5 Mistakes brides make when dress shopping
Bringing an entourage: We know it’s the most important dress you’ll ever wear, and you want to make sure it’s absolutely perfect. But having 10 different opinions makes it much harder to come to a consensus—and it can bring you farther away from what you actually want. “When you’re standing there in a big dress, and random people in the store are ohh-ing and ahh-ing and all you want to do is take it off, you’ll need an honest, reliable companion to say, ‘I love it. But it’s just not you.’”
Shopping too early: Many couples are opting for longer engagements these days, but don’t start shopping more than 12 months in advance. It’s important to have the rest of your wedding details in place before you can truly shop for a gown, since many factors can influence the style of the dress. Consider your venue: “An ornate gown with tons of embellishments and a sizeable train might look stunning in a ballroom but completely out of place at a beachfront ceremony,”. Also, the colors you choose for your bridesmaids and décor can influence whether you choose white or an off-white shade.
Trying on too many dresses: If you’re a fan of Say Yes to the Dress, you’ve undoubtedly seen a bride who’s tried on 100+ dresses without finding the right one. Most brides try on between four and seven gowns and shouldn’t try on more than 10, because it can lead to confusion.Not every bride has “that moment” when the tears start rolling and you know you’ve absolutely found “The One.”
Sticking with one style: “Ninety percent of our brides leave with something completely different than what they had in mind when they walked in,” said DeMarco. Bringing in pictures of dresses you like is a good start, but if your consultant recommends something different, give it a try. It’s impossible to tell what a dress will look like on your body just from seeing it on a hanger. “If a bride is fuller in the hip area, she might have a mind set that she can’t wear a fitted dress,”. However, what you may not know is that a more fitted dress would show off your curves, fit beautifully, and make you appear more slender as opposed to covering up.
Buying a dress you don’t love: It’s so important to choose your shopping companions wisely. “Many people that may accompany the bride will look at each gown and decide if it’s best for them—not for the bride whom they should be helping,”. If you find yourself liking a dress but also having doubts, or if you’re feeling pressured from a part of your entourage or a salesperson to make a purchase, it’s okay to go home empty-handed, sleep on it, and return at a later point if you’re still dreaming about the dress.