10 Tips For Choosing Your Perfect Wedding Dress

Your wedding day. It's a moment you may have planned for years, picturing every detail down to the last flower petal, and there may be areas you are still unsure of where to go next. While wedding planning can be intense, one area you want to focus your attention on early is finding your wedding dress. Many brides have a general idea in mind of what they want (and don't want), only to find they are completely lost once they begin wedding gown shopping. Don't worry; whether you believe you know exactly what type of wedding dress you want or have no clue where to start, these ten tips for choosing your perfect wedding gown will help you find the one that makes you feel like the queen you are.

1.    Research Is Your Best Friend

Before you step foot inside the bridal gown store, take some time to research different dress designs. Platforms like Modern Luxury Weddings and Martha Stewart wedding magazine publications, Pinterest, and Instagram offer thousands of pictures of brides wearing countless different styles and designs. Begin developing an idea of what you like and which you don't, so you can have a game plan in mind during your first bridal gown appointment.

2.    Know Your Wedding Details

Ok, you probably won't have all the details planned out before you begin dress shopping, but knowing a few key details can make choosing the right gown easier. For example: is the wedding indoors or outdoors? What season will it be? What location or region do you have in mind? Having a general vision and answer to these questions will help you avoid choosing a sixty-pound silk gown for a beach wedding in the middle of summer – when a lighter, summer gown might be more appealing for style and comfort. After all – your wedding is up to you. So, make it what you want it to be. You and your wedding are unique! You decide.

3.    Keep An Open Mind

You may think you know the exact style of dress you want, only to find you hate the way it looks when you try it on or discover the style isn’t comfortable to wear. Keeping an open mind is the best way to set yourself up for success and make the process easier and more enjoyable. You may be surprised to find a dress style you thought you hated is the exact one you end up choosing!

4.    Don't Get Hung Up On Sizing

One of the cruelest jokes ever played on women is bridal gown sizing. For some reason, they rarely match up to your regular clothing size, leaving many brides feeling horrible about themselves. Don't fall victim to wonky gown sizing; ignore the number written on the tag and focus on fit and comfort. It's also a good idea to size up to give the tailors (and you) a bit of wiggle room, just in case the dress fits more comfortably before the wedding after you initially sized the dress a couple months before your wedding day. Remember, taking the dress in is easy; letting it out isn't.

5.    Stick To Your Budget

Let's face it; weddings are expensive. Setting and sticking to a budget is the best way to avoid overspending and starting your new life as a married couple in debt. To keep yourself from temptation, don't try on gowns that are above your price range; you'll inevitably fall in love with one that's double what you planned to spend. There are stunning gowns at every price point, so you won't miss out on a thing. For example, my wife, Maria, chose a wedding gown that was far cheaper than she anticipated spending, and she discovered she preferred that simple and classic elegant style vs an expensive and custom wedding gown. You may be pleasantly surprised when you keep an open mind.

6.    Make Sure The Dress Is Comfortable

You don't want to spend your entire wedding day itching or struggling to breathe, so make sure you find a gown that is comfortable and easy to move around in. You will be on your feet for at least 8 hours during your all-day garden wedding, walking, dancing, and greeting guests, so if you find yourself hot and sweaty just standing in the fitting room, you may want to search for a more breathable option. Always check to see if you can lift your arms, bend down, sit, and of course, breathe before choosing a dress.

7.    Don't Be Afraid To Be Picky With Your Shopping Guests

Bringing friends and family along as you try on wedding gowns makes the experience fun and unforgettable; just be sure to choose people who are uplifting and drama-free. It can also be tempting to take along a huge crew, but it's best to keep the gang to a minimum to avoid clashing opinions. If you're nervous about some of your guests, remember that it's perfectly alright to set down ground rules before entering the store, like no fighting, only kind words, no drama, etc. In the end, you only want those closest to you who you trust to provide you honest and objective opinions and recommendations to share in this special and memorable occasion.

8.    Choosing The Dress Isn't Always Like TV

Many a bride has wondered if they've made the right decision simply because they didn't burst into tears when they saw themselves. Not every dress fitting is like TV, and it's ok if you or your friends don't start crying. As long as you love the way you look and feel, it doesn't have to be a super emotional moment to be meaningful.

9.    Once You've Made Your Choice, Stop Looking

It may be tempting to keep looking at dresses once you've made a decision, but it's only going to cause confusion and doubt. If you love the dress and are excited about wearing it, choose to focus on finding the best shoes and accessories instead of looking at more gowns. Trust yourself, and don't waste time sifting through dress ideas on social media.

10.     If It Makes You Feel Beautiful, That's All That Matters

At the end of the day, it's your wedding, and the dress you want to wear is your decision. Regardless of what anyone else says, if it makes you feel beautiful and you love it, that's all that matters!

Once you have the perfect dress, be sure to choose a wedding photographer that will capture your beauty on your big day. David Baker Studios is Houston's premier wedding photographer, specializing in classic elegant luxury and South Asian weddings. We work with you one-on-one, consulting with you to plan your unique wedding day, so we capture your special moments and creating heirloom-quality photographs you will treasure for a lifetime. David Baker Studios, wedding photography: Peace-of-mind experience and heartfelt moments delivered.