Our Top Five Tips for Bridal Gown Shopping Featured on D Weddings

Just embarking on your wedding dress shopping adventure? Not sure how to go about it? We've got some great tips for you that we shared with D Weddings yesterday.

Beautiful StarDust Bride in Matthew Christopher
photo credit: Slaton Weddings

Plan Ahead
Bring pictures (from Pinterest, magazines, and online) of what you like. Do some basic research on designers’ styles and price points and know how they align with yours. Comprise a list of adjectives to describe the feel you want to achieve. Here are five fairly encompassing styles we see brides interested in most often:
·         unique, fashion forward, sexy/hot – “JLo-ish”
·         light, whimsical, airy, flowing – “Mid-Summer’s Night Dream-ish”
·         classic, elegant, traditional – “Grace Kelly-ish”
·         rustic, easy to move, romantic
·         20 or 30’s art deco – “Gatsby-ish”

Trust your Stylist
While we love for you to come in with your own thoughts and ideas about what you’re looking for, we encourage you to be open minded! Our stylists are all bridal professionals with years of experience and are experts at finding brides their perfect wedding gown. While you may not initially like something on the hanger, don’t be afraid to try it on! More than 60% of brides deviate from their original vision of “the dress.” We have so many brides who think they won’t like a certain silhouette, but as soon as they try it on and see how it fits, it totally transforms their ideas and will often end up being the gown they wear down the aisle.

This gorgeous StarDust Bride stuns in Lazaro
photo credit: Jennifer Wilson

Keep the Circle of Influence Small
Limit the number of guests you bring and keep it to people whose opinions you respect and those you trust to listen to your wishes above their own. We suggest no more than three people.

Know Your Timeline
Allow yourself six to eight months’ lead time. Gowns take four to five months to make, and you’ll want to consider alterations time (allow four to six weeks) and time for a bridal portrait (about two months) if you’re taking one.

This radiant StarDust Bride is elegant in Augusta Jones
photo credit: Graham Hobart

Maximize your Appointment Time
Communicate with your stylist about what you like and don’t like once a dress is on, being as specific as possible. Also, be considerate of your bridal stylist’s – and other brides’ – time. If you’re shopping during a weekend, your stylist probably has a full schedule so arrive on time and be aware the scheduled end time.

Call 972.781.1619 to schedule a wedding gown appointment at StarDust Bridal Salon or stop by LuLu's Bridal Boutique, where appointments are not required. One of our bridal stylists would love to help you find your perfect gown!