How to Find the Perfect Wedding Dress!

If you ever want to test your heart's endurance, wait for the moment when your future mother-in-law asks you, "You still don't have a wedding dress?!"

Finding the perfect wedding dress can be a challenge. After all, it’s quite likely that you’ve never bought one before. Plus, buying a wedding dress is very different from buying a new pair of jeans. But don’t worry—we’ve put together some tips to help you find the dress of your dreams.

Preparation

Before you dive into this adventure, you should give some thought to the dress of your dreams. It’s best to start with the style and think about which one you’d like: classic, romantic, vintage, modern, … If your wedding has a theme, that can often dictate the style—for example, rockabilly or boho.

The location and time of the wedding can also influence your choice of dress. For example, for a winter wedding, we’d tend to recommend a dress with sleeves, and for a wedding at a castle, you’ll probably want a different style than for a wedding in a barn.

But ultimately, there’s only one thing you should consider when making your choice: yourself. Let’s say you want a colorful dress—why should you wear anything other than a colorful wedding dress? And who’s to say that a duchess-style wedding dress can’t look regal even in a barn? It’s your wedding, and you decide what makes you feel comfortable.

Before Your First Fitting Appointment

Use an online search to find stores that carry the styles you’d like. But stay away from any online wedding dress shops. A dress from such a shop will almost certainly disappoint you and cost you unnecessary money, time, and stress. Instead, schedule a consultation and fitting appointment at a bridal boutique. Make sure this initial appointment is at least six months before the wedding. Your dress will usually be delivered, which can take several months, and you’ll still need time for final adjustments afterward.

Fitting appointments are especially in high demand on weekends and are therefore often limited in time. You may also be charged a small fee for the appointment. This fee is usually credited toward your purchase—but it’s definitely worth asking about it beforehand.

When you make an appointment, you'll likely be asked about your clothing size and budget. This ensures that dresses that fit you will be available for you to try on.

The Wedding Dress Fitting

Choosing a dress is a big decision, and chances are many of your friends—your mom, your sister, your cousin, your neighbor, and even Guido Maria Kretschmer—will want to be there for the fitting. But do yourself a favor and don’t bring more than two people with you. They’ll never all agree, which will just make you feel unnecessarily insecure.

Focus on your top 5 right from the start. If you try on too many dresses, your concentration will wane, making the decision much harder. Still, take your time during the fittings. Try out the dresses with different accessories. You’ll see—they can drastically change the look and feel of a dress. It’s best to wear skin-colored underwear to the fitting—that way, the dresses will look their best.

After the decision

Once you've found the right dress, you should discuss details such as payment options, delivery and fitting dates, and pickup with the consultant. Remember to set aside some time for pickup as well. Before you take your wedding dress home, you’ll try it on one more time to make sure everything fits perfectly. Use this opportunity to practice moving around in the dress. Turn around and, if possible, walk up and down a flight of stairs. You should also ask the consultant to show you exactly how to put the dress on—and, most importantly, how to take it off.