How To Find Your Perfect Wedding Dress

Wedding dress shopping is one of the most fun and exciting parts of wedding planning. Unfortunately, it can also be the most stressful. The endless options for fabrics, silhouettes, and necklines can be so overwhelming, and maybe your mom is still pushing you to go with the family heirloom on your wedding day. We recommend taking a step back before you end up giving in to the pressure and picking a dress you’re not completely sure about. If you’re torn from looking at dress after gorgeous dress, consider these points to make the process a whole lot easier.

1. Budget

Weddings are not cheap, and your wedding dress will probably be the most expensive piece of clothing you’ll ever buy. It’s totally fine to splurge a little bit for your perfect dress since your wedding is a milestone event that you’ll remember forever. However, you do need to work within your means, so remember to set a budget for yourself. The price range for wedding dresses are very varied, so make sure that you state your budget to the designer that you’re working with. Include the cost of tailoring and alterations in your budget as well.

2. Location

Where you’re getting married has a big impact on what you can wear. Places of worship will expect you to dress modestly and not show too much skin, so sleeveless and deep v-necks won’t be an option. On the other hand, a long-sleeve dress with a train just isn’t practical if you’re having a beach wedding. Knowing whether your wedding will be held indoors or outdoors can already narrow down your choices.

Consider also the location of your reception, and how formal it will be. An embellished ball gown would be best for a grand reception, while a simple tea-length dress is the perfect fit for more intimate settings.

3. Season

When you’re getting married is just as important to consider as where you’re getting married. A lightweight, flowy dress would be perfect for a summer ceremony, while winter ceremonies allow for more drama with options for a cape and long sleeves. The theme of your wedding day could also be based on a season. For example, if you’re having a fall wedding with a rustic theme, you’ll want to pick out a dress with a more vintage-inspired silhouette.

4. Style

The best way to know which wedding dress to get is to look at the dresses and skirts you already wear on the daily. If you love wearing a peplum or pencil skirts, start out your search by looking at fit and flare dresses since these have a similar silhouette. If you like shift dresses and smock tops, an A-line or sheath dress could be the one for you. If you’re a bride who doesn’t feel comfortable in dresses, you could even break tradition by going for a pantsuit at your ceremony. Just keep in mind that your style is only the starting point, and the journey of finding the perfect wedding dress involves stepping out of your comfort zone for a little bit. Be open to trying out a few different styles if you’re designer asks you to.

5. Body Type

Lastly, consider your body type when choosing a dress. A sheath or column style dress might look gorgeous on your favourite celebrity, but it might make you look shapeless or feel uncomfortable. It’s very easy to fall in love with a certain silhouette or even a specific dress you saw on Pinterest, then try on a similar one in-store only to find that it doesn’t fit quite right. To help steer you in the right direction, your closet is the perfect guideline. As said above, your wardrobe will help define what shapes flatter your figure, as well as the ones you feel most comfortable and confident in. Celebrities or models who have a body type similar to yours also make good references.

Above all, don’t rush the process. Finding your wedding dress will take time, and it’s a very personal decision that only you can make. Don’t worry, you’ll know as soon as you’ve found the one! It will look right, but most importantly it will feel right to you. Your wedding dress should make you feel pretty and confident, so the very best version of yourself is the one walking down the aisle. Once you’ve found your wedding dress, remember to find a photographer and videographer who can capture you in it during all your glory on your special day.

If you’re looking for an event photographer, contact The Crop who specialise in all event photography styles.