Tips for Trying on Gowns
Trying on gowns can be one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning. Be prepared for your first fitting with our tips!
One of the most exciting, fun, and sometimes overwhelming parts of your wedding planning experience is shopping for your wedding day apparel. With a little preparation, you will find the perfect wedding gown with ease and confidence.
Perhaps one of the most important things you need to do before ever stepping foot in a bridal shop is to set a budget. Let attendants at the bridal shop you go to know what your budget is—you do NOT want to fall in love with something you can't afford! That being said, make sure you call bridal shops to see what designers they carry, and make an appointment. Most smaller boutique shops that carry the best designers won't take walk-ins, so call ahead! Before you go, make sure you look through pictures of dresses for ideas of what you do and don't like. Check out our Real Weddings section for inspiration from other Black Hills Brides. Also read up on the terms and styles used by gown designers so you know what your bridal salon attendants are talking about. If you have jewelry or other accessories already bought, bring them with you if you can so you make sure they work well with the dress.
These tips for trying on gowns can make the day go smoothly and potentially reduce the amount of time it may take to find the perfect dress.
- Go without face makeup when trying on gowns so they remain clean.
- Wear your hair similar to the style you have in mind for your wedding.
- Wear a supportive, well-constructed strapless bra or corset.
- Note that the size of the wedding gown you will wear is typically one to two sizes larger than your day-to-day clothes. The store associate will get proper measurements to be matched to designers’ size charts.
- Limit the number of people with whom you shop to one or two friends or family members. Too many opinions can make the day more stressful.
- It’s always better to order a slightly larger gown and leave room for alterations if you are between sizes. Adding material to a dress is almost impossible.
And remember…
Begin the search for your gown, accessories, and jewelry up to nine months before the wedding day to give ample time to avoid rush-order fees. Some dress designers require six months to produce a gown; others may be longer or even quicker, so be sure to ask. Order early to allow sufficient time for your gown to be received, altered, and steamed.
FEATURED PHOTO COURTESY OF ELSIE FORTUNE PHOTOGRAPHY
