When is too soon to look for the ideal gown? Right after the proposal? A month into planning? The good news: it’s never too early to start. In fact, the earlier you begin, the more time you have to find the best dress for a price you can afford. Whether you’re looking for something specific or are just interested in finding a style that best compliments your physique, you need to keep an open mind and schedule. It’s best to leave yourself at least a year to find the perfect dress; this way you won’t feel rushed and you’ll have time to try on at hundreds of gowns without breaking a sweat.
Many brides start looking for the ideal gown years before they even expect a proposal. If you fall into this group, you probably have a good idea of what you like, what you don’t like, and what dress looks the best on your bod. If you’re not this type of bride and have never even stepped foot into a bridal shop – don’t fret. In fact, you may be at an advantage with the ability to approach the dress shopping with more of an open mind than girls who have had their heart set on a certain style for the past decade.
The two best places to begin shopping: on the Internet, and in bridal fashion magazines. We have many bridal shops here on 1WeddingSource that can keep you occupied for hours. Pick up a bridal magazine every month or so and see what the latest fashions are. Tab the pages of all of the dresses you like for future reference. This way, when you start visiting the bridal shops in town, you’ll be able to show the clerk exactly what you’re looking for.
The number one thing to keep in mind when it comes to wedding dresses: what looks good on a model may not look that great on you. There is a wide assortment of dress styles out there, and each are made with a certain body type in mind. It’s important that you’re aware of your shape and height so that you can try on gowns that hide and accentuate your physique in the most appropriate and pleasing way. It will benefit you to bring a group with you to try on gowns; this way you can get a few different opinions and see what the majority favors.
Some brides like to plan the wedding around their dress instead of vice versa. Although this is a natural result of wedding day excitement, it’s pretty impractical for a number of reasons. This will affect your ceremony and reception venue and time of wedding. If you choose a gown with an extremely heavy skirt and thick bodice, you can say goodbye to the summer beach wedding. While you can pretty much make up your own rules when it comes to your special day, a formal gown is best left to an evening affair, and shorter dresses are most appropriate for a casual event.
For more information, check out our comprehensive guide on wedding dress shopping on 1WeddingSource.com.