Just for Brides!

Hi to all the lovely brides to be! Being a bridal stylist and a designer, I thought of posting some useful tips and advice for brides who must be busy shopping for their dream dress. Working at one of the biggest bridal stores in Melbourne, I have met so many brides from all different backgrounds. One half, enter the store with a very good understanding of what they really want to wear on the day, the other half do not have any clue of what they want. 

If you still haven't started bridal dress shopping yet, consider the tips below which would make your shopping experience a happy one.

1. Do Not leave it until the last minute. Start shopping at least 9 months before the wedding date.As you may know, many bridal stores do not sell gowns off the rack unless they are on sale for other reasons. Specially if it is a label based overseas:they need time to make your dress for your size and measurements and then deliver it to the store.

Note: Many made to order dresses take six months plus you have to leave a month for alterations in most cases. 

2. Try on bridal gowns from each style; fishtail, trumpet, princess/ball gown, A-line, slinky etc. This will help you find the right silhouette/ shape that matches your figure type.

3. If you have a themed or a special destination wedding, please advice the stylist about it and also do a bit of background research of what style, colors and materials would compliment the theme or the destination. 


a) If you are having a beach wedding you can wear a nice and soft dress. Princess full gowns is a No No. 
b) If it is a garden wedding make sure you go for dress without a big train that drags along the grass.
c) Always think of the climate of the destination where your wedding is. For an example you can't wear a heavy full volume dress for a Bali wedding, as you will be burning in the dress.

4.Try different fabrics and colors that would suit you.Sometimes pure white doesn't suit all the brides, even though it is known to be the traditional color for weddings. There are different shades of white, that you could go for; ivory, diamond white, silk white, natural, off white and etc.

5.Do not hesitate to ask for guidance from the stylist in the store as they are professionals. They can always guide you in choosing the ideal dress. I have met so many brides who end up loving the dress that we suggest.

6. Bring your closest  friends or family if you want a "SECOND" opinion but in the end the decision has to be yours as you will be the one who is wearing it and you should see yourself wearing it. I have witnessed many brides choosing the wrong dress after listening to their friends or even parents. When they pick up the dress they end up in tears. 

The people you bring in have to be honest and they should not dominate you. 

Bridesmaids movie

7.  In many instances, brides fall in love with the first dress they try on, but make sure you sleep on it before you purchase it. Make sure it is the one!!

8. Do not go around trying on hundreds of dresses in hundreds of shops, even after you found THE perfect dress. It wont do any help, it will just confuse yourself.

9. Did you have these reactions for a dress you tried on;

   "OMG, I love this"

   " I think this is the one"

   "This is so me"

   "Wow"

   "this ticks all the boxes, this has exactly what I wanted"

   "This is so comfortable"

   Big smile on your face

   These pretty much says that this is the dress that you are going to get married in. There is a saying among the stylist " You Cry You Buy".

10. If you absolutely love a dress and think it is the one you want , just secure it soon, otherwise you might lose it.

11. If you think you want to lose more weight and want to go for the next size down that what you are now, please be careful of the decision. It is better to go with the right size than going for a smaller one as you could always alter a big dress to make it smaller but not the other way around.

12. If you want accessories, try those with the dress.

13 It is always better to wear a hoop (under-skirt) with full bridal gowns as it make you easier to walk and dance on the day.

14. Never regret your decision after you settle with one as it wont make you feel terrible on the day.

15. Some brides chose the bridesmaid dresses even before the bridal dress. This is a terrible mistake as you never know what you would end up liking. 

16. Read bridal magazines and articles as much as you can.

17. If you have any cousins or friends who are getting married always try to find out what sort of dress they are going to wear. You never know, you might end up buying the same dress that your friend wore. There was a customer who was in tears after she found out that her cousin bought the exact same dress that she got.

18. Wear nude color underwear with the gown.

19. If you got pictures of the dress you bought, make sure you keep it safe, as your fiance might see it!!lol

It should be a surprise!!

20. Make sure you get your alterations done through a place specialized in bridal-wear alterations. Otherwise, it could ruin your lovely dress and you wont even have time for anything.

21 Store your dress in a safe place. Hang it straight and don't fold it. Keep it in a nice garment bag.

22. Make sure you get your consultant to show your bridesmaids or your mom of how to dress you up properly; lacing up, bustle at the back and etc.


23. Always try to build up a relationship with the bridal consultant you meet at the store, which means you have to be very courteous and empathetic, after all they are doing a job , that means they cant serve you for the whole day. 
 a) To get the most out of them always make an appointment
 b) Most of the time the store will call you to confirm your appointment, if not make sure you call and confirm the booking.
 c) Always try to get a booking early in the morning as the people who serve you will be more fresh and energetic and if you get a time closer to the closing time you will have to rush.
 d) If you have a specific dress of a preferred designer make sure you mention it to them beforehand.
 e) If you are given a specific time allocation for your appointment, always stick to that and if you run out of time make another time, do not ever rush your decision. 
 f) If you are given a choice to pick a stylist chose someone you will be comfortable with or even in some cases someone closer to your age as they can understand you more.
 g) If you be nice to the consultant, they will always go out of their way to help you. 
 h) Always have a good conversation with the consultant, it will help her to suggest dresses that would suit your character, style or preferences.
 i) If you speak a different language, avoid having long conversations with your friends in that language, ignoring the consultant. 


24) Take your shoes with you when you go for dress fittings.


25) If you like a specific dress, make sure you check the color under the natural light as you might not see the right color under the store lighting. By doing this you wont get any after shocks when you collect the dress.


26) Make sure you call and check the progress of the delivery of your dress and if you have any concerns call the store and free your mind.


27) If you want to purchase a veil or any other accessories with the dress try to get them as a whole package as you could always get a discount.


28) If you have a specific budget in mind, try to work within that.Sometimes you might go little over the budget, but that little extra dollars will be worth it rather than buying something less expensive and regret it later.


29) Always try to go for a dress that is timeless as you would want to look at your album after many years and still be happy of the choice you made.

By the way, hope my tips would be helpful for you and I will make sure that I update this whenever I come across something new at work. 

Good Luck with your Bridal Dress Shopping! Hope you will find a stunning dress.!