One of the biggest decisions you will face as the big day approaches is choosing the perfect wedding dress. Here our expert advisor from Ivory Rose Bridal, gives her Top Tips on shopping for that perfect wedding dress!
Relax and enjoy every moment!
The process of shopping for a wedding dress can be a fabulous adventure, but it can also be stressful and overwhelming. You might already have a dream wedding dress style set in your mind or you may have no idea what you are going to wear. The important thing is to relax, and remember that there are as many different kinds of dresses out there as there are different kinds of brides. Remember to enjoy the experience of looking for your dress. And have fun shopping for your dress. It should be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Plan ahead
Take time to think about what you want. It will be helpful when you enter the maze of wedding dresses out there to know what your budget is, any details that are essential (i.e. I must have a full skirt, or my arms must be covered), and an idea of how traditional you want your dress to be. Remember to budget in for dress alterations which are not normally included in the price of the dress; most dresses are standard sizes and need tailoring to fit you perfectly after they have arrived. Decide who you would like to go shopping with you and book your appointments ahead of time for the dates that suit you and your party.
When to start
The general rule of thumb is that you need to order your gown at least six months before your wedding. So you should ideally start shopping for your gown nine months or more before your wedding. Don’t panic if you don’t have enough time, most gowns can be delivered faster but you will need to budget for some rush charges. You can look at any time but try not to look too soon. If you look over 12 months before your wedding you could find you are missing out on the next season dresses that might be arriving soon. Bear in mind that the previous season dresses might get discontinued and might not be there when you re-visit the shop a few months later.
The right style for you
Everybody can look fabulous in a wedding dress. Think about your body type and what kinds of dresses generally look good on you. Take a look at what you regularly wear that makes you feel confident and beautiful, and then look for a wedding dress with similar lines. Although the choice of wedding dresses is vast, there aren’t that many basic shapes. For example, an A line dress could be covered in organza, beads or lace and become three different dresses but the basic shape remains exactly the same. It helps if you decide which one is your ideal shape first and then worry about the details such as beading, fabric etc. Try to be open minded and don’t dismiss a shape before you’ve actually tried it on. Experienced sales assistants can tell you immediately whether a style will flatter you or not so use the appointment as a learning opportunity.
Most of all, remember– this is your wedding day and your wedding dress. Wear whatever makes you comfortable and makes you feel fabulous and feels like you.
Part 2 coming soon – Tips on Dress Styles to suit the varied shapes of real women.
With many thanks to our contributor:
Marie Kennedy
The Ivory Rose Bridal Rooms
Passage West, Co Cork
Tel: 021 4859750
Email: marie@theivoryrose.ie
www.theivoryrose.ie
