The Best Guide to Wedding Dress Shopping

Hey, Amarra brides! Your big day is coming up and you must be getting SO excited. There’s so much to do- from dresses to venues, invitations, and menus, your to-do list can get overwhelming. Don’t worry, you’ve got this! And we’re here to help you on your wedding dress shopping.

Here at Amarra, we know a thing or two about wedding dresses. That’s why we’ve put together our top tips for making wedding dress shopping an easy, fun experience! Don’t let the stress of wedding planning get in the way of this once in a lifetime opportunity. Here’s everything you need to know!

1. Time to budget, baby!

Not only is choosing a budget for your dress the responsible thing to do, it’ll help you narrow down your options. There’s no use pining over decadent princess gowns that you can’t afford! There are plenty of gorgeous dresses for every budget.

2. Get an early start.

Picking a dress and getting it tailored to you can be a lengthy process. Give yourself plenty of time- 9 to 12 months before your big day is standard.

3. Get inspired.

Check out Pinterest, wedding blogs, and bridal magazines to start getting ideas. Having a general idea of the type of dresses you’d like to try can help later on.

4. Utilize social media.

Instagram’s algorithm is great at suggesting content. Start saving dresses here and you’ll get tons of gorgeous recommendations! Of course, Pinterest is always a wedding planning classic.

5. Plan appointments ahead.

Bridal salons can get crowded, fast. Some require appointments, while others just recommend it. It’s always best to schedule an appointment to ensure there will be an employee available to assist you.

6. Give the salon a heads up.

While it might seem extra, calling the salon to let them know your wedding theme, budget, and dress goals can be really helpful. They’ll have a better idea of what dresses to pull for you before you even arrive.

7. Choose your guests.

While it might be tempting to invite your entire bridal party, your mom, sister, and future mother-in-law, it’s probably not the best idea. Many salons limit how many people you can bring with you. A crowd will also make it difficult to find a dress that everyone likes. You don’t want to have found “the one” but have someone saying they’re not a fan. Fewer people means fewer opinions to take into consideration! After all, it’s your dress!

8. Ask questions.

Once you’re narrowing down dresses, it’s good to grill your bridal stylist on the specifics of each gown. How long does it take to make? Does it ship to the salon? Can it bustle? Write them down if you’re worried you’ll get caught up in the moment and forget!

9. Look at the part…

You’re going to look fabulous on your wedding day, so why not bring some of that glam to dress shopping? Not only will it give you a chance to try out some bridal makeup, it’ll help you get a better idea of what you’ll look like on your wedding day.

10. …and dress the part.

Make sure you’re wearing undergarments that won’t inhibit the gowns! Now it’s time to roll up in a sports bra and boy shorts. Experts recommend a nude thong and a strapless bra.

11. Embrace the gown, not the size.

Wedding dress sizing is not like normal sizing. These gowns tend to run two to three sizes smaller than street clothing- it’s like this for everyone! Don’t let it stress you out. When it comes to your perfect wedding dress, the number size shouldn’t matter.

12. Keep an open mind.

Every bridal stylist will tell you that brides often fall in love with gowns they never would have expected! Stay flexible and try on all different types of dresses. You never know which one will snag your heart.

13. Consider the climate.

Beach weddings in July will probably call for a different dress than an October ceremony in a vineyard. Take your wedding date and location into consideration to help you narrow down your choices.

14. Stay true to yourself.

If everyone is gushing over a gown that you just don’t love, listen to your gut! At the end of the day, it’s your dress and your wedding. It’s definitely wonderful to get second opinions from your loved ones, but always stay true to what you feel. Don’t fall for peer pressure!

15. Take it easy.

Try to pace yourself- trying on a million dresses in one day could just exhaust and overwhelm you. They’ll all start blurring together- how can you remember which lace detail you liked when there were ten different ones?

16. Have patience.

Most brides won’t find their dream dress at their first appointment. Some won’t find it at their second, or third. Have patience and trust in the process! Don’t panic and choose a dress you’re not in love with. Your dream dress is out there, and you’ll find it!

17. Stick to that budget.

While it might be tempting to try on gorgeous, wildly expensive gowns, there’s no use. You might fall in love with one, leaving every other dress in your budget feeling underwhelming. Alternatively, you might decide to go for it, straining your overall wedding budget. It’s not worth it!

18. Factor in the alterations.

When picking the perfect (in budget) dress, remember to consider that it will need alterations. They can get expensive fast, so be sure to chat with your bridal stylist to get a better idea of how much you should set aside. If your budget is $1000, your dress will need to cost less than that to allow for the alterations!

19. Take lots of pictures.

Not only will it help you remember little things about dresses you liked, but it’ll also give you a better idea of how you look in the dress! Make sure to move around and get a feel for it. You can also show your stylist these pictures at your next appointment to help her narrow things down.

20. Enjoy yourself! 

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity! Don’t let the stress get to you. Have a blast trying on dozens of gorgeous dresses with your loved ones. You deserve to have some fun!

There you have it, babe! These are our top tips to get you ready to start your search for wedding dress shopping. Here at Amarra, we have a gorgeous selection of wedding dresses to help you find the gown of your dreams. You’ll look gorgeous in one of our stunning styles- there’s something for every bride!

Check out our instagram page to connect and get inspiration. Can’t wait to see you walk down the aisle!