There is so much variety in evening dresses that it can make shopping for the perfect one confusing. However, when you find the right dress, you will feel like a diva in it. Not only will it be comfortable, but it will also bring out your best features and make you happy to show it off.
So, how do you set about looking for one and identifying if it is the right choice for you?
Here are eight valuable tips from Best for Bride to help you find the suitable formal gown for your next big social event.
If you thought wedding gown shopping was stressful, just wait till you start looking for your bridesmaids dresses!
Finding the right dresses for all your girls, so they not only fit into the wedding scene beautifully, but are also satisfied with your choice, can be a little too difficult to achieve. It is a challenge alright, but one that is possible to deal with. And, we are here to help you with it today.
Go with these 10 tips listed here, and you will feel the stress of bridesmaid dress shopping lifted in a big way.
#1 Remember that one dress needn’t fit all
Unfortunately, there is no single dress style that will look good on every woman. Women are built differently, and every one of your bridesmaids will have her own unique built, height, size and color. So, choosing a single design for all your girls will usually end with one of them not looking too great. Also, it is no longer the trend to have matching bridesmaids. So, be ready to be flexible with your choices. Keep your mind on the big picture—you want a cohesive look that is interesting and attractive.
We suggest you look at dresses that are similar in two or three aspects and vary the rest of the features. For example, consider the same color and different designs, or different colors with the same design. You can also check out different dresses from the same designer collection. This way, the fabric colors will match, but your bridesmaids will each have their own unique look. One word of caution; don’t give your girls free reign to pick any dress that will fit the idea. This can end up becoming haphazard, and their overall look may not come together. It is better to stick to a certain set of criteria, and let your girls find dresses that suit them, while also meeting these requirements.
#2 Discuss budget upfront
Since your bridesmaids will be paying for the dress, you should discuss the budget with them, before you go shopping. Get a clear idea of what is the maximum they can afford to pay for their dress, and make sure you do not ask them to stretch it any further than that. Remember that the amount they suggest is usually inclusive of alterations and accessories, and it will be good if you can clarify this if you aren’t certain. Then, plan your shopping budget and do your dress research based on these numbers. Once you know the amount that your bridesmaids are ready to shell out for their dresses, you can search online. Look for collections that will give you what you want, in this range. Make the most of sales, discounts and offers.
At Best for Bride, we often offer discount on bulk bookings of more than a certain number of bridesmaids dresses. So, if you search around in advance and place your orders in one go, you will most likely be able to avail of such offers and help your girls get the best deal for their money. Also remember that it isn’t necessary that to use up all the money they are ready to spend. If you find dresses at a better bargain, I am sure they’ll appreciate it if they can keep the extra cash for themselves. So, be a considerate bride. Your bridesmaids will love you for it.
#3 Start early
Just like you spend months researching and planning your wedding day look, you will need plenty of time to find your bridesmaids dresses. So, start early, and do your research several months before the wedding. The benefit of starting early is that you can make the most of any sale or offer that comes up in the months leading up to the wedding. You should have sufficient time if you start seven to eight months before the actual date. Since you will already know what you want, it is just a matter of waiting for a good deal to come up. Research is a lot of fun, when you do it online, as you can see almost every dress that will be available in store, on the boutique website.
Once you order the dresses, you will still need time to have it altered and fitted, so it is perfect in time for your wedding day. 75% of women who buy bridesmaids dresses will need alterations. While this will mostly take just one appointment, it can also take two or more depending on the type of dress chosen. So, have your bridesmaids mark their calendars for dress appointments and alteration sessions well in advance, so everything progresses smoothly.
#4 Ask your girls for their inputs
Your bridesmaids may have ideas of what they would like to wear to your wedding. Welcome their opinions. Whether you take it or not is up to you, but it won’t hurt to ask. You can share your own vision of how you expect them to dress on the day, and then ask them for their suggestions. There are several digital apps like Pinterest and Evernote, where you can share pictures and ideas with each other. So, use this to streamline and collate all the information that your friends would like to share with you.
If there are certain styles that your bridesmaids would rather not wear at all, eliminate these from your selection. Not all girls are comfortable wearing strapless dresses or ones that are too short. So, stay away from such choices unless you know they won’t mind wearing it. The same goes for colors too. Not all colors may look good with all skin tones, and if your bridesmaid is worried that she will look sickly or washed out in a particular hue, it will be good if you choose an alternative that will work. If there are silhouettes that they think would be best on them, you can plan the overall look based on it. When you know their preferences, you can choose a dress that they will get the best out of. Dresses in universally flattering colors and in silhouettes like A-line or with V-necklines look good on most body types.
#5 Go shopping by yourself the first time
This is a simple way of ensuring that your opinions are not side-lined, and you can actually see what is available. Book the first appointment with the salon and attend it by yourself or just with a friend, say, your maid of honor. We think this is essential, because some dresses that you may have shortlisted online, may look entirely different when seen directly.
So, rather than hauling all your girls down and discovering this, it helps if you do a test run yourself and make sure that what you had in mind is what you see in person. If you do not have any specific designs in mind, and intend to go with what is available in shop, you can discuss your ideas one-on-one with the shop assistant, and find out what she has to suggest. Bring the girls in later, and the actual appointment will be a lot easier. Remember that it has to be your decision finally, so prepare for the options and you will make it in a much wiser way.
#6 Ask your girls to mark their calendars, well in advance
Not all your bridesmaids may be the super-organized or easily available. So, every extra inch of time will help you with your bridesmaid dress shopping. Once you have a general idea of what you want, or perhaps have even picked out the lot that your bridesmaids will be selecting from, don’t delay getting your girls to the shop. Fix a date and ask them to make themselves available at the said time.
If you have a relatively large bridal party, with more than 4 or 5 bridesmaids, it may be a good idea to break them up into two lots. This will help you focus on those who are there at each appointment, rather than make it a noisy and busy affair. Our suggestion is that you make your picks during your first appointment session and only show these to the bridesmaids, to choose from. This way, there will be no chances of swaying too far from your opinion, and you will get the cohesive effect you wanted, in the end. Once the dresses are picked, the shop assistant will measure your girls and suggest alterations. So, schedule their fitting appointment right away, so you can get that out of the way.
#7 Delegate duties to your most reliable friends
With a wedding to happen, we know how you will be buried under wedding planning tasks. Remember that you needn’t handle each and every detail by yourself. This is why you have a Maid of Honor and bridesmaids in your team. Delegate the responsibility of getting the girls to their dress fitting appointments, paying their dress bills on time and receiving their dresses in time for the wedding. It will be one job off your shoulders, and you can spend the saved time on something else that deserves personal attention.
If your Maid of Honor isn’t the right person to handle this task, there should be someone else on the bridesmaid team, who can do it for you. Hand over this responsibility to her instead. To be on the safe side, make sure that you check on the arrangements once in a while, so everything progresses as per plan and your bridesmaids all have their dresses in time for the wedding.
#8 Don’t stress too much over your decision
If you are the ultimate perfectionist, we know how you can easily feel overwhelmed by the hundreds of choices out there. Yes, wedding planning is a little monster, where you never know for sure whether the choice you made was actually the best one available. But, don’t sweat it!
At least in some areas, good enough is enough! So, don’t loose sleep over your bridesmaids dress selections too much. Take it light and go with what you think is good without too much deliberation. Make the most of your inspiration boards and what your shop assistant suggests, and it will most likely work out well.
#9 Accessories will complete the look
The overall look will also be determined by the accessories you chose for your bridesmaids. You have to choose bouquets, jewelry and shoes. Reusable choices are the best, as it will help your friends make their money go further. Choose neutral colors and designs that flatter everyone on the team. You can even mix and match them up, so each girl has her distinct look but still blends in well with the rest of the team.
If you feel uncertain about your dress choice, you can always dress it up or down by the apt choice of accessories. If your bridesmaids dresses were expensive, it would be very considerate if you pay for the accessories. This could double up as your bridesmaids gift too. Work with your imagination and draw inspiration from the various pictures you may have seen in magazines and online. Make sure that the accessories, hair and makeup, all come together and look attractive and suitable for your wedding theme.
#10 Remember you cannot always make everyone happy
Your bridesmaids may not always be happy with what you want them to wear. If this is the case, you may feel worried about forcing your choice on them. If you have tried your best by choosing within budget, adjusting your priorities to accommodate their likes and cannot help any further, just stop trying to make it work!
Bridesmaids should realize that it is the bride’s likes that get priority, and that they were prepared to accept it when they signed up for the role. So, don’t feel too guilty as you have to stick to your vision of how the wedding day should look and be. It’s your lifetime celebration after all, and you don’t want it to be different from what you always wanted, just because your friends aren’t too happy with your decision.
Wedding dress shopping is one of the most anticipated wedding planning tasks. It is supposed to be an exciting and interesting experience for brides who get to choose one of the most important, and not to mention expensive, dresses that they will ever wear.
While all this sounds really exciting, it is quite often that we see brides who feel overwhelmed and confused with the entire process. As a bridal shop, we understand how the strain of deciding what you should go with for your big celebration, can really get to you. There is nothing unusual about it, as there are so many choices to look at. It is only human to wonder if you actually made the right decision or if you have considered all that you ought to have.
In this way, wedding dress shopping can get stressful, instead of being fun. We do not want that to happen to you. At Best for Bride, we like to do everything to make sure that every bride has a fantastic wedding shopping experience. So, this article is dedicated to helping you beautiful brides overcome the stress of wedding shopping, and here is how you can do it right.
#1 Fix your budget and the upper limit you can stretch to
This is an essential part of wedding dress shopping, as it sets a benchmark for you when you start looking for wedding gowns. There are dresses in all price ranges. Also, apart from the standard gown price, you will be spending extra on accessories and dress alterations. So, you should know how much you can afford to spend on all this in total, before you even begin looking at dresses.
Whether you visit a bridal shop, or choose to do your shopping online, you will only look at gowns you can afford, when you have a price in mind. This can save you the disappointment of falling in love with a dress that you just cannot afford. So, when you walk in the door and your bridal consultant asks you for your budget, make sure you give her the base price you’ve put aside for the gown, and not the total price you intend to set aside for the wedding gown to be ready to wear. If you are lucky, you will find a gown that requires minimum gown alterations to fit your size and vision perfectly. In this case, you can splurge on accessories or divert the remaining funds to another aspect. Otherwise, you will be glad to have set a reasonable expectation for the price, so that your wedding dress stays within budget.
#2 Research before you go shopping, but don’t get too worried if it has your head in a tizzy
Just check our website and you will quickly realize that there are several thousands of wedding dresses. Even more annoying is the fact that many of them look the same in pictures. So, how do you choose?
Don’t worry, you aren’t the only one feeling this way! The hundreds of choices in wedding dresses can really have you worried about what is right and what isn’t. But, look at the bright side. With so many choices, you are bound to find the right fit for your budget, that will also look like you want it to be. So, if you are brand new to the world of wedding dresses, don’t over-saturate yourself with too much information at once. First start off with fixing your budget. Then, analyze the various features that look good on you. Finally, check out dresses that have these features and appeal to you. We say this because it is more important to look at a dress for what it looks in reality, rather than for how it looks on the model in the picture. Remember that it needn’t look the same way on you, unless you look exactly like the lady in the picture! And, if you think you are still too confused, this is what wedding dress consultants are there to help you with. So, pop that stress bubble, will you?
#3 Familiarize yourself with wedding dress lingo
When you enter a bridal boutique, your consultant will ask you what you are looking at. It will save you time and energy if you have at least a general idea of few of the wedding dress terms that are floated around a lot. We suggest you take a quick look at this article that guides you through the most popular wedding dress silhouettes, and you will understand what your consultant means when she says “fit and flare” or “A-line.”
Although you needn’t know the technical terms for every single detail that you can expect to see on a wedding dress, a general idea of the popularly used wedding dress lingo will help you. If you know this you can easily convey the idea to your consultant. The other option you can consider is to take pictures of the dresses you like or those with features you have shortlisted, if you don’t know the actual names. This will save you a lot of trouble. #4 Choose a shop with a good reputation
There may be hundreds of wedding dress shops if you look around, but not all of them will be equally good. The benefit of choosing a good bridal boutique is that the bridal consultants there will be experienced and well-trained to help you make the best choices. So, don’t discount the reputation of the bridal salon, when you start looking at options. When you are in the hands of a good bridal consultant, they will guide you to the best possible choices in wedding dresses.
They know how to pamper you and reduce your stress, so that the shopping experience is exciting and memorable. So, look around and go shopping at a wedding shop that has earned its reputation of being customer-friendly and delivering good quality service.
#5 Browse around by yourself first
This bride, in this article on the Huff Post, mentions that the best thing she did to alleviate the stress associated with wedding dress shopping was to go shopping by herself the first time around. This sounds like a great idea, as it will allow you to find things out for yourself, without having to seek approval from the people who accompany you.
Since you will be interacting with the bridal consultant all by yourself, you can really use this opportunity to understand what you favor and what you think would be the best. Let the entourage join you the second time, when you have a clearer idea of what you would like to wear. Just make sure that you use the first appointment to really look at all the choices available to you, and narrow down the list to what really appeals to you. Being in the salon and in the midst of real wedding dresses will also help you understand how the different styles look and feel, rather than judging by what you see in a picture. It will tell you how the fabric and structure of the gown are different from what you expect based on a photograph. When you don’t have to listen to another person’s opinion on it, it will give you a clearer perspective of what you actually want. #6 Don’t bring a big entourage
Since we’re talking about the different ways in which you can cut down on wedding dress shopping, this has to be in the list. I’ve probably lost count of the times I’ve repeated this fact on our blog, but yes, it is only because this is very important. If there is one thing that is real from what you see on the various bridal shows on TV, it is the fact that you can have a tough time choosing your wedding dress if your entourage isn’t supportive.
Don’t feel obliged to invite everyone who wants to go gown shopping with you, or you will only be ruining your chances of finding the right dress for yourself. Choose just one or two people, and do so wisely. Make sure that these are people who know your personal style best and can give you honest opinions. More importantly, they should share your taste. Ultimately, your gown should reflect your personality, and only you know what you favor when you look in the mirror. Unless the person who goes shopping with you shares your idea of fashion, you will simply disagree and not have a productive shopping session.
#7 Be flexible with your ideas
After hours of researching online, you may have convinced yourself that you will settle for none other than just one silhouette or style. Don’t make this mistake! Especially when you have a seasoned expert in wedding gowns, in the form of your bridal consultant, to assist you with your choice. Wedding gowns are surprising in that way, you may find that the thing you least expected looks best on you. And bridal consultants have often seen this magic happening on their shop floor. So, they may be the best judge of what would look best on you, once you share your vision with them.
Our suggestion is to keep your mind open to ideas, and accept it when your bridal consultant suggests a dress for you. What is the harm in trying it on? It’ll be just a matter of minutes, but you always have a good chance of finding a fabulous gown when you least expected it. Although it may be different from what you ever expected, who is to complain if it makes up for this difference in how well it suits you?
#8 Don’t worry if you can’t decide on a single dress
Confusion is a given, when you consider that the dresses you look are all equally attractive and beautiful in their own way. We have seen brides who shortlist five or sometimes even more dresses and look at each of them longingly, unable to decide which one they should go with. This is why we suggest you start your gown shopping well ahead of time, so you have enough time to go back and make a choice.
If you find yourself in a situation where you are totally confused between two or more gowns, our suggestion is to click a few photographs of yourself in the gowns you love and go home and sleep over it. Wedding dress decisions should never be hastened, unless you are really pressed for time. Spend time looking at your pictures in each of the dresses and keep the focus on finding out which dress highlights your best features. This will help you decide which dress will be right for you. Once you make your decision, return to the boutique and purchase the gown you think has to be right. Let us just warn you of one small thing though! Don’t ever make the mistake of taking a look at any more gowns on this visit. It will only make the process more exhausting, and not to mention confusing too!
#9 Don’t second guess your decision
Once you choose your wedding dress and pay the bill for it, don’t ever second-guess your choice. The decision is made, and it isn’t worthwhile going back to it. Remember how certain you and all those around you were, when you stepped out in it? So, stick with it. Plus, think of the huge amount you’ve already spent on your wedding dress! It just doesn’t make sense to go back on your decision and go through the whole process all over.
We suggest that you immediately cross wedding dress shopping off the list and not pay too much attention to any of the new trends that you may later come across. Now, all you need to do is attend your alteration sessions and have the dress that you chose fitted to your measurements. Preoccupy yourself with the rest of the wedding choices like cake tastings and venue décor. These are also important facets that should be considered, and you should engage yourself in it whole-heartedly, now that the major part of your wedding shopping is already taken care of.
Is your fashion style unique or predictable? Do you always make heads turn with unusual and offbeat choices in what you wear everyday?
It isn’t too difficult to have a unique style statement these days, for there are diverse fashion options available. In fact, isn’t that every woman’s secret wish–to stand out of the crowd in something interesting and clever?
However, it takes guts to do the same on your wedding day!
There are traditional expectations from every bride. For instance, it is difficult for people to imagine brides in colors other than white. Take a look at this link for some interesting trivia on this practice. Conventional style choices do not end there. Despite the passage of time, few women are bold enough to deviate from these expectations and pick dresses that do not conform to tradition.
My intent is to explore such options—dresses that are designed as bridal wear, but with quirky, bold or daring elements that make them truly stand out. Take a look and tell us which of these would you dare to be different in.
Adeline from Sophia Tolli
Why wear white, when you can make heads turn in this cappuccino beauty? The dress has a textured bodice with ruchings that gather at the side. Intricate and artistically detailed hand-embroidery with crystal accents adorn the stylish sweetheart neckline. Another motif with matching details ornaments the side of the dress. Here, the ruchings gather above the dropped waist and then flow into a gently gathered skirt. The beautiful color is the wow factor, apart from the other amazing details. It flows and is very feminine, but with an unexpected punch of color. With a corset back and chapel train to finish the dress, it has everything necessary to make a lasting impression.
Lucia from Sophia Tolli
Glide down your wedding aisle with an air of mystery! The Lucia from Sophia Tolli will leave your guests mesmerized with its intricate and subtly bold details. This beauty is every bit bridal, despite its unconventional design elements. Done in ethereal chiffon, the gown has a hand-beaded illusion neckline over a plunging bodice. Makes it the perfect choice to show off your bold streak without causing a scandal. The chiffon skirt gathers into tight pleats at the waist that ripples down to full length. The back has a matching illusion detail that completes the dress in stunning style.
Mori Lee Meredith
An exquisite bridal piece, the 6859 Mori Lee is a stunning dress. It is remarkably different from the regular wedding dresses we see. The crystal beaded bodice has an almost Boho vibe with it’s double straps and textured detail. The two-piece crystal bodice ends at the waistline, and from there a tiered tulle skirt begins. With an edging of lace, this skirt is just as romantic as it is exquisite. Fun and flirty, it is a modest choice that is unique in its own way. One that is sure to charm a bride who seeks a statement wedding gown that can charm as well as impress!
Mori Lee tea length skirt
Have you ever wished that top of a dress went with the skirt of another to achieve your dream look? If you have, bridal separates are the choice for you! Mix and match couldn’t be more fun than this. Customize your bridal look by choosing the different parts of your bridal dress separately. When it comes to casual tea-length dresses, there isn’t much variety available. Fortunately, this Mori Lee 6843 saves you a lot of trouble. The tulle tea length skirt can be worn with any suitable bodice to custom-create the look you want. For more details on this dress, check out the Mori Lee bridal dress collection here.
Alfred Angelo 2644
Flowers are a staple at weddings. Many floral motifs have appeared in lace and as embroidery and embellishments in wedding dresses. However, seldom do we come across colorful floral prints in wedding dresses. If you are a big fan of romantic floral prints, this dress from the Alfred Angelo is just right for you. Soft pink roses spread all over the beautiful white organza skirt in this wonderful wedding gown. There is a bright pink sash defining the natural waistline. The smart halter-style bodice makes the dress as beautiful as a dream. Perfect for a warm spring or summer wedding. It is a great choice for an outdoor wedding, and especially for a garden venue!
The Alfred Angelo Signature 2607
Super-stylish and sexy, the Alfred Angelo 2607 is a dress for a diva! This little white wedding dress features all-over lace in a fitted silhouette and has a beautiful sweetheart neckline. The hemline is above the knee. Wear it to look smart and show off your toned figure. The best thing about this dress is that it is anything but typical bridal fare. As long as women seek little white dresses for their big day, an ultra-stylish choice like this Alfred Angelo beauty will continue as a hit. Whether you have a destination wedding in mind or plan to marry at city hall or a casual venue, this is the right choice.
Alfred Angelo Modern Vintage
Talk about getting the best of two worlds, this Alfred Angelo Modern Vintage is the choice for you! It features a detachable overlay skirt over a little white dress. The sleek inner silhouette makes it a sexy choice, while layers of tulle in the skirt have vintage flair. Fun and flirty, this dress will allow your fiance to fall in love with you all over again. Chantilly lace is used throughout the length, and it is elegant and classic. This dress is a budget-friendly choice if you want two looks—one for the wedding ceremony and the other for the reception. Dress up in conventional style in the overlay skirt for the formal ceremony. Then take it off and dance to your heart’s content at the reception.
Full-sleeve peplum style mermaid wedding dress from Sans Pareil
A dress that evokes nostalgia, the 1066 from the Sans Pareil collection is unusually bewitching. It features loose fitting sleeves that gather at the wrist in a lace trim. The high neckline and gathered waist with lace peplum detail fashion a vintage look. The dress is modest in every sense, offering coverage from neckline to the hemline. Nevertheless, the fitted silhouette and softly flowing white fabric render a glamorous effect. Being an unconventional look, it isn’t one that anyone will easily forget. With a gentle sweep train that completes the design, this dress will remain etched in the memories of the onlookers at your wedding.
Princess in Pink lace dress from Sans Pareil
Remember when you were a little girl and pink was your favorite color? If your love for pink continues to this day, the 1038 in soft pink from the Sans Pareil collection will capture your heart. While every detail from the lace details in the bodice to the silhouette are bridal, the color certainly isn’t. Although pink isn’t a typical bridal color, this muted hue is as exciting and enchanting as any other white wedding gown. The pretty shade works on most complexions. The simple structure and details form a vivid picture and will amaze the onlookers at your wedding.
Rainier from Sophia Tolli
Are you a bride who loves embellished wedding dresses? Especially embellishments that are strewn throughout the design? This wedding dress from the Sophia Tolli collection is one you will love. After all, who can resist a dress that is as captivating and obvious as the details on this gown! The bright silver floral motifs have an almost 3-D effect, as they scintillate on this dress. A scattering of sparkling embellishments further enhance the appeal of this romantic dress. If it weren’t for the colorful embroidery on this dress, it would be a typical traditional wedding dress. However this addition of color makes it an unusual choice. Nonetheless this dress has the drama and effect of a bridal gown. It will only add oodles of style to your bridal look.
Emeline Y11709 from Sophia Tolli
Black and white form an astounding combination, as we can see in this lovely dress from the Sophia Tolli collection. Elaborate spirals and vines in black hand-embroidery spread across the bodice and sides of this dress. They are also embellished with crystal and sparkle details that add to the opulence. The simple A-line silhouette thus looks flanked by black and white fronds on either side. The black embroidery motifs extend into the train as well. This makes the dress a beauty from the rear as well. A misty train finishes the effect in full style.
It can be pretty confusing when you have to make your wedding dress choice. Even the women who dress up in unusual, quirky dresses on other occasions choose safe dresses for their wedding day. There is a reason for this too. Your wedding day memories live on forever, and your wedding albums will be a reminder of what you wore on this day. With time, people change and so do their tastes and preferences. It is easy to end up with a dated look if you base your wedding day choices on the latest trends. Most of us don’t want that to happen.
However, you should also remember that your wedding day look should be an extension of who you are. It should reflect your personality and showcase who you are from within. Anything other than that wouldn’t do justice to your individuality. So, if you fall in love with a dress that isn’t traditional fare, don’t hold back. Go for it and you will have the satisfaction of being wed in a dress that screams you!
With the wedding fashion world growing and evolving, there are unexpected twists and new entries in fashion everyday. So, turn to the past and the present for inspiration. You will find the look that defines you. Don’t hesitate to stay true to yourself. Settle for nothing but a dress that actually brings out your best.
All the dresses featured here are part of our inventory at Best for Bride. Whether you prefer an unconventional look from this list, or wish to go for a traditional or modern choice, you will find it at Best for Bride. Apart from wedding dresses, we also have an impressive collection of accessories, bridal party attire and a range of wedding services. Check out our online store at this link. You will find everything you need for your wedding day and more at Best for Bride—the one-stop shopping destination for the modern bride.
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