I have gone over the styles and cuts of dress choices earlier, and now I’m back to discuss actually shopping for it. Trying to choose your perfect dress can be very hard. Hopefully these tips and tricks will help you achieve your goal easily and without a lot of stress.

Usually, you should start shopping for your dress nine to ten months before the wedding. I think this is because if you allow us to buy dresses for something called “the most special day of our lives” we will want one in every style. Just ask me. I bought two. Be honest with yourself. If deep down you know that you’ve always wanted a princess dress, then just do it. Don’t pretend that a tea length dress will take you there. It won’t. If you are wanting to avoid a crowd, then try to go during the middle of the week. That way you can get more one on one time with someone working there. As for who you should take with you, I know that you want everyone including the cat and the dog to go. However, this can just bring unwanted confusion and opinions. Take one or two of the closest people to you. Try to have one of those people have similar taste to yours or at least get your taste and sense of style. Otherwise you will just be fighting an uphill battle and it will probably result in you leaving in tears. And not happy ones. When you go remember to take photos of the styles that you like, shoes similar to what you’re planning on wearing and a strapless or backless bra. It’s hard to tell if this is your dream dress when you have two thick black bra straps hanging out of it.

Those are some of the main basics when you’re trying to choose your dress. Some of you might like having a bit more control of the situation like I do. Some people call us prepared, my friends call people like us anal lol. These next ones are for you ladies.

1. Remember to confirm the store’s refund, cancellation and return policies before you walk out of there with a dress.
2. Be certain you are comfortable in it. Move around, lift your arms, practice sitting. You’re going to be in it for a full day and you need to be able to move in it.
3. Have the style number, dress size and color written on the receipt with the deposit amount and delivery date.
4. After a couple of weeks, call to make sure that the dress has been ordered and verify the delivery date.
5. Stay in touch with the store. Some stores have been known to go out of business after taking deposits.
6. When ordering, remember that it’s better to order it too large and get it taken in so that it hugs you perfectly, rather than too small. You can’t add fabric to close the back. Well, you probably can but the results won’t be nearly as nice.
7. Make sure that your receipt has a cancellation clause, meaning you will be given your deposit back if your dress doesn’t arrive on time or in good condition.
8. Be flexible. Sometimes the dress we envision ourselves wearing just isn’t very flattering. Keep your mind open to trying other styles.
9. Be cautious if you are ordering online. Sometimes the dress will be a different shade in photos. You run the risk of not getting it on time. And sometimes it just ends up being a cheaper looking version of what you thought you were getting.
10. If you are using a dress passed down in the family, look into being able to strengthen the structure from the underneath so that you don’t run into any problems.
11. If you have a dress from the family and you don’t want to wear it but are being pressured to, see if you can take some of it and add touches of it to the dress that you’ve always had your eye on.
12. Don’t bother dealing with someone acting like they don’t want to help you. If someone working there makes you feel uncomfortable in any way, just leave. This day is supposed to be a good day. You don’t need someone that you don’t even know ruining it for you. Every dress you try on after that point won’t look as good to you anyway.

When you’re starting to look for your dress, don’t feel like you have to be in a rush. This is a special time for you. Take your time and enjoy it. A lot of women say that they knew it was the one because of how they felt in it. Trust your instincts. If it makes you feel good, then that means something. Good luck and I hope this helps you to find the dress of your dreams.

xo Stephanie