Photo: Tattsiana (Shutterstock)
Saying yes forever with the love of your life is the easy part (we hope). Saying yes to the dress, however, is not as easy as television would like to make it. There are expectations (both yours and others), there are many more options than you ever thought possible, and there are likely some uncertainties to take with you into the bridal boutique. But there is a perfect dress for you – here’s how to find it.
Know what to expect from a dress, but be open to surprises
Kaitlin Popovic, a 28-year-old newlywed from Staten Island, knew exactly what she wanted when she went there Bridal couple Kleinfeld, the boutique of TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress fame. In fact, she knew so well that she came in with a certain style number.
“As soon as I saw the dress, I fell in love,” she said about her Pnina Tornai dress. “I knew immediately that it was the right one.”
Sure, Popovic was very lucky that day – but don’t come down if you can’t find your dream dress the second you walk into a store.
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“About 72% of brides find their dress on their first shopping date. So make sure you have everything and everyone you need to say when you go shopping, ”said Jordan Ensminger, Creative Director and Buyer for The bridal collection, is just outside of Denver. But don’t despair if you don’t belong to that percentage.
“Be prepared to love dresses that you thought you wouldn’t like and be overwhelmed by the styles that you thought you would love. You want to look for a dress that feels most authentic to yourself and your personality and that sometimes doesn’t go with your Pinterest board, ”she said. “Don’t stress the wedding too much. Just be yourself (but a fancier version!), Because it doesn’t get any better, especially for the person who marries you. “
Choose a dress that you love
Even if you have been dressing successfully since childhood, you may find that suddenly many people around you are giving their opinions and expectations about what you will wear on your wedding day. Read that again: your wedding day.
It is nice to be aware of family traditions or cultural conventions, but this is still your day. Your family members (and future family members) have important roles on the wedding day and should be celebrating and celebrating too – but this is your party.
“Shopping for wedding dresses is subjective,” said Ensminger. “Not everyone will like the same clothes that you love. It can be tough falling in love with a dress, but you won’t get the reaction you hoped for from your mom, best friend, or sibling. Everyone has their own idea of what to wear to their wedding and that is shaped by how they see you or what they would choose themselves. As long as you feel like yourself and feel beautiful and happy, the only thing that matters is. “
Popovic said the same thing, and she said it forcefully, “This is your day and nobody else’s. Pick a dress, headdress, veil, etc. that you want. Don’t pick anything for someone else just to make them happy. This day is about you and your future spouse and nobody else. “
However, navigating family relationships can be difficult. You don’t have to be told; we all know it. Now you have two families to deal with and it’s twice as difficult, so you have the rest of your life to get into arguments. Stick to this and focus on yourself, your day, and your love.
And wear what you want.
Don’t expect the process to be quick
Trying on wedding dresses is fun, isn’t it? It’s a day or two of champagne and laughs with your friends and family members. You can put on some gorgeous dresses and play around with your personal style. You can take a photo for Instagram holding an Etsy-style sign announcing your success. It probably won’t get as many likes as the engagement ring picture you posted recently, but hey, it’s part of the process!
So that you know, the wedding dress ordeal isn’t over after that. The process has only just begun.
“Dresses can take up to eight months to arrive, so shop with enough time to order your dress and make changes,” said Ensminger.
Right: changes. This dress is just for you which means it must match your unique body. Its creation – including detailing, beading, and sewing – can take a long time, not to mention the changes it goes through once it’s shipped to you and you try it the second, third, and even fourth time.
“I did three try-ons for my dress, which is perfectly normal,” said Popovic, who pointed out that this part of the process can and should be enjoyed, even if it takes a while. “I added straps to my dress and added a little more shine. The change part was actually very cool. My dress was couture, so to see how they actually cut into my dress and hem was real art. “
Trust that there is a perfect dress for you
This is a special occasion, and difficult as it may be, do your best to leave your uncertainties at the door. Your fiancée chooses to spend the rest of her life with you and loves you for who you are. You are beautiful now and you will be beautiful on the big day.
“For brides who feel uncomfortable or insecure while shopping, remember that it is perfectly normal to feel this way. Donning a wedding dress for the first time can feel really weird and very “grown up,” so it’s okay if it doesn’t feel natural to you, “said Ensminger. “Buying a dress that you will wear in front of tens to hundreds of people would get everyone to take a closer look at themselves, but don’t let your insecurities dissuade you from your experience as a bride. Know that dresses come in all sizes and are amazing at highlighting the things you love about your body and hiding the things you like less. “
Instead of focusing on perceived mistakes, bring a group of supportive friends and family members with you. Remember, this is all about you. If a family member or friend seems a little jealous or prone to making rude comments about your body, feel empowered to cross them off your invitee list on shopping day. Nobody has the right to make you feel guilty, especially during one of the most exciting times of your life.
Have fun with the people you bring with you. Popovic said that although she knew what dress she wanted before entering the boutique, she tried on a variety of pieces “to make the process fun and interesting for everyone who came”.
“Try everything,” she said. “Even if it’s not your style, you will never know if you don’t try. Have fun; just enjoy the experience. “
