult task, and you’ll want to know a few things before you start shopping!
Start shopping as early as possible
Do yourself a favor and give plenty of time to get a dress so you aren’t scrambling to get alterations and worry things won’t be done for your big day! Make sure you’re making the final decision and purchasing your dress 8 to 10 months before your wedding day. Your dress will take 4 to 5 months to arrive at the store after you’ve ordered it, and you’ll want to have multiple rounds of fittings and alterations, so your dress fits you like a glove. See the latest dress collections here.
What is your style
You’re likely used to seeing poofy, princess-style wedding dresses in the movies, and maybe that’s the look you’re going for but it’s important to do some research before you start shopping. Stock up on some bridal magazines and research current bridal trends to get a sense of what your personal style is before you hit the boutique. You want to be comfortable and feel like yourself, so it’s important to know both what you do want, and what you don’t want in a wedding dress to help you decide.
Over-researching can be dangerous
While browsing wedding dresses is a good idea, you don’t want to overdo it. If you’re obsessively scrounging Pinterest on a daily basis for the perfect dress, you could fall in love with a dress that doesn’t exist and lose hope when you can’t find what you’ve been dreaming about. If you go into a bridal boutique with a picture of the exact dress you want, chances are you’ll walk out disappointed. Try to be open-minded and use your pre-shopping research more for finding out what general style and material you want for the dress.
You could try on countless dresses before finding yours
Don’t get discouraged if you don’t find the dress of your dreams after only one try-on session. Some brides buy the first dress they try on and some brides try on hundreds before finding the right one, which is why it’s important to give yourself time to shop. Make dress shopping appointments at multiple bridal shops so you have options and don’t have to feel pressured to buy from the first store you look at. You’ll find your dress, so keep your head up!
Setting a budget is important
An important part of dress shopping is paying for the dress, which can be expensive. It’s crucial to make a budget before you start looking at dresses to keep you on track while you’re looking. Decide who is going to pay for the dress, whether it’s you or your parents, and come up with a reasonable amount that everyone is comfortable with. Having a set budget will prevent you from trying on and falling in love with a dress that you can’t afford. You’ll also want to figure out how you’ll be paying for your dress. Find out when you should be using a credit card for your wedding if you don’t have the cash on hand. As a lower interest option, apply for a personal loan to cover some of your expenses. A loan is a great way to give you a set amount that you’re able to spend, and it will keep you from going over your budget.
Get your dress in the size you are when you purchase it
It’s no secret that lots of brides want to shed a few pounds before the big day. Something to remember is to never buy your wedding dress in the size you hope to be by your wedding day. You can always get your dress altered to your size if you do end up losing the weight. The last thing you want is to buy a dress two sizes down from what you are when you try it on, and not be able to fit into the dress when the time comes. If you do want to get fit before your wedding, do it in a healthy way and remember that you’ll look beautiful no matter what!
Don’t bring everyone you know dress shopping
You might want to bring all of your friends and family with you when you go dress shopping, but it can be overwhelming with too many cooks in the kitchen. Everyone is going to have an opinion, and more opinions aren’t always better. You don’t need to feel obligated to invite every member of your bridal party either. You can even just go with your mom or sister or a best friend. Be wise and invite people you’re sure will make you feel good and help you make a decision.
The price-tag on the dress will not be the final amount
The total cost of your dress is not what you’ll see on the price tag in the store, so you don’t want to go to the very top of your budget with the initial price. Of course, there will be a tax which will up the price, but you’ll also need to budget for how much alterations will cost. You might want to consider any accessories to go with your dress while making your budget. Don’t forget about a veil or bridal headpiece, shoes, and jewelry!