THE WEDDING DRESS SHOPPING EXPERIENCE + MY TIPS

It’s hard to explain the feeling of when you are trying on a wedding dress that looks beautiful but you know it’s just not ‘the one’. I remember the first wedding dress I tried on, I thought it was nice but knew it wasn’t right for me. The shop assistant asked me ‘what don’t you like about it’? I honestly didn’t really know what to say other than ‘it’s just not right for me’. It was hard for me to distinguish what exactly I didn’t like about it yet I knew that I didn’t love it. After trying on a few dresses that were all beautiful but not perfect, I began to wonder if I was being too picky. I questioned whether I would really know when I tried on a dress that it would be ‘the one’ or not. I mean, was this just a fantasy I had imagined and built up in my head? That instantly when I try on my ‘dream’ dress I would know that it was going to be the one I’d walk down the isle in?

'I questioned whether I would really know when I tried on a dress

that it would be ‘the one’ or not. I mean was this just a fantasy

I had imagined and built up in my head?'

I had come to the store (Oleg Cassini) with a few photos of dresses I had seen from their store online and loved. Some I loved more then others and each were of a different style. As I tried on the dresses I had saved, I was shocked to see that my original ‘favourites’ online became my least favourites on. It wasn’t until the 4th or 5th dress that I tried on the dress that became my actual wedding dress. This one I had saved with the mindset of ‘oh it probably won’t look good on me or compliment my figure but I’ll try it on anyway’. And guess what, it looked amazing! After looking into the mirror for the first time in this dress I instantly knew I loved it. It was something completely different to what I had imagined yet it complimented my body. It was covered in lace and sequins (which I adore) and simply looked stunning.

The only thing that made me question if it was the right dress for me, was that it was not the dress I had pictured myself in since I was a little girl. You see I used to watch the show gypsy weddings, where they'd have dresses so huge they could barely fit through a doorway let alone get in the car. And although I didn’t imagine myself in a dress that huge, I really did imagine myself in a puffy and elegant ball gown.

This ended up being the next dress I tried on and at the time, my second favourite...

I became torn between two gorgeous dresses. One that was different to anything I had imagined myself being able to pull off and one that I had always pictured wearing. After trying both on a few times and switching between the two I simply couldn’t choose in the moment. I needed time to think.

My Wedding Dress

So how did I end up choosing?

We were in a bit of a rush as we had an appointment at another store that we had to get to. Because I couldn't make a decision then and there about which dress I wanted, we decided we'd just move onto the next store and see what they had before making a final decision. We drove frantically and then sprinted to make it in time for the appointment. As the dresses at this store were mostly out of my budget ($3000+) I was only looking at the 'off the rack' sale items. These came only in one size and were limited in styles. I tried on a HUGE ball gown (I'm not kidding guys it was literally ginormous) which was so fun to try on but not so practical to wear on my wedding day. There were a few other dresses I tried on but most of them didn't sit right or compliment my figure. Unfortunately, they didn't allow us to take photos at this store so I have none to share.

Throughout this time all I could think about was the slim fit sequin and lace covered dress at Oleg Cassini. Trying on more dresses only allowed me to know for sure that I really did love this one.

So I went home and ordered it online along with a veil a few days later....

Whenever I've bought a dress in advance for an occasion such as a school formal, I've later regretted my purchase. Knowing this had happened to me multiple times in the past, I was extremely fearful that it would happen again, only this time it was my wedding dress! However, despite past experiences there was never a day I didn't love it. In the weeks leading up to the wedding I looked at photos of it almost every day.

'When I tried it on I never wanted to take it off.

And on my wedding day, I felt beautiful in it.'

HELPFUL TIPS FOR YOU TO TAKE AWAY

If I were to sum up my experience into some wedding dress shopping tips, these are what they would be:

1. Come with Pictures of Dresses in Mind:

It is especially important to come to the store with some ideas of what you do and don't like. Take some screenshots of your favourite dresses from the store you are about to visit and show these to the bridal consultant when you arrive. This will make it easy for them to gauge what look you are going for and they will also be able to find each dress easily from a photo rather than a verbal description.

2. Come Open Minded:

To your surprise you might end up loving a dress you didn't think you'd like or perhaps pull off. I almost didn't try on my wedding dress because I didn't think I could pull it off, however I am so glad I did! If the bridal consultant recommends a particular dress for you, just trust her and try it on.

3. Have a Budget & Stick to it:

You undoubtedly want to look and feel beautiful in your wedding dress and I believe you can with whatever budget you have (providing you have realistic expectations). I didn't want to spend more than $1000 and did my research on where I could shop that would suit this budget. I highly recommend Oleg Cassini, or looking at the sale items from other stores and buying them 'off the rack'. Don't go over budget more than a few hundred dollars and keep in mind that dress alterations tend to be an added cost.

4. Choose Wisely who Comes Shopping with You:

You don't have to bring along your entire family and bridal party along with you. Unless you really want to then go for it. Just don't feel obligated to. Choose people who will help you make the decision for yourself without being too persuasive with their opinion. Choose people who will support and encourage you and not add pressure or stress (the wedding planning is stressful enough!). I brought my mother, mother in law and sister to my appointment. I would have loved to have had my bridesmaids there also however, I think 3 was the perfect amount to help me make my decision without feeling overwhelmed by everyone else's thoughts and opinions.

5. Don't Feel as Though you Have to Decide Straight Away:

Take some time to decide for it really is a huge decision that you don't want to regret.

Allow yourself a few days to think about a dress if you are not 100% sure on it, just like I was, try on some more dresses to help you gain perspective.

6. When You Try on a Dress You Love, Try it on With a Veil:

The veil brings your dress to life. It really makes you feel like a bride and aids you in deciding how much you like the dress!

That's all for Now

When I was planning my wedding, I was addicted to watching YouTube videos and reading blog posts of people who had already bought their dress or planned their wedding. I wanted to hear their experiences and learn from them. I hope you can do the same with mine! I can't wait to share more of my experiences with you. Let me know if you liked this post! xo