One of my absolute favorite days during the time Jay and I were planning our wedding was when I went dress shopping!  I’m so happy that it was a stress-free experience for me and that I truly loved every minute of it.  It was such a special time in my life and I have only wonderful memories of it.  Here are a few tips from Simply Bridal that will help you have a wonderful experience when it comes time to pick your dress out, too!

1. Set a budget

This is one of the first things you should do BEFORE you start hunting for the perfect dress. Refrain from trying on any gowns that are out of your price range. You don’t want to fall in love with something you can’t afford so why set yourself up, right?

2. Choose a style

Before starting your dress hunt, find images of gowns you like. Start by pulling inspiration images from magazines, blogs, the Internet, etc. This will help you determine which style you are drawn to the most. Whether it’s contemporary or more classic, pulling inspiration will point you in the right direction.

3. Book appointments early

After you’ve decided on a few options you like, start booking appointments to try these babies on! There is no time to waste, and better soon than later.

4. Pick a partner

When going to try on dresses, bring someone along with you. Be very selective with your choice and try to only pick one person to go. This may seem hard, but the less opinions the better. That way nobody gets hurt.

5. Be open-minded

Although you may think you know what you want, try keeping an open mind and try on a couple of gowns you normally wouldn’t try on. You never know what could happen. It could either verify the reasons you don’t like them or perhaps surprise you are be the lucky winner for your big day!

6. Don’t rush

Although you have a lot to plan before your big day, don’t let that cause rushed decisions. Take your time when it comes to gown shopping. You’ll be wearing this gown on the most important day of your life and you have to make sure it’s absolutely perfect!

7. Trust your choice

Once you have found “the dress”, stop trying on gowns! This is very important! Trust your gut feeling. Move on to the next item, like shoes!

8. Think color themes

Although this rule may apply more to your bridesmaid’s gowns, it’s really important to look at your color scheme and the overall look in order to make sure your bridesmaids gowns fit the feel of your big day. Along with color, you want to make sure the vibe is exactly how you expected (upbeat and modern, more traditional, etc.)

9. Consider your entire look

When trying on gowns, don’t forget about your overall wedding look. It’s important to see how your hair looks up if that’s how your plan on wearing it for your wedding. If you know you’re going to be wearing a beaded-edge veil, or vintage-style headpiece, don’t forget to try one on with your gown to make sure everything is flawless.

10. Ask for advice

Don’t be afraid to ask for advice regarding your gown. When purchasing your wedding dress it’s important to find out as much info as you can. For example, the fabric, ways to spot clean it if you have a spillage on your big day, etc.

A big thank you to Simply Bridal for putting together these tips for our brides!  To view some of their gorgeous dresses be sure to visit their website or find them on Facebook.

For more Tips for Brides click here. Happy Wedding Planning!!