Finding and choosing your wedding dress is one of the biggest parts of wedding planning for any bride-to-be. The right dress can set the tone for the day, help you settle on a theme, the colour of flowers and much more besides – so it is important to be prepared for your bridal wear consultation.
BRIDES WHO BRUNCH
It may seem an obvious one, but make sure you eat something before your consultation! Some brides don’t eat because they are so caught up in the excitement of it all and simply forget, while others take the nil by mouth approach in an attempt to banish the bloat.
You will likely be standing for a while - and getting in and out of wedding dresses can be exhausting; the last thing you want is to feel dizzy and faint when you’re trying to find the perfect wedding dress for your special day!
We would recommend having a healthy breakfast to kick start your day in just the right way. Equally, this probably isn’t the moment to indulge in an all you can eat buffet, as you will likely feel uncomfortable after a big meal and finding bridal wear should be a relaxing experience for all.
TWO’S COMPANY
Don’t feel obliged to take someone with you to your consultation - you may feel perfectly comfortable going it alone but if you’d prefer the company of 1 or 2 of your nearest and dearest, then feel free to bring them along. Take care to pick people that you can really trust to have your best intentions at heart.
Ideally, they should know your style and understand exactly what you are looking for in your wedding dress... and, most importantly, don’t have a hidden agenda!
A PICTURE SPEAKS A THOUSAND WORDS
It is always a good idea to take along any inspirational images you may have collected - finally, that Pinterest board comes to fruition!
Where it can often be hard to communicate in words exactly what you would like from your dream bridal wear, images of designs and styles you do like give the designer a great insight into the kind of dress that is right for you, a complete snapshot of what you’re looking for.
Your images might include your favoured silhouettes, fabrics, detailing and colour…. Or even just a mood that you want to convey.
CRUNCH THE NUMBERS
Now, a little about practicalities. It is so easy to get swept away in the moment when you are wedding dress shopping, but we recommending going into your consultation with an idea of your budget in mind.
We all know that budgets are, more often than not, broken - even if just a little bit - especially when you find yourself feeling incredible in the dress of your dreams. Nevertheless, setting a budget will help to keep you focused and perhaps a little bit more realistic in your search.
WHAT TO TAKE ALONG
It is a very good idea to take along a well fitting strapless bra to your wedding dress consultation.
Even if you don’t plan on going for a strapless gown, many dresses have delicate detailing around the neckline and an unsightly bra strap has no place in that situation; you need to visualise how this dress will make you feel on the big day, after all.
You may also want to take along a pair of shoes with your ideal heel height. This will help the designer get an idea of the length of the gown and assist with adjusting trains to your specifications.
And finally, we all know that white gowns and makeup don’t mix well, so be kind and leave heavy make-up and fake tan at home!
Finding the right bridal wear for your wedding day isn’t always easy, but being prepared will certainly help!
For more advice and help on your wedding journey, please do browse our site or contact us with any queries you might have – and we'll be happy to help in whatever way we can.
Angelina x
