Planning for your upcoming wedding is an exciting process. We might be a bit biased, but we think finding your wedding dress is one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning! That being said, we’ve experienced all the emotions that come along with finding the dress and know that for some, the idea of shopping for and trying on a series of wedding dresses seems somewhat daunting and can be stressful just thinking about it! We want to help ease any anxieties that might come up and if the idea of wedding dress shopping doesn't inspire confidence, the following tips might help you better prepare for a successful, confident and positive wedding dress shopping experience!
Make a Mantra
It might sound unnecessary, but the first step to avoiding negativity on the day of your dress shopping is to think of a phrase to repeat to yourself throughout the day. Anything from “I am beautiful the way I am” to “I AM a sexy beast” can boost your mood and improve your dress shopping experience. It doesn’t always have to be a phrase; remembering why you’re shopping for a wedding dress in the first place (because you’re getting married to the person you love and who loves you!) can do the trick and keep you on a path of positivity.
Shop for your current body
If you’re already at the dress-shopping stage of your wedding process, then you’ve probably already heard the saying “shredding for the wedding”. You may have also started to realize that it’s easy to lose sight of what your wedding is really about when you’re constantly seeing information and advertising on pre-wedding diets, workouts and the idea that you need to change yourself in time for your wedding.
We’re here to remind you that you’re beautiful just the way you are! If you plan on starting a regimen to improve your health and wellness before your wedding, do it only because you want to!
That being said, don’t go through your dress shopping experience envisioning the body you wish to have in a few months, because whether or not your expectations for yourself are achieved, it will only be a distraction from the task at hand - shopping. So look for a dress that fits who you are in the moment, no matter how large, small, or average you may perceive yourself be. Besides, if your body does change between the time of dress shopping and your final fitting, that’s what alterations are for! Also keep in mind that we as your dress consultants are here to guide you through the trying-on process and can help you figure out what fits your personal style that is also going to let your personality shine through on the big day!
Bringing guests
It’s always great to have a second, and even a third, pair of eyes, especially when making a decision as important as your wedding dress. The best people to bring along are those you can trust to give an honest opinion, but not people who might be harsh enough to bring you down. In other words, surround yourself with the energy of friends and family members who help you be your best and most positive self!
Avoid People-Pleasing
This can be a hard one, we know. Take the advice of your mom or your best friend, but keep in mind that their opinions are just opinions. Don’t be pressured to pick a certain dress or style that you feel iffy about because mom is set on it - go with the dress that you feel 100% comfortable, confident and beautiful in. After all, it’s your wedding day, and you, and no one else, will be wearing it!
Be Honest with your consultant
Insecurities are real, and we all have them. If there’s something that you’re particularly worried about when it comes to your wedding dress, don’t be afraid to bring it up with your dress consultant at the start of your appointment or even during the process of scheduling your appointment. We typically like to ask this question at the start of your appointment and knowing your concerns will definitely help us set aside the most fitting selections for you to try on. There’s a dress for everybody (and every body)!
Don’t compare yourself to Photoshopped images
About those photos you see of perfectly flawless brides on Pinterest - just a reminder - they’re probably photoshopped. The internet is a great tool for finding inspiration and examples for your own wedding dress, but if what you see in the mirror during your appointment doesn’t exactly match what you’ve been seeing, don’t compare and despair. You are your own original person, and who said all brides have to fit into a specific standard anyway? So, take images from the internet and magazines with a grain of salt. You’ll know when you find the right dress because you will look (and feel) like your best self, no retouching required!
Be your Best Self
When you go out to begin your wedding dress shopping, be sure to set yourself up for the right state of mind. Doing your makeup and even getting a hair appointment just to go shopping may sound like overkill, but if it helps give you that extra sense of assurance or eases your nerves, it’s worth it.
Do you have a particular bra or underwear set that makes you feel sexy and confident no matter what? Bring it along. You can also bring shapewear if you wish, but know that it’s completely optional and not necessary for your to look your best in a dress. (A lot of gowns come with built-in support for this reason anyway!)
Sizes aren’t Serious
Numbers can be a source of anxiety for anyone, so it’s important to keep your cool and not be shocked by what you might see on wedding dresses. First, wedding dress sizes uses a different system than regular dress sizes. Second, any wedding dress size that fits you is the perfect size, end of story.
If size worries you, it’s helpful to find out beforehand about the range that your dress salon offers.
Keep an Open Mind
Not all dresses that look good on the hanger will look good once they’re on. The opposite is also true, so there will always be dresses that look questionable on the hanger but stunning once they’re on you! Your consultant is a good judge of what will or won’t be flattering with your figure, so be open to their advice. There will always be dresses that miss the mark, so don’t dwell on the ones that don’t work and be quick to move on to the ones that do!
Don’t Shop on an empty stomach
Underestimating the effect of “hangriness” on your mood and energy (let alone positivity) is an easily avoidable mistake! While it might be tempting to skip a meal before shopping to avoid feeling too full, be sure to eat something and plan ahead before you start shopping. You might want to go on the lighter side for the meal you choose, but what better way to silence your harshest inner critic and set the stage for a positive day than taking some time for yourself?
If you need to, Take a Break
Despite your best efforts, wedding dress shopping is still a tiring and sometimes overwhelming experience. It’s okay to take a minute and regroup mentally so you can resume the process with a more positive state of mind. Taking the time to recuperate is important; you don’t want to rush the process and be too beat to stay positive!
To Conclude -
Perhaps the most important step that you can take to maintain positivity while wedding dress shopping is to have Perspective. Remember the reason why you’re shopping in the first place. You’ve found the perfect person to spend the rest of your life with and who will see you as beautiful no matter what dress you wear!
