11 x things NOT to during the wedding dress search | With Bridal Editor
Opt for a smoother wedding dress search with these time-saving tips from Sarah Tippett at Bridal Editor.
Regardless of whether you've been dreaming about this particular day from the moment you arrived in the world - or you've only just realised now that the dress ('The One' as it's often referred to) is a HUGE deal - the dress search is a big part of tying the knot. You may already be the most organised bride-to-be (I'm thinking: colour-coded spreadsheets and laminated seating plans) or you may have already accidentally misplaced all of your vendors' contact details. No matter, Bridal Editor is here with a few tips to help you nail the wedding dress hunt this 2020/21...
No.1 Don't start the hunt with a very definite picture of what you think you want, style-wise, in your head. Not only do you run the risk of mentally creating a gown that might not actually exist, but you may be excluding a whole array of silhouettes that suit you.
No.2 Don’t bring the entire SQUAD with you for the bridal appointment. Before you can say 'Vera Wang' they'll be taking over the reins and you'll potentially forget about what you want while trying to match their style opinions. Remember, you’re the one wearing the dress, not them…
No.3 Don’t just try on one silhouette when it comes to your first dress appointment. Try them ALL! Afterall, this is your opportunity to try on all of those glorious wedding concoctions that you've always dreamed of - or didn't even know there were! Veer from slinky, backless numbers to tulle princess skirts and elegant A-lines, you might surprise yourself on what you do and don’t like!
No.4 Don't opt for something you can't dance or basically move comfortably in. You may adore that cloud-like creation with millions of layers of heavily encrusted embellishment, but if you're breaking a sweat trying to walk down the aisle in it, then it's probably not 'The One'. Plus, just think about all those moves you were planning on busting out on the dancefloor. Wouldn’t it be terrible if people missed those…
No.5 Don’t ignore the designer or boutique’s in-house team and their suggestions and advice. Trust me, they know what they’re talking about. You may be able to spot which Zara dress will suit you before you've even crossed the threshold of the store, but the wedding dress search is an entirely different experience. Always let the experts assist.
No.6 Don't opt for something that won't stand the test of time. You might be a bit of a trend-maven but the trends don't last, and try to think about whether you'll still love the dress (or jumpsuit, or suit, or bridal separates) in your wedding photographs in years to come.
No.7 Don’t wear dark or ill-fitting underwear to your wedding dress appointment. Opt for nude or white as you'll want to try and understand what type of lingerie you'll need to wear under your gown, especially if you find 'The One'.
No.8 Don’t leave things until the last minute. For instance, bring a pair of heels (a pair of shoes that have a similar heel height to those you think you’ll be wearing on the day itself) to your appointment and later, to your fittings too, so you can get an idea of where the hem of your dress should be sitting.
No.9 Don’t make a snap decision. If you’re not feeling it, take a break and sleep on it. If you can’t decide, it’s probably not ‘The One.’ When they say that you’ll know – they mean it – you’ll know. When I tried on my own wedding dress I knew. I didn’t burst into tears like some brides do on Say Yes To The Dress but I did know. I had this overwhelming feeling of feeling like myself in it. Want to find out more? Read my post on the moment I found my gown (click here).
No.10 Don’t opt to try on gowns that are out of your budget, this will only end in tears…
No.11 Finally, and most importantly, enjoy and embrace every wonderful moment of this journey, especially with the special people you opt to bring with you.
Want to discover more tips, inspiration and advice from Bridal Editor? Click here.
Photography by Nick Ilott Photography
