Dress shopping secrets

What’s your style?

We’d hazard a guess that the first thing you did when you got engaged was rush out and buy a big pile of wedding magazines to start ooh-ing and aah-ing over dresses! Looking at pictures of different styles is a great start. 
Every dress makes a statement – what do you want yours to say about you?

Have you always dreamed of being a fairy princess? Or do you gravitate towards sleek, minimal styles? Are you traditional or alternative? 
Tear out the dresses you like and have them ready to take shopping with you – a bridal assistant will look through these and spot common themes, be it the material the dresses are made from, a particular style you are drawn to, or a preference for details such as crystals or embroidery.

Choose a boutique

Next you’ll need to find a selection of local bridal boutiques. If you’ve fallen in love with a particular designer you may have to travel further afield to find a stockist, otherwise keep it local as you’ll be going back for fittings. Visit manufacturers’ websites to find their list of approved stockists in your area.
If you want the convenience of everything being under one roof, it pays to find somewhere that also specialises in bridesmaid gowns and accessories.


Finally, what’s your budget? There’s no point trying on designer gowns if your pocket is more suited to something more mass market.

Make an appointment

When you book your appointment, don’t be afraid to chat a bit about your expectations. Be open about your budget and dress size – it’s better to be honest over the telephone than suffer disappointment in person.

It takes most boutiques six to eight months to order and alter your dress, so it pays to start looking early. You can get dresses quicker than this, but you might have to compromise on colour, fabric, fit or style.
Your appointment is an indulgence, so make sure you feel amazing before you walk through the door.

Pamper yourself the night before – make sure your skin is soft, legs and armpits are hair-free, you’re toned and tanned and your hair and make-up is a bit more than you’d wear everyday.
Wear flesh-toned undies and a strapless bra for maximum versatility. And don’t forget footwear – it’s worth taking along a pair of shoes with a heel height that you are comfortable in.
 

Choose your ‘helpers’

Your family and friends might all want to come along, but too many conflicting opinions will make things difficult. Find a friend whose style you admire, and whose opinion you trust, and bring your mum along for the experience, but leave it at that!

Trust the experts

Although you will have your own sense of everyday style, you probably aren’t used to buying and wearing wedding gowns! So you need to trust the ladies at your chosen boutique to guide you towards a gown that suits both your style and figure. They’ll have worked with hundreds of brides-to-be, and will know their stock inside out, so they’ll be certain that dress that doesn’t look much on the hanger will be fabulous on.
 Come with an open mind and be prepared to try on styles that you wouldn’t normally consider.

Remember you’re unique…

Just because your best friend burst into tears when she tried on ‘the one’, it doesn’t mean you will have the same reaction – especially if you are generally a less emotional person! “Knowing you have found your dress is a feeling and trying on a gown that makes you feel emotional is quite often the trigger for selecting the gown that is ‘your dress’,” says established designer Amanda Wyatt. “But equally, it could be one that makes you feel comfortable and yet special.”