One of the most fun and beautiful moments of wedding planning is finding your dress. Unfortunately, many brides end up feeling stressed about the process and buying a dress that doesn’t suit their style, vision, or taste. You don’t have to become one of these regretful wives-to-be.
Below, explore a few common mistakes that many brides make when picking their wedding dresses so you can avoid them yourself.
Starting the Search Too Late
Almost everyone is guilty of procrastinating, but we urge you to put your it-can-wait-until-tomorrow attitude on the shelf when it comes to your wedding dress.
It typically takes four to six months to order, receive, alter, and style these gowns. If you start your search just a few months before your wedding, you probably won’t have enough time. Even if you do manage to swing a dress, you’ll put yourself under unnecessary pressure and limit your options significantly.
Don’t underestimate how long the entire process takes. Start as soon as you can, even as far back as 8 months before your big day. Then, you can navigate the process calmly and take time to find a gown that truly resonates with you.
Shopping Alone or With Too Many People
Dress shopping is such a fun experience that is best shared with people you love! Even if you’re not interested in anyone else’s opinion, it’s still nice to have a few friendly faces with you for support and good times.
However, try not to bring too many people. You don’t want to feel stressed by juggling a hundred commentaries and conflicting opinions that could cloud your judgment.
The ideal shopping party depends on you and the people in your life, but we recommend going with two or three people whose opinions you genuinely value and trust. Choose companions who understand your style, respect your budget, and will be honest but supportive throughout the process.
Focusing Only on Trends Instead of Timeless and Personal Style
Have you ever looked at a wedding from the 80s and cringed at the poofy sleeves and stiff veils? That’s exactly the kind of reaction we’re trying to avoid for your wedding photos 40 years from now.
Many brides get caught up in what’s currently popular rather than choosing a dress that reflects their individual personality and preferences. Also, trends come and go, but timeless, elegant style is always in fashion.
Your dress should feel authentically “you” and stand the test of time. Now, if the wildest, trendiest dress out there is what makes you feel beautiful and confident, then go for it! Just don’t compromise on your comfort and taste for a dress that will get you more likes on Instagram today but more questioning appraisals down the road.
Setting an Unrealistic Budget
If you don’t know your budget and stay true to it, you could set yourself up for heartbreak, and that’s the last feeling you want near your wedding date.
Before you start shopping, establish a firm budget that includes not just the dress cost but also expenses for alterations, undergarments, shoes, and accessories. And don’t underestimate these costs; for instance, alterations alone can be upward of $1,000.
Be upfront with bridal consultants about your budget range. Reputable shops will respect your limits and show you dresses within your price range.
Not Considering Your Body Type and Comfort
Don’t pick a dress because of how it looks on a mannequin, how brilliantly it sparkles on the rack, or how well your friend pulled the style off. Your body is unique, and it really pays off to find a gown perfectly tailored to your figure. Not only will you look incredible, but you will also feel more comfortable and confident.
Just to give you an idea, A-line dresses work well on almost every body type, but the same isn’t true of mermaid-style gowns. Likewise, ball gowns can overwhelm petite frames, and strapless dresses might struggle to stay up on certain body types. Here’s the main thing: You should feel comfortable wearing the dress you choose for an entire day.
And let’s not forget the role that your wedding’s season and venue play. If your ceremony will be outdoors in summer, for instance, you can go with a breezy, strapless look no problem. But this very same dress might be uncomfortable for a winter wedding.
Forgetting About Undergarments and Accessories
Your wedding dress is just one component of your complete bridal look. Many brides make the mistake of not considering undergarments, shoes, and accessories until the last minute, which can affect how their dress fits and looks.
When you attend your fittings, make sure to bring at least these two things: shoes and undergarments. This way, you can get a good idea of how tall the gown’s hemming should be and how the dress fits over your undergarments. If you have the accessories you want to wear, bring them, but this isn’t as necessary.
Making Your Decision Based on Others’ Opinions
Lastly, while trusted friends and family can offer valuable input, the final decision should be yours alone. Many brides get swayed by others’ preferences and end up choosing a dress that doesn’t reflect their own vision.
Don’t do this! Pay attention to your gut reaction when you try on different dresses. You’ll know when you’ve found a dress you love—it’s just a feeling. Don’t let others talk you out of it (unless, of course, it’s a practical issue like a bad fit), and don’t choose one simply to please someone else. Trust your instincts and choose the dress that makes you feel like the most beautiful version of yourself.
Your Perfect Dress Awaits at Alexandra’s Boutique
There you have it—some of the most common mistakes that many brides make when picking their wedding dresses. With this knowledge under your belt, you can set forth to find the perfect gown for you, one that flatters your figure and vision.
And there’s no better place to start your search than Alexandra’s Boutique. We offer a carefully curated selection of reception wedding dresses in all types of styles. Browse our gowns online, then make an appointment to come in and try on looks with our expert stylists. We’ll show you your options, provide professional advice, answer your questions, and more. Our dream is to make yours come true.