Five Tips for Choosing the Right Wedding Dress

So you are finally engaged. Now that you have the ring, you will be beginning to search for a wedding venue, a photographer, a DJ, and of course the dress. The experience of shopping for that perfect wedding dress can be exciting, but it can also be stressful and overwhelming.

With a little planning, however, you can find your perfect wedding dress while still staying within your budget. Here are a few tips to do just that:

Plan ahead.

Look through some wedding magazines or check out certain designer’s websites. Get a feel for the style of dress that you would like. Some women are drawn to the ball gown style, others a mermaid style of dress. It helps to know, before you start shopping, what your budget is; any details that are essential, such as whether you want to have sleeves on the dress; and an idea of how traditional you want your dress to be.

Determine a budget.

I am sure that you have seen the TV shows where brides-to-be go into bridal stores with no particular budget in mind and end up falling in love with a $10,000 dress that they cannot afford. Avoid this pitfall by determining ahead of time what you want to spend on a dress. Maybe you want to spend less than $1,000, or maybe you are ok with spending $5,000 or more. You can find beautiful dresses at either price range, but instead of falling in love with something you can’t afford look at what you can afford.

Find what fits you.

I’m not necessarily talking about physical fit, but what fits your body AND your personality. Some women want to have the all-white dress, but others (like myself) like a little pop of color in their wedding dresses. Maybe you don’t want a white, or even an off-white, dress and want to go with red, pink, or some other color. Some women like long dresses, others want something shorter. It’s all up to you.

Choose something comfortable.

Something might look beautiful on a mannequin, but make sure it is something that works for you. Keep in mind that you will be wearing this dress for most of the day. You don’t want to wear something that you can’t eat, breathe, or sit down in. You want to be able to move and not worry about trying to keep the front of a strapless dress up, or sequins rubbing under your arms. You also want to choose something that makes you feel comfortable with your body. If you are self-conscious about your tummy or your breasts choose what makes you feel good.

Save money.

There are ways to get the dress you love without breaking the bank. Remember that the most expensive kind of dress is not necessarily the best kind. There are thousands of dresses to be had at sample sales, thrift stores, and even Craigslist. Also, keep in mind that you can find inexpensive wedding dresses at many online retailers.

Above all, remember that this is your wedding day. Have fun shopping for your wedding dress and remember to choose whatever makes you comfortable. It should be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

What are your tips for choosing the perfect wedding dress?

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