Getting married is a huge milestone. You get to show off your love and commitment to one another in the most romantic way possible. To have the best wedding, you have to have the perfect dress. 

However, finding a wedding designer online that is perfect for you and choosing which wedding dress is the right one can be overwhelming. There are so many wedding dress materials, shapes, sizes, colors, and styles that it can seem impossible to find a dress that fits all your criteria. 

If you’ve found the one person who makes your heart sing and you’re ready to walk down the aisle together forever, look no further! Here are some tips from an expert on when to go wedding dress

When To Go Wedding Dress Shopping

You should make your appointment at least 9-months to a year in advance — well before your wedding day. That doesn’t mean you can’t start browsing for your perfect wedding dress now, though. 

Appointments are often necessary for wedding dress shopping because trying on wedding dresses is a process — between the necklines, sleeve styles, straps (or lack thereof) and silhouettes. Be sure to bring an objective person you trust with you to help make decisions. 

Even though your appointment is made so far in advance, any time is the perfect time to start picturing yourself in your dream gown. To get started, go through bridal periodicals, current trends, your favorite designers, or real brides’ blogs for ideas. Once you’ve done that, look for any common themes among your best discoveries — take note. 

Whatever the theme, keep it in mind and bring visuals to your first bridal salon visit. Make sure you have an open mind. You never know when you might fall in love with something you never expected to.

What Do You Need to Know Before Going Wedding Dress Shopping

Don’t Settle

Don’t just settle on something based on what a sales associate recommends. Take your time and shop alone at different stores to see what fits and what doesn’t. Take lots of pictures of yourself in the dress and in several dresses that you find on the rack at different stores. 

This will allow you to see how the styles look with different silhouettes, your figure, and your accessories. You want to try on as many different styles as possible to get a better idea of what you want. Decide how much you’re willing to spend.

If you’re just not feeling comfortable when trying on wedding dresses, make sure to mention this to the bridal consultant so they can help you with whatever you need to help you feel comfortable. 

Plan for Alterations

Don’t forget to leave time — at least four months — for alterations. More months could be required depending on how many fittings and style changes you need to make before finalizing your wedding dress. 

If you start to run out of time between choosing the perfect wedding dress and your wedding day, there are still options for you. You can choose to have a custom dress made, or you can purchase a used wedding gown. There are also some places available that rent wedding dresses for the big day. 

Share the Space with Other Brides

When you do come in for your wedding dress appointment, keep in mind that there may be other brides who will be in there trying on wedding dresses before you — or after — your appointment. We recommend that you arrive 10 minutes before your appointment just in case there are long waits and allow for enough time to fill out the questionnaire about styles, budgets, etc. 

Where Do You Start Your Search for the Perfect Dress?

Wedding dress shopping is almost always at least a little stressful, especially because you don’t want to leave without a dress you love. Find a wedding dress consultant who can guide you through the entire process and make it a great experience. 

They can show you several styles and help you narrow down your choices to what works for your body, your budget, and your style. After the first dress, you’ll probably have found your favorite at this point. But, if you are overwhelmed by the number of options or just need help, a wedding consultant can guide you through the decision-making process. 

This will save you a ton of time and money in the long run! When do you wear the dress? Knowing when you wear your wedding dress can make a huge difference in how your wedding day looks.

Enlist in the Help of a Professional

Hello Beautiful!

Let’s Find Your Dream Dress.

At Sposa Mia Bridal, our hand-curated collection of Bridal Gowns will steal your heart, with a mixture of price point and styles we provide a unique selection of gowns and accessories that is elegant, timeless and romantic.

To schedule your visit, please give us a call at the boutique or take a moment to complete our appointment request form. We will get back to you as quickly as possible to confirm the details!