Finding The Dress

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Finding the one can be a challenge, but finding the dress doesn’t have to be. Follow these tips for a stress-free wedding dress shopping experience.

Know Your Basics
No bride wants to drag twenty tons of tulle through the sand or shiver in chiffon in the middle of winter, which is why knowing where and when you are getting married is key. Knowing any religious guidelines there may be and the type of wedding you want to have are also important factors.

Bring Inspiration
Whether it’s a picture of you in your favorite cocktail dress, a piece of jewelry, or a photo you tore out of a magazine, visuals of things that inspire you can help narrow down your choices.

Set a Budget
Work out a budget you are comfortable with and share it with consultants to avoid trying dresses that are out of your price range. Look to haute couture for inspiration, but if you can’t afford it, don’t stress — there are a number of high-end designers creating beautiful looks for less, like White by Vera Wang.

Assemble a Team
Limit your shopping team to whoever is helping make the final decision, such as a parent or grandparent, and your closest confidants. A large group can make it difficult to focus and can often result in losing sight of what you really want.
*Quick Tip: Invite those who don’t come shopping to a fitting so they feel included during this special time.

Trust the Pros
Unfortunately there are consultants out there who just want to sell a dress, but most often they genuinely want to help you find something you love. Dresses can look completely different on you than they do on the rack, so don’t be afraid to trust the experts and try something unexpected.

—Julie DiGiovine

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