So, you said “YES!” to the one you’ll marry, now it’s time to say “YES!” to the dress.

Cue hour-long daydreaming sessions about the gorgeous wedding gowns you’re going to try on, surrounded by your family and friends, sipping champagne, culminating at that moment when you find “the one.”  

Many of us dream of that moment, OUR moment, but it’s important to set yourself up for success and an outcome that exceeds your expectations vs. one tainted by frustration or (gulp) tears.

From personal experience, the whole thing can be quite overwhelming and there are a few things I wish I had thought about/known about before embarking on the hunt for my perfect dress. So, without further ado, here are my top 5 tips for dress success!

1. Entourage

Keep the moment intimate. Think carefully about the people you choose to invite along: do you value their opinion, do you trust them, do they know you really well? You might think you want everyone and their mom to be there to see you try on all the gorgeous gowns while sipping champagne, telling you what a bridal beauty you are…BUT the bigger the posse the more noise. Everyone comes with opinions! Your family and friends love you, but they also have their vision of you. Your mom might want you to have that princess moment, head to toe in tulle; your sister might want you in a backless dress with a Bella Hadid-style slit up the side, and your best friend might have visions of you as some sort of Bohemian Beauty. It’s therefore important that you are clear in your mind about what you truly envision for yourself. If you want to feel like a princess, then put the tiara on, sis. If you like more of a classic and simple style, then keep it simple. Being authentic to yourself is key, but so is being open to multiple dress styles as every dress will make you feel different. You may hate lace but end up with a dress made up entirely of lace. Remember: the only opinion that matters is yours; you have the final say!

1. 2. Trust yourself

You know how you feel the moment you put something on your body. You dress yourself every day and this really isn’t any different, except the stakes are a bit higher (!) and you get to play dress-up in someone else’s closet! Stop, pause and consider how you look and feel in each dress before heading out to your tribe. You want to make sure you know how you feel about the dress before getting everyone else’s commentary. 

1. 3. Keep an open mind

With the above being said, sometimes a dress you thought you wouldn’t want to wear in a million years turns out to be the one that steals your heart away. Keep an open mind and try on some dresses that might not be 100% your style; you might be surprised! Try on a range of styles, just for the experience. And keep in mind, this whole process of getting to the altar is supposed to be fun, don’t lose the joy in your quest for perfection! And remember: he will love you no matter what you are wearing <3

1. 4. Budget

Have a set budget going into your appointments. A dress is not worth going into debt for. The last thing you want is to find the “perfect” dress and then find out it is way over your budget. At the end of the day, you have to be realistic. And whatever your budget is, with all the options available these days, you will find your perfect dress without breaking the bank!

1. 5. Body

The worst thing you can do when trying on dresses is to think about what you want your body to look like on your wedding day. Pick the dress that fits what your body is now, not what you hope to change. Knowing how you feel in the dress now is going to make the process of fittings and walking down the aisle to the love of your life that much more special!

Happy Shopping,

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