5 Tips for Finding Your Dream Dress

Going into a bridal boutique with no plan in action can be extremely overwhelming. An abundance of beautiful dresses, your support group making suggestions, your brain going crazy looking at different sizes, types, prices and length.. Hopefully a few of the tips below will help you find your dream dress – or at least make you feel a little more at ease!

Be sure to leave a comment with your own personal hot tips, or better yet – send a message and I can add it to a community post!

SET A BUDGET

Yes, I am forever harping on about budget, but it is one of the key components couples don’t prepare for and incur the most stress from. Firstly, establish who is paying for the dress, whether it is yourself and there is an allocated spend or it is someone else who has a budget in mind. Once this has been established, work out the maximum you would be willing to spend on your dress and be realistic.

A recommendation for my brides I have worked with is have a “Dream” budget and “Realistic” budget. The “Dream” budget is for the dress you know you want but is a little out of the price range. You should still go and try it on, but make sure you note where the money will be taken from IF you fall in love with this dress and the money isn’t in surplus. This could include less of a budget for favours, invitations, your post wedding accommodation… completely up to you! Your “Realistic” budget is the amount you know you can spend and still include all your other elements easily with money worries.

BROWSE

Now, I am sure if you are reading this you have most likely already saved a bunch of wedding dresses on your Instagram or Pinterest and have an idea of the type of dress and designer of dress you are looking for. A few key points to keep in mind when searching online:

• Are these models a similar shape and size to me?

• Does this suit the location of my wedding, ie: The wedding is all outdoors and potential chance of dirt etc, is a long train really suitable/am I going to need to get a hook at the back for ease.

• Are these dresses in my price range? You may find the most amazing dresses online but keep in mind your initial budget. One of the worst things is having your heart set on a stunning inspiration photo yet it is way over your budget. It is heartbreaking but you need to be open to similar options, or extending that budget.

Along with browsing online, keep your browsing eyes open when you go in-store. You wouldn’t believe the amount of times I have spoken with brides who have said “my dress is NOTHING like I had imagined or like I had wanted but I LOVE it”. I encourage you to have your ideas of what you like but be open to change, open to the crazy big dress you never dreamed of, or even the simple dress which you thought would show your lumps and bumps. It may end up terrible and look exactly how you thought, but it could surprise you and turn out to be the beautiful piece you had never imagined.

SHOP TRUE TO SIZE

I am hoping the trend “wed shred” is becoming a distant memory because ya’ll should love your bodies the way you are! Your partner loves you the way you are (and if they don’t then I think there needs to be some rethinking prior to getting married..), your family and friends love you for you who are – why are you needing to drop 3 dress sizes for your big day? I get it, there are people out there who wish to lose a little weight to feel more confident or just to feel healthier prior to their wedding, completely understand, but my hot tip is to shop the dress true to size. Even if you plan on losing weight before the big day, shop for dresses in your current size rather than shopping smaller as its much easier to take a dress in, rather than trying to work with one that is a tad too snug. Another point when making alterations is the length, be sure to wear the shoes (or no shoes) you’ll be wearing on the day to ensure it is hemmed appropriately.

ADDITIONAL COSTS

Don’t forget to budget for the additional costs associated with finding your dress, including shoes, veil, jewellery etc. This is completely up to personal taste – you may even just be after a dress with barefoot! The boutique you have found your beautiful dress from may even bundle together, or have an affiliation with a fellow supplier you could get these items from at a discounted rate!

As we always say, this is YOUR wedding, so if the additional items aren’t necessary for you, this could be a great way to save money! Or, if you want them but they aren’t something you are too fussed about, check out your Facebook Marketplace for anyone selling theirs, or look around stores like Lovisa, Colette, Famous Footwear, or even online, to find them at lower prices. Alternatively, if money is not a problem, take the time to ensure these are added to your budget as they can add up!

THINK ABOUT THE UNDERGARMENTS

We have all been there when you have gone to the shopping centre to grab a few things and thought “Oooh, I might pop in and try that dress! It would be perfect for Sams birthday shin dig next month”, and then you realise you are wearing your comfy granny undies that kind of create an undie line on your butt and your sports bra which you couldn’t be bothered taking off. The dress doesn’t get to show off its full potential!

Be sure when you are going to try on your wedding dress, think about the underwear you feel comfortable in, yet leaves minimal lines or at least doesn’t distract from the dress itself. For example, if you really have your heart set on a sheer or low-cut bodice, you don’t really want to be wearing a sports bra that has a fancy high neck situation going on...

Once you have found your dress, have a think about if you will need to buy anything specific or if you will be all good with what you have! Whether you want to wear a full brief, g-string, shape wear or just nude! The choice is up to you but just have a think about your dress and what you as an individual may want to wear, and if it needs to be budgeted for!

MOST OF ALL

Dress shopping should be a fun experience so don't put too much pressure on yourself to find the right one straight away, but also don't put too much pressure on yourself to "Find the one" because the experience is different for everyone - just enjoy the ride!

Emily x