How to find the perfect wedding dress?
A perfect wedding dress is one of the key components in making the bride feel the most beautiful version of herself. While shopping for a wedding gown is exciting and touching, it may also feel a little bit stressful as you might feel overwhelmed with choices and the pressure to choose the best dress possible. So, before hunting for your perfect garment you should do some research on what exactly you are looking for, considering your own body shape, budget, and general preferences. That is why we created this guide on how to find the perfect wedding dress.
Choosing a wedding dress according to your figure
The first thing you need to consider while buying a wedding gown is how flattering it looks on your body. Every bride wants to be the most beautiful woman in the room!
To pick a dress that will fit you best, you must understand what type of figure you have. Body types are frequently divided into a few categories: hourglass, pear shape, triangle, oval shape, and rectangular shape. Each of these body types look best in different dress styles. Below we provided some tips on how to pick the most flattering gown for your body type.
Hourglass
Women with an hourglass figure frequently have a curvaceous body with full, round hips and a bigger bust. Hourglass body type is also characterized by a clearly defined narrow waist.
If you have this body type, you should avoid super puffy princess-style wedding dresses as they may make your figure look disbalanced and heavy as well as hide your beautiful curves. Instead, you might want to look for garments that sit on your body more tightly: for example, silhouette or mermaid-style dresses.
Also, pay attention to gowns with a more open neckline – they will help you balance the look as well as flatter your chest.
Pear shape
Pear shape figure is a little bit similar to the hourglass – they both have gorgeous curves with a smaller waist and a defined bust. However, the hips of women with a pear-shaped figure are wider and fuller than their chest and shoulders.
To accentuate such a feminine build, women with this body type might want to look for gowns that hug their figure and avoid garments with big skirts. Such dresses may make them look bigger in size than they are. A good idea is to look for garments with off-shoulder sleeves – it will help to visually balance the proportions of a pear-shaped figure.
Triangle
The triangle-shaped figure is characterized by having beautiful broader shoulders as well as narrower waist and hips. Essentially, if you have this type of figure, the upper part of your body is slightly bigger than the bottom.
Dresses with longer sleeves and V-style necklines are the most flattering on this body type. Such features will help your body to look more proportionate. You might also want to pay attention to dresses with more detailing on the hips as they will assist in creating a more proportionate look as well.
It is better to avoid sleeveless and off-shoulder dresses – they may make your shoulders appear bigger than they actually are.
Oval shape
Brides with a defined bust, narrow hips and petite arms and legs most certainly have an oval body shape, also frequently referred to as an apple shape. Essentially, such shape is characterized by having a slightly fuller torso area.
Dresses with A-type silhouette or fuller skirts are the best pick for women with an oval body shape. Along with low necklines and detailing in the chest area, these features will help you make your figure appear more balanced.
Gowns that draw too much attention to your waist area as well as garments with high necklines will not look too flattering on an oval-shaped figure, so you might want to avoid such styles while shopping.
Rectangular shape
If your shoulders, hips, and waist are similar in width – you probably have a rectangular body type. Women with a rectangular figure have a more petite bust and frequently are pretty tall.
To flatter such body type you want to pick a ball gown-style dress with a nice full skirt or A-line dresses – they will make your figure appear more proportionate.
On the other hand, try to avoid mermaid-style or silhouette gowns as they will give your body less definition.
Start your dress search at least half a year before the wedding
The earlier you begin looking for the wedding gown – the better. Think about everything you want in your dress: do you like Cinderella-style puffy gowns or are you a fan of minimalistic dresses? How long do you want your dress to be? What type of top it must have? To find inspiration you might want to browse Pinterest or Google as well as ask your friends and family about their gowns to understand your preferences better.
However, while starting your early search for the dress you must remember that it is rather difficult to find a garment that suits you perfectly right off the rack. Frequently, you will need to make some alterations, which may take some time to complete. That is why you need to make the alterations when your body is closest to the shape that you will be in during the wedding ceremony.
The truth about bride's dress size
You should remember that wedding dresses come in smaller sizes than regular gowns. So, it is essential to try on dresses in sizes that are bigger than your usual. It does not mean that you magically gained weight overnight, do not stress! If the gown fits you – it does not matter what the label says.
Even if you are planning to lose some weight before your special day, do not buy a dress that is too small for you at the moment. It is a better idea to get a gown that fits you right now and then take it in if needed.
Try on several dresses
To find an immaculate wedding dress you must try on various gowns to understand how they look on your body. Before coming into a boutique, make a small list of styles you like most, and start with your favorites. However, do not be afraid to try one or two dresses which you had not considered before – they might be a ringer!
Do not try on more than ten dresses as it may confuse and overwhelm you. The best call is to pick about four to seven gowns to give yourself some room for choice, but not make it so big you get lost in it.
Keep in mind that you will need to move and sit in the wedding dress
Do not forget about the more mundane aspects of your day as a bride: you will need to move and dance a lot, sit comfortably, eat some food, and go to the bathroom. Take these aspects into consideration while shopping for a dress – try to walk around, sit, and do other movements in your gown of choice. If you cannot do such things, the dress is probably not your go-to pick.
Wedding dresses also tend to be quite heavy, so find a garment that will not weigh you down too much. You must also consider how difficult it is to put the dress on and take it off – at the end of the night you probably will not have a couple of people to help you get out of the gown. Therefore, choose a dress that you can manage on your own or with minimal help.
The truth about bride's dress size
You should remember that wedding dresses come in smaller sizes than regular gowns. So, it is essential to try on dresses in sizes that are bigger than your usual. It does not mean that you magically gained weight overnight, do not stress! If the gown fits you – it does not matter what the label says.
Even if you are planning to lose some weight before your special day, do not buy a dress that is too small for you at the moment. It is a better idea to get a gown that fits you right now and then take it in if needed.
Try on several dresses
To find an immaculate wedding dress you must try on various gowns to understand how they look on your body. Before coming into a boutique, make a small list of styles you like most, and start with your favorites. However, do not be afraid to try one or two dresses which you had not considered before – they might be a ringer!
Do not try on more than ten dresses as it may confuse and overwhelm you. The best call is to pick about four to seven gowns to give yourself some room for choice, but not make it so big you get lost in it.
Keep in mind that you will need to move and sit in the wedding dress
Do not forget about the more mundane aspects of your day as a bride: you will need to move and dance a lot, sit comfortably, eat some food, and go to the bathroom. Take these aspects into consideration while shopping for a dress – try to walk around, sit, and do other movements in your gown of choice. If you cannot do such things, the dress is probably not your go-to pick.
Wedding dresses also tend to be quite heavy, so find a garment that will not weigh you down too much. You must also consider how difficult it is to put the dress on and take it off – at the end of the night you probably will not have a couple of people to help you get out of the gown. Therefore, choose a dress that you can manage on your own or with minimal help.
What not to do when choosing a wedding dress
- Do not buy your dress from any sites that are not official outlets of the brand’s or designer’s production.
- Do not start your shopping two weeks before the wedding – you might be surprised how long it takes to find a sensible boutique or make alterations to an already bought piece!
- Do not buy the dress online if it will come just a few days before the ceremony – it is crucial to feel the fabric and make sure that the garment fits immaculately.
- Do not be afraid to ask for help from shop assistants – they may give some life and money-saving advice.
- Do not choose a dress somebody else pressures you to buy – remember, it is your own special day and only you know what will make you happiest!