5 tips for wedding gown shopping

Shopping for your wedding gown is one of the most important events leading up to your big day. Make the experience as seamless and stress-free as possible with these five tips.

1. BOOK AN APPOINTMENT AHEAD OF TIME.

Most mid-range and upscale bridal boutiques require an appointment for dress shopping and don’t allow walk-ins, so book an appointment ahead of time. Even if a shop accepts walk-in customers, having an appointment slot will guarantee at least one member of the staff will be helping you, regardless of how busy the store gets with other customers who don’t have appointments themselves.

2. USE THE RIGHT UNDERGARMENTS.

Nothing ruins an outfit more than wearing the wrong undergarments. If you already have undergarments picked out, then bring them with you. The store can also provide you with options that you can try and purchase along with your dress. Bras and boning can even be added to the dress itself if necessary to get the right fit.

3. BRING YOUR SHOES.

Bring the shoes you plan to wear for your wedding – or at least heels of the exact same height – and wear them while trying on dresses. When the tailor is measuring the length of your dress, even a centimeter can make a difference between looking too short or too long.

4. CHOOSE A SIZE THAT FITS NOW.

The biggest mistake you can make is buying a dress that you “plan” to fit into by your wedding day. Many brides will be trying to drop a few pounds before the wedding, but the last thing you need is the pressure of fitting into your dress (or worse – walking down the aisle in a dress that doesn’t fit properly). Choose a size that fits at the time you buy it. If you lose weight, you can always have the dress taken in.

5. TAKE WHOEVER YOU WANT FOR MORAL SUPPORT.

Some brides may feel pressure to bring certain people dress shopping, but feel free to invite whoever you want. This is a special day, and you need to be with people who will offer support and positivity, whether that’s a bunch of female family members or one best friend.

About the Author: Lauren Malamala is a New York City-based writer and musician with an International Business degree from Richmond, the American International University in London. She currently works for a luxury bridal publication, and is a regular contributor to several online magazines and blogs.