For some, it feels fun and exciting, and something they’ve anticipated for a long time. While others may feel anxious and uncomfortable even thinking about stepping into a bridal store.
Your wedding dress (or bridal suit, jumpsuit, wedding bikini) is likely to be one of the most expensive outfits you’ll ever wear and making decisions about the styles you like, the colour you prefer and length that will work for you can seem exhausting.
And this is before you even start the search for the place where you’ll find such a magical gown!
Want to know the real secret?
Trust in those specialists who can shortcut your search (saving you time), guide you (saving your sanity) and offer up suggestions you may not have even considered (saving you money) with their extensive professional knowledge, attention to detail and attentive customer service.
Search for boutiques, shops and stores that have proven themselves, have a great track record and heaps of positive reviews - you deserve to be looked after!
Should you not want, or are unable to, search in person for your wedding dress, the following advice can also help you with your experience of wedding dress shopping online. You want to see lots of social proof, photos and testimonials well before you start handing over your credit card details.
While a couple’s attire is a core focus of most wedding days, shopping for your perfect wedding dress needn’t be a stressful or daunting experience.
*Unbridely is sponsored by its readers. When you purchase products or services through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission.*
When to Start Wedding Dress Shopping
According to Laura Watson of The Bride Lab, Adelaide’s leading designer bridal boutique, most brides start with the same question about their wedding dress: when should I start shopping?
The Bride Lab stocks both Australian and international wedding dress designers, which means there are many options for brides to choose from, no matter how close the wedding day may be; there’s no need to panic.
Laura recommends that brides-to-be start their wedding dress shopping as early as they can. This helps to manage your to-do list, gives you more options and helps you to avoid surcharge penalties for priority orders.
As a general guide:
9 to 12 months before the wedding day - The Early Bird
Congratulations! You get to thoroughly comb through dresses in the styles and cut you want, plus you still have plenty of time for any additions, tailoring or alterations. No need to pay rush fees for alterations and no need for any last-minute stress due to shipping delays.
6 to 9 months before the big day - The Sweet Spot
This is the sweet spot for wedding dress shopping; designers can fulfil orders within this timeframe and there is still enough time to put together your wedding day look, including your accessories. Brides can generally avoid rush fees on top of their gown price tag.
3 to 6 months before the big day - Don’t Panic Yet
It is still possible for most designers to fulfil wedding dress orders within this timeframe. However, a rush fee may be incurred to ensure it gets created in time.
Less than three months before the big day - Limited Options (but all is not lost)
If you are still thinking of getting a wedding gown made, you may be able to place a rush order, but this will largely depend on the detail of your gown’s design.
Selecting a dress “off the rack” is highly encouraged in this timeframe so that you can get started immediately on alterations. Basically, the earlier you can decide on your dress, the quicker you can make a start on the alterations.
7 Tips on Finding your Dream Wedding Dress, Suit or Outfit
Before you make an appointment to head into your local bridal boutique, wedding dress specialist or even begin your wedding dress shopping online, here are a few tips to help you save time, energy and money as you hunt down your perfect bridal gown.
Finalise your date and wedding venue before anything else.
You might be thinking, “what does my venue have to do with my wedding dress”, right?
The answer is everything.
Booking in your wedding venue and finalising the location means that you can more easily envision what your wedding day will be like. Outdoor garden weddings are experienced very differently from formal ballroom weddings, and these differences will also impact the type of wedding dress which will look, feel and function perfectly in each setting.
If you are having a summer wedding by the beach, a flowy and less structured wedding dress might be more suitable rather than having a more formal, fitted or bejewelled gown.
2. Choose your favourite wedding looks and incorporate your style.
Wedding magazines, your favourite social media accounts, and blogs can be super helpful when browsing through wedding dresses and researching what looks good and what is in season. But as you start to narrow down your selection from that wide variety of options, don’t forget to incorporate your style and taste.
Whether you like modern, clean cuts, something more relaxed or timeless ball gown designs, make sure to always stay true to yourself and your personality. Sometimes sharing your thoughts with 1 or 2 of your closest friends or family members who know you inside and out, can help to keep you on track as they can often see what you can’t.
3. Have (and keep) your wedding dress budget in mind.
One of the initial questions you will get asked once you start hunting the perfect dress is, “how much is your budget?”. Don’t get the team wrong! It is a common practice within the industry. Believe it or not, everyone roots for the bride to find her perfect dress without wrecking her wedding budget.
In dress shops, you can get carried away easily once you see all the pretty white dresses and try on the dazzling couture. More so if you have tried on a dozen dresses! Hence, having a budget in mind can help you stay focused and on track with the entire wedding expenses.
Don’t forget to price in possible alterations, additional accessories, customisation, and even the innerwear needed for specific dress styles.
4. Be selective of who you invite to accompany you to your fittings.
You can usually bring your closest friends, sister, or mother to the fitting of the gown. When picking who to bring with you, make sure that these are the ones you can count on to give you an honest opinion.
Cheerleaders are great, but you are better off choosing a friend whose judgment you trust so you can easily decide when you need to.
5. Bring an open mind when trying on wedding dresses.
Of course, you have your eye on that beautiful wedding dress style you saw on Pinterest, then you bring that with you to the fitting. You are still bound to see another dress you didn’t know would fit you well.
In bridal shops, you are also guided by experienced professionals in the field of bridal wear. Having an open mind is a helpful way of making the process more efficient for everyone. Who knows? The perfect wedding dress for you could be the one that you will never choose on your own in a million years.
6. Trust your gut.
There can be a weird feeling down your stomach when you see your perfect dress. It can be a jolt of electricity that you feel once you see how good you look in a specific style. Or, for some, a sense of confidence and a big smile when you look in the mirror.
Always stay true to yourself and your personality because it is definitely easier to choose which one to wear on the big day when you are sure of your style.
7. Have fun!
Wedding dress shopping can be one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning - if you let it be!
Make a day of it and savour the moment with your family or best friends and really enjoy and delight in each dress you get to try on. Don’t forget to get some snaps to look back on and remember your experience too!
Photos by Israel Baldago Photography
