Hello and welcome back! Happy 2019…I can’t believe we are at the start of a brand-New Year, where did 2018 go? If your Holidays were anything like mine, then the last couple of months are a blur.
I am super excited for the 2019 wedding season! If you are one of the many couples that got engaged over the Holidays…Congratulations!
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This is a very exciting and busy time for you; there is so much to decide and plan. I know it can get overwhelming at times…Shameless plug…Hire a Planner!
So, back to the topic at hand…. Wedding Dress Shopping!! One of the most personal and important items you will buy is your wedding dress. Your wedding dress will play a key role in how you feel on your wedding day. So here are a few tips to make your wedding dress shopping experience fun and memorable…
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1. Decide Your Style
Look through magazines or online to get an idea of what you like. If you like a particular designer, look at their website (if they have one) to see other dress styles.
2. How much can you Spend
Decide your budget. Is your dress budget included in your overall wedding budget or not? Will you be purchasing a veil? If so, include the cost in your budget. Also, allow for alteration costs’, shoes and any other items you may need to purchase for the dress. These additional costs can add up quickly, so be sure to know your max budget and then look at designs and styles that fit your budget.
3. Book the Appointment
Now that you have a style in mind and know your budget, make an appointment at a bridal boutique. I highly recommend Bridal Boutiques for the personal attention and experience. They generally allow 2-hours for your appointment, so if you plan on going to more than one shop, plan for it. I do not recommend going to more than three shops on the same day. Allow for drive time and select shops that are fairly close to each other or easy to get to. On a side note: I do not recommend David’s Bridal, unless you like the assembly line experience (just my opinion). Remember, it can take a few months for your dress to arrive, so don’t wait until the last minute to shop.
4. Pick your People
Invite your shopping entourage. Wedding dress shopping can be fun or it can be frustrating…so, be sure to invite family and friends that will help keep you stress free, know your style and will offer honest feedback (in a nice way). You want it to be a personal experience too, so try and limit the amount of people who go with you. Another reason you want to limit the number is because many Boutiques do not have the space to accommodate a large group.
5. Be Open
Don’t be afraid to try on something you would normally not wear. I have heard from so many brides over the years that the dress they ended up choosing was something they never thought they would have bought. So be open and flexible to different styles. Most all brides know how they want to look on their wedding day, but sometimes what they have in their head does not end up being what they really end up loving, so be open. *Side note: Be sure to see how well you can sit in the dress…you will not be standing all day at our wedding, so be sure you can sit in it comfortably.
6. Take it Easy on Yourself
Try not to be too critical of yourself when trying on dresses. Not all styles look good on all shapes, so if a dress you had your eye on is not the right one for your body type, that’s okay, don’t let it get you down. The PERFECT dress for YOU does exist, so do not get frustrated or discouraged.
7. Don’t Go Overboard
Limit the amount of dresses you try on. I’m not saying not to try on several dresses to see the style you like and looks good, but when you start getting into the 30+ number of dresses, you are going to start getting confused with what you want, frustrated and feel like you will never find your dress.
8. Trust Your Gut
You will know when you find “The Dress”. Many brides feel like they will not be able to decide on a dress, did they make the right choice, etc. Trust me, you WILL KNOW. Every bride (including my daughter) has those questions, but all of them have said that they just knew the minute they tried it on that this was Their Dress.
9. Enjoy the Day
Besides your wedding day, this is one of those days that you will always remember. Have fun, enjoy the day with your family and friends, have lunch, enjoy some wine, just enjoy the experience. This is something that is just for YOU, so make the day special and don’t let things you can’t control ruin the experience.
10. His Eyes Will Be On You
Finally, no matter what type of dress you end up wearing on your wedding day, you are going to look beautiful to your future husband. When he sees you at the other end of the aisle, his eyes will be focused on YOU. He is marrying YOU, not the dress, so while it is important to love the dress you wear, at the end of day, you will put the dress away and begin your new life together as Husband and Wife!
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Tell me about your wedding dress shopping experience and what advice you have to future brides when it comes to shopping for the perfect dress! Share your story in the comments, I would love to hear it.
Want to know my shopping experience with my own daughter, click here:
Here is video of my daughter saying “Yes to the Dress”
@Klienfelds Bridals – New York, NY
@Hailey Paige Designs – Bridal Gown
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If you have any questions feel free to email me directly at eventsbymaria@outlook.com.
I love hearing from you, so leave a comment and let me know your thoughts, questions or suggestions for future blogs.
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Until next time, Happy Planning…
Maria is bi-lingual in Spanish & English and has been helping couples plan for their very special day for over 10 years. She is located in Temecula, CA and travels all over California and Mexico.
Events by Maria 