Wedding dress shopping tips and advice
Whatever your style, there’s a dress to make you feel beautiful, comfortable and glamorous on your wedding day. Shopping for the perfect wedding gown needn’t be stressful – follow these tips for a stress-free New Zealand wedding dress shopping experience:
1. Get in early
Shop well in advance, as this will allow you to see what’s out there in the world of wedding dresses and give you time to have a dress custom made or altered if required. Leave yourself 12 to 18 months if possible to maximize your choices.
2. Make appointments
While you might prefer spontaneous wedding dress shopping, some bridal boutiques prefer, or require, that you make a booking ahead of time. This will also give the store time to find out what you’re looking for in a dress and present you with a number of options.
3. Keep numbers down
Shop alone, or with one or two good friends. Trying on dresses with friends can be fun and provide you with valuable opinions, but it may turn stressful if you’ve got people pulling you in different directions. Choose your shopping companions wisely.
4. Don’t be dazzled by designer names
Just because there’s a Vera Wang wedding dress in the boutique (and it’s a steal) doesn’t mean it’s the dress for you. Sure, it would be great to say you’re wearing a designer wedding dress, but it’s more important to find a dress that suits you and makes you look and feel great!
5. Groom yourself before you go
Make sure you’re freshly bathed before trying on wedding dresses and ensure you’re wearing underwear that’s close to what you’ll be wearing on the big day (and presentable enough that you’re happy to flash it to the sales assistant!). Also, wear little or no makeup and avoid using body moisturisers, perfumes, hairsprays and tanning lotions, as these are potentially damaging to wedding dresses.
6. Think of your feet
Wear shoes that are easy to slip on and off, as you’ll be barefoot when trying on wedding dresses. Most stores will have you stand on a platform or stool, as the dress will have a long cut until hemmed. When you’ve decided on a dress, you’ll need to try it on with the shoes you’ll be wearing on your big day, so that the dress can be hemmed to the correct length. While added height can be tempting, it’s best to keep to low or medium heels for comfort and practicality.
7. Keep your price range in mind
Decide on a budget before going bridal gown shopping. Don’t try on designer dresses that are outside your price range; you may find yourself falling for an unobtainable dress that will only end up breaking your heart.
8. Remember added costs
Ask each store what is included in the cost of the dress; some will include hemming, fitting and ‘trying on’ fees in the marked price, while others will have extra fees added on to the price.
9. Keep a tally of dresses
Make sure you keep track of dresses you’ve tried on and seen. Scrapbook them with photos and notes, including price, store or supplier, good and not-so-good points, what others thought, ideas for accessorizing and other useful information that could otherwise be forgotten.
10. Stick to your style
Don’t feel pressured into a choice that isn’t right for you. Find a wedding dress that suits your body shape and your style. There are a wide range of wedding dresses available: glamorous, classic, modern, casual and bohemian.
New or second hand wedding dress?
While it may not fit with the vision you have of your perfect day, buying a secondhand wedding dress will save you money and give you more cash to spend on other parts of your wedding or honeymoon. The condition of the dress will not be an issue – most have only been worn once! Hesitations are usually more emotional; for such a significant occasion, many brides want a dress that’s uniquely their own, possibly to hold on to as a keepsake or family heirloom. But if you do choose to buy a second hand wedding dress or wedding accessories, there are a number of websites that allow people to list secondhand wedding dresses for sale. Before you buy, check:
- The fit – take a photo to a dressmaker to make sure the dress can easily be altered for the perfect fit. Take the cost of alterations into account when budgeting for your wedding dress.
- The look – if you can’t try on the dress in person, make sure you have as many photos as possible, from a variety of angles and showing embroidery and other details. Make sure the style is right for you by trying on dresses of a similar style.
- The cost – ensure that you and the seller are clear on the price and whether the cost includes shipping. Is there a return policy? Check to see if the seller will accept a return within a set time period, such as three to five days.
Custom and tailor made wedding dresses
A dress from a professional wedding dress maker will allow you to get the dress of your dreams, although you’ll pay more for the extra service. Having your wedding dress tailor made will also ensure you get the perfect fit, but be prepared for the usual three fittings and alterations. When choosing a dressmaker, get referrals from friends, family and workmates. Do a background check on the dressmaker, reviewing their portfolio, checking references and asking about their knowledge of design (you may need to consult with a designer for your wedding dress pattern and fabric choice). You should allow six months from design through to completion.
Wedding dress hire
One of the most affordable solutions is to hire your wedding dress – hired gowns can be altered to fit and many stores will also make significant alterations if required. Some businesses will also provide a ‘make to hire’ service, making a dress to your specifications and then hiring the dress to you. You’ll need to pay a deposit and ensure that the dress has been booked for the correct date. You’ll only wear it for one day, but (as with secondhand wedding dresses) you may feel an emotional attachment to your wedding dress and want to hang on to it!
Wedding dress patterns and alterations
Wedding dresses are closely fitted garments that will need a number of fittings and alterations before your wedding day. Dresses are usually made to standard sizes, so the fit will not be exact and the dress will require some alterations to fit to your body’s contours. Allow for alterations in your wedding dress budget. Some bridal wear boutiques will handle fittings instore and include alterations in the cost of the dress, while others will refer you to a dressmaker. The complexity of the alterations will determine the cost of the clothing alteration service. If you are planning on losing weight, make sure you buy a dress in a larger size than you expect to need and have the size adjusted close to your wedding day.
This article was kindly supplied by NZS.