The Bridal Box<\/a> in Devon for 20 years, so it\u2019s fair to say she knows a thing or two about the important elements of buying that dream wedding dress. Here she shares her top tips around the most important clothing purchase you\u2019ll (probably) ever make.<\/p>\nAn age-old question, when it comes to picking the most important dress of your adult life, having a longer lead time will ultimately give you more options. While you might be tempted to hold off to see what new styles emerge, starting the shopping process early will help you decipher exactly what suits you and what doesn’t and will also help to make the process smoother.<\/p>\n
“The longer that you’ve got, the more time that you’ve got to actually enjoy the process of finding your dress, plus plenty of time to source all those perfect accessories”, says Helen.<\/p>\n
“Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, the bridal industry is experiencing lots of delays, so lead times for dresses are all over the place. At the moment, we\u2019re asking brides to allow at least eight months from start to finish to ensure we can deliver on time.<\/p>\n
However, as a rule of thumb, I recommend that as soon as you\u2019ve got your date in the diary and a venue booked, start planning the dress. If you can give it a year, that\u2019s fantastic. At the moment, I\u2019ve got some brides who have started planning for weddings in 2024!”<\/p>\n
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<\/span>When should you decide on your bridesmaids\u2019 dresses?<\/span><\/h2>\nThere is a lot to organize with a wedding, so if you’re looking to start checking things off your to-do list, we don’t blame you. However, getting the bridal gown booked in first should come before every other guest. \u00a0<\/p>\n
“The wedding dress comes first, then everything else can slot into place afterwards, especially as bridesmaid\u2019s dresses don’t take as long. We always encourage the bride to choose the wedding dress first as that sets the theme for everything. Once you’ve got the wedding dress, you can then decide on shapes and styles of bridesmaid dresses, your flowers, accessories and how you\u2019re going to style your hair.”<\/p>\n
<\/span>Who should I bring with me when I try on dresses?<\/span><\/h2>\nIt’s an exciting occasion and many women have dreamed of wedding dress shopping and the fanfare that surrounds it. While it is tempting to bring family and friends, you also need to ensure that you can focus, as ultimately the decision should be yours. You also want to be able to have a ‘big reveal’ on the day itself so don’t let too many people see the dress prior to the event. Don’t forget to wear your best bra and best underwear and shapewear for trying on, as this will smooth your silhouette and give you a much better impression of what the dress will look like.<\/p>\n
“My top tip is don\u2019t bring too many people. Firstly, you want the \u2018wow\u2019 factor, so if everybody close to you has already seen your dress, they won\u2019t be surprised when you make your grand entrance. Secondly, it\u2019s true what they say about too many cooks! If you have too many people weighing in on your dress choice, it can be really hard to choose. You need to dress for yourself. It’s you who wears the dress, so you need to love the dress, and in 30 years\u2019 time, look back on your photos and still love the dress!”<\/p>\n
<\/span>How can I find the right designer or bridal shop for me?<\/span><\/h2>\n“Do a little bit of research first and have conversations with the bridal shop to make sure that you like them and that you’re going to enjoy spending time with them”, says Helen.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“If you can choose a bridal shop that does its own alterations, that’s also a massive box ticked\u2014it will save you a lot of stress and time in the run-up to your wedding. You need to put your trust in the bridal shop and stylists. Go with an open mind as they may choose something for you that you would never have looked at\u2014remember we\u2019ve got lots of experience. Ultimately though, this is meant to be fun, so go with the flow and enjoy it!”<\/p>\n
It’s also important to remember that wedding dress sizing is different from commercial fashion retailers, so don’t be upset by the numerical size of the garment, fit, in this case, not the size number is most important. If you are worried about sizing, call the shop beforehand and discuss options to avoid being disappointed, some stores will do a pre-phone or email consultation to ensure everything goes smoothly on your first appointment.\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/span>Top tips for brides trying on dresses<\/span><\/h2>\nWedding dresses can stretch into the thousands, so don’t be afraid to take all the time you need and feel informed about your decision. And if you leave yourself plenty of time to shop, you won’t feel pressured into purchasing a dress in haste.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“When you’re trying on dresses and you think you’ve found \u2018the one\u2019, make sure that when trying it on, you move around in it. See it in the natural light. Try sitting down in it. The dress might not fit you properly right then and there, but you need to know the feel of it. Ultimately, you need to be confident that you can spend a good ten hours wearing it and enjoying every second of it!” says Helen.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n